Homeschool Dad to Dad and Mom to Mom

Homeschool Dad to Homeschool Dad

Recently, I have had the opportunities to attend or watch Air Force Academy football games and Colorado Rockies baseball games.  As I have witnessed the Falcons dramatic 4^th quarter comeback and victory over a highly favored opponent or the Rockies late season run of 13 victories in their last 14 games, most of which were against their division rivals, that have propelled them to the brink of the post-season playoffs, I have shared with my children the lessons which I think are important  As I have followed the recent accomplishments and talked to my daughters, who don’t always “get the point” of the sporting events and the nuances of the contest of teams and individuals against themselves and each other, I try to convey to them what I feel is important about the endeavor of the competition.  How a seemingly meaningless game played today can have an effect on the individuals and team as a whole down the road.  That it is not so much about the final result, although it is about setting goals and trying to accomplish them.  It is about bringing together individuals, who for a short period of time can work in unison, to accomplish a collective victory of sharpening teamwork and character skills that can have much more lasting effects.

Much like the athletic team’s quest to reach the goals that they set out to accomplish, I see parallels to our Homeschooling endeavors.  Many times we are met with challenges, as we are raising our children and promoting and protecting the freedoms of parent directed education, that we find ourselves needing to set our goals as individuals or a group of individuals that hope to accomplish an important task.  We find ourselves sometimes working alongside other like minded “team mates” to focus our effort on the task at hand.  There are many opportunities to step up and lead, encourage others when their time to “carry the ball” comes along and support the team throughout the game.

Whether this opportunity is for a large organization like CHEC, for your own support group, or within your own family – step up and lead when needed, work diligently as part of the team, and share in the joy of the accomplishment – walk humbly if victory is won and accepting of disappointments with grace and character.

God Bless,

Mike Anderson, homeschool dad

Homeschool Mom to Homeschool Mom

There are three things I count on to help me remain focused so that I can continue to lead with zest.  And as I thought about these things, I realized that all of them were gifts given to me by my believing, Christian parents.

One is to have regular quiet time in His Word.  When I start to get grouchy, or exhibit signs that I’ve forgotten what the fruit of the spirit is, then I need to make certain that I’m pouring time and attention into my personal Bible study time.

And then, there are two things that always bring me such luxuriant felicity.  One was taught to me by my mother, and the other by my father.  These legacies from my childhood continue to bless me and have blessed me throughout my adulthood.

When I start to feel a little hemmed in and the pressure of deadlines, arguing members (or children) and other life commitments are robbing me of joy, I need to break away and sing the songs that delight my heart.  Taking time to hear and sing again those old favorites, recalling the sweetness of the gift of music and how it lightens and brightens my attitudes and outlook, is such a euphoric experience for me. My mother taught me the joy of music.  She filled our home with hymns, having been a church musician for a great number of years beginning at age 12.  I did not pick up her joy of piano/organ playing; but having the freedom to sing with abandon, sometimes on key, other times not, sometimes sweet hymns that remind me of my mother and the multitude of songs she taught me as a child.  Other times I like to sing, how shall we say, rowdy songs.  (I do believe that Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” is a homeschool anthem, although I do not endorse Pink Floyd’s lifestyle or most of the rest of their songs and their subject matter.)

In making our family go camping EVERY weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and as weather allowed into the fall and in the spring, my father taught me the restorative principles of simply enjoying God’s creation.  Seeing His handiwork close up and appreciating its splendor thrills me beyond measure.  Witnessing a grand sunrise or sunset, the changing of the seasons – especially the fall colors, seeing a new housing unit put up by the beavers across the creek that beckons us as we travel to see now familiar ghost towns, or watching the snow melt in July on the western side of Independence Pass, or experiencing the breathtaking views of Hoosier Pass is something that touches me so deeply it is almost hard to describe.  How awesome is our God that He gives us such wonderful examples of His complete sovereignty to enjoy?

I hope that we will pass these legacies along to our children for each speaks of the majesty of our God.

Paula Anderson, homeschooling mom to three daughters

 Copyright 2007 by Mike and Paula Anderson,

all rights reserved

9:46 AM - Oct. 11, 2007 - post comment

Untitled Comment

"I do believe that Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” is a homeschool anthem"

I agree 100%!!! Love that song....from a fellow homeschool mom. ;)

Anonymous - 9:08 PM - Feb. 24, 2008

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