Written by: Caroline Davis
I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I was a public school elementary teacher for eight years when God called me to homeschool my own three, beautiful children. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing these past four years. I’m learning right alongside you.
Isaiah 40:11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
Did you catch that? “Gently leads.”
Give yourself GRACE sweet Momma. God does.
He sees you and loves you; at your best and in those moments where you lose it (just keeping it real… My “lose it” moments usually involve a messy bun, PJs, and not an ounce of makeup).
Give Grace, for yourself, your children.
They won’t remember what you taught them during the COVID crisis of 2020. What they will remember is how you made them feel. How you snuggled up beside them and read aloud a chapter book. How you prayed over them and with them for God’s provision for your home, city, nation, the world. How you spent time baking cookies and weaved some math in simultaneously.
Don’t get me wrong. I am ALL about education. Annoyingly so, I’ll talk about curriculum for days. But I’ve learned teaching from a place of rest brings JOY and peace. It takes time to create procedures for any learning environment. Give yourself that time and grace.
When you find yourself in a situation you never could have predicted, you didn’t sign up for or have time to prepare for, THIS is where God can shine the most. He hasn’t forsaken you. This is not a mistake. His Spirit lives within YOU, so you CAN do everything He calls you to do!
Even teach long division.
Practical Tips:
Set a timer for each subject. When the timer goes off, you’re done. Don’t stress about checking all the boxes. Learning isn’t complete when your tasks are finished.
Make your one-on-one time with your child count. By sitting beside them for a focused period of time, you are ensuring they aren’t practicing incorrectly.
Change the setting. Go outside. Sit on the couch, build a tent and climb inside. Their engagement will increase.
My response to the whiny, “It’s too hard Mom!” is always, “You can do hard things.”
Choose your relationship with your child over their education. Some days, it’s okay to walk away and try again later.
You are capable of leading with the love of Christ. You can encourage, build up, and instill truth in your children. You can be patient and kind because the Holy Spirit equips you to be so.
Remember, your ultimate goal is not to raise a child who knows his math facts, but one who knows and serves the Lord.
Here’s my classroom vision statement if you want to make it your own:
“My children will love God and serve Him with their whole hearts. I will nurture, equip, train, and empower them to do more for His kingdom than they could ever imagine.”
I’m rooting for you!