Honoring the Homeschool Mom

              Mom Teaches Kids Math

She rises early in the morning just to have a few minutes to herself before her day begins.  She loves her job, but most days she wonders if she can do it.  She constantly is feeling like someone could do better.  She carries the weight of her children’s future success upon her shoulders.  She feels responsible for not only their character and kindness, but their math and science.  She is only a woman, but she feels like she must be a locomotive motor pulling, pushing, and sometimes huffing and puffing her children through the day.  She will hear her name at least 1,000 times today.  Her kids are so connected to her, that they often ask questions of dad through her while dad is there!  Her day will see laughter and tears; silly moments and serious stares; heartfelt hugs and quick swats.  She switches back and froth from being a mom to a teacher like Clark Kent to Superman. She struggles to know when to push and when to yield.  She must constantly motivate herself to teach another lesson.  She juggles teaching a high-school, middle-school, and elementary, all while still caring for a toddler!

The world doesn’t understand why she would do such a task.  Many assume it is because the family just wants an easy way out and likes to sleep past 8:00.  Some think they are just quirky and weird.  She often questions it herself, when she realizes all the time she would have if she wasn’t teaching.  Her reputation is pulled down by many who have given a bad image of homeschooling, but she churns on none-the-less trying to intentionally set her own expectations and patterns.

She struggles with getting school done with all of the extra activities she is involved in with the children.  From trips to the library to get books, to teaching and participating in a weekly COOP program, to monthly field trips with other families, and church activities in-between; she knows they all have value, but they wear her out!  She still has to do the laundry, cook the meals, and be a wife to a husband who only knows one thing for sure, he could never do what she does!

Yet, in this world she is seldom recognized.  There is no pay check at the end of the month, nor award at the end of the year.  Kids don’t appreciate the sacrifice of their mom until they are much older.  The father gets the pay and time out in the public, while the mom holds down the homeplace.  Yet, she continues to labor and serve.  The only explanation is love, convictions, and determination.  She doesn’t want to be arrogant, haughty, or prideful.  She isn’t condescending of others and their choices, she is just trying to do what fits her family best for the time.  Her goal is mature, healthy, adult children who love God with their whole heart and can be successful at whatever they try.  They are independent, self-starters, who know the value of family, hard-work, and have not been harmfully scared by the influences of the world.

It is the HOMESCHOOL MOM that I describe.  It is the description of my wife, whom I dearly love and appreciate that I honor.  I thank her and I honor all others.  May God bless their efforts and dedication as they find the motivation and determination to teach another year!