I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post in ....but I am sure someone will have some advise.

I started HS my 11yo dd in the middle of the school year last year, so I am a newbie.;0) I used to belong to a morning women's bible study, I feel like it takes too much time away from our school if I were to go. We already juggle school in between two younger siblings, 2yo and 1yo. The problem is I need encouragement, and I feel very isolated. How do I get these things that I need as a woman and a new homeschooler? Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thank you, God Bless.
Jennifer

Jennifer,

This is tough. I belonged to and led a women's Bible study for three years while I was homeschooling. It meant that we lost the entire day on Wednesdays. I often had the same concerns that you did, but again like you, I really needed the encouragement and God-time of that Bible study. For us, too, the study hired my kids to do child care during the Bible study, which allowed them to earn some money and provide a service.

Are there any Bible studies available in the evenings and would that be an option for you? I couldn't do it b/c of my kids' dance classes, but this might work if you can manage it.

Another option is to use a four-day school week and consider the day of the Bible study your day off--perhaps in the afternoons you could run errands or do other things that might not be strictly school related. That's what we did--on Wednesdays after Bible study, two of my girls would do quilting with an older woman from our church.

Praying that you find the right answer for you!

Your daughter is still young enough that you could cover your content subjects (Literature, History, and Science) in four days: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. It might make those days a bit longer, but sometimes it's worth it. :-)

Plan to get her started with her reading over the weekend in order to take the pressure off (Give her the literature assignment on Friday afternoons and encourage her to read for a few minutes before she turns out her light at night over the weekend.)

Get her going on her writing assignment on Monday so you will have time to finish that up on Thursday and Friday.

Then if you really need to finish up some skill subjects, just schedule a short session on Saturday mornings (for arithmetic and maybe a spelling test). OR you could train her to whip off her math assingment first thing Wednesday morning BEFORE you head out the door. Give her a pre-view of the assignment along with Tuesday's math assignment; that way she can work independently as you get everyone ready to head out the door. She could work on her spelling words by following you around as you feed and dress the little ones.

And don't forget that car time doesn't have to be wasted time. We ALWAYS listened to books on tape in the car. There are so many opportunites to discuss SO many things. History, philosophy, people, events, help them make those across-the-decades-and-centuries connections, plot, character, climax, etc..... In the car you can also quiz her on mental math problems, grammar rules, history dates, people, discuss her writing assignment...

Just some thoughts on how to make hsing work FOR you so you can finish your marathon!

I hope that you find a plateau of peace.
Janice in NJ

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

I'm in the same boat. Our church's women's Bible class is held on Tuesday mornings, with the added bonus of childcare and homeschool classes. As nice as that is, I am finding that missing a full day of "real" class is too disruptive and throws off the rest of the week.

A couple of friends and I have formed an afternoon Bible study which fits into all our schedules. We meet at the park when its nice outside, and do a home rotation when its not. Sometimes we pick an in-depth study, sometimes just a Christian living book, depending on the needs of the time. It has been a sanity-saver for sure!

Hi Jennifer,
It really is a blessing to have regular fellowship with other Christian ladies on a regular basis. I have, I hate to admit, found myself resenting homeschooling in the past because it has kept me from having this fellowship, (not even to mention how I imagine what a 'good mom' I would be if I had all day to keep up the house and spend time studying God's word...). As I have wallowed in my self-pity, the Lord has gently shown me that in this isolation He is using this time to cause me to trust in Him as my source of joy and to be my constant Friend and Teacher. I have discovered that the more time I spend in His Word daily, the more encouraged and strengthened I am even when I don't have that fellowship.
I say this after two years of searching for like-minded fellowship with other ladies (we moved two years ago) and being sadly disappointed...I recently found a wonderful homeschool group but the Lord used the last two years to teach me so much! I pray that as you search, you will seek a closer relationship with the Lord who will comfort and strengthen you more than any person could!
On a practical level, a great thing to consider is a prayer group with other moms. Where we used to live, I would get together with a group of small homeschool moms one evening a month and we would pray for our families and homeschool days...it was a tremendous blessing. I'm starting one up with the homeschool group that we recently joined and it is very informal. Just meet at someone's house one night a month, talk over concerns/praises etc..and then go before the Lord in prayer.
I hope that is helpful!
Blessings,
Mary

Have you thought about joining a co-op. Ours meets every other friday. You will still get to connect with other women and your children are still learning. We have different classes for the kids like P.E., Art, Drama. They also have a worship time together. The ladies try to get together the first sat. of every month (very early in the morniing) for an hour or so for breakfast. Our church has a wed. night program for kids and parents can go to a Bible study class so I get to learn there.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and great ideas. God is with me through all of this and he will provide.

Amy, How would I find out if there is a TOG co-op in our area? Is your co-op TOG? Thank you,
Jennifer

The co-op I attend is not a TOG co-op. I met these ladies through T ball 4 or 5 years ago and have been with them since then. I do know that there are some ladies near me that want to start a TOG co-op. I think there is a space on this forum for ladies interested in forming one. Maybe you could find someone in your area. If you want to ask more questions about our co-op and how it runs just email me. Jaldrich4@kc.rr.com. I would be glad to chat with you about it! Also this year and last year the ladies have really wanted to push to encourage each other. They just wrote a chart so that we can be praying for each other and they are going to have some ladies get together nights. They are going to have each of us write what we appreciate about each other. Just some ideas if you were thinking about doing a co-op. Hope this helps.