Mama said there’d be days like this. Actually…..she didn’t. I never heard my mom say that. She died before I was old enough to listen for any real words of wisdom from her. But, I’ve heard that song before….or that part of that song before. And, I’m guessing it was days like this they were singing about.
Days like this…..days when I feel I’m surely failing the homeschoolers…..days when I feel I may not have prepared the older ones well enough…..days when it seems that it would be much better for everyone if I hadn’t taken the fate of their entire educations and futures into my own hands. Yeah…..days like that!
I know I’m too hard on myself. And, I imagine all parents second guess their choices at one time or another. And, of course, I’ve been here….in this state of frustration….many, many times before.
When I talk with new homeschooling parents, the one piece of advice I offer…..because it’s the one thing that calms my soul when I become overwhelmed or frustrated with all of it….is to remember that we are not preparing them for the world. We are preparing little souls for eternity. In the long run, eternity is what matters most to me. It matters more to me that I am raising children with Godly Character than top scholars.
However, with two in college, one only months away from entering college, and the next one in birth order needing to be at least prepared to take an ACT test (which currently feels like a steep mountain neither of us can climb), I start falling into the pit of worry, doubt and second-guessing.
That’s the kind of day I was having today until I finally stepped away from the children for a bit, called out to God, and tried to refocus my priorities.
Within an hour or so, I received some confirmation that I’m doing okay with them academically. I got a text from a sister-in-law. Her daughter was given a book of example writings for her Expository 2 Writing class. Within that book was one of my oldest son’s writings. My older boys are doing okay….actually they are doing very well academically. And, their character? I pray I have steered them in the right direction. I pray their hearts are in alignment with God’s will and that a Godly character is apparent to others they meet.
Of course, all the children are gifted differently. No two will follow the same path, study the same way, organize their time the same way, etc. But, if I keep on walking in the right direction, taking the next right step with the ones still in my care….I think I can get them on their way to the life they are supposed to lead, too.
As I was reminded once again that my goal is to train them, raise them with Godly character, and stay focused on days like this; I had to smile when the next academic question from my youngest son asked was, “Are those rectangular, frosted things people eat for breakfast called Tardy Toast?”
Tardy Toast. It took me a second, but I told him they were Pop Tarts. Yes, Pop Tarts…..I smiled because in the past they haven’t known what Twinkies were…..or Oreos…..now Pop Tarts. I smiled because, yes, this is an example of how they are deprived socially (according to the world). I smiled because I must still be on the right track with these last three.
We’ll keep working on all of it….character, academics, and that darn socialization. Together, we’ll try to take the next right step.
What About Socialization? 