How does a homeschooling/homesteading family do it all? First, one needs to realize that you can’t do it all. You need to decide what, for your family, are the non-negotiables. Then, with the rest, lower your standards a degree.
For instance, I decided many years ago that housekeeping did not need the priority ranking I gave it. Don’t get me wrong, my house is not unsanitary. But it would never qualify for a showing in House Beautiful, either.
If given the choice to read to my children and fold the laundry, we will all snuggle up on the couch, in the pile of laundry, and read. The laundry—actually all the housework—will be with me forever. My children—and all those teachable moments—will not.
My number one priority as a mother is to lead my children into a saving relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. If I have failed to do this, I have failed. If my house were featured in a magazine, but my children gone astray, I would have failed. If my children can speak three languages, diagram sentences in Latin and get accepted into several different medical schools, but know not Christ, I would have failed.
Living the homeschooling/homesteading life is not about doing it all. It’s about feeling as though you do it all. It’s about having that sense of accomplishment at the end of the day that you did what was most important.
What about you? What is the most important thing for you to accomplish today?
Blessings,
I struggle with this! But, most of all I want my children to know the love of God and to enjoy the learning process:)
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts EXACTLY, Carol! :) For today, I just want to get through at full day of homeschool. Farrell and I have been fighting head colds for the last two weeks between us so there have been a lot of half days or reading days but I haven't been stressed about it. One of our favorite things to do is to read a book together and when we're just not 100% physically, that's a great time to do it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't stress because I KNOW I can't do anything apart from the power and grace of the Holy Spirit! I also know that the Lord is sovereign and that His will will be accomplished in my life and the lives of my family. I am trusting in HIM and what He can do I'm just following His leading!
Thanks for the great blog post!
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI fall short in the taking time out for my kids. again you are an inspiration to me! The cleaning can wait!
Monica @ formerly titus2womenministry.blogspot.com currently @
monicaelaine1.wordpress.com/
Thank you for the reminder. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today and your post reminded me of my priorities. I once cross stiched that word and framed it for my husband as a reminder, perhaps I better start looking at it a bit more myself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Ladies. Vicky, you are right on with God will lead us every step of the way. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about the feeling of accomplishment that comes from doing what is most important - so true! I've reached the same conclusions in my own home. We may not do as much school as others, but we are accomplishing what we find most important in life.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGodspeed,
Nancy
Thanks for stopping by, Ladies, and leaving your kind words. Amen, Carletta. Everyone's perspective of what is important is different...and THAT IS OKAY!
ReplyDelete