As the school year is wrapping up, I’m nearing the final days of running a day home. It is a bittersweet feeling. I have loved sharing our home with all the children that have been in my care over the past few years. They have become great friends to my boys and we have cherished memories together. I am also very excited to have a slightly quieter house and just one-on-one time with my boys. I am so looking forward to what the future has in store.
My oldest will be turning five in September- not sure where the time has gone, and we will be starting our journey into home learning. When I think back five years ago, I would never have thought I would ever consider home learning. I was a primary school teacher and loved everything about my job. It was something I had dreamed about doing since I was a child and was so proud of achieving my dream.
But, oh how dreams can change when God blesses you with a child. I’m not going to lie, the first few months at home were a challenge for me. My identity and joy was tied to being a teacher. It took me a while to embrace this idea of being a stay-at-home mom, but in a short period of time, my thoughts and desires quickly changed. I could not even imagine going back to work when my mat leave was up. God had begun to show me what was truly important in life and brought me a new kind of joy- a joy that was centered on Christ.
Around this time, I began to get more involved in our church. I began listening to many of them speak about their own journey with home learning. The more I read and listened and thought about it, I knew this was what I was called to do. Thankfully, I had a couple years before I had to dip my feet into it.
Well, those years have flown by way too quickly and home learning is just around the corner for us. I’m so excited and blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with my children and learn along side of them. I know that it will not always be easy and I know there will be many challenging days ahead, but I have Christ in my corner. I know He will show me grace on days I lack patience, and He will give me strength on days that I feel I cannot do anymore. But is this not what it’s all about. Our children are a blessing from the Lord. He gives them to us to help us with our salvation. They test and reveal our hearts and lead us to trust and lean into God ever more.
I look forward to sharing our journey with you as we embark on this new adventure. May the Lord guide and direct our learning, may He pour out His grace in abundance daily and may He always be our focus.
Many Blessings!
Side note: You may wonder why I’m referring to it as home learning rather than home schooling. When I refer to it as home schooling, I revert back to my days as a teacher. I get into this mind frame that I must set up my house like a classroom and follow a typical school day routine. It limits me in my approach and creates barriers to the way I want to implement home learning. I want to approach home learning with flexibility and child led learning. I want to place equal value on academics, as well as, character development. I want our home to be a place where learning is always happening and we make the most of every opportunity. But above all else, I want to make sure Christ is at the center of everything we do.
The Sweet Taste of Grace 