Geez its hard to admit that. Really hard. I mean, I want to be good at it. I dream of being good at it. I have hopes that someday I will be good at it.
I don't know what to do with LittleK when I am trying to teach the other two. I don't know how to keep GirlM quiet while I'm doing math with BoyD. I don't know how to help BoyD get his work done with all the distractions. I don't know how to manage BoyD when he needs an explanation but I'm in the middle of a book with the little ones.
It is a little chaotic around here during the school day and I spend as much time disciplining as I do teaching! (Probably an exaggeration, but it feels that way!) I don't have oodles of patience and I'm not a laid back sort of mom. I also realize that my precious angel children are not always precious angels. :)
The reason for this blog post? Is it to discourage anyone from homeschooling? On the contrary. It is to say that I wouldn't give this up for any peace or order or structure in the world! And to say that if I can do it, ANYONE can! If this impatient, anal, perfectionist-but-never-getting-close-to-perfection mama can do it, you can, too.
And to tell you that it is worth it. To get to spend this time teaching, watching, interacting with, learning about, and discipling my children, is the greatest thing I will ever do. I will not miss their achievements or their failures. What a gift! Plus, I think the Bible says something about taking complete joy when you face trials of many kinds, because the testing produces endurance, and when this perseverance (endurance) finishes its work, I will lack nothing. Not even patience and order. :) Bring it on!
4 comments:
You're onto something here, Jenny. Homeschooling is wonderful, but it's hard. It's messy. It never turns out like we planned. (IF we planned, that is. Ha ha.) (That's a jab at myself.) I have to remind myself that their education is not just about workbooks; it's about living. When I look at it that way, then the "interruptions" cease to be interruptions. They become part of the lessons for the day.
Love you, girl! You are an awesome mom!
Hey girl, I was one of the first band of homeschooling moms. That was in 1982. We were really thought to be weird "-) But, it was the best thing for us. I have often told parents that if they can do anything else, they should. But if they can only see their children in homeschool, be ready for an adventure! :-) It was a wonderful experience for us. I would not change the moments and the positives on the other two while I was working with Bryce.
Oh Jenny!!! I'm once again right there with you! My day never goes how I want it! And I go to bed wondering "just what did I teach them?" But The Lord never let's me get to far in that thinking because I'm reminded there's more to Math and English! There's character and moments with my kiddos! Different lights I see them in at different moments of the day! And then I realize letting God guide my well laid plans are more peaceful then me plowing through with my own agenda! Well said Jenny!
LOVE your blog! Am currently a home schooling mama in the U.S., but we're preparing to move to Xela to do mission work next summer. (Amazing how God works!)
I am really enjoying reading your past blog entries. They're good preparation for our future, and strike home with life right now as well. :)
God Bless!
Andrea
thefarriers@yahoo.com
Post a Comment