I guess my last entry was really code for "I'm having a hard time."  Or it was the deep breath before the hard time hit!  Well maybe I was being optimistic about getting back into the swing of life.  But I'm struggling today.  It feels like I can't get back into the routine, get school accomplished, and direct the basement contractor simultaneously.  There's an underlying panic that I'm really doing my children a disservice by having them in the home for school.  When I talk to neighbors and their children and hear how "great" the school up the road is, how people wish they could move into our area so they could have their kids in these schools...our kids' friends describe the latest field trip and how teachers are piling on the homework to finish science.  It seems like a million arrows are flying over the fortress wall all screaming, "See?  You barely ever get to science...your children are behind in math.  Those school kids out there are busy learning things while you're failing to get the show on the road.  Who are you to think you can do it all AND do it all well?"  Hmmm...now that I look at those words, they seem suddenly to be words from the enemy.  He wants me to think this will all be a failure so I'll throw in the towel now.   I know he wants a foothold, and I don't want to give him a victory. 

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Posted by quietcajun

I gave into that lie and lost a year with my children. Public school makes it seem like the grass is greener on their side of the fence and you are definitely NOT doing your dc a disservice by keeping them home. After trying out ps for this past school year I am more convinced that hs is better/best!!!!

Just remember that man's standards of achievement are just that.. Man's standards... NOT God's standards! They are a great benchmark, but they are far from the end all/beat all. God's measurements are about Godly character, curiosity, perserverance, love, joy, peace, patience, etc.

The public school may teach character, but without the Godly part. They teach curiosity, but the kind that got the cat killed, so to speak. Children learn to perservere all right, through physical, spiritual and mental attacks day after day after day.

Love? Not the pure kind? Joy? NO. Peace? No. Patience... yes, the kind that comes from being put through the ringer.

My children have been exposed to physical attacks, name calling, accusations, pornographic materials (from classmates, not teachers)... it is much more expensive than you would think and our whole day every day is formed around the public school schedule. there is no room for happy surprises... everything is scheduled and boxed up.

I could go on and on and on. But to end, let me just say that I can hardly wait until the year is over. Counting today we have 34 more days of this nonsense!

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Posted by nsremom

Homeschooling is a calling and it's a hard one. When I get shaky and wonder what in the world I'm doing this for I need to step back and take a breather. Just look at it objectively and hash it over with Godly friends.

We are in the minority. That's a fact. But I don't think that's because it's LESS of a choice. It's because it's HARD and human beings are naturally SELFISH. (I know I am. Oh Boy am I ever selfish)...but I fight that instinct within me and do something selfless and I'm rewarded.

You and I both know how much easier it would be to go to work and send the kids away. It's a no-brainer. Life would be so much simpler...right? Let the teacher deal with my 9 y.o. daughters temper tantrum that she had yesterday. Let her solve the riddle SHE is. But, ya know...I got to my daughters heart yesterday. I solved the issue and it was a spritual issue. It was a mom issue. I was there and I dealt with it. So, which is more important....character issues or science field trips.

BTW: I rarely do science at all. That's a weak area for me, but it's also easy to catch up on it. All day science days can accomplish a lot!

Hang in there. I know the ladies on this board are going to rally for ya.

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Posted by dawilli

Hang in there, read a good encouraging book over an even better cup of coffee (or tea, or milk, whatever your beverage preference requires) take a deep breath and get back into the swing of things one step at a time. You don't have to succeed at everything everyday. Even if your children are "behind" in certain areas you are teaching them how to learn, and with the ability to do just that they will have a lifetime to catch up in anything they want as the need arises.
I've had many panic moments over the years, this too shall pass...
make a list of your reasons for homeschooling and the benefits you've seen thus far and those fears and doubts won't seem to big and scary in that light,
keep on keepin' on,
ali

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Posted by EEEEMommy

We all have days (and weeks) like this, and it is wise of you to recognize the enemy's attempt to frustrate you!
I rarely get to Science either but then God gives us a cocoon and we get to watch a moth hatch. And we get behind in Math, but when I sit down and focus, I realize how much they do understand.
I'm praying that God would encourage you by revealing to you the benefits of homeschooling. Re-read your own blogging about your homeschool journey, be amazed as we are at the divine fingerprints that are sprinkled throughout!
And don't be afraid to take some time off the books (no matter how behind you think you are) to go on a spontaneous field trip, road trip or just devour a great book. Enjoy God's creation! It's refreshing.
Lastly, don't look around at what other people are doing, but "fix your eyes on Jesus."
Much love in Him,
Angel

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Posted by EEEEMommy

I also wanted to encourage you to take some time in prayer to re-evalute your priorities in homeschooling. They may be great already, but I've been convicted more and more that as great as the academic benefits can be, they shouldn't be my top priority but rather things like character, godliness, and Biblical training. I've recently read Heart of Wisdom by Robin Sampson and hope to post a review soon. The more I focus on God's priorities, the more encouraged I am to continue home-educating. Plus, there's that whole Matt. 6:33 thing where you "seek first...and all these things shall be added..."
Anyway, my two cents.

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Posted by

You've gotten some great advice.
Keep in mind we are to live by God's standard's not man's.
Many of those parent's/students/neighbors may appear to have acedemic success, but good grades, being up to speed in their curriculum, finishing the curriculum on 'time'... doesn't mean they are being well-educated. I remember (and so do most people I know) less than 10% of what I learned in the institutionalized school system.
In addition... all of those acedemic successes will burn as wood, hay, and stubble when we reach Christ's throne. It's what we are doing with our children for eternity that truly counts.
I agree with the comment about reading an encouraging book.
"Home Educating with Confidence" by Rick and Marilyn Boyer is great.
So are "When You Rise Up" by R.C. Sproul and "The Charlotte Mason Companion" by Karen Andreola.
Above all, be sure to be faithful in your quiet time and in prayer.
And I agree with re-evaluating why you homeschool and re-prioritizing.
Jot down all of the benefits to homeschooling.
Also, when they don't notice, look at your children... really look at them.
Would you really be so willing to leave their spiritual growth, their education, and their character development to someone else? Realize, accept, and take great joy in knowing that God Himself gave you to your children and gave your children to you. You. He has called you to train them up. Remember God doesn't call the qualified... He qualifies the called. He has called you to do this and He will equip you with all that you need to fulfull His calling.
1 Corinthians 15:57 ~
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Praying for you ~
Christina
<a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hskubes">HsKubes' HomeSchool Haven</a>


Edited by hskubes on Apr. 29, 2006 at 5:27 AM

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