How to Homeschool Your child Without Losing Your Way

Every January, I do a crazy purge of homeschooling. When we come back to our studies after Christmas it never fails. Suddenly, I can see how off-track I’ve allowed the kids to get. Even though I have great intentions, I always seem to put too much emphasis on ‘this curriculum and that lesson’ and with our time seeking the Lord together, praying, and serving each other gets pushed more and more off to the side. When I stop and focus on my kids’ hearts, attitudes, and character I realize I need to make some changes.

Christmas always brings that back into focus for me.

The Lord desires for us to be teaching our kids in the way they should go, but I confess… I tie their shoelaces together when I put too much emphasis on the non-eternal things and then become overwhelmed and frustrated when they trip and fall emotionally or academically. Looking at the baby in the manger clears my sight. Jesus has a beautiful way of helping us see clearly. When the New Year rolls around, I cut and trim our “school work” and we get back to the core of what we really want to learn. My new book Homeschooling from the Inside Out is like Christmas for homeschool moms. When the holiday dust settles, and you realize you’ve gotten a bit off course it will show you how to get back on track. Related: Christ-Centered Advent Activities for Kids Recently, my youngest son Stephen fidgeted while I taught the boys a science lesson on the whiteboard. He was grumpy and back-talking. Every movement his brother made caught his eye and caused him to flinch. His older brother’s voice caused him to glare and snap. So I put the cap on the pen and asked his older brother to clean up the lunch dishes and read while I talked to his little brother. Then we went into Stephen’s room and closed the door. “What’s going on buddy?” He responded with a clenched mouth and glaring eyes. “It’s ok, we’ll sit here and I’ll wait until you are ready to tell me.” The ticking of the clock got louder and louder. Minutes turned into an hour as I simply moved my fingers over the carpet and waited. Finally, he exhaled and spilled his guts. He was struggling… Mama, if I had just pushed through and completed the science lesson, I wouldn’t have discovered that his heart was broken and he was confused. I don’t always get this right. I can be quite militant as I push my kids through the filter of my To-Do list. But times like this remind me that their heart condition is the true goal. As silly as it sounds, every year I re-read my goals and writing about homeschooling my kids’ hearts. I need the reminder. My prayer for you to see this book as a friend who is sitting across the table from you with a cup of coffee and lovingly reminding you that it’s going to be okay. You really CAN push academics aside when necessary to reach your kids. The academics take care of themselves as long as you have long-term goals and keep moving toward your goals each week/month/year. Just don’t teach the lessons and miss the heart. Don’t get lose your kids in the weeds of curriculum, lesson plans, and academic achievement. When you realize that you’ve lost sight of their hearts back up, slow down and refocus. My kids need me to stop, sit, and play with the carpet long enough for them to exhale. So do yours… The great news? You don’t need to wait until Christmas.

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Print this free homeschool mom reminder.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!Here is a sneak preview…

Download Your Free Printable

1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
3. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.

My name is Rebekah Sayler, author of Homeschooling From the Inside Out, owner of A Better Way to Homeschool and homeschooling mom of five rambunctious sons. Yep. It’s as crazy as it sounds! I am most thankful for the love and support of my husband of almost 30 years, Craig, for being my rock and best friend in this wildlife we created. When I’m not dodging nerf bullets or stepping over piles of Legos, I create classes, printables, books, and resources to encourage Christian homeschool moms to trust the Lord in their journey. My heart’s passion is to share the truth that it is possible to educate your kids using God’s word as a guide while focusing on the holy trinity of homeschooling: heart, attitude, and character.