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| 20 Tips For Homeschooling Moms Here are 20 tips which I hope you can use. As you surely know, hundreds (perhaps thousands?) of books have been written on the subject of how to successfully parent and educate your children. I don't have time to read those books, and am guessing that you don't either. That is one of the reasons I am offering only tried and true, practical and Biblical help by sharing what has worked for us. If you are shepherding a larger family, then your challenge is even greater (usually). Our Lord Jesus said, "And from everyone who has been given much, shall much be required". He has promised to never leave or forsake us, and his grace truly is sufficient for all we are called to do. James assures us in Chapter 1 vs. 5 that God's wisdom is free for the asking. If you are not a praying woman, begin now. You cannot do this in your own strength. God will continue to try you and test you until you learn to depend completely and totally on Him alone. My husband and I have 6 children ages 16-4 (4 boys, 2 little girls). This is our 11th year home educating in the state of Calif. As you can see from the ages of our blessings, I have a high school student, a junior high student, a preschooler and 3 elementary/middle school students in between. There have been days (more than I care to admit) when I have been completely overwhelmed and wanted to (threatened to?) call it quits. How thankful I am that the Lord Jesus has a hold of my heart and will not let me go!! I believe that if there were a superior, more Biblical way of educating our children, that it would be my parental duty before God to examine that possibility. But whenever I consider the alternatives, God always directs me farther along this narrow path....which leads to life. May these ideas be used to help you in your homes, and ultimately to bring glory to Jesus Christ. 1. Pray without ceasing. Make every little problem and victory a matter of prayer. Teach your children to pray, too. 2. Discipline your children properly and out of love. Children must be taught to obey and respect you as their authority, or learning will be curtailed. Character and spiritual issues are far more important than academics. "But seek first His kingdom and righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" Matt. 6:33. Teach them to memorize Scriptures which will help them overcome temptations to disobey. "Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; he will also delight your soul" Prov. 29:17 Do not try to accomplish academics before you have trained your children in obedience. It doesn't work that way. Lost time can be made up fairly quickly academically, but a child whose character is lacking may spend the rest of his life struggling with wrong attitudes and bad habits. What is more important? 3. Another Scriptural principle which my husband and I have noticed is: the “law” first , then liberty & grace. Work on establishing obedience to the rules of your home (the “law”) when your children are still young. After that foundation is laid, you may begin teaching and exercising grace. If you give them too much grace in the beginning, you will surely one day find yourself struggling with them, because the foundation of obedience was never laid, and they were not able to handle liberty and grace without the “law”. 4. Try to rise and dress early. On school days, have easy/quick breakfasts that are predictable (Mon=Oatmeal, Tues=hardboiled eggs & toast, etc) Assign a capable child to be Jr. Chef and take charge of this meal. Train all of your children to do as much as they can safely and reasonably handle. This takes time up-front for proper training, but you will be saving time in the long run. Remember: Any mother who takes out the trash while she has a capable child to do same chore, has only herself to blame! 5. Your husband is the head of your home as well as the principal of your school. Grant him honor and respect ON PURPOSE!! This example will inspire your children to honor you in return. "For the husband is the head of the wife" Ephesians 5:23a If you are having a problem, take it to your husband first. No one on earth knows you or your children better than your husband. Value his insights and submit to his direction. Look to him for leadership, and love him by praying for him. 6. Start thinking about dinner in the morning. Defrost something or put it in the crock pot. "She looks well to the ways of her household" Prov. 31:27. Plan your menu a week ahead, so you do not have to even think about it day to day. 7. Consider not answering the phone during school or anytime you are instructing your children. Use your answering machine, turn off the ringer and call people back if and when you are able. "A time to be silent, and a time to speak" Ecc. 3-7b 8. No TV or videos (not even *educational* unless it is critical) on school days. Do not establish any type of routine TV viewing. It will steal your children's time and creativity. "Therefore be careful how you walk...making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then DO NOT BE FOOLISH, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17 9. No computer games on school days (if at all). Use discretionary computer time wisely and for learning. Make sure all of your children have LOTS of good books to read ALL the time. Beg, borrow, but don't steal them! Use the library, if you have a good one. Always be on the look-out for good books. When you remove the TV and videos, your children will begin devouring books! (and conversing) 10. Home schooling, by definition, is accomplished at home! Choose field trips and activities wisely. 