Adventurez in ChildRearing: 31 days of Homeschool Encouragement . . . . . when things are hard

It's easy enough to be the happy mom when things are all hunky dory.

When children are eager to learn, sitting quietly in their seats, diligently soaking up the wisdom you skillfully impart to them from the homeschool lesson you've prepared ahead of time (of course) - when everyone is smiling, and even the birds are singing - you know you are doing it right.

During those times it's simple to see that you are the person, teacher, mother your children need.

Clearly, you are the woman God intended you to be. You know it. They know it. Your husband knows it. Even the neighbors know it.

Surely, everyone can tell from the peaceful expression on your face, bouncy hair, and totally stylin' ensemble - not to mention - your perfectly well behaved little angels - how pulled together you are!

You probably feel sorry for that other mother. You know the one. She looks frazzled, a bit disheveled, tired, and completely stressed out. Her children can be wild, they even fight with each other.

She is obviously not even hearing those birds as they sing. She can't seem to manage to get through the check out line at the grocery store without having to talk between her teeth at her children (who, by the way appear to be rather unruly). How could she possibly conduct a peaceful homeschool (like yours)?

O.K. so, here's the punch line - I may or may not be that woman - at least every once in awhile.

The truth of the matter is - we most all have those times when we at least feel like that woman.

Some may not admit it. And, this may or may not be a picture of my son laying in the floor - right out in front of God and everybody - at a Christian homeschool conference - while I was working

- in the front of the room - in the front - middle - of - the - room.

I may or may not have just finished talking through my teeth while he completely ignored me.

I want you to know - I don't often think to pull out the camera to take a picture of my little cuties when they are whining or disrupting - but sometimes they do.

We don't allow our children to fight with each other - but sometimes they do.

I don't believe in raising my voice or yelling at my kids - but - I totally have.

Most of the time, my children are helpful and cooperative at the grocery store. They take part in finding the things on our list, they stay by my side, and wait patiently during the check out line. Usually, I get comments about how well behaved my boys are. Sometimes they follow all the rules. Sometimes they don't.

I have boys. 3 little boys under the age of 11. Four years ago, they were all under the age of 7.

I love my children. They are cute. Sometimes - that is what saves them. It's a good thing they're cute!

They are full of testosterone - they are boys.

They are good boys, but they are all boy, and some days are hard. Some days are really hard.

It is easy to be the happy mom when all is hunky dory. It's the other days when it's really hard.

These are the days when we must lean even more heavily - on the Lord. In our home - we have "do-overs". On those days that are not going well - we've been known to go back to our rooms and reemerge - pretending that it's the start of a new day. The really good news - at that point - it is! Stopping in your tracks and praying right out loud doesn't hurt either. (Sometimes THAT can really get their attention!)

Pulling out the bible to read a few verses together always helps us clear the air.

On those days - what we need is a mantra. This makes a good one:

Psalm 118: 24 says -

-printable-

Thank you for visiting - I'll be posting daily doses of homeschool encouragement - with some detailed information about how we manage our homeschool - and struggles - daily throughout October.

Please let me know if you find these reminders and information useful or if there is something else you are looking for. I am happy to share what God has led us through (some pretty big challenges) and how He continues to carry us through each day.