Don’t Lose the Vision!

“I’m not sure I can handle all this!”
“My children still think I’m just mom; will they ever respect me as their teacher?”
“It’s either the housework or the schooling; I can’t do both!”

Many homeschool moms (especially first timers) are beginning to feel anxious and very overwhelmed right about now. The laundry is piling up, meals aren’t what they used to be, Jordan still doesn’t remember the ah sound (will he ever learn to read?), and the baby is practically raising herself. Good thing too, since I don’t seem to have time for her anymore.

These are some of the raw emotions of homeschooling, but they are only a hazy reflection of the vision we have for our family. Beginnings are often hard. The goal seems so dim and far away. (What was our goal again anyway?)

Take heart, dear sisters. This is only a passing phase in the cycle that is homeschooling. What we need to focus on right now is the bright future God has promised to those who are faithful till the end. Isn’t that why we started this homeschooling thing anyway? We felt God’s call to bring up our children in a way that would encourage them to hunger and thirst after His righteousness.

Here are some tips for surviving this hazy and overwhelming transition period:

1. Revisit your schedule. Did you envision that each school day would begin with the children rising promptly at 6:30, cheerfully making their beds, and sweetly thanking you for the breakfast you so lovingly prepared from scratch? If so, reality has probably given you quite a blow. The children just can’t seem to understand why they should bother making a bed they’re only going to sleep in again tonight. And who has time to make breakfast from scratch!
About this time every year many of us find we have been working with an over-idealistic schedule that could use a few revisions. Perhaps the children should sleep in till 8:00 so they are more refreshed for their studies. Sammy may need to be granted more time for his reading lesson than you had first allotted. Laundry may have to be tackled one load per day rather than all at once on Monday morning. Try to find ways to make your schedule fit your real life. It will help the days run more smoothly. Which brings us to the next point:

2. Lower your expectations. Few women are capable of being a full-time mother, teacher, housewife, seamstress, nurse, and dietician all at the same time. Something has to give. Most veteran homeschool moms admit to lowering the expectations they once had for themselves in one or more key areas. Some of us go lighter on the meal preparation. It’s boxed cereal for breakfast and Crock-Pot-surprise for supper. Others forgo all ironing save for the few Sunday essentials. One mom went so far as to get rid of all her knickknacks, so she wouldn’t need to find time to dust them. As long as we concentrate on doing the really important things, the rest can wait for another, less intensive, season of life.

3. Cut the cords. Few things steal more precious hours from our schooldays than needless distraction from electronic devices. Untimely phone calls, mindless computer games, and soul-marring television programming are not likely to bless our children. We do them a great service by freeing them from these devices. Do whatever it takes to provide your children with a peaceful, thought-stimulating atmosphere. Ask friends not to call you during school hours. Schedule all appointments for after school. Clear the children’s environment of tempting and time-wasting distractions. The results will be profound!

4. Let others help you. You are not a super-mom. You can’t do everything. Be willing to receive help from others graciously. Perhaps Dad wants to bring home a pizza for supper. Great, that will free you up to help Rachel with her research project. Grandma would like to sew some dresses for you. Wonderful, now you will have more time for Charlie’s chemistry lab. Or perhaps your best friend, who happens to be a retired math teacher, offers to tutor your high-schooler in algebra. Thank God for such willing helpers! There are even a few of you who can afford to hire extra help. Rejoice—no guilt attached—the Proverbs 31 woman was blessed with the same privilege.

5. Keep your focus. We are usually overwhelmed when, like Peter, we take our eyes off Jesus and stare at threatening waves. You might find it helpful to write down some encouraging verses and place them strategically onto your mirror, over the kitchen sink, in your grade book . . . to remind you that “God is able,” “you can do all things through Him who strengthens you,“ and “only the things that are done for Him will last.”

—Becky McGurrin