2009-Sep-28 - Natural Learning is HERE!
Kids learn ALL the time.
I can't stress this enough when homeschooling our children. As a mom in my ninth year, I confess I didn't always understand this in the lives of my children. There was loads of worry on my part concerning "doing school right," "finding the right curriculum,' and "creating the right environment" for my children to learn. Today I am still concerned, but in a different way about these things. I know that my children learn in every situation, event and encounter they have. . .Do the "unschoolers" have a point? They (if I have adequately understood) don't really plan out the educations of their children, but allow their child to explore and learn by giving their children opportunities. In some ways this is what I have done too, but I still worried much more than I probably should have about the "rightness" of educating my two.
Worry is a huge issue as is guilt when we don't meet our own expectations for a goal or dream. Clinging to the idea that my children learn with everything, I can rest, you can rest in knowing that they will become well rounded citizens who are capable of good decisions and living a life pleasing to God.
Do I still concern my self with curriculum, environment and doing it right? Of course I want what is best! Of course I work to provide quality materials! Of course I want to practice diligence and perseverance and studiousness so my children's education is done right! But does worry and guilt possess me or take up my time like it once did over planning and performing? NO WAY! I am working harder than ever to see not just the learning occuring but the fruit of it in my children.
Give your anxieties and cares to the Lord. Do your best, and He rewards! "Perfect" teachers we will never be~even the professionals are not perfect! So stand and go forth, KNOWING that our children LEARN ALL THE TIME, and while we have a part of it, their education is so much bigger than what we provide. . . God directs more of it than we realize!
I have peace knowing that even on my worst day, God can take up my child in His grace and mercy and fulfill in and for him His plans for his life!
This understanding takes the stress, worry and anxiety off me! I can give this all over to God and so can you!
Today, offer your child and his education over or as I have had to do many times, BACK OVER to God! Why do I keep taking these burdens back when I know God has it covered? Fear can be crippling! But in faith and strength gained by God I can renew my sense of His presence as I attempt to educate~to guide and instruct my children given to me by Him!
Blessings as we all work at seeing God's presence and purposes in our homeschooling!
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