Let's Be Real

Hello Ladies,
I just wanted to share with you about the need for total realness in Homeschooling. When you go to alot of homeschooling functions and read articles and books and coops you will often find a bunch of "talk", "fluff" and just ladies not being real.
I have been homeschooling for quite some time now and I have seen much of this. When we realize we are all on the same team and we all want what's best for our children, and that total honesty and realness when we open up ourselves for support then we see the bigger picture.

Say for instance, when I had my 5th child , I had a rough spot trying to schedule our day. With night wakings and feedings thruout the day, a house a mess, and colic setting in..... you can believe Science and art projects did not get done that much that year. So I find my encouragement and support from like- minded homeschooling friends and walk thru that season into the next. When one season ended, here comes the next... my 6th child..easier adjustment that time. Now whenever I run into a lady that is going thru a new season similar to mine because I am willing and open to share..maybe can be a support for her...who knows. During this season , I had fallen behind a little in Math drills with my 1st grader, I was really beating myself up about it, comparing myself to others, etc... Do you know what I really felt God say to me..." You are Homeschooling him so what isn't covered this year, cover next year...and Where you lack.. I fill in the gaps!" Go figure.... Doesn't the word say " In Your weakness...he is strong!" So now.. I look back and wonder why did I panic... He is a straight A student and Math is his best subject!

In our walk with God, What is it that really helps new believers or weaker Christians? Our Testimony, our realness with daily struggles and what we do! Well In similar ways so is our stories, our testimonies in homeschooling. Homeschooling is a journey with new seasons every year. One child maybe in pre-k with another middle school. Or maybe you have one starting college like mine did this last year. Always new seasons, always new growth.
Be available for others and always be open for growth and encouragement from others.

We are NOT weak when we are real , we actually are saying we are human and need new ideas and freshness to our day and schedule. Take a week off if you need, you are not bound to any other schedule. Change what your using if it's not working. Laugh and enjoy homeschooling and encourage other moms to do the same. It is not a competition, It is not a contest...we all will cross the finish line! And We ALL Need each other. No one family is alike and your not going to Homeschool just like everyone else either.

So Leaving you with this thought... Keep it Real :)

Cheryl Blake