Q & A with Home School Mom: Shnia

This is the third week of our weekly spotlight of African-American homeschool moms.  If this is your first time joining us, check out: Q & A with Homeschool Mom: Latonya and Q & A with Homeschool Mom: Amiyrah.

The purpose of the weekly Q & As is to offer encouragement from real mothers who have chosen to teach their children at home. Now on to this week's Q & A with Homeschool Mom: Shnia.

Shnia,  pronounced like Shania Twain, runs the Facebook Page, Mom of Fantastic 4, which is where I found her. She is a wife and mother of four children. She previously taught preschool, but left that field to begin teaching her daughter at home. This school year, she's homeschooling three of her four! Aside from taking care of her home, she is a youth pastor. Shnia also knows how to have fun.  She enjoys singing, meals at TGI Fridays, and watching mob movies!

How long have you home educated?

This is my second year homeschooling.

How did your family decide to become a homeschooling family?

My daughter was struggling in math while attending public school. After tutoring and after school help she still wasn't succeeding. It began to affect her confidence as a student and her self-esteem. I decided to take matters into my own hands. My husband and I prayed. Then we took her out of public school.

What is your favorite part about home schooling?

Interacting with my children in a different light, and having them as my children are some of my favorite parts of homeschooling. I love seeing them learn while I'm teaching. It brings an entirely different connection, and I love it.

What are your struggles with being a home schooling parent?

I am currently homeschooling three children, ages 8, 5, and 4, all while monitoring my two year old. Just as they are different in age, they are also different in personality. I work hard to meet them where they are, and it can be very frustrating for me.

Shnia's words of encouragement for you:

Start your day as early as you can to allow time for devotion with God and time for yourself before you jump into mommy mode. The better we are to ourselves, the greater the impact we will have on our children and others.

Thanks, Shnia, for sharing snippets of your homeschool with us.  And because, Shnia believes in encouraging other homeschooling family she's making herself available to the readers of Joy in the Ordinary.  If you would like to contact Shnia, email her at shniamarie03 (at) gmail (com).