The Heart of Homeschooling
As the school year is coming to a close, many of use are thankful for the rest. Homeschool years are active years and often leads to exhaustion. Sadly for many it leads to frustration. But as we get the time to rest, let’s reflect on the true heart of homeschooling.
Homeschooling is a lifestyle–not an institution. It is led by the heart while holding the hand of a loving God for guidance. Keep your eyes focused on your calling to educate your children academically, emotionally and spiritually. Children should feel like your greatest joy and not another paper to grade in between building a business, making dinner, and responding to another email. To fully enjoy the blessings from this season of your life, it is important to resist overextending you or your children’s lives. Busy lives do not lead to more productive people. We hardly have a chance to grow or enjoy family if we are constantly dealing with commitments. Busy days turn into a badge of courage or, worse, idols in our lives. Being active is important, but it should never be confused with being overwhelmed. We are not failing our children by limiting the number of activities, sports and outside classes we allow. When we are too busy, we lose sight of the big picture and see only the next slot in our datebook. We lack the time to be available to a neighbor, a church member, a family member or even God. Our calling to homeschool includes instructions in righteousness along with a high standard of academics. Take each aspect of your homeschooling and decide prayerfully what aligns with what God put in your heart. Pull the weeds that choke your time and zap your energy, and the fruit of your hands will grow abundantly.