I couldn’t decide what to write about that would possibly benefit the homeschool community and their families. So, I put it off time after time saying to myself… “I have nothing to contribute, I have no answers or advice to give.”
I am not saying I am the best homeschool teacher in the whole wide world, I wake up every morning and learn as my children learn. I learn about my children and their personalities, what type of learner they are, and about life in general. Working each and everyday trying to become a better mother, a better teacher, and a better person in general. These are my battles each and every day. Trying to be the best I can be for my family and to be the best in life. Am I successful everyday? NO, honestly I am not. Some days are terrible days, some days are OK days, and some days are great days. I take one step and one day at time.
During this homeschool year at the beginning I was totally stressed out about my children learning the material they needed for the time frame that was given in the curriculum. It was too much for my nine year old. He does not work at a very fast pace neither is he a great independent worker. If I am not there just about holding his hand to do his work, it won’t get done. Then I have a five year old that likes to really talk, but he does get his work done in a timely matter. My two boys are night and day. I am sure someone can relate.
I knew I couldn’t make it through the homeschool year being all stressed out. I prayed about it, I wanted to leave it in God’s hands. I’m teaching my boys everyday, but not as fussy as I was before such as…. learn this, learn that, get this, get that. I try to make them feel comfortable with me as the teacher and as their mother. Nobody teaches us how to become homeschool teachers, or be good parents for that matter but I have learned to pray and leave it in God’s hands knowing that he is going to use my boys as a positive instrument to benefit somebody else’s life one day.
I believe we (William and I ) as parents are raising productive citizens, and children that will benefit this world in more ways than one.
I have learned to take one step at a time. I have also learned it is not the end of the world if my child or children didn’t get what I was trying to teach them in a certain lesson that day. I have learned not to get all bent out of shape when my children do not make straight A’s on every assignment, quiz, or test. I am learning everyday.
I wake up and my learning journey begins. I have learned more about myself, and my boys by homeschooling. My desire is to continue to want to learn as long as I live. I want my boys to be the best in everything they do in life, but I thought to myself, it needs to start with me, so I want to make sure I am doing the best I can do for my boys and anyone else around me. Is this happening overnight? NO, it takes time, effort and patience. It is a full time job just making sure you as the homeschool teacher is on top of your game, because if you are not your students (your children) may or may not notice. A lot of times your children may see a little of what you are going through, but children can be so forgiving, so as a mother and homeschool teacher I try to show forgiveness to them as well.
Learning is a gift, and learning is priceless!
Jania Bullock, used to teach second grade in the public school system, before deciding to stay at home and raise their two sons. Nothing has given her greater joy. She believes it is such a blessing to have staying at home as an option for their family.
