It’s that time of year again. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel. What you thought was a great idea in September – is it still working now? Are you feeling tired? Overwhelmed? Don’t worry – traditional classroom teachers feel that way too (I’ve been there).
Today I want to encourage you, weary mom, to keep on, little by little, with daily “small steps” progress. You may not see the explosive growth you were hoping for, but with daily attention, it’s there. Kind of like when I look at my almost 6-year-old and think – “when did he get so big?”
Your kids will grow just fine with your daily, consistent, small efforts, rather than flowery, boisterous, flamboyant, overwhelming efforts. Many times we neglect the importance of precept upon precept, fact upon fact, skill upon skill, day-by-day building blocks.
Recently, my eyes were opened to this lesson. When my family had to make a trip to another state for some adoption-related paperwork, we decided to make the most of the trip by stopping at a science museum nearby and count the day as a field trip.
As we entered this multi-million dollar facility with several floors of exhibits, we were overwhelmed by the number of school students literally running around from floor to floor in a seemingly chaotic state. My kids joined in going from exhibit to exhibit, mesmerized by the cool effects, great audio-visuals, and real-life animals.
But at the end of the day, my husband & I looked at each other and asked, “What did the kids really learn today?” Honestly, there was a lot to learn in that museum, and as adults we could have spent the day there and learned a lot ourselves. But the kids were overwhelmed with the fun factor and really didn’t grow in their knowledge of science that day. In fact, we would have learned more if we had stayed home and progressed simply to another fact, another skill, or another building block.I’m not against museums, or field trips, or hands-on opportunities at all. But here’s the issue: home school moms (and really, all moms) can easily fall into the guilt trap.
We think we’re not creative enough (look at all those great ideas on Pinterest)! We feel inadequate to home school our kids if we don’t hold a teaching degree. What about the cooperative learning, impressive art projects and big field trips that other families participate in? What if I can’t keep up to my own expectations as I educate my kids?Take a deep breath. Breathe. Time to center on God’s Word. What is really important?
God uses the insignificant building blocks and the day-by-day interaction with our kids. God’s encouragement to the weary home school mom and every woman in God’s service is this:
God’s not asking us to be super-woman with amazing powers. He is the one with the amazing power. We just need to be available, faithful, and consistent. We are planting seeds and watering with our children. The growth will take time.
For those in the last few months of home schooling, take heart. Don’t be overwhelmed. For those who are considering home school in the future, and constantly think: “Can I even do it?” Take heart.
Your labor, done for the Lord in the lives of your children, will not be wasted.
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Abby is a pastor's wife and busy homeschool mom to four boys. Her family is thrilled to be Making Room 4 One More through the blessing of international adoption. This has been her longest "pregnancy" ever, but she has been amazed to see God's faithfulness, direction, and provision through it all. In her free time, Abby enjoys crafting, reading, playing the piano, thrifting, organizing her household, and spending time with all her boys!
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What a great post. I haven’t started homeschooling yet- we will start in the fall- but I’m glad I read this first. I love what you said about comparison and inadequacy. I am going to pin this for my fellow HS friends. Found you on the Growing Homemakers blog hop! Have a great week. 🙂
so glad this was encouraging for you! have a blessed week 🙂
I’m not a home schooling mom but thanks for the encouraging words! Great post!
thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the reminder. I often fill the days with all sorts of book work and activity and loose heart when most of it is lost on the children. I shall keep it in mind – precept upon precept, fact on fact. Easy does it. It all takes time like you say.
i have to constantly remind myself of these things! so easy to forget. have a great day!
Great post! My son is only three and I have seriously considered doing home schooling. This post is really encouraging!
i’m so glad this has encouraged you. you can do it!
I am not a mother but have a husband going to college.. So have some idea what it is all about…I am so ready for school to be over… Great post.
this time of year is just plain exhausting! i also know what it’s like to have a hubby in school — very hard at times. have a great day 🙂
“God uses the insignificant building blocks and the day-by-day interaction with our kids” This is such an important statement you said. It’s the little steps day-in, day-out that ultimately educates the children. Thank you for the encouragement.
and how often i forget this and get discouraged! i was really writing this post for me 🙂 so glad God used it to encourage you too.
Thanks for the encouragement, Abby! Even when you’ve been home schooling for as many years as I have, this time of the year can be a little exhausting :0)
yes it can! i think we all need encouragement along the way, even if we’re veteran home schoolers 🙂
Great encouragement, Abby. Now that I am done homeschooling 5 children, I can definitely say that I would definitely do it again. There are things that they would have learned better in a classroom, but there are so many things that they learned that they would not have learned had they been in a classroom. Life isn’t all about the textbook. My children have become Godly, friendly adults. When people talk about the terrible teens, I just shake my head. Those teen years were the best years of our lives as we grew together and served the Lord.
wow, what a great encouragement this is to me, with 4 elementary-aged boys yet to go through the teen years! thanks for sharing.
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Abby, I’m simply overwhelmed by the research I’m putting in to home-school my pipsqueak someday. He’ll turn four this winter and I feel like I won’t be ready in time. But your final line, is so true, and so encouraging. I KNOW that God will equip me to this calling if I stay close to Him! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart today!
yes! i still get overwhelmed with homeschooling as each of my boys progresses to another age & stage. it is great to know God is able to equip us as moms. 🙂
What a blessing this is in other areas of life also. When we moved to the greater Toronto area from rural ministry in Nova Scotia, I left inadequate until these same truths settled into my heart.
“God’s not asking us to be super-woman with amazing powers. He is the one with the amazing power. We just need to be available, faithful, and consistent.” Praise the Lord.
you’re right — these truths are totally applicable in other areas of life and ministry as well 🙂
Lovely post! I already have moments of feeling inadequate because, as you say, look at Pinterest, and we’re are only doing tot school! Thank you so much for sharing such a positive post 🙂
I love Pinterest, and it can be very useful, but also discouraging at the same time! Mommy-guilt is very real, but it’s not a good place to be. Glad this post was helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m not a homeschooler, but I think all of us parents can get wrapped up in that, “Am I doing enough?” mentality. Thanks for the great reminder.
yes, that’s very true. it’s a trap for all of us at times.
Mad props to you for homeschooling!
🙂
Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress when you’re in it everyday. 🙂
Yes, you’re exactly right!
I don’t really feel like homeschooling is hard. It is very rewarding even though some days are rough. Glad this trip was a portal for you to see progress in your daily homeschool life!
The rough days helps you appreciate the joy more. Thanks for stopping by!
I know that we all can get there. Overwhelmed with whatever is on our plate. We just have to take it step by step. Sometimes boulders of problems are in our way. Unexpected thing come up and we have to adjust. Thanks for pinning at Pintastic Pinteresting Party.
Yes, this definitely applies to more than homeschool! Thanks for stopping by.
Great reminder! Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays.
Thanks!