MARILYN'S HOMESCHOOL HELPS FOR MOMS
Unless you're really new at homeschooling, you're aware that some days just don't go well. It's not easy being a wife, mom, homeschooler and all the other hats we moms wear. When I'm asked for advice, I often say, "First, take a deep breath." The sky is not falling (although it sometimes feels like it is!). I know somedays we moms would rather hide in the bathroom and read a magazine all afternoon than deal with our children. As a mom of fourteen children, I've had my good share of those days. I've also learned some things along the way I'd like to share with you. So take a deep breath, calm that last remaining nerve and let's take a look at some homeschool helps for moms.
Know You're Not Alone
First, understand that all moms fight with feelings of burnout now and then. There is so much more to your life than homeschooling. Especially if your children aren't yet old enough to help much with the housework, you have a hefty load to pull with meals, laundry, vacuuming, laundry, dusting, laundry, bill paying, laundry, shopping and laundry. Oh, and did I say laundry? (Note the pile on the cover of my booklet, Getting It All Done! That was a real day at the Boyers'!) How can you ever manage it all? But remember that thousands of homeschool moms all over the country--and in a number of other countries, too--are fighting the same battle. And motherhood was never intended as a convenience. Yet, when you think about it, it's a privilege to be in this fight. This is no news flash to Christian moms. You've thought the same thing many times. But we all need to be reminded, so permit me to say it again. What you're doing is eternally important. Seldom is life-building an easy job. But the rewards are great, and they last forever.
Remember What Matters
Remember that spiritual things matter most. Maybe you've had one of those days when everybody around the table seems to develop temporary amnesia in reference to homeschool subjects. Trust me, your kids' interest comes and goes. Just be sure you're not stressing so much about homeschool stuff you forget to teach the most important things. Take a look at our book Hands-On Character Building for ideas for hundreds of spiritual training projects to teach your children the top character traits given to us by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Don't rule out skipping math one day to allow time for making Bible Story bedroom curtains.
Babies and Toddlers
Are you having a bad homeschool day because your toddler wants your attention more than your ten-year-old wants to memorize vocabulary words? I wrote Home Educating with Babies and Toddlers just for you. It will tell you how I've learned to keep all (well, most) of the plates spinning despite the several age groups I've had to deal with for most of my life as a homeschooling mom.
Don't panic, moms. We all have our discouraging moments. But we don't have to stay discouraged!
More Resources for Homeschool Moms
I've made an effort over the years to share with other moms, as they have shared with me, the lessons learned from many years of mothering and homeschooling. Here are some more resources I've developed as helps for moms in the trenches.
Parenting from the Heart--A paperback book, 164 pages of motherly thoughts from my heart to yours. How to parent for eternity--reaching beyond the minds of your children to minister to their hearts.
How to Raise Kids of Character--One of our exciting new EBOOKS! complete with charts of character qualities and their working definitions. How to teach 40+ important character qualities. Train not just bright young adults, but men and women of character!
Holding Their Hearts--One of my very favorite workshop talks on CD. My parenting philosophy as I've developed it thru the years, from being a twenty-year-young mom to my present role as grandmother to six.
