I could never be a homeschool parent. That’s how I felt! Yet, I homeschooled for twelve years. There’s a solution for all homeschool parents.
It’s a question I approach with extreme caution: “Where do your kids go to school?”
Apparently, it is impossible to homeschool without thinking everyone else in the world should also. At least, that must be the perception.
My answer that I homeschool is often met with a blank stare. Following the stare, I commonly hear a list of all the reasons my partner in conversation can not possibly ever (Never, ever!) homeschool. Inevitably I hear, “I just don’t have the patience for that.”
Oh, friend, if only you could see my heart!
(Originally written in 2011!)
Homeschool Parent – Why it’s so hard!
I love books. I love learning. I love teaching. I love my kids. I have felt called to homeschool for years (Years!), and yet, I don’t have the patience for it. I’m not loving enough, I’m not kind enough, I’m just not enough. Period. As with anything else the Lord has called me to, I avoided all mention and discussion of homeschooling–until He hit me with a proverbial 2 x 4.
So now I’m a homeschool parent.
I’m still not patient enough, not kind enough, not loving enough. But I am on my knees. I am on my face. I am praying with my husband. My small group prays for me, and I have friends who pray for me. Some days, I lock myself in the bathroom and pray for myself–again.
What do I pray for? I pray for love, patience, and kindness… just enough for the day. I ask the Holy Spirit to direct my path.
I also ask my family for forgiveness often. So often, I’m embarrassed. My children are very gracious and, by all appearances, they still love me.
We have had some excellent homeschooling moments. Days, even weeks, have passed in which everything has gone smoothly; everyone has learned and we’ve all bonded together. It’s in these moments that the temptation arises to feel I am a stellar teacher, and a stellar mom. That’s when our golden moments disappear like a cloud of smoke and I’m left with the realization that I am merely a sinner, with a broken heart and a need for my Savior.
Those are the moments that, again, drive me to my knees in humility and desperation.
I love homeschooling. I love my children, and I love the opportunity to invest some of the gifts the Lord has so freely given me. Never do I forget the reason I shouldn’t homeschool: my own character. Thankfully, in God’s economy, shouldn’t is always can–as long as we walk in His will.
God’s Answer to My Homeschool Parenting
Six years later, I can tell you with a good deal of relief, that God absolutely answered my prayers for my own sanctification! I’m calmer, more patient, and more loving. My boys and I have a solid, deep relationship. I am SO glad that we homeschool and that I didn’t let my own sin and shortcomings sidetrack our time together.
I’ve learned that the Lord answers prayer, and that it’s vital to the Christian walk. I’m still praying for my own character and sanctification–but I have a different focus than I did near the beginning of our homeschool career!
Books Make Great Gifts!
Teach Your Kids the Bible with Bible Road Trip™
Bible Road Trip™ is a three-year Bible survey curriculum. Take your family through the Bible five times from preschool to high school.
To help you get the most out of your studies, Bible Road Trip™ has an array of coordinating weekly activities:
- Researching the section of the Bible you’re studying
- Reading and discussing the Bible
- Memorizing Scripture
- Notebooking about your studies
- Praying for the nations
- Suggestions for further study
- Crafting about what you’ve learned
- For your older students: A project to share what they’ve learned
- Bible Road Trip™ also has some great tools you can use along with it, such as:
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- The first three weeks of the curriculum for all five learning levels. Week Three is where we really dive into the Bible and begin to our systematic study. Week Three will give you a good feel for the rest of the curriculum.
- The first three weeks of the Bible Memory Card sets for all five levels, in ESV and KJV.
- The first three weeks of each of the three leveled Notebooking Journals.
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Disciple your kids by taking your family through the Bible together in a meaningful way!
Bible Road Trip™ Curriculum
Take a look inside the Bible Road Trip™ curriculum! Let me show you around:
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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