As so many of you are entering a stage of crisis-homeschooling, I’ll share a little bit about what’s worked for us being a work-from-home, school-from-home family for almost 15 years. To caveat what I share, this is all I know. 😮 Growing up I went to public school and such, but as parent, I’ve only ever had my kids home with me, all the time 🤪 so that’s the perspective I’ve coming from. It is different if it’s not something you’re used to. For our family, we were recently catapulted into the opposite world of our kids not even living with us, something I thought I could never, ever do!! I am so used to having all my kids nearby and underfoot. But here we are, we are okay, they are doing awesome, and God’s grace is extravagant. But in these kind of challenges is where God really grows us and shows us things we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Your best educational resource is YOU! Like any homeschooler, I love to drool over all the neat programs and curriculum out there. So much good stuff. I believe this is the same with any school: the secret sauce is always with the teacher, not the program. I know for me that is a scary thing to come to grips with, that our kids will not escape our influence, good or bad. It’s like when Joe and I talk to couples about their marriage. Usually before we get to where they are, something about their family of origin comes up. Well growing up, my mom…..is how their story begins. Don’t underestimate your tremendous influence as a parent, homeschooling or otherwise. Steward it wisely.
But you also need to firmly believe that God picked YOU to be your child’s parent, and at this point you have been picked lol to teach them/manage their days. Even for those kids that you just do not gel with and bump heads with constantly (we all have ‘em!). YOU are still the parent and you have a ton to offer your kids just by being you. You are awesome and you can offer your kids something no other adult can. Tap into it.
Don’t only rely on the computer or a program or a curriculum to teach your kids. Those are all awesome things. I use and love them. But what your kids are watching is you, and as any parent knows, they’re picking up more from us than we want them to. It’s not if you’re teaching your kids, it’s what you’re teaching them. So determine now to up your game when it comes to what your kids are learning from you, especially now. How you react to crisis. How you respond to stress. Your attitude towards inconvenience and hard work. How much grace you offer those you’re living with. How you find solutions to tough problems.
I love the fact that my kids have had many incredible adults and teachers in their lives. In “real” homeschooling you can have that 🙂 and I’m really looking forward to the people they will meet and groups my kids will be a part of when this is over. But the good side of this crisis is our kids are getting more of US. Don’t sell yourself short and say I can’t do this. Here we are, and there you go. God will equip you with the patience and wisdom you need as you daily trust him for it. Let Him surprise you!! If you ask God to work in your life and heart first, then you have that much more to draw from as you invest in your kids.
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