The Homeschool Expert

1. Knowing that you are capable

Yes, you can home school. God has trusted you to train up your children. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” You have been ordained to be your child’s teacher by the highest authority. It does not say to send your children away from you to learn. This should encourage you. You know your children best, so you are capable of providing the type of instruction your children need for the benefit of their life’s purpose. God doesn’t make mistakes, it is His provided way for us to train our children and He will honor that. If you are a mom and you are home schooling you are in your rightful position. Never doubt yourself!

2. Respect

If you show respect to those around you, specifically to your students, you will likely get respect in return. If you despise those around you by constantly demanding, whining, and complaining to or about them, no amount of that behavior will earn respect for you. Show respect to those actions worthy of respect – praising what can be praised and looking for virtue and goodness in the unexpected areas of life.

When children feel how good it is to be praised, they will strive to please you even more. Remember the old adage of attracting more flies with honey than with vinegar. Anyone refusing to submit to the leadership God has ordained (that is you, the parent/teacher) will become rebellious.

3. Behavior Modification

Be aware and recognize areas where the student needs help and guidance. There are many ways to address and practice character building with motivation and stimulation. It may be hard now, but with consistency it is better than having to deal with a bigger issue later.

Try not to compare your children to each other. Recognizing differences instead of perceiving discipline problems or believing a child might be defiant because they do not do things the same way as their siblings will enable you to analyze their progress and better develop individual solutions. One shoe size does not fit all. Sometimes children have more aptitude in certain subjects or skills than others. That is okay. While character building, try reviewing examples that the children can relate to based on their age level. Be patient and don’t give up. Your children are worth your diligence.

4. Encouragement

Praise your children often. Build your children up, never tear them down. There are many ways to offer the encouragement that they need and when you do this they will praise you back twice as much. Don’t lose your joy. As a parent/teacher our mood and attitude sets the stage for a successful home schooling day, week, month, year and life. Galatians 6:9 encourages us as parents saying “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

5. Focus

Keep what is best for your family and the needs of your children in the forefront of your mind. Too often we are distracted with attractive situations that will only take you off your path. Be on guard always reminding yourself what is important and best for your home school. Sometimes you must be ready to say no.

Remove anything that comes your way as a negative influence to your home school such as too much T.V., computer, friends, time off, phone calls, visits etc. Checks and balances on a regular basis will help you recognize such things. Remember to pray and ask God for revelation.

6. Socialization

This may be different for every home schooling family. There is not a required maximum or minimum amount of socialization for the development of well adjusted children. Also, the amount of socialization that is appropriate may change with the age and interests of your child, provided that the activities and peers meet your approval. It may prove helpful to seek the advice of experienced homeschoolers on matching curriculum and extra curricular activities to your students.

Consider allowing your children to have input on what specific interests they would like to pursue. Set aside time for interaction with other home school families – you will all benefit from the fellowship. Do not over commit yourself at the same time that you are learning to home school, since home schooling is a full time job all by itself. Socialization is a controversial issue when it comes to homeschooling. Many people assume that homeschooled children do not know how to communicate or “get along in this world” because they are not stuck in a classroom with the same aged peers all day.

On the contrary, home schooled children are quite apt at communicating… even with people well above their own age because of the exposure to diverse ages and people through the many activities, home school groups, churches, clubs etc. that they choose to participate in “in the real world!” Do not give up right after you’ve learned how to do the job of homeschooling. The first year is the toughest and the amount and types of socialization you and your family will have should change based on the season of life you are in (toddlers vs. teens).

7. Flexibility

If for some reason you are behind according to the wonderfully planned schedule you spend hours working on, it’s okay. Don’t lose your cool. Unexpected situations will come from nowhere. This in itself is a lesson for your students. Life can not be planned. We are not in control. God is. If your children see you graciously accepting life’s challenges and trusting God, they have learned a greater lesson than how to divide fractions haven’t they? Every night I pray “Lord help me teach my children what you need them to know for their life’s purpose you have planned for them.”

Since doing this, I have noticed that “spontaneous lessons” arrive daily. Don’t brush them aside. Stop and teach, explain, and discuss. Your child will learn more from you and remember this lesson for the rest of his/her life. It could be a lesson about making peace with a neighbor or baking a cake. Do not rush thru life. The school books will always be there but opportunities to make a lasting impression and build a lasting relationship with your child may not be. God will provide these opportunities in your home school, just be open to the call when it comes.

8. The Family TEAM

Can anyone help? Of course, even the little 2 year old can perform miracles given the opportunity and responsibility. Our home sweet home is filled with chores that should be distributed among everyone. I once read that “we should never do for a child what a child can do for himself.” This robs him/her of self esteem.

Besides, if we allow the child to help at a young age and continue with tasks appropriate for their age, we are teaching good stewardship, confidence, participation cheerfully and willingly through team work. Yes it does take patience, but better now so the child will grow up to take care of and train his/her own family, thus in the process you are leaving a legacy. Go with the flow. Make the best of every moment of the day… as a family.

9. Example

Be a good example to your children. They need to see God in you and working through you. Mom should be a help meet and dad should give confidence and support to mom. A good habit is to pray with your children and begin the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. This shows your children that you start your day honoring

God and showing gratitude. Also sometimes it is easy to let our children have all your attention because they may not have learned patience yet, but remember your own prayer time and the needs of your husband first. You are better equipped to handle the tasks of the day if first you focus on Jesus and then your marriage. If you and dad are united by a strand of 3 (with God) as priority, then the mountains you face that day will become molehills. Furthermore, by setting this example you are teaching your children the importance of the family roles and purposes for each in God’s plan.

10. Trust. Trust God

Trust that you are led to do what is best for your family and home school. Yes, you may make mistakes. We all do, but God’s grace is sufficient and will fill in the gaps we leave. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” So if your intent is to homeschool your children according to God’s will, then you can feel confident that you will be the BEST teacher for your child.