There is beauty in imperfection. There is grace in unfinished to-do’s. There is conviction in the correction of our children. There is a curiosity and love of learning that is reborn in our older souls. When God calls us to homeschool, He calls us to so much more.

Docendo Dicimus: We learn by teaching. Teach because you learn, too. 

What is There to Learn from Teaching My Child at Home

• Homeschool isn’t done for the sake of homeschooling. The sacrifice of extra income, the gift of your time, tears, endless research for curricula, new methods to help your struggling child, and ideas for keeping school fun while keeping your sanity. None of this is just for the sake of homeschooling. It is done because I have such a deep love and desire to steward well the gift of these children who God has loaned to me for such a short time. To see my children walk in the Truth, being able to excellently defend the reason for their hope with both faith and reason, to see them one day teaching their own children diligently. Homeschooling is merely a tool to get to an end. Homeschool is not the altar to die on.
• Grace becomes a tangible part of each and every day. God’s grace and mercy. I’m chief among sinners and prove it over and over again every day. My children are little sinners who need grace and mercy and forgiveness every single day. Seeing the Holy Spirit working in their little hearts is one of the greatest gifts I have received as their mother. Grace extended from me to my children. You know what I mean. They push buttons, often on purpose. They bicker. They tear up. They refuse. And often in correcting them, I hear God loud and clear. “Why can’t you listen? I want to help you, I want to teach you, I want to keep you safe.” Blessings are in every little thing if we will only just listen. And their grace extended to me. If you have children, chances are you’ve messed up with them. The beauty of children is that they are quick to forgive and to forget. A trait I am learning slowly from them. Grace is such an integral part of our everyday that it is becoming a part of each of us. There is untold beauty in the trials and struggles that lead us to be more like Jesus. Especially the everyday ones.

• Special Needs Schooling is fun. Two incredibly bright and beautiful boys. Mr. T has Apraxia, dyspraxia, SPD, and is showing many early signs of dyslexia. Mr. F has Apraxia and some sensory or vestiblular issues that have not been diagnosed yet. In designing our schedule and activities, I must think outside “the box”. We have bean bags, a jungle gym inspired bunk bed, hopper balls, a plasma car, and some really cool curriculums that are designed for kids with challenges. It stretches me sometimes trying to find what works for which boy for the task at hand. But it’s in a good way and it’s become fun. A blessing in disguise. My own chronic illness has also pushed me beyond my comfort zone. There is a gift in knowing how much I need God’s strength every single moment. Even when I try to do it on my own.
• Choosing wrong is just an opportunity to try again. Yes! Make mistakes. It’s how we all learn. Wether it’s a choice the boys make in behavior, in putting a puzzle together, in wrongly using craft supplies, or in not listening and sicking their finger into the hamster cage and getting bitten, every decision carries with it an opportunity to learn and grow. Choosing the wrong method, curricula, or activity gives me room to grow, to learn my children better, and to accept that I’m not perfect either. (I’m a recovering Type A, so that’s a lesson that still stings but I’m thankful for each and every time it happens.)
• Every day is worth celebrating. Do you wake up with unlimited energy and joy? These boys do. They rock my world from 6 am till 8 or 9 pm every day. And the joy and wonder just emanates from them. I pray they never lose the ability to marvel at the everyday things. The ants, the bees that make honey, the way Mr. T lights up when he gets a new letter blend, the joy Mr. f has when he helps unload the dishwasher. So sometimes we clean the kitchen floor after having a water gun fight. Sometimes we get ice-cream because it’s Tuesday. Sometimes we stay in our pjs all day and watch Magic School Bus with popcorn for science. There is always room for a celebration!

There is so much more. These days with out children are so short but filled to the brim. What have you learned from your children?