Unexpected Homeschooler Sýnishorn

Keep the main thing the main thing

One of the biggest struggles you may be having with this decision is feeling less than adequate to help your kids with their school work. Maybe academics isn’t your strong point. You are concerned over what curriculum or program to use, or not liking what is chosen for you. 

I’d like to reframe those thoughts and fears a bit for you. Home education is far more about doing life together rather than just focusing on academic education. 

One of the very best things about homeschooling is the ability to concentrate on your child’s personal character development. “Oh, great!” you may say. But this is a significant opportunity. Your children were gifted to you for only a short time to guide and influence for the Kingdom of God. It’s your highest calling as a parent.

The opportunity to train them happens through the everyday dealings of life. Our family has a sign that still hangs in our living room that states, “Life is School”. While academics are important, might there be things of far greater importance and consequence for our children? Honoring and respecting others is sorely needed in our world today as is honesty, integrity, and courage. Learning to have a strong work ethic, how to manage and save money and so many other life skills that aren’t ever taught in a traditional classroom are important things you can add to your “school”.

At home you will get to teach and demonstrate characteristics of Jesus—fruits of living in His presence. And as your children spend more time around you and your husband than their school peers, these qualities will be developed more swiftly and deeply, even if the daily evidence has you believing otherwise. 

You will also get to train them “in the way they should go” as you discover passions and giftings that are still young and undeveloped. As those interests are revealed, you can broaden their learning with quality books, videos, and possibly even travel—all learning you can do together! Your child’s imagination and curiosity will soar with this newfound freedom of educational expansion and exploration.

But the greatest thing about having your kids at home is the opportunity to build strong and lasting relationships with them. After all, relationships are built from time spent together. Find ways to connect rather than living independently of each other. Discover common interests and be creative in how you spend your days together. Don’t see this as something to endure, but rather, a time to embrace and enjoy. This will happen as you regularly spend time with Jesus, realigning and renewing your mindset and being willing to let God have His way in you. 

Father, I’ll admit it, since you already know. Sometimes I don’t even like my own kids. It’s heartbreaking to admit it, but it’s true. I do want to have a good relationship with them, but most of the time, I feel at a loss. I had my own life before this crazy season began, and now it seems lost. Will you give me courage and creativity to step outside the boundaries of our curriculum and reveal to me where I can connect with my children? Will you nudge me when my heart and mind long for something different than I have right now? Will you show me glimmers of You at work in our relationship when I want to throw my hands up and quit or hide in my closet? I need You now more than ever.