Boxes of Books Scare Homeschool Mother
I wrote this post for Our Lifestyle of Learning’s newsletter. If you haven’t already created an account on this network, check it out. There are lots of giveaways this month and encouraging words always.
Boxes of books tower in my garage. Lesson planning resources are tucked away to wait for moving day, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about the school year when I should be sleeping.
As I try to quiet my thoughts, the mental checklist reveals a gaping hole in our planned subjects, science. How did I forget something so important?
Then I remember all that is tucked in those banker’s boxes: Math, English, geography, art, history, Spanish, literature, penmanship, spelling, and yes, even some science.
So many wonderful books. So many tentative plans.
But there are not enough hours in the day to do it all. If I scheduled each day minute by minute and crammed it into my children’s brains, would it even stay?
I take a deep breath. The books are not my master. The curriculum doesn’t have to be completed as directed. I examine the motives of my heart. Why are we homeschooling? Why did I choose this curriculum? Why are we reading this now? Sometimes it is serendipity, but more often than not it is a choice made by love.
Love requires discipline. Love asks for sacrifice. Love is hard work sometimes. But it is also the foundation of life, of everything creative, of joys unimaginable. And when I remember that, the boxes of books and gaping holes cease to threaten.
You have a lovely site! I will be coming back often for more encouragement and inspiration!
Nikki´s last blog ..Writing a Play
I am not a homeschooler, but I can imagine that it’s hard to figure out how to fit everything into the day without you and the kids being overwhelmed. Great site!
Laura´s last blog ..Saturday Chuckle – How to look busy at work
So true. I think it’s easy to become overwhelmed with books, but the books don’t dictate to us, We teach guided by love and discernment. The Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher. As we let him teach us, he will show us how to teach our little ones.
Your blog is SO pretty! I love the design.
Sisterlisa´s last blog ..Making Twitter Friends
True, true! The books are not our boss! They’re the tools. It helps to remember our goals and reasons for homeschooling, to keep a bigger picture. I doubt either one of us started so they could read every book out there or memorize every fact they ever learned. It’s bigger than that.
Thanks for linking up to Shoot the Breeze! I’m ’shooting’ for 31 participants, since today is my 31st birthday. If that actually happens it will be a HUGE milestone for my blog. ;) We’ll see. God bless!
Amber @ Classic Housewife´s last blog ..Come Shoot the Breeze with Me!
So true. I always worry that there is more we could be learning. I worry if they even learned anything in a day, instead of just how to complete a chapter of something. It really helps you focus your teaching/facilitating them when you revisit the reasons you chose to homeschool in the first place.
kris´s last blog ..Saddling Up!
Oh I can understand completely! It’s one of the many reasons I’m currently using the method I do. It takes away all those sleepless nights of worrying about what I’m doing or not doing. yay! :-)
I’ll be returning to your lovely blog. I love your poetic way of writing.. much like my personal blog (which isn’t listed under this profile by the way).
Primal´s last blog ..Charlotte Mason: The Benefits to My Family
Oh I am at that place too Renee. So many books, so many great things to learn. And funnily enough Primal, it is my recent re-reading of Charlotte Mason books that has me feeling this way! So many artists to study, so many composers, so much great history to learn about…I think I need to work more on the area of habits…my house-work is calling and my children just need me to be there, the books need to submit!
Hope that your husband’s new job goes well, and that your move goes smoothly. We have shifted house so many times, trying to find our “home” and it is quite a tumultuous experience each time.
Rachael in NZ´s last blog ..Pukaha Mt. Bruce
Hi Renae, I jsut wanted to come by and say hi and invite you to stop by my blog whenever you can. We have posted pics of our new addition and have neat plans for the future in the works. Blessings, Melinda
Melinda´s last blog ..Into Our Second Month
Great post, Renae. ;)
sprittibee´s last blog ..Fearless
Oh, just the thought of boxes makes my head hurt! Hope your move goes well….we’ve finally reached the point where most of the boxes have been emptied, but we still can’t find everything. Hang in there!