A Homeschooled Mom
As a mother (and a especially a mother who educates her children at home), I know I cannot give my children what I do not possess.- I cannot expect my children to eat their veggies if they see me pushing my greens off to the side of my plate.
- I cannot expect my children to enjoy interacting with nature if I stay holed up inside.
- I cannot expect my children to enjoy a lifetime of reading if they never see me pick up a book.
- I cannot expect my children to see their projects through to completion if I have a dozen half-finished efforts laying in wait.
- I cannot expect my children to persevere when they see me consistently give up.
- I cannot expect my children to do great things when I rarely get anything done.
- I cannot expect my children to do all things without grumbling and complaining if I grumble and complain throughout the day.
- I cannot expect my children to faithfully spend time reading their Bibles if I'm "too busy this morning" each morning.
- I cannot expect my children to have a fruitful prayer life when they never see me pray.
- I cannot expect my children to extend grace to others if I'm always pointing out motes and tripping over beams.
- I cannot expect my children to be sensitive to others' needs if they see me walking by on the other side.
You see, of course, what this means. I have a lot to learn! I must be and stay a homeschooled mom, always learning and growing, so that I will have something to share with my children. I cannot rely on pushing them from behind. I must be learning myself so that I can lead them.
This is the biggest key to successful homeschooling, the concept that affects every area of what goes on in our homes - the attitudes, the atmosphere, what is learned (or not), the depth of the relationships with each other and our Lord, the growth and the accomplishments. The key to successful homeschooling isn't found in the perfect curriculum, the right schedule, the best outside activities, the perfect planner, the method to end all methods or that really terrific seminar speaker. The key to successful homeschooling is found in being a homeschooled mom.