Dear Homeschooling Mama
Why do we put ourselves under so much pressure as homeschool mamas? I'm guilty of this over and over again. There have been days I wanted to just bang my head against the wall while feeling defeated in my attempts to get something so simple across to my kids. In desperation to see them "succeed" I become critical and harsh on them when they simply just don't understand or get it.
Problem is I have the tendency to compare the "success" or "knowledge" of my children against the public schooled kids. Why? Because of two reasons.
1. The Public School system is all I know since that is how I was taught.
2. If I feel that my kids are not "keeping up with the Joneses" it's a huge reflection of failure on my behalf. At least that's what Satan keeps telling me.
In these moments of weakness, God will remind me in some way to keep pushing forward and do as HE has willed for me to do...
The world says... Teaching is for only for the qualified
God says... Train up a Child
The world says... Homeschooled children will never amount to anything
God says... I know the plans I have for you.
You see, homeschooling your children does not have to be hard. WE make it hard because we hold high exceptions of ourselves and our children. It's a constant battle, I get that. But in those moments, we need to realize that God is BIGGER than our struggles and He is there for us through it all.
God trusted your children's care and education to you when He allowed you the privilege to become their parents. You, of all people on earth, should know what is best for your child, right? Then why should your child's education be a "one size fits all"?
In the trials of the past year, the Lord has revealed a lot to me. Especially in homeschooling our girls. Where I once use to stress over the rules and regulations of homeschooling, I now relax and find joy in the the journey. Where I was so critical, I am now more compassionate. When I started to expect too much, I began to listen more to the interests of my children and allowed them to explore and flourish on their own. I'm finding that true learning is found where their interests and heart lies, not in the guidelines of some textbook.
Yes, there are still things we need to learn regardless of how we feel about them, (Math is a doozie for my kids) but the struggles are less and less when we get back to the basics and realize what is the true purpose of learning and whom should the foundation of our learning be based upon... God Almighty!
Keep moving forward Mama Bear! You can do this. God believes in you and so do I!
