I have a confession. I am not usually the homeschooling mother I wish I was. You know the one I mean? Her children come happily to the table to the morning dressed in homemade matching jumpers. They sit down serenely and have pleasant conversation about deep spiritual matters while they eat a delicious homemade breakfast that she woke at 6 am to prepare. After breakfast, they hurry away happily to do chores and then report just as happily to a clean, well-organized schoolroom to begin the day.
This week I have definitely NOT been that mom. In fact, if you read the Proverbs 31 devotional I posted yesterday, I have to say, this week I have felt much more like the bad mom. I have felt annoyed and aggravated and put upon and wished more than anything else for just 60 seconds to go sit down in the bathroom without someone yelling, "Moooooom!"
So, last night, as I lay in bed, having difficulty falling asleep, I thought once again, "Why do I do this?" Now, don't get me wrong. It is a hypothetical question. I know and firmly believe in my heart that we (our family) has a calling from the Lord to raise our children in a certain way that includes homeschooling them. And I also know, in my heart, that this is so much the best way. I have taught school- in public and Christian school, and I would not trade the opportunity to homeschool for anything. I am so blessed to be here with my children every day. So, anyway, back to my hypothetical question born of stress and strain.
As I thought of the whys, I allowed my mind to travel down memory lane for a while. Here are some things I remembered:
Gather at the table time with Kathryne and Charles when they were only 3 and 2- learning a letter of the day and number of the day
Teaching Kathryne and Charles with Ashlyne and then Rachel as babies in a sling
Doing our morning times with pledges and the weather and calendar when Kathryne and Charles were just little things
Phonics games with the big kids and now with the little girls
Building a volcano- several times
The giant turkey I made on our schoolroom floor with letters on his feathers to practice phonics at Thanksgiving
The story quilt Kathryne made when she studied Laura Ingalls Wilder
Playing outside, walks, and picnics in the middle of the day- just because we could
I could go on and on. The point is, as I lay there, I felt so overwhelmingly blessed that I have been able to share in these things with my children. No, every day is not a picnic. I still admit that after my great revelations, I am praying for moment of peace and rest after Jason comes home tonight. But, I would not trade it for the world.
As Jason reminds me so often, "I'm livin' my dream."
Comments
Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JADsmama3
I so understand where you are coming from Leah! I could have written that post myself! LOL
Thank you for sharing a few of the many blessings you have encountered on your homeschooling journey. I will continue to pray that the Lord would uphold all of His homeschooling moms (and dads). :)
The sleeping issue is getting better! DD has slept in her bed all night 7 out of the last 8 nights! Praise the Lord! Now, whether she will continue when dh leaves in a month is yet to be determined. LOL
Blessings,
Vania
Oct. 3, 2008 - Thoughts born of stress and strain...
Posted by Patty
Loved that line. Boy, I have been there so many times and yet, like you, know that I just would not want to have it any other way. Even on the days when the grass on the other side just looks so healthy and green and so thick that it's hard to see the weeds in there, I know that I just have to stick through the day (and sometimes the week) and I'll, too, remember that benefits of what we do here. What an encouraging word for all of those who read your post today.