There has been a lot of thinking going on amongst homeschooling Mom's lately.  Thinking about things like "success" or "failure."  I remembered that I had posted on my personal blog about this earlier in the year, and thought I would recycle that post for the front porch today!

• May. 1, 2006 - What is YOUR definition of "Success?"

For some people, success is equated with status.  This can be professional status, earnings or position.  For some, success is gained through "popularity" or fame.  For others, success is gauged in material wealth.  Success as Jesus taught it is this:  For those of you who desire to be the greatest, you must become a servant.  (My paraphrase.)

Homeschooler's have a combination of success---outwardly.  We see them winning awards and spelling bees.  We read about them making zillions of dollars on e-bay and through other entrepreneurial avenues.  But what is the measure of success?  Even though it is spelled out in the Bible, unfortunately, many don't grasp the teaching.  Many people could care less about success being measured by a pure heart, a servant style of leadership, or a loving touch.  Success in my mind is a gentle and quiet spirit, and children who obey because they love me and our God.

But there are many smaller successes that we look for during our days as homeschooling mothers.  We thrill in our hearts when our sons are kind and protective of our daughters, instead of teasing them.  We are happy when they do chores without being told.  We are excited when we have been seeking a certain "end" and it comes without a lot of weeping and wailing.  Concepts become solid in our children's minds, and we didn't have much if anything to do with it, except for modeling correct behavior, used gentle leading, or prayed for a positive outcome!

Success can come in many forms.  Of course we want them to be able to read and write, for without those skills they are lost in a word full of words and voices.  But have we failed if they don't read at 5 years old?  At 6?  At 7?  Who decides?

Mothers and Fathers know what needs to be done and taught......or wait, do we?  Aren't we just discovering that as we go along sometimes?  Working out our children's values and educating them with fear and trembling too? 

The proverbial "unschooler," who may just be relaxed in their form of education---has many successes that can't be determined by the latest "standardized" test.  Many of us are dis-enchanted by the public school mantras.  We woke up and decided who the real experts are.  We are.  And to many people, success has many forms.

What one event recently has defined success to you?  Would you like to share it?  I would love to hear it.  Please leave a comment and let me know what it means to you, and what has happened to illustrate a victory in your daily life!

Blessings! 

Nancy

(If you don't feel like you are being successful, by any definition , please share that too.  I will pray for you and try to encourage you and will help you in any way I can! That is what friends are for!)

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