I’m excited about this guest post today. I think as with anything in life, there are people who where born to homeschool, love it, and don’t see any other way. Then there are people who would never consider it. Well, we need to remember that there are those who are in between. Those who respond from sheer obedience, necessity, or maybe just choosing the best option and making it work.

I have learned above all else so far in my own homeschooling journey to be more open to people. Everybody has a story and everybody’s story is valuable and important. Everybody’s story relates to somebody. Make sure and check out Misty’s blog at Finding My Way.

When I had my kids I NEVER envisioned myself homeschooling them. But, giving them a quality Christ-based education was a conviction. My goal would have been to enroll them into a christian school that both my husband & I agreed upon but that didn’t happen. Coming into a family where Christian education was very prominent and homeschooling was second nature was very challenging. I grew up in public school most of my life, and entered into Christian school in my junior year of high school. My family life was quite different than that of my husbands in the fact that I came from a broken home & how you educated your children wasn’t a lifestyle or conviction.

When the time did come for our first child to go to school everything came together for homeschooling. God placed me into a family who had the resources, patience & know-how when it came to educating my children. The support system has been a life-line to me & if I did not have them, then I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

My sister-in-law has blessed me by coming along side me through the years, especially the earlier years, and showing me how this homeschooling thing works. Thankfully we had kids around the same ages and were able to do preschool & kindergarten together. We taught our kids how to read and that was incredible! It was so special and such a blessing to be there when my children read their first words and first sentences. My mother-in-law has also been with me for the past 2 years assisting me with our oldest sons education. She comes everyday and works with him side by side & helps keep him focused. I know she can’t do it forever & it intimidates me to think of how I’m going to do it without her help.

As the kids have grown & more have come along it has created more challenges. I have found that feelings of selfishness & inadequacy are the prominent challenges. Because I do have such a great support system between my sister-in-law & mother-in-law, it often leaves me feeling as if I’ll never measure up. They have a God-given ability to ‘teach’ and be patient where I just don’t have it. There are many days that I wonder what in the world am I doing and wish that I could just send them to Christian school. There are days that I just don’t want to do it anymore & it hangs over my head until we’re done. I wouldn’t say that I ‘enjoy’ homeschooling. I really don’t feel like I have what it takes to be this homeschooling mom, but this is the season that God has me in. I have to accept that. God has an amazing way of turning what we think is doom & dread into days of blessings. Everyday I do get to spend quality time with my kids. I’m there when they get a 100% on a difficult test & can rejoice with them over their success. They are learning Biblical foundations, character & life skills that may not get else where. I am learning to be more patient…to take advantage of the resources around me & learn from the women whom I feel have the knowledge & experience that I desire.

I love my kids…I do love being home with them everyday. Do I want a break some of the time? Definetly! But that’s where I’m so blessed by my husband. He recognizes the sacrifices I have to make to maintain our home, do dayare, homeschool the kids,serve in our church, plus try to take care of myself.

Motherhood is full of days where you feel overwhelmed and inadequate. But I take much comfort in Gal 6:9….’do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap a harvest’. I believe God put that in there just for Moms. I definetly do not have all the answers when it comes to homeschooling. I just know that God has put me in this position for a purpose & as long as I lean on Him, He will be my strength, He will give me the ability, & He will supply knowledge and resources when needed. He is faithful and I look forward to reaping my harvest.

Thanks Misty!

Now there is just 84 school days left until summer.