A couple weeks ago, the Heart of the Matter Homeschool Conference became my talk radio. Fellow homeschoolers encouraged while I painted cabinets, dressed dolls, washed dishes, folded laundry, and skipped around the internet.
There were so many helpful ideas. So many passionate speakers. So many foundational truths. How do I sort it all? Even encouragement becomes cacophony unless the grains are sifted for a few sweet morsels to gnaw.
It is easy to get overwhelmed. Full-color magazines with 185 pages of glowing reviews tempt me to purchase the latest, greatest curriculum. Veteran homeschoolers elaborate on what works for their families. Friends gush about the latest book they read. And I wonder,
Have I chosen the right lessons? Should I change our schedule? Why don’t I add more crafts? And timelines? I need to read more, and plan more, and organize, and…
Questioning is not bad, but running after an illusion is detrimental. There is no perfect curriculum. There will be gaps in understanding. We cannot give our children everything they need to know to fulfill their purpose, but we can start them in the right direction.
Somewhere along the way, we need to learn and teach grace:
- The free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him
- Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)
Grace for ourselves. Grace for our children. Divine influence renewing my heart and restraining me with gentle, quiet truth.
Truth revealed in many ways. Sermons, speeches, friends, children, nature, and even my dreaded mistakes teach me. Quieting the opinions, I reflect and realize I have a guide who loves and knows me and my children. He led me here, and His influence matters most.
The conference speakers shared great ideas I look forward to reviewing, but they cannot all be adapted into our homeschool. Hulling the grains reveals the golden gems worth savoring.
Renae teaches her eleven-year-old son and two little girls at home. She has prepared lesson plans, enjoyed children’s literature, and delighted in discovery with her children for five years. By studying Principle Approach philosophy, she realized what she always suspected: the Bible lies at the heart of all subjects. Find her reflections at Life Nurturing Education.
Always. I am constantly questioning myself. Is it challenging enough? Am I doing right by them? What if XYZ (curriculum choice) doesn’t work? Am I being creative enough with the lessons? Do we need more arts & crafts?
The list of questions and doubts that assail me daily just never ends.
Lorraine´s last blog ..Gearing up for a new “school” year.
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Renae Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Lorraine,
I hope you find peace this school year. I still question, but this homeschool journey takes faith, doesn’t it? May we continue to encourage each other along the way.
Renae´s last blog ..Resolution
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I had been questioning myself. I made the switch to a new curriculum this year and I think this fit is going to be better for all of us. Because of that, I didn’t end up feeling like I was totally overwhelmed. I mean there was a lot of information. But, I was able to see how some of what I heard was going to work with what we are doing, and what will be something to dream about for next year, or the next year.
Oh, but the decision to switch, I debated about that one right up to day one of school. We started two weeks ago.
And, if something isn’t working, I can switch it out for something different. And that week gave us all a lot of “something different” to choose from.
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Denise,
I’m so glad you found something to work for your family! I personally don’t like boxed curriculum partly for that reason. I want to be free to choose each and every year. I think if I felt tied into a set curricula I would be too rigid.
Blessings to you this school year!
Renae´s last blog ..Resolution
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I found myself questioning a few months ago. Great post and I am still getting through the audio mp3′s from the conference!!
Jo Princess Warrior´s last blog ..What motherhood has taught me
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Alas, I have been questioning lately too….
thanks for this post.
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