You know, it's really hard to do a job that requires certain tools which you don't have or can't find.  You either have to borrow them, or buy new ones.  Or, you have to look at what you already have and start being creative!

 

How many times have you found a great resource right in your own hand, basically, that you never even used before?  Or found yourself wishing for something new....when you didn't even need it!  Back in the days of the Great Depression, there was a saying:  "Wear it Out, Use it Up, or Go Without."  Let's apply this to our home educational needs and wants.  First of all, let's be frugal by recycling a bit.  I will start out by re-using part of a post from my front porch column.

 

It is a good thing, to really think about what is absolutely necessary for me to have, in order to do what I want to do; to teach what is right, and appropriate and more importantly, what God desires for my children to know.  So what are those necessities?

 

I had a huge stack of curriculum that was given to me personally over the last few years, and another huge pile donated to our group library.  I have given boxes of it away.  Not to say I am some great philanthropist, but that it goes to people who want it, and that I am trying to be a good steward.  But there is more to good stewardship than that:  it is not letting things use you, but using what you need and getting rid of the dross.

 

Psalm 23 says "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want."  I have brought this up before.  There is another translation, or paraphrase that says   this:  "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need." 

 

 Sometimes it is hard for us to take that at face value!  We spend so much time running around seeking things we think we need, when we just need to seek God.  He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ.  That doesn't mean He gives us everything we want.   BUT I can give you countless testimonies of how God has blessed and answered our prayers for the desires of our hearts, not only the basic needs we have.

 

So, yes there are "things" out there that are fun and fabulous tools to use in our homes!  It is hard not to want them.  And personally, I could list several.   But let me do some thinking here about which tools I have, and those I think are important for me to use every day.

 

 

 

Books!  My all time favorite and most important:  God's Word.  Next comes His creation!  The heavens do declare His glory and the firmament His handiwork.  Studying creation is hands on, eye's on and gives our children and ourselves a custom made-for-them lesson, every day!   Next, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary and a few other modern versions, plus dictionary.com!     Another super tool for us is English from the Roots up. This is a resource that is one of the greatest tools I have ever found for helping keeps "figure" out the meanings of words!  It helps put the puzzle together and can be used with even the youngest of kids.

 

Other physical tools include lots of paper, pencils, and of course, my computer. A little addition to this section is the Mom and Pop businesses, run by homeschooling families are some of the best tools for us to use!   I recently met a really neat couple who are the new owners of a store locally called "Born Again Used Books."  When I saw their homeschooling section I was pleasantly surprised! 

 

[ Although you may be able to buy some things cheaper in the mega-marts, shop Mom and Pop whenever you can, ok? And if you have a favorite family -owned homeschooling business, will you please share it with me in the comments section?  Thank you!]

   

Relational tools:  My voice.  I use my voice to speak to my kids, to talk to other mom's on the phone (crying, praying and laughing together, lifting each other up and making plans to do activities with our kids) and blogging blesses me also!  Other relational tools I use are books by my favorite homeschool trailblazers:  Dr. and Mrs. Moore, (Better Late Than Early!)  Chris and Ellyn Davis (I Saw the Angel in the Marble), Mary Hood, (The Relaxed Homeschool) and many other's who are there helping us to see that we can do this!  We don't have to send them off to institutional school.  This is the right thing for us, and WE CAN DO IT!  These 'relational tools' help us to trust our own hearts, because these people have spoken to us, and it made sense!

 

Practical tools. It isn't all about academics, at least in the early years.  How about basic things we use every day around the house to teach?  Relationships teach.  Life skills are paramount!  Home maintenance teaches.  Crisis management is a great teaching tool!  Our words and reactions to everyday occurrences, teach volumes. Care and nurturing of our offspring teach. Empathy and Patience teaches.  Coarse words and impatience also teach.  Kids are born to learn. I think you get my point.

 

Emotional tools.  Some of my practical tools just spilled over to my emotional tools.  The Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22) will teach more to your kids than any textbook or canned curriculum in the world.  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control.  These are not just the tools we use to teach, they are the objectives we have for building our children's character.  We can try to teach them apart from the Lord---but He is the giver of these gifts.  We can strive for them, but it will be futile.

 

Spiritual tools.  Now I guess emotional tools just spilled over into this one also!  It is hard to separate what we use, isn't it?  They are all ingredients that work together for the outcome we desire.  But I want to add one last tool here that may be the most important, or at least to me, is coupled with the most important tool I use.  Prayer and fellowship with the Lord.  We must pray and get ourselves aligned with God.  We must ask for His help daily.  We must lift up our children, and our friends and fellow homeschoolers everywhere.  We must pray for strength and for wisdom.  We need discernment, perseverance, protection and guidance each for each day.

 

So there you have it!  This was a good exercise in thinking about what is important to me, and how I can work to get rid of the things that trip me up, and are unnecessary.  There are many products and much "equipment" that can make our lives easier, and make it fun and productive. But let's get back to the basics, and I don't mean the three R's!

 

Homeschooling is Life!

 

Nancy

 

 

©Nancy K. Baetz     Homeschooling Is Life! 2006

 

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