Being a homeschool mom sounded so wonderful when I was still a public school momma. I’ve always loved having my children home, teaching them, and waiting for that magical “light bulb” moment when it clicks. Watching them explore the world, fueled by curiosity, inspires me to be a better teacher, mom, and person.
Educating my children at home is sweet, precious, and priceless. It is also, at times, really hard.
For our family, home education is a calling, and something we will continue as long as the Lord guides us. Some days are easier than others, and on the hard days, God shows up in little ways—a friend bringing coffee, a thoughtful text, a timely word of encouragement. Only He could orchestrate that kind of compassion without me even asking. I don’t believe those moments are coincidences. The Lord is so good to me.
Let’s get real for a moment.
This school year, my biggest challenge has been balancing a nursing baby and a preschooler while keeping up with everyone else’s lessons. Our youngest daughter has been eager to learn to read and loves counting everything in sight. I wanted to teach her phonics at the perfect moment, but fitting preschool lessons around fourth-grade spelling, high school math, and the daily rhythm of life was no small feat.
Here’s what life looked like:
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A nursling who crawls and explores all day, occasionally sampling things he shouldn’t.
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A preschooler creating masterpieces of paper confetti, glue, and tape that somehow end up in the baby’s mouth.
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A high schooler tackling chemistry and physics for the first time—both of us learning together.
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An elementary-aged boy who would rather swing a hammer than do academics, gifted in woodworking but still needing guidance.
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The ever-present sink of dishes and pile of laundry.
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A phone that constantly distracts.
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Lunches to make, snacks to time, and no lunch lady in sight.
Some days, it’s exhausting. Truly exhausting.
Once I recognized what was and wasn’t working, it became easier to reestablish routines:
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Early wake-ups to take advantage of daylight hours.
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Balanced breakfasts—oatmeal Monday through Thursday, cereal on Fun Fridays.
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Snack times with alarms to prevent hangry meltdowns.
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Limited phone distractions by silencing notifications and turning off Wi-Fi during school hours.
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Preparing the night before: laying out outfits, planning lessons, and organizing snacks.
Even with routines, nothing works without God. Our days flow differently when we start in prayer. Homeschooling for myself or for the sake of a picture on social media leads to burnout. Placing our plans in His hands energizes me and gives me confidence that He will fill the gaps.
I’ve committed educating my children to the Lord, and I trust that He guides our path. That truth brings comfort. I don’t need to worry about doing it all perfectly because I know He is with us, helping us each step of the way.
Where are you struggling today? What can you commit to the Lord? I’d love to pray for you.
Remember, you are not alone. He is faithful, and He is enough. ♥
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