Support

Resources for ideas and encouragement

As with many aspects of life, we often need a little encouragement to help motivate us to provide a stimulating and interesting learning environment for our children. There may come times when we feel exhausted and possibly begin to doubt that we are doing the best for our children. The following suggestions are designed to help prevent and overcome discouragement.

• Become involved in at least one active support or activity based group where you are able to talk informally with other home educating parents. Swap and share resources, ideas and stories.

• Subscribe to magazines or journals that contain relevant articles of interest and encouragement. Good Australian homeschooling mags are:
  Homeschool Australia Newsletter
  Otherways (Victorian publication)
  Learning Matters - the monthly newsletter produced for HBLN members (WA).

  Some international and/or specific interest magazines or journals may also bring great encouragement.

• For those with internet access, spend some time browsing for new and different ideas from home education and general education based websites. Some ideas to start with are:
  Home Education Association
  Aussie Educator

• Plan time for regular breaks from your usual activities or routine for family fun, or spend time relaxing away from the family.

• Include your spouse/partner and other supportive extended family members or friends in your learning activities whenever possible.

• Make good use of free or low cost community facilities and resources. Check local newspapers, community notice boards and your local library for ideas.

• Attend conferences and seminars whenever they become available. The informal networking that happens at these events is usually invaluable.

• Join email lists that might help you keep in touch with local events and issues. A couple of popular general ones are:
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HBLNPerth/
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PHENetworking/
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/australianhomeschool/
  Perth Homeschoolers online forum

• Borrow books about home education from the HBLN or public libraries or friends. Discuss what you read with others.

• Celebrate achievements and milestones with your children.

Always remember that taking care of your own physical, spiritual and emotional health will help you keep in good shape for giving your best to your children.