The first time I heard about HOMESCHOOL SUPERHEROES WEEK, I had mixed feelings. While it was fun to see some of my blogging buds with their own superhero image, I will admit that I was a little taken aback.
I thought, “They are just normal moms who have homeschooled awhile. What makes them so SUPER?”
And, I also wondered, “Who even says they’re doing a good job at homeschooling, let alone a SUPER, out-of-this-world kind of job?”
Then, when I was asked to submit a topic to be a HOMESCHOOL SUPERHERO last year, though I was flattered, I declared to myself, “I know for a fact that I am NOT SUPER!”
And, though I’ll admit that we’ve had a successful homeschool journey so far, I also acknowledge that it’s NOT because I am doing a SUPER, out-of-this-world job.
But, here I am. Fully caped and booted with my very own hilariously inaccurate SUPERHERO image.
{Don’t feel bad if you laughed. I still do each time I see it. It IS funny!}
So, why did I decide to accept this “role” as a HOMESCHOOL SUPERHERO for 2021 and again for 2022?
Because I realized that I do indeed have a couple of gifts that have helped make our homeschooling journey a success so far.
Gifts, that you might cleverly coin as SUPERPOWERS.
I like to call my main SUPERPOWER “resourcefulness” because I have always used an eclectic approach and pulled from a variety of resources to create the best education for my son.
And, maybe another SUPERPOWER of mine is “literacyinguist” because I seem to have a knack for teaching literacy to kids of all ages.
{I also seem to have a gift of making up words. Case in point: literacyinguist.} 🙂
But, I also have loads of UN-Superpowers.
I hate doing science experiments.
I’m horrible at teaching math.
I never teach PE.
I tend to overschedule.
I struggle to allow my son to fail.
But, here I am about to start our twelfth year of successfully homeschooling.
Even with all of my failures, struggles and inabilities.
How have I done it?
It’s simple.
I have applied the couple of SUPERPOWERS that I can claim.
And then I have learned from others.
Because while Amber might not be resourceful like me, she sure as heck rocks at knowing how to create the best schedule for her family.
And while Jana might stink at teaching reading, she definitely knows how to set up elaborate science experiments.
And though Shawna can never get to co-op on time, the kids sure love the 5th grade trivia games that she creates for them.
Not only have I learned from others, I have actually called on them to apply THEIR SUPERPOWERS to OUR homeschool.
Becky taught PE for years in our son’s co-op.
Nicole does all of the math teaching in our home.
And Tana calls me out, in love, when I am being too easy on my son and his academics.
So, I use the SUPERPOWERS that I have and then I call on others {either by just example or by actually doing it for me!} to fill in with their SUPERPOWERS to create a successful homeschool experience.
Because, even more important than realizing that perhaps I have a couple of SUPERPOWERS, is the fact that I believe we ALL do.
WE EACH HAVE OUR OWN HOMESCHOOL SUPERPOWER!
So, whether you are new to homeschooling or have been at this a while, you need to ask yourself, “What is MY HOMESCHOOL SUPERPOWER?”
Because you have {at least} one.
Identify it!
Own it!
Be great at it!
Rock it!
Maybe even offer it to others.
WE EACH HAVE OUR OWN HOMESCHOOL SUPERPOWER!
But, you also need to ask yourself, “Where am I lacking? What are my homeschool UNsuperpowers?”
Be honest with yourself. Figure out where you need help.
And then find the exact help you need.
Watch others to get ideas.
Ask for help and offer your superpower in exchange.
Read a lot to stay informed and updated.
Go to a convention to get inspired.
Join a co-op and let others teach some subjects for you.
Or start one if you cannot find one you like.
Listen to podcasts to laugh and learn at the same time.
Learn to be okay with NOT doing it all.
