Last week, I attended our state's convention for home educators. It had been several years
since I'd done so, and I'm really, really glad that I went. I was so blessed by one of the talks in
particular that I want to share my notes with you. I hope that you'll enjoy her words and let them soak in deeply. I've added a few funny little drawings from my own children-- all of these came from a thick folder labeled, "Treasures." It grows as my memories of these homeschooling years continue to accrue.
"Our children are made in God’s image—they have a unique God-given image.
Allow your children to be children—to be the children God made them to be.
When we attempt to tamper with a child’s unique identity we drag their spirit down.
Why do we take ownership when ownership belongs to God?
(Remember how Hannah gave Samuel back to the Lord. We must follow her example.)
Make sure your children know, “I am valued for WHO I AM, in my family, and in Christ.”
Establish strong ties of love and acceptance with your children, strong ties with your husband."
"Sometimes our children can simply get too much of us.
Allow them TIME to breathe and be alone. And time to develop into who they are.
What do they feel led to do in life?
What are their goals? What are their interests, their unique gifts and talents?
Celebrate those—let the child follow her passions.
Especially teens—ask them to share their dreams and to help design their own curriculum.
That teen needs ownership of her curriculum and choices.
Someday, we want them to step away, to go out into the world smiling, happy, and ready to do
what God is calling them to do.
Homeschooling teaches us about ourselves.
We will make mistakes, but God is very gracious to us."
"Sometimes we enter difficult seasons with our children (especially around ages 9 – 17 or so)
On days when things are going awry, ask God to help you handle these times.
Relax.Trust in your prayers.
Trust that God has heard you even if the result is not what you have asked.
Teach your children and walk beside them with a humble heart.
Trust that they have heard you even if they do not show it immediately."
"God made this child. Remember that the design belongs to Him-- it is perfectly imperfect.
Imperfections allow us to stretch and grow—these imperfections are beautiful to God.
We don’t get to own the design.
Sometimes we can help with the coloring and shading (by way of character development)
but only very gently.
The design belongs to God."
If you are struggling through a difficult season, partner with a friend in prayer
or find someone to mentor you through.
Sometimes the season is a very long one—every day, the same issue over and over and over.
Findways to restore the dignity to that child.
Your children will look back and remember the times that you were patient with them—
they will look back and remember the grace.
Do not continually erase mistakes for your child.
We might be tempted to compare with others—or try to erase mistakes—but we must ask ourselves if this competitiveness might be coming from our own insecurities…?
Sometimes we have to teach through disappointments. We must embrace mistakes and learn from them. There are beautiful lessons there.
It is tempting to make the road too smooth—remember that we must prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child. They need the lessons of their mistakes to help prepare them for the bumps ahead.
"Our homeschools belong to God—this work is even more important to Him than it is to us.
He has a plan, even if it looks messy to us.
Make certain that God owns your plan, your expectations.
Your life."
+ + + + +
Mari Fitz-Winn spoke with the quiet wisdom and grace of a mother who has raised her children well. Her talk was not flashy or showy in the tiresome way that makes me want to avoid such events. Rather, she simply shared her heart along with some sweet, scribbley coloring that her children had done over the years.
I hope that you find some tiny golden nugget of Truth in these notes that lifts you up and helps you see what's good and holy in your daily work as a mother and teacher to your children.
Such speakers are unfortunately rare at our local fair. I am grateful that you shared your notes with us. My youngest leaves for college this fall. I pray that she is ready for the road.
That is a beautiful talk you heard, Ann. So deeply wise and gentle and good. I'm touched just reading it. Thank you for sharing your notes. I'll be saving them to a file.
I loved the drawings of your children, too. :-)
Susan
These are the reflections and plans of a family trying to live simply, with gratitude and God's fresh graces every day. + + You are warmly welcomed to our Episcopal homeschool. + + +
All original photography and text by Ann L. Collins, copyright 2005-2009. Feel free to link to this site. For any other use please request permission by email. Thank you.
