Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
For homeschooling parents who have chronic conditions, having the support of their spouse and children means a lot. But those families shouldn’t have to face the world alone! There are outside sources of support for parents with long-term illness and disabilities.

Local homeschool support groups can be a great place to find help and encouragement.* My wife and I knew a homeschooling mom who not only had a disability herself, but was homeschooling a special-needs child. Her local support group generously assisted her so she was able to keep homeschooling.

Support groups can provide financial aid or used curriculum. Do you know a homeschooling family facing this struggle? On a bad day, it can make a big difference to have someone come in and clean the house, bring a meal, or teach lessons. Just a listening ear can be a blessing to a struggling parent. Reach out to counter the isolation of a homeschooling mom who can’t get out to support group meetings.

HSLDA’s Home School Foundation is committed to assisting homeschooling families in need. An HSF grant could help purchase curriculum to accommodate a disabled parent’s need. For instance, the Foundation helped to purchase a digital magnifier so that a mom who was legally blind could read teacher’s manuals and grade her children’s work.

Although homeschooling with a disability or chronic illness requires a lot of dedication from the parent, the rewards can be immense. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.