Comments on: The important influence of the not-parents. https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:19:40 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Nicki https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-315517 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-315517 I agree that it’s so wonderful to get another perspective. For example, my son learned woodcarving this year. He’s 8 years old, and I would have been nervous teaching him. But having someone else teach him has built his confidence, and expanded his skills. It’s so cool to watch!

]]> By: Robyn https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314891 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314891 I agree. Great article. My son is an animal enthusiast and plans to become a marine biologist. On a our last visit to my hometown my mom took the kids to our town’s local wilderness centre and program. That day they met the head volunteer who took time to speak to my son about his interests and he invited my son back that weekend to meet the Centre’s head biologist! We returned on that day and both the head biologist and head volunteer (a retired veterinarian) were amazing with the interest they showed, dialogue and time they gave to answer all of my son’s questions. My son was able to see and visit with someone who worked (and loved working) in a field similar to his passion. It was beyond what we could have given him as his knowledge has long surpassed mine and my husband’s. After that I saw the importance of seeking out more experts in that field to mentor and encourage him on his path.

]]> By: Anne Bogel https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314325 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314325 In reply to Julie.

What a wonderful neighbor!

]]> By: Anne Bogel https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314324 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314324 In reply to Ellen.

Those are paperback Puffin classics. Best Christmas gift EVER). 🙂

]]> By: Anne Bogel https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314323 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314323 In reply to Sarah M.

“It’s fun to get to know someone else who is passionate, excited, and eager to teach a subject I may not care for. ”

Yes!

]]> By: Anne Bogel https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314322 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314322 In reply to Dorothy K.

We do a similar program and for similar reasons. Glad to hear it’s working for your family. 🙂

]]> By: Anne Bogel https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314321 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314321 In reply to Hannah.

I’m finding the same thing is true for my kids: as they get older, this is becoming more and more important.

]]> By: Marilyn https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314250 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314250 Congratulations to Sarah. What a difficult job she accomplished. Way to go SARAH!
Marilyn

]]> By: Julie https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314243 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314243 I was just recently thinking about our luck with the other adults in the kids’ lives. Our six year old daughter has befriended our wonderful neighbors on all sides. One neighbor challenged her to learn about the Revolutionary War. I am not a history buff, so never would’ve thought to introduce her to such topics in kindergarten, but his suggestion got her so interested- we looked up the facts, she memorized dates and learned the gist of the conflict, ran back to him one day, and to her surprise he handed her a British coin used during the war. So cool. Since then she has noticed several other references to the American Revolution in our daily life and is loving it!

]]> By: Ellen https://simplehomeschool.net/not-parents/#comment-314210 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=38507#comment-314210 I love the message here and completely agree. I also love the pretty colors on that shelf! What is the set to the left of your daughter’s hand? The set with spines ranging from red to black?

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