We made it through the start of our homeschooling experience! Everyone is still alive and – I think – the boys may have even retained a little bit of what I’ve been trying to teach them.
I’d love to sit back and tell you how hard it has been, and how hardcore I am for being able to get through each long drawn out day. I’d love to tell you how each day is a struggle to get the kids to do their work, and how I’m constantly pulling out my hair while I’m standing screaming over them at their desks. And I’d love to say I miss our former “real school” life!
Because if I told you all these things, you would think I was a “rock star” mom for sacrificing so much to take on this new roll of teacher with our children. And surely I’d get some “awesome wife points” from the hubby too, don’t ya think?
But, guess what – I can’t say any of that! I’ve never felt as relaxed and accomplished as I have these past few weeks. When I hear the boys tell me something they’ve learned, something I taught them, it fills my heart with joy. I’m not a teacher folks; I have zero skills in this department. But through loads, and I mean loads, of prayers, the Holy Spirit has given me just what I need to teach my children.
A photo taken by Caroline Hong.
Really, I think it just comes down to love! Their reward for doing well on their work isn’t the sticker or candy that it used to be at “real school,” instead it’s a big hug and a proud smile from their mommy. I’m positive that these rewards work better for my children.
I went into this experience thinking it was going to be all about what my children were going to learn from me. Instead, I’m finding that it’s also so much about what I’m learning as well.
I didn’t know that my oldest child would rather stand on his head when doing his lessons. I also didn’t know that my youngest son has a horrible time learning from sight alone, which has caused me to reconsider my entire teaching plan for him. I’m learning that it’s okay to veer from the schedule, and that it’s all right if the kids aren’t sitting perfectly at their desks, smiling with anticipation over what I’ll be teaching them next. I’ve found that if your child is giving you the right answers to his history lesson despite the fact that he’s been doing flips on the sofa during the entire reading of the chapter, then hey – just go with it. I’m also learning that I don’t have to do EVERY page in the book. I can skip a page or two when I see that they “get it.”
And most importantly – I’m learning to love every moment I get to spend with these children of mine!
My middle child came bounding down the stairs after completing all of his chores for the day. He had done them in record time and without a single complaint. I joked with him, “Where is my son, the one who whines all the time about having to pick up his room?” He looked up at me with his beautiful baby blues and a big smile on his face and replied, “I’m the new one!”
That really sums up our experience so far! No, we haven’t all been taken over by creatures from another planet. But each of us has found a new “me.” One that thrives in this new environment we’ve found ourselves in. An environment that I’ve fallen in love with! How blessed we are! How truly, truly blessed we are!
You can find Devon loving the homeschooling life at Heart of the Home.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen! Thank you for this, Devon. Thank you.
Thanks, Jullianna!
You’re post yesterday was wonderful! I think with the children having experienced “real school” I try to implement this some as well. During our monthly group field trips, we let each of the children be “principal of the day,” deciding what color, hat, etc. the group will be wearing. This was something they did at their last school! I just loved your chocolate milk Fridays! We may be adding that one soon as well.
Ooooh . . . I like the “principal of the day” idea! I’ll have to tuck that idea away for safe keeping :). Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Devon!
Thank you for sharing! Love this perspective of homeschool! Love, and learning however is best for your children!
Couldn’t agree more!
so beautiful!! we start next year here at home, officially. but i’ve already ‘started’ some informal things at our table…and my creative juices are flowing in terms of what i’d like to see for us next year. thanks for sharing your story. it’s encouraging for those of us that, indeed, have zero teaching skills. but hey, isn’t parenthood simply a teaching degree under false-pretense? it’s just a matter of subject, right!? good luck!
Yeah! So glad for you! I am having similar feelings as we are on week 4 of our first year of full time homeschooling–such a privilege isn’t it?!
That sounds wonderful!
I absolutely agree, that it all comes down to love. Children so want to please their parents.
I love watching the children learn a new concept, or finally master something that’s been worked on consistently for some time. Even the older children (and I’m about to become a mum of a teen!) still experience this … and my line is “Ah, so you surprised yourself, did you? We knew you could do it, but you had to find that out for yourself.” This then leads to some lovely conversation, and sharing that we (parents) sometimes see how close they are to ‘getting it’, which why we keep encouraging them to stick to it. It’s the best motivation for everyone!
Here’s to many more wonderful experiences for your family!
This is also my first year homeschooling and I have to say that I feel SO the same way! It has been much easier than I thought it would be and although I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough, I am daily surprised by what my son is learning! I am looking forward to the rest of the year!
I feel the SAME WAY! We are 6 weeks into our first year of homeschool (after 7, 4 and 2 years in public) and loving it! I’m almost scared to say out loud how much fun we’re having – like it will all end if someone knows it is enjoyable. :). Thank you for your post and good to know I’m not the only one pleasantly surprised by this journey.
I was feeling kind of guilty actually, because homeschooling is easier than I thought it would be! I’m glad to know that we are not the only ones who think it is surprisingly easy. We have been at it for almost 5 years now (with the same curriculum, Time4Learning) and we are loving homeschooling. And as homeschoolers, we have the answer to the question by non-homeschooler: How will you know they are learning? Because we see it in their eyes, feel it in their excitement, we see the moments of joy in our children when they “get” a concept. If you all are like me, you get a thrill when you learn something new, or relearn a long forgotten fact. Happy homeschooling, ladies!
I love this Devon- and I feel the same way. I feel like homeschooling is such a hidden treasure that I found and people don’t realize how fulfilling and somewhat easy it actually is. When people say, “oh I could never do that”, I always say, “of course you could!”
I recently decided to homeschool my 15 year old daughter. I was very afraid that I could not teach her math and science and that I would be sheltering her from other’s her age. I was also concerned that Sierra might not be motivated to do her work for Mom. I am happy to say that homeschooling has been a blessing for us. I love it and feel such an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness. I no longer see my girl upset with the pressures of highschool, instead I see a beautiful, selfconfident young lady blooming everyday. My only regret is that we did not start this sooner.