With every year that passes in a homeschooling family, a host of discoveries are made. Through accomplishments and defeats, we learn what works, what doesn’t; we reveal layers in ourselves we didn’t even know existed. You learn things every homeschooling family needs to know, but often have to discover for themselves. Let me share with you the five most poignant discoveries we have made over the last few years as we have taught our eight children.
*1. Dad’s involvement will make or break your year. While it seems easy to run everything yourself, our husbands are the authority of our homes. It is his God-given place, so let him have it. Have conversations with him, let him lead, ask for what he expects. Go to your husband for advice first. Yes, there are thousands of places out there to get your questions answered, but out of respect for your husband, start with him. More often than not, my husband is the only person I need to ask about what to do.
*2. Mom’s attitude will make or break your year. Wait. I think I have already said that! You and your husband are a team. It will take both of you. And your attitude is key. How you present things, how you conduct yourself matters. If you are tired and cranky, so are the kids. If you resent time away from yourself, so will the other members of the family resent school. We have to continue to persevere, for “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Moms, we want the fruit of the Spirit evident in all aspects of our lives.
*3. You will often be shown your own sins as you correct your children. On more than one occasion, I have found myself knelt beside my penitent child, opening my heart to our Father’s grace and mercy. In those moments of vulnerability and intimacy, my child and I learn more than any book could teach. We have opened ourselves up to each other before God, and are blessed with a deeper relationships.
*4. Our choices matter. We can choose to be encouraging or exasperating, grateful for time with our children, or resentful. We can be patient, or demanding; harsh with our correction. We can choose to be diligent with our time and energies or slothful. We can choose to be courageous, teaching outside our comfort zones. Or we choose to be cowards, never stepping outside the proverbial box. We choose love or anger. And with each choice, we see the consequences through our children’s actions.
*5. The process we go through is just as important as the end product. We will invest all sorts of blood, sweat, tears, and prayers in this journey. However, the outcome is well worth the time spent. Seeing my children figure out a problem, watching them lovingly care for a sibling, hearing the sweet words of reconciliation between hurt spirits are just the beginning of the blessings we have given each day. What we are learning along the way is life changing.
Above all else, we realized this entire journey was beyond us. We need the Lord’s help every step of the way. My prayer for this pending year is “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). And each morning, “Lord, let your glory be upon my family. Establish the work of this household’s hands for it, yes, Lord, please, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17) And may the hearts of our family be forever changed.”
This is an inspirational list. Thanks for sharing. However, I will be happy when writers of homeschool advice quit using generalizations like “things EVERY homeschooler should know” because every homeschool family is not like yours. In my co-op there are agnostic families, Christian families, single mamas like myself etc etc. It’s not that I mind that this list does not apply to my life very much. I know that single, secular homeschoolers are as common as unicorns. But it’d be nice for the homeschool community to stop making assumptions that because other homeschool families are rare, they do not exist.
The face of homeschooling has changed drastically. Not all homeschool families were called by God. Many were driven by failing school system. Or in the case of one family I know, they were driven because the child was bullied for NOT being Christian (they were Muslim).
At any rate, well written article. But I guess the several thousands of homeschooling families who are not Christians or married can just assume that when you say “everyone” you mean “every one whose family configuration and motivation for homeschooling is similar to mine.”
Or we better go convert and find someone to marry 😉
It is also wrong to assume that all dads are even interested in the education of their kids. Unfortunately I don’t live in that fairy tale world.
Unfortunately no article is ever going to apply perfectly to every person who comes across it. I am avegetarian and am constantly seeing ads, recipes, etc. for meat. I don’t think it’s anyone’s intention to imply that vegetarians don’t count, we’re just not the target audience. I think the same applies here the target audience being Christian homeschool families. I do hope you found something helpful in the article though. Although there are many single parent homeschooling families and cen a child’s rtaily they have different challenges, I think most of us would agree that a father or atleast a father figure is important in every child’s life.
Blessings,
Faith
Jessica- The Homeschool Village is a Christian site if you haven’t noticed. I don’t really understand why you would attack the writer of this article because of her beliefs. It is her opinion and great advice.
“Just me says”: None of us live in a fairy tale world. I am so sorry the Dad you are referring to is not supporting his kids education. Sometimes we don’t support things we don’t truly understand.
I loved your list, and I’m going to share it with my Christian homeschool group. I used to be a public school teacher, so, when I started homeschooling, I felt rather well-equipped. However, I have so found that not to be the case! I have learned and grown so much, right along with my children. I’m depending on the Lord to redeem the emotional energy that must be poured into the endeavor of teaching my children every single day! Thanks again!
Single mom;
One homeschooler;
Not a member of a co-op;
Love the post!
DJ, we hear from more and more single moms who homeschool. It’s a beautiful testimony. The Lord is so good to provide for the vision. 🙂 ~ Jamerrill
This is a wonderful list and definitely hit home with me. I did want to point out that your verse reference for “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” should be 1 Corinthians 10:31, not 10:13. 🙂 Blessings!
This is a fantastic post. Thank you for sharing these inspirational insights. 🙂
Beautiful post, and I particularly agree with number 1. No matter what when I bounce ideas off my husband, ask for his input/advice, things always go better 🙂 Most often I just ask for his prayers and that makes the biggest difference!
Just starting my homeschool journey and your words are very encouraging. Thank you for being faithful to write it! I am taking notes to keeping it in my notebook so I can refer back to it.
*and keeping it* lol sorry about that
Great post and so ever true. Thanks for the reminder.
I have to agree with another comment, many are also choosing home schooling because the schools failed them. We should be mindful of that.
I beyond loved this post! It was so what I needed to hear and convicting (#4) in ways also, in a good way! Causing me to seek Father more an rely on Him when I am feeling tired, cranky etc. This will be our first year homeschooling. Thank you so much for this post I will be saving it and sharing it!