As homeschoolers in the trenches, it can be interesting and beneficial to read of the experiences of those who have homeschooled successfully. It can give us hope that it is possible to homeschool on a long-term basis. Homeschool veterans can also help us be aware to the pitfalls that many homeschoolers face on the journey.
In Confessions of a Catholic Homeschool Mom, Karen Salstrom shares the story of her homeschooling life and what she learned along the way. In the course of parenting her children which included biological, step-children, and adopted children, Salstrom has had experience with public, private, and homeschool education. She came to the conclusion that “because education can be tailored to each child’s weaknesses, strengths, and learning style, homeschooling is an ideal choice for most children.”
Salstrom means the “confession” in the title literally. She uses the Catholic sacrament of confession as a framework for discussing the sins she committed in the course of homeschooling. Salstrom is not alone. Many homeschoolers are prone to these sins (myself included). They include envying other homeschoolers, seeking outside validation of what we are doing, suffering from excessive doubt, putting our trust in curriculum rather than God, and not understanding our vocations.
For each of these temptations, Salstrom offers suggestions on how to over come them. Yet, even if we fall into sin, we are able to ask for forgiveness and begin again. With our focus on God and his will for us in all that we do, we can succeed at homeschooling and at life.