My Perfect Homeschool Experience
I remember the very first day that I started homeschooling twelve and a half years ago. I was so excited! I had my curriculum picked out and all of the supplies I needed gathered and set out on the table the night before. Things went perfectly! After all, I had read and reread the lessons like twenty times already. I was going to be the perfect homeschool mom and things were always going to be sunshine and rainbows. What I didn’t allow to enter my mind was the fact that in order to have a rainbow, there has to be rain! My perfect homeschool experience lasted three whole days and when day four hit I became, what I thought, was a total failure! I have grown a lot since then and realize that having unattainable goals will always leave me feeling like a failure. Why set myself up for that? Here is one thing that I have learned along the way and tried to apply to my life.
BE FLEXIBLE! Planning is a good thing, be prepared, but be flexible! Babies will cry, children will get sick, mom will get sick with 102 degree temperature, the dog will get sick, the bird will break free from its cage and the cats will go nuts! All of this will happen when hubby is out of town. Oh, did I mention mom is due in 3 weeks and always delivers early(can we say stress & fear?)?
YES, this is an actual week of my life. Guess what, no one can have a perfect school day when this is your week! Be flexible and remember things do not always go as planned. Remember your reason for being: to bring glory to God. Sometimes our plan is not His plan. During this week (several years ago), we did not get through our ABC’s but we learned a much more valuable lesson, to lean upon the Lord. If we learn to lean upon the Lord we will find things flow more smoothly even as we ride along all the bumps in the road.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Posted in Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, newsletter
January 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Wow, sounds like someone needs a hug!
And yep, flexibility is one of the biggest keys. Because those weeks happen to ALL of us!
January 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
flexibility. you said it. I had to learn the hard way last year. This year is much more laid back, and the kids love it. Freaks me out, but they are flourishing, so I must be doing something right. *S*
Good luck. Sounds like it was a rough week.
January 19th, 2008 at 1:28 am
You know I always try and take control of the things that I know I can…and then when the WHAMMYS hit, I’m not COMPLETELY undone~ it all seems to happen at one…all in one day…or one week!
You are so brave to hang in there…3 weeks to go…prayers for safety, and sanity!!
We need to follow those steps that only HE can order….
hugs,
lori
January 19th, 2008 at 2:04 am
I too had to learn flexibility. I had many worrisome years until I finally learned that one.
Wow, 3 weeks. Praying for you!
~Tina
January 19th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Kristine,
Just wanted to let you know I have been enjoying your blog. Thanks for the reminder about the “typical” week for a homeschooler. 3 weeks to go? wow! Praying for you and can’t wait to hear the good news! In Christ, Lisa (Beehiveof8)
January 19th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Hey all- I am not expecting but thanks for the well wishes! This happened several years ago! *smile*
January 19th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Wow… isnt that how it goes some weeks…. although, that was a lot to happen to you in one week! Im glad you made it through… whew…
I want to thank you!! I have trying to think of the Proverbs verse you shared! I kid you not, for 4 days now I have trying to remember the verse and where it was in the bible! I cant wait to go tell my husband!!! lol
Lisa
January 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Lisa- that is too funny, it is so frustrating when we cannot find the scripture we are looking for! Glad I was able to help!! *grin*