Not Only A Homeschool Mum

Not Only A Homeschool Mum –
Written by Debbie Douse of An Adventurous Education

A note from Jamie: Please join me today in welcoming a new contributor to our Simple Homeschool team, Debbie Douse from the UK. I’ve gotten to know her for a few years in my Introverted Moms community, and I’m sure you will love her thoughtful insights as much as I have. Welcome, Debbie!

Hi, I’m Debbie, an adventure-loving homeschool mum to two enthusiastic children!

Based on the South East coast of England, we live and learn together in a happy blend of passion-led, book-mad and partly structured home education, mixed with a very large dollop of travel and adventure.

I am so excited to be writing on Simple Homeschool for the very first time, here to authentically share our homeschooling journey with you, with its wonderful highs and occasional emotionally painful lows. I’m sure you can relate!

One thing is for sure, despite its magical moments, homeschooling is an intense job. Sometimes overwhelmingly so. It’s easy to lose your own sense of self amongst its all-encompassing demands.

I wrote the poem below to remind me that my role in life is not just the multi-faceted duties of a homeschool mum of two. I’m also a woman with her own needs, interests and passions.

Slowly and gently, I am encouraging this version of me to come out of hiding and let her light shine brightly too.

My challenge is for you to adapt this poem to reflect you and help you remember the imperfectly perfect parent behind your homeschool, too.

Not Only A Homeschool Mum
by Debbie Douse

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who has spent the last day discussing biology concepts with her son,
Struggling over physics questions with her daughter,
and
I am also a Woman,
Who loves to hike, flamenco dance
and tinker in the garden.

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who drives for hours to auditions, coaching sessions, dance classes,
Play dates or band practice.
and
I am also a Woman,
Who, whilst waiting for their return, snuggled under a blanket,
Reads, writes and dreams for herself.

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who wipes tears, leaves space for anger to spill, hears hurts,
Hugs their pain,
and
I am also a Woman,
Who needs to cry, shout, rage against injustices, and
Offload her burdens too.

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who slips in and out of many roles each day: Teacher,
Chef, Administrator, Mediator.
and
I am also a Woman,
Who is a novice learner, showing up for her weekly Spanish lesson,
squeezing her brain to remember the words!

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Proud to raise children who are uniquely themselves,
Who dance to their own rhythm and care not a hoot for what others think.
and
I am also a Woman,
For whom it is still a daily struggle to remember she is enough,
And to boldly step onto the stage to be seen.

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who listens intently to their worries, reassures them on tricky days,
Nervously waits as they sit that maths exam.
and
I am also a Woman,
Who laughs raucously (sometimes embarrassingly so!),
Seeks adventure and plays freely.

I am a Homeschool Mum,
Who encourages independence, gently nudging them further into the world,
Knowing of both the pain and joy to come,
and
I am also a Woman,
Who loves to run alongside her friend, vulnerably sharing her life’s story,
Letting go of hurt to make space for her own next brave steps.

And it is through both
of these identities:
Homeschool Mum
and
Woman, that my children and I learn deeply,
In a messy, yet entirely authentic way.
How could I ask for more?

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!