The new school year is upon us and for many of you in this season of COVID-19, it is a year of uncertainty. You’ve have had to reconsider sending your children to public school this fall. All of a sudden homeschooling feels as though it’s been thrust upon you due to circumstances and now you’re consumed with questions you need answers to, ASAP! Can I really do this? How do I juggle multiple ages? How do I balance working full-time with homeschool? Where do I even start? Do I need a dedicated homeschool room? There’s doubt. There’s fear. There’s worry.
All of us have been where you are! Take heart! While there is anxiety about the homeschool journey you’re embarking upon for the first time, there are also gifts that will be gained along the way, that I believe, truly make homeschooling worth it.
Great Conversations With Your Children
This has to be one of my most cherished gifts that come as a result of homeschooling my kids. The conversations that spark from reading stories together is something to be treasured. I get to share with my kids above and beyond just my own life experiences, but also point out God’s marvelous work in the lives of others.
This happened just the other day with my son. We were reading about Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s teacher. If Helen Keller’s story of becoming an author even though she was blind and deaf is riveting, the story of her teacher will amaze you. In reading this amazing story with my son, he got to see how God sometimes takes you through hardship and trials in order to prepare you with the understanding and empathy you need to be a blessing to someone else. If he were in public school, we probably would never have read a story like Annie Sullivan’s because we would be too busy with public school reading material. We likely would not have a conversation like the one we had, where he could see how God worked in the life of a child and can thus work in his life.
These conversations that spark from reading books together are precious, but the conversations we have about behavior and self-reflection are priceless. When we were living the fast-paced life of public school, my correcting bad behavior entailed barking out instructions or fussing. I barely had time to listen to my kid’s side of things and adequately respond to their issues. I just needed their behavior to be fixed for the time being so that we could do whatever we needed to do. I was constantly putting a band-aid on bad behavior and attitudes.
Now that we homeschool, I find myself still fussing and barking at times, but I am always able to take the time to listen to my kids thoughts and feelings and admonish them in the ways of God. We are able to take the time to really talk and evaluate issues. We’ve been able to rip off band-aids to address issues at their root and see real changes in behavior because minds and hearts have changed.
My advice to you as new homeschool moms is to lean-in to the difficult conversations. Capitalize on the opportunities that arise to discuss current events, history, values, and your faith with your children. Your kids will remember those conversations and the fellowship you shared long after homeschooling ends.
Watching Your Kids Discover Their Gifts
Having a front-row seat to watch my kids grow up and discover their gifts and talents is priceless! I get to be their biggest cheerleader and watch from the sidelines. It is humbling to recognize that as individuals God has placed gifts in them that are beyond your abilities or outside your purview. It means that you get to encourage them and facilitate experiences that help them develop their talents, but they have to do the heavy lifting. They have to take initiative. They have to pursue their own goals. They have to chart out their path forward. I get to dream right along with them. I don’t impose my dreams on them, but instead I get to sit back and be amazed at God’s work in them.
You'll Learn And Grow Too
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? You will be surprised at how much you learn and grow as a homeschool parent as well! Maybe you feel inadequate to the task of teaching your kids. Maybe you aren’t strong in math or you’re not the greatest at science. You can always learn new things and strengthen weak areas alongside your child. Perhaps you’ll rediscover some talents you pushed to the side with the daily grind. Take this time to dust them off and trot them out! I can honestly say that I am definitely not the same mama I was when I started homeschooling. My guess you probably won’t be the same either–and that’s a good thing!
As we begin our homeschool year, it’s my hope that we allow God to shape our homeschool days. After all, He is a master storyteller. We have our plans, but God’s plans are always better.
