Traits of A Successful Homeschool

In my years as a homeschooling student I can remember my mom stressing out about how our school days would go.  I remember her saying, "You need to sit at the kitchen table so you can think!"  We always started out at the kitchen table, but ended up sitting right next to her on the couch as she taught us from her lap.  She would say, "When you make a mistake, make sure you erase all of it.  Don't leave traces of pencil marks behind.  Start completely over and do it right."

One memory in particular causes me to cringe, as I still grieve and miss her daily.  I would tell her I hated to hear her voice as she would read to us.  She sang most of her life and her reading voice was very raspy, almost like nails on chalkboard to me... but mostly because I didn't want to learn.  She then handed the book to me and had me read to her.  This wasn't what I wanted either, but it's usually how it went down.

I want to encourage you by letting you know that there are traits of a successful homeschool.  But they may not be what you are thinking.  It took my mom a few years to find her niche in getting us to understand her teaching methods.  The most important thing she taught us was how to research and find answers for ourselves while being driven to learn just for the fun of it.  She taught us the importance of knowledge and that "knowledge is power", eventually resulting in money to provide for those you love.  

"Money doesn't grow on trees.", she would say.

Her face lit up as she showed us places on the globe.  When she wasn't taking care of us or the house, she was reading.  She said, "I wish I could go back to school.  That's one reason I love and want to homeschool... I want to learn with you."  

Her passion for learning was contagious.  This is how homeschooling should be.  There should be no limits on what we learn and when.  Knowledge has no limits, so we should always yearn for more.  She craved to have the knowledge of the Word of God.  Most of the time she sat filling her heart to capacity for the day with live truths.  These truths then poured out into everyone that knew her.

I will not ever apologize for using my mother in my writing as an example.  Her life of integrity and strength will live on through me.  Please do not get caught up in what you feel you are incapable of doing in your at home school.  Just learn!  Learn all you can...all day long!

Those that are new to the idea of homeschooling are critical in their thinking because it doesn't meet public school criteria.  But if they knew how far our children are exceeding those expectations, they would probably send a check!  What we do is not for monetary gain, but for the well being of our children and furthering the kingdom of God.  It is not for everyone, but for those who are called... it is EVERYTHING.