That Mike Farris Quote...
Posted on March 18, 2006
Blast from my Past: My child sticks his head in the door after waiting for the school bus 25 minutes. "Mom? There's nobody else out here."
From other side of the house: "Get back out there. Even if nobody else is goin' to school today -- you are!!"
(Turns out, there had been a 2-hour fog delay (Michigan!).
I remember that scene with a little laughter and a lot of remorse. The time I missed.
My oldest was in public school (PS) until halfway through 4th grade, son until 2nd, and daughter #3 in kindergarten. When the Lord spoke to me about homeschooling, I was not respectfully obedient. My attitude was "Whatever. I'll read about it, but I'm not doing it." Thank the Lord He didn't strike me dead right then and there in 2000.
Today, I read this Mike Farris quote in my e-mail:
I personally believe that the nature of stress for homeschooling moms is overall less than moms who have their lives separated into multiple categories such as mom, employee, and wife. A homeschooling mom's life is more integrated, bringing greater satisfaction in the long run.
I'm Mike Farris.
Amen. And can I get an "Amen?"
I guess I can tell the story of how we got to this point later, but suffice it to say, that while homeschooling (HSing) has its own set of anxiety-producing issues, my life is calmer, less stressful, and flat-out easier. There are many areas in which life is easier, but I'm going to address just one today: the schooling/running aspect.
I know PS Moms don't understand it. *I* was one of those Moms. Re-read paragraphs 1-3.
When my children were in PS, there was always a teacher causing gut-wrenching anxiety for one of my children (usually firstborn).
My son was forbidden to go to recess because he couldn't spell his name in kindergarten and the teacher's assistant (read: 9th grader) didn't believe him.
Son's field trips were always canceled due to the one troublemaker in class.
The teacher loved my son but kept having to move him because "He just makes friends wherever I put him!"
Hallelujah that wasn't squelched out of him.Firstborn's cafeteria time was to be a talk-free time. What? No socialization? Over lunch. Sorry, but that's just warped.
I was always running hither and yon, volunteering in some such capacity, going to sappy 1-4th grade productions with a baby strapped on my back and making my son dress up like a firefly in 2nd grade.
(What was I thinking?)There is a stress that comes from knowing "It's us. It's all on us." But there is a peace in knowing The One who called us to homeschool these little people is truly faithful when I am faithless, He is wise when I act a fool, and He loves them with a passion I cannot approximate on my best days. And there is no stress when I realize:
I am these kiddoes best teacher. Nobody knows them like I do. And loves them still.
I agree with you, Mr. Farris. My life is much less stressful now. I mean, I'm sitting here blogging, for crying out loud, with nary a kiddo on my back. :-) Life is sweet.
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