2nd-generation homeschoolers encourage hundreds of moms at KC-area church
Amanda Medford has homeschooled five of her children in three states – continuing the legacy her family started by homeschooling Amanda in the Kansas City area.
“I consider it an honor to be…

Amanda Medford has homeschooled five of her children in three states – continuing the legacy her family started by homeschooling Amanda in the Kansas City area.
“I consider it an honor to be able to give back after homeschooling for so many years, and especially with moving several times,” the second-generation homeschooler said in a podcast episode with Midwest Parent Educators (MPE). “I kind of like to jump in and help where I can. And I like to get to be part of something.”
Medford was one of several speakers at the Feb. 1 Women’s Encouragement Day, hosted by MPE to support homeschool moms raising the next generation.
“Women’s Encouragement Day is so good because when you do get to know other people, you hear what others have used and what’s worked for them and get some new ideas,” said Medford, who has homeschooled for almost 15 years across California, Arizona and Kansas.
“It just gives you an opportunity to chat with others and not feel like you’re alone in your journey here, that you know others have been there too.”
Never ‘a bad time’ to start homeschooling
Medford knows firsthand the importance of connecting with other homeschool moms along the way.
“We moved to Arizona, and at that point we struggled a little bit to find community,” she said. “We moved in 2020, which was not a good time to move. So, finding community was a little bit harder, and finding people that were open to having us join.”
For new homeschoolers who may find themselves starting now, Medford recommends taking a slow-but-steady approach.
“It can be intimidating to start in the middle of the year, but there’s never a time that’s a bad time to start. Actually, I think midyear can be really beneficial because for a lot of families, it’s a good idea to take a de-schooling period of time, move away from the traditional school setting and just take some time together.”
Instead of trying to catch up with any public-school expectations, Medford advises, parents should invest in getting to know their children’s specific strengths and growth opportunities.
“I know a lot of families that start later will just spend time reading together and hanging out with good books and doing a fun unit study, a topic – but as you do it, kind of figuring out, how does my student learn best?”
Events such as Encouragement Day also help homeschoolers explore upcoming activities, learn more about home education and “make that final stretch” to end the school year, according to Medford.
“They can always experience fellowship. It’s always beautifully set up and an encouraging atmosphere. I know there should be some yummy food, and just get to enjoy encouraging speakers and time to chat and meet people, find people who have something in common with you.”
Humble beginnings to present day
From its initial meetups of about 20 moms, Encouragement Day has grown to serve hundreds of women each year.
For example, the nonprofit’s 2023 event hosted about 350 moms, who collectively educate and care for more than 1,300 children.
“The homeschool group at Omaha has conferences, but they don’t have anything specific for women,” said Therese Dansby, a homeschool mom who used to live in the Kansas City area but drove from her home in Nebraska to attend.
Attendees this year included not only the Kansas City area, but also homeschoolers in farther cities. These included Wellsville, Abilene and Hutchinson on the Kansas side and Warrensburg, Mound City and Versailles on the Missouri side.