Homeschooling with Sky: Podcast Episode 6

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This episode I interview my hilarious friend,Sky, who is a homeschool mom of 5 kiddos ages 9-2. Please enjoy our mostly uncut, unedited, un-technical and unprepared conversation. 

We cover their decision to foster and adopt 5 children, and how homeschooling assisted with that, twins [almost two sets!], math curriculums, christmas decorating, nerdy reads, nature exchange, co-ops, year round schooling, gymnastics, robotics, and much more. 

If nothing else you will walk away feeling more normal, less crazy, and think you're a better mom than both of us. For real though, I hope you are encouraged, learn something, laugh, and enjoyed this while you folded laundry.

Homeschooling with Haidy: Podcast Episode 5

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This episode I interview my beautiful friend, Haidy, who is a homeschool mom of 4 kiddos ages 5-9. Please enjoy our mostly uncut, unedited, un-technical and unprepared conversation. We cover the reasons behind deciding to homeschool, homeschooling with twin toddlers, ADHD, Hyperactivity, Dyslexia, character training in the children as well as in ourselves, curriculums, hybrid homeschools, routines, what makes a great homeschool day, and much more. 

If nothing else you will walk away feeling more normal, less crazy, and think you're a better mom than both of us. For real though, I hope you are encouraged, learn something, laugh, and enjoyed this while you folded laundry.

Why Homeschool Moms are Better...

...Or how they're not.

I've been homeschooling for 5 years. In that time I've had my opportunities to think I'm better than moms who don't homeschool.

The truth is, I'm not though.

As mothers, we are all given this ridiculously sacred task of caring for and discipling persons. Persons who could go on to make this world a better place and lift high the name of Jesus. Or persons who could wonder out of our homes messed up and broken searching for years to find a way back to a safe place in their heart.

I've learned the moms who stay home and the moms who work and the moms who homeschool and the moms who don't all have this same sacred responsibility.

And they know it.

I trust that they have heard the call to care for and disciple their little ones and take their responsibility serious. I trust they have prayed and sought the Lord and heard the most ideal way for them to carry out their responsibility the way they are choosing to do it.

Not the easiest way, or the most convenient way or the way their friend does it.

The way God has uniquely called their family.

I'm finding no matter the type of mom I talk to, we are all sharing in the same tears, fears, struggles, and battles. No matter how long you have your two year old with you a week, they are still two! [I pray they are more terrific than terrible!] And no matter how long you have your thirteen year old with you a week, they are still a teenager! #Jesustakethewheel [so I hear!]

We have to start humbling ourselves and cheering each other on. This isn't a competition or a race.

I don't get to take any more credit for my child's successes later in life than I do get to take responsibility for their poor choices. At the end of the day--- they will go out and make they own decisions. I labor in rest to provide an environment for them to grow up safe, loved, known, and educated. I know you're doing this same thing for your children even if it looks different than me.

I'm not more patient or Godly than you, this is the way I feel I can best accomplish this goal is to homeschool my kids. For you, I can't say, you really have to hear the Lord on this one. It's not a pair of jeans or a style of curtains I can convince you not to buy. You're the one who has to wear this decision, you're the one who has to stare at those curtains for the next 18 years.

Chose wisely.

Whatever your choice.

I cheer you on and I pray for you. 

Because I know, this mothering thing is hard enough, the last thing you need is something treating you like they are better than you. We are all leaning into Jesus like we are trying to hold up a wall. We are all in this beautifully difficult calling of motherhood. We are all doing what we think is best for our kids.

And that makes us the best to the Lord.

He doesn't think homeschoolings is the best, He thinks obedience to His calling on your family is the best.

Homeschooling with Fernanda: Podcast Episode 4

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This episode I interview my crazy Brazilian friend, Fernanda, who is a homeschool mom of 3 kiddos aged 1-5. Please enjoy our mostly uncut, unedited, un-technical and unprepared conversation [attempted to edit out a few drop calls this week!]. We cover navigating the decision to homeschool, the first two years, adding a baby to the mix, homeschooling in your 40's, world traveling with littles, what is Classical Conversations, and much more.

If nothing else you will walk away feeling more normal, less crazy, and think you're a better mom than both of us. For real though, I hope you are encouraged, learn something, laugh, and enjoyed this while you folded laundry.

Homeschooling with Elizabeth: Podcast Episode 3

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This episode I interview a friend [and hero!] of mine, Elizabeth, who is a homeschool mom of 5 kiddos aged 0-5. Please enjoy our uncut, unedited, un-technical and unprepared conversation. We cover how she gets 5 kids to nap at the same time, honoring those you minister to, kids who love to clean, free homeschool resources online, working part-time, having twins, personal time for an introvert, the crazy way we met, and much more. 

If nothing else you will walk away feeling more normal, less crazy, and think you're a better mom than both of us. For real though, I hope you are encouraged, learn something, laugh, and enjoyed this while you folded laundry. 

Homeschooling with Courtney: Podcast Episode 2

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This week I interview a childhood friend of mine, Courtney, who is a homeschool mom of 3 kiddos aged 8 to 2. Please enjoy our uncut, unedited, un-technical and unprepared conversation. We cover Costco bacon, the importance of playing with your kids, a pet bee, homeschool schedules, child led science & history lessons, eating sardines, and much more. 

If nothing else you will walk away feeling more normal, less crazy, and think you're a better mom than both of us. For real though, I hope you are encouraged, learn something, laugh, and enjoyed this while you folded laundry. 

When You Feel Like All Your Parenting Is For Nothing

I never want to forget tonight. After a heated discussion with my oldest I sat and cried out to Jesus (even with R rated language) and asked Him for wisdom and love to deal with my children. Who, after lots of spiritual effort, I can still be left feeling like it's all just moving backwards, but in moment like tonight when my son came back to me and he spoke with such truth, repentance, understanding and love...I am renewed. 

He asked if we could pray together and I didn't feel like I was sitting by a rebellious 9 year old, but a mature 18 year old (just a little shorter than he'll probably end up!). 

Letting go of controlling people and behaviors

and trusting Jesus to do the heart changing is the only way to go. 

I felt so sure it was all for nothing until he said back everything I had ever poured into him so heartfelt. Nothing is moving backwards---it's all moving forward. He told me "you're an almost perfect mom" (and I knew instantly one day that would be a book chapter). He's an exact type of person. First he said I was perfect, but remembered no one was, so next best was --- almost perfect. Aren't we all?

He told me to keep doing what I was doing to help him grow up to be wise and in that moment I knew that all my labor wasn't in vain and neither is yours.