11. Orderliness in the home makes for a productive day and happier family. Use a MOTH schedule, or at least have daily routines and chore assignments. The MOTH schedule (Managers of Their Homes, www.Titus2.com) has really maximized our productivity greatly. I highly recommend it. "But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." 1 Cor. 14:40 12. Don't allow the pressure of what others say to dictate what you teach your children (and when). Don't push your children to do more than they are ready for. Have older responsible children help teach younger children (with you nearby). Our (then) 14yo son taught our (then) 5yo daughter how to read! An accomplishment for them both! 13. Give your family your first and best time, then share the rest (if there is any). Do not feel guilty about making your family your ministry, especially when they are young. God will honor and bless your attentiveness to those He has entrusted to your care. 14. Play sacred instrumental, hymns or classical music whenever you want to promote a peaceful atmosphere (first thing in morning, before huggy arrives home for dinner, when company is arriving). "Serve theLord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing" Psalm 100:2 Music really can soothe weary souls. 15. Speaking gently, kindly and lovingly produces good results. "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Prov. 16:24 You really can choose to speak to your family in this way. The countenance of your children will change noticeably when you remove angry, critical remarks from their lives. May God grant us all the desire and grace to love our children with encouraging words and deeds. 16. Socialization has nothing to do with peer groups. Family is where a child learns social skills. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Prov. 13:20 We just returned from Marine World where we saw this verse in action. Most of the peers our children would associate with in the world are very foolish, to put it mildly. It breaks my heart to think of the harm unguided children will surely suffer because they had no direction in this important area. Guide and train your children to choose their friends wisely. 17. There are no "personality conflicts" between parent and child. God is the giver of personality, for His own express purposes. Properly discipline your child and work on developing a relationship with him. Make sure he knows you are completely committed to him, no matter what. Let God's love work through you to affirm and establish your child. God knew exactly what He was doing when he made you a family, and He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in each of you. Never *label* your children, but focus on having a Godly relationship instead. 18. Whenever possible, make learning interesting and fun. Go on nature walks, do experiments, read books aloud together, do neat art projects. Enjoy your children, and let them know they bring you great blessing and joy. "Children are a gift of the Lord." Psalm 127:3 19. Diligently teach your children the things of God. Always make time for Bible reading, prayer and devotions at the beginning of your day. That way, if the rest of your day is a complete failure, at least you got the important stuff done! Devotions can be very simple. Try teachingyour children what God is teaching you! Those are the truths and precepts you can convey from your heart. 20. Wisdom is better than knowledge. Read the first few chapters of 1 Corinthians. Paul was one of the best educated men of his time, truly classically educated, and yet he is able to honestly say, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified....that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." 1 Cor. 2:2&5 Read the Proverbs to your children and teach them how to find true wisdom. Knowledge has its place, but God's wisdom is far better. Lastly, many people ask me about curriculum. We primarily use literature-based unit studies, which are comprehensive studies including many subjects within one main theme. For example, one year we used Beautiful Feet's guide to History of Science. So while we were learning about science & famous inventors, we were also studying what was going on historically all over the world. Language arts are incorporated nicely with unit studies in various writing projects. Many experiments were conducted as the hands-on portion. We enjoy this method of learning because we can learn as a family (the older ones do more than the younger ones, of course), and there is something very unifying and strengthening to our family when we are all studying the same information together (on various “levels”). All academic subjects are included in our unit studies, except serious Bible study and math. And often Biblical concepts are discussed as a part of the unit. I am learning so much, which is another reason I do units of study like this. It is fascinating for the teacher and student! We use Abeka and Saxon math textbooks , and the Bible for Bible study. My hope and prayer is that you will persevere in the high and holy calling of wife and mother. Remember that God always gives us strength to do what He has called us to do. If you are feeling weary and discouraged, first re-evaluate and make sure that the things which you are expending time and energy on are clearly within your Biblical calling.It's life's trials and tribulations that keep us on our knees before God. Don't resist! That's exactly where we need to be. "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 What a promise! If the Lord be for us, who can be against us? Will you trust Him? Your Sister in Christ, Mrs. Linda Paddock all8abiding@truevine.net 9/01
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