Let's face it... there are days as a homeschooling mama that aren't that glorious. Days when you really aren't sure you are doing the right thing or things aren't going according to plan. I have had this thought many times. The "I'm not good enough" is creeping in. But - we must remember - we ARE good enough. Being a mama is hard. Homeschooling is hard. There are circumstances that happen when you don't see the beauty in the day...but, be encouraged, friends! God is here. He is with you. Seek Him.
Come to the Lord first.
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." – Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Find time for Him. Carve out 5 minutes (or more!) in your day. It is important! It is needed! I have found too often that our family devotions and church on Sunday mornings aren't enough for me. I need time on my own to grow in my relationship with the Lord! But - I need to plan for it. I try to get up early...to exercise, to have devotions, to work, to catch up on chores...but, if the time is running out, I find my day runs more smoothly when I choose God first on the list. Try having quiet time after lunch ... send everyone to their rooms to read and rest (even the older ones!) Or at recess...give them 10 extra minutes outside to play and get rejuvenated yourself (instead of doing the dishes!)!
Read a chapter a day...or...if you have little ones - meditate on a verse a day! Put sticky notes in your pantry...in your laundry room...!
Come to the Lord first.
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." – Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Find time for Him. Carve out 5 minutes (or more!) in your day. It is important! It is needed! I have found too often that our family devotions and church on Sunday mornings aren't enough for me. I need time on my own to grow in my relationship with the Lord! But - I need to plan for it. I try to get up early...to exercise, to have devotions, to work, to catch up on chores...but, if the time is running out, I find my day runs more smoothly when I choose God first on the list. Try having quiet time after lunch ... send everyone to their rooms to read and rest (even the older ones!) Or at recess...give them 10 extra minutes outside to play and get rejuvenated yourself (instead of doing the dishes!)!
Read a chapter a day...or...if you have little ones - meditate on a verse a day! Put sticky notes in your pantry...in your laundry room...!
When I am in a rut, the last thing I want to do is talk to people about it. BUT - having friends pray for you and share encouragement is a GOOD thing!
~~~Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.~~~
Join a small group or get together with other mamas once a month for encouragement.
A book that I have enjoyed in the past is "Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe" - it offers encouragement for mom's of younger children, pointing us to Jesus. It is written by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae and this is their website: Desperate Mom.
Other encouraging websites:
Jenni and Jody (speakers at the Kelowna Homeschool Conference - April 2015...great parenting ideas!)
5 Things I Hate About Homeschooling (Negative title, I know...but the article has great ideas of how to get rejuvenated!)
One of my favourite podcasts: Don't Mom Alone
~~~Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.~~~
Join a small group or get together with other mamas once a month for encouragement.
A book that I have enjoyed in the past is "Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe" - it offers encouragement for mom's of younger children, pointing us to Jesus. It is written by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae and this is their website: Desperate Mom.
Other encouraging websites:
Jenni and Jody (speakers at the Kelowna Homeschool Conference - April 2015...great parenting ideas!)
5 Things I Hate About Homeschooling (Negative title, I know...but the article has great ideas of how to get rejuvenated!)
One of my favourite podcasts: Don't Mom Alone
Take time to enjoy this time with your children. Get out of your rut and go and do something different. My son and I used to have many struggles over him getting his math done. A friend recommended I cross out one of his pages and tell him that he has a good understanding of what he's learning so he doesn't need to do these few pages...well...he lit up like a light bulb when he saw me do a giant "X" across the page and proceeded to finish a full lesson in a just 10-minutes! Brilliant!
Or...take a walk mid-morning. Get outside and enjoy some coffee while the kids play.
I get stressed about finishing certain curriculum and so it's at this point when I re-evaluate what really needs to get done and what doesn't. Not sure...get in touch with your teacher and he or she can help you figure that out! (How not to be a slave to your homeschool curriculum)
Remember ... you are making memories! Each day will not be perfect, but by God's grace, you are doing a wonderful job!
Or...take a walk mid-morning. Get outside and enjoy some coffee while the kids play.
I get stressed about finishing certain curriculum and so it's at this point when I re-evaluate what really needs to get done and what doesn't. Not sure...get in touch with your teacher and he or she can help you figure that out! (How not to be a slave to your homeschool curriculum)
Remember ... you are making memories! Each day will not be perfect, but by God's grace, you are doing a wonderful job!