I tend to go through a little "nesting" when Back to School time approaches.
It happens every year.
I suddenly feel motivated to wash windows and scrub out cupboards.
At the start of the summer I wrote out a list of chores I wanted to have completed by our first day of school. I've been picking away at it all summer long.
I am happy to report I only have three chores left!
They are:
- sand and revarnish kitchen table
- repair broken chair in dining room
- wash front room windows
It is easy for any homeschool mother to understand what these chores have to do with getting ready for school.
Our home is where our life unfolds, and is the backdrop to our learning and growing.
I enjoy it when my home is tidy and in good condition, but it is never staged.
It is a family home.
I start every morning here, with my coffee, my Bible, my books, and a notebook in case an enlightening thought dashes through my mind and I want to preserve it on paper before it leaves me.
I am currently reading through three books at the moment. A Dannah Gresh devotional with Nola, Spiritual Disciplines for a class I am taking, and The Grapes of Wrath.
Even though I am only on Chapter 6 in The Grapes of Wrath, it is already rubbing me wrong.
The author uses profanity and the characters have false and harmful ideas about religion.
This past winter I read through Maya Angelou's, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings because it was recommended on a book list for sixth graders. Since my oldest was in sixth grade last year I decided to order the book and read it for myself.
The experience left me with the strong conviction to only consider book lists written by Christians.
The secular world does not know what is appropriate for children.
I would never allow any of my children to read that book. Not even at the high school level. I wouldn't even recommend it to adults.
Even though Maya Angelou was a beautiful writer and a captivating story teller, I found her attitude to be quite bothersome.
She grew up in church and had been introduced to God as a child, but rejected Him and developed a very depressing outlook on life.
I am learning that even though something has been labeled a "classic," doesn't mean that it's good.
And Christians have a responsibility before our Lord to only dwell on, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)
Great literature is supposed to elevate the mind, inspire and encourage you, and show you new things to look for in life.
Through the years my children have enjoyed My Oak Tree because we can relate to it so well.
But we never noticed before today that the little boy brings his cat down to the tree with him.
So, I packed a picnic lunch, the kids scooped up Regal, and we all walked down to our beloved tree together to bask in a gorgeous summer afternoon.
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Regal had never been to the tree before, so it was like a giant playground to him.
He loved it!
When we arrived home Soren and Elsa decided to pack up and go on an adventure.
This is a typical game of theirs, but today it included hidden treasure and a treasure map!
Soren drew up the map that was to be their afternoon adventure. He walked me through it...
They had to cross over two countries, swim through a river, hike over a snow capped mountain, and find their way through a tiger infested forest to get to the hidden treasure.
Elsa said solemnly, "Many have died on this trip, but I think we can do it."
I told them to take their guns and hug me once last time, then I waved them goodbye.
Later, when I asked about the inspiration for the game, they replied that they were playing Journey to the Center of the Earth. Then it made sense. Micah had just finished that book during their bedtime read aloud.
This is why we read.
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Many will be homeschooling for the first time this year, since so many parents are fed up with being yanked around as a result of this pandemic.
I can tell you, that this is what homeschooling is.
Read together.
Laugh together.
Go shopping together.
Eat meals together.
Go to church together.
Serve together.
Do school together.
Be a family together.
Trying to imitate or outdo the school system isn't necessary.
This chart has greatly helped me, so I'll pass it along to you...
If you are homeschooling for the first time this year I want you to know that you have been set free.
Your family's schedule and priorities are now up to you!
It helps if you can look at yourself as an Independent Contractor.
Demonstrate good judgment and time management skills in front of your children.
Be self-goverened and teach them to be self-governed as well.
It can be jarring to find yourself home and all alone now with your children and no one telling you what to do next.
But you are the mother.
What you say, goes!
Create a reasonable, custom-made routine for yourself and your family and just stick to it!
Your daily school routine should include chores, personal hygiene, faithfulness to your curriculum, nourishing food and fresh air.
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"The work we do at home is, in many ways, of inestimable value. At the same time, there should not be pressure to do more than we are really able to do given our own parameters of time, energy, and resources. It's about doing the work with great heart, love, joy, and purpose, as a gift to everyone we serve."
- SimpleSusy blog
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"He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24
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~ Courtney
