When I first started homeschooling, I used to attend a monthly homeschool  meeting in our neighborhood.  I was so excited about my new homeschooling life and I was anxious to learn all I could.  I remember one evening noticing an older homeschool mom sitting in back of the room,  and I went to sit by her. This lady who has now become a friend of mine, was nearly done homeschooling her only son.  He would soon be graduating and then she would be moving on to other adventures.  After we had been talking for a while, I asked her a question that I commonly asked back in those early homeschool days.  Regarding homeschooling I inquired,   “What is the one thing, you would have done differently?” and “Do you have any great homschooling tips?”  I was so anxious to hear some really good advice about teaching reading, curriculum ideas, or homeschool philosophy.  Maybe even some ideas on teaching history.  Oh how  I love history!

To my surprise she offered this piece of advice that was somewhat of a let down to me.  She said, the one thing she would have done differently was that she would have devoted more time to her husband and marriage!!!  As a younger homeschool mom…idealistic and overly enthusiastic about teaching my children, this was a non-answer.  What kind of homeschooling tip was that anyway? I wanted some really helpful advice!!!  Read more...

My dear sister came for a visit this week and she mentioned something that I found intriguing and thought was worth sharing with my homeschool friends. We had the opportunity to get out one evening and decided to visit a local Italian Restaurant in our neighborhood. The music at this restaurant was loud and blaring…not conducive to a peaceful dining experience or even a good conversation. My older sister who is somewhat bolder than I am (although I can be bold sometimes myself) asked the waitress if she could put on some nicer music…something classical…or perhaps an Italian opera or something similar. Minutes later the rock-n-roll was off and Frank Sinatra was on. Much better. My sister informed me that she was not complaining…but simply commenting on the music. I did not need any explanation as I was bothered by the loud music as well. She remarked that her husband and her were on a 24 hour fast from complaining. I had never heard this before but I immediately warmed up to this idea and wanted to hear more.
Complaining has been defined as “an expression of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, or discontent.” Sometimes a complaint continues on and on….it becomes chronic and before you know it you have become a whiner constantly punishing your friends, family and children with your misery.
The Bible is full of verses about grumbling and complaining. Complaining is the outward expression of discontent from within and it is the opposite of trust and faith. When the children of Israel complained , it displeased the Lord. When we complain all the time we are in a way saying that we do not believe Romans 8:28 that “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord….and are called according to His good purpose.”
I’m ashamed to say that I spend a good deal of my time engaging in this very thing. Complaints abound about my aches and pains….about being tired…about the never ending laundry pile…the dishes and the price of beef. I complain about the long hot summers…the economy, our President and representatives. Each day upon arising instead of rejoicing in the Lord’s mercy and grace, I complain about my aching back…as if this complaining will make the pain go away. Sadly, I have become a chronic complainer and this whining breeds even more discontent and steals my joy.  Read more...

Years ago my husband and I were entrusted with an antique lap desk that my sister bought at an auction. While the desk was in our possession we discovered inside a stack of handwritten pre-civil war correspondence between a man and his girlfriend. Each evening when my husband returned from work we would read over these intriguing love letters written in very lovely delicate script. We were trying to figure out why this couple could not be together and why they did not simply get married. We discovered that the lady was caring for her parents and the gentleman worked for the railroads. It was such a treat for us to read about them and it felt as though we were time travelers getting a glimpse at life for two ordinary people so long ago.

I was disturbed when I heard that cursive writing had been dropped from the common core state standards in over 40 states here in America. Children in school today may not be able to enjoy reading some of the old original correspondence, documents, last will and testaments, sermons, etc. that were hand written in lovely penmanship.  Sadly, they will not know how to read our original founding documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  Although some folks think that handwriting is unnecessary, to me, it is quite perplexing to know that cursive writing is actually going extinct and future generations will not even be able to read our Constitution without it being translated for them. Folks will not be able to read an old fashioned handwritten letter or a letter from an ancestor. They will not be able to study genealogy or read many of the original historical documents that are preserved in museums and archives. Perhaps they will not be able to correspond with pen and paper at all…maybe they will not even know how to sign their name!!  Read more...

The years have flown. It seems like only yesterday we set up our homeschool classroom complete with the Pledge of Allegiance adorned on our wall, desks full of new school supplies, and brand- new shiny workbooks and readers. I was so excited to begin teaching my children but had no idea what this homeschool journey would actually look like….I didn’t know how marvelous and fulfilling it would be or how much it would change our family. As an idealistic and very eager homeschool mom, I did not envision or understand that in addition to my children learning, I would also experience growth and change. The focus was on my children, but now I understand that biblical homeschooling requires the whole family to transform and learn together. In those early days , I heard someone describe homeschooling as a “lifestyle”. I was somewhat puzzled by this description, but now I understand completely.

Undoubtedly, I would be teaching my children reading, writing and arithmetic, but I also would spend a great deal of time praying for patience…. for wisdom and working on character issues…with my children…. and myself. In order to homeschool independently and biblically, the emphasis would have to be on training and discipleship because the Bible is clear on this calling for parents. If our dear children did not obey, how could we ever hope to teach them? We had to choose curriculum carefully making sure it reflected a biblical worldview, and my husband soon became a prayer partner and homeschool advocate as well. Even our dear Grandma joined in to help with some subjects.  Read more...