This post is from contributor, Tricia Goyer
I’ve been a homeschooling mom for almost twenty years, and for so many of those years I filled our lives with too much.
Thankfully there was a moment when I stepped back, took a good look, firmed up what I wanted to achieve in our homeschool, and then filled our schedule from there.
Want to know where I got that idea? Genesis 1.
We are made in the image of God. As homeschooling moms, we shape, form, and create our homeschooling world. In order to succeed we have to ask the right question. Not, “What do I need to do?” Rather, “How did God do it?” In the Creation story, God’s wisdom is displayed.
First God formed. Then He filled!
In the first three days, God “formed.” He established supportive systems necessary for life and man’s existence. He created the heavens and the earth. He separated the waters from the land. He made the stars and sun. He built the framework that would sustain His creation.
The second three days, God filled. He filled His created world with plants, flowers, animals, and man.
Formed:
Day One = Light, formed heavens and earth
Filled:
Day Four = Filled with sun, moon, and stars
Formed:
Day Two = Separated water and sky
Filled:
Day Five = Filled with fish and birds
Formed:
Day Three = Formed land and vegetation
Filled:
Day Six = Filled with animals and man
The problem comes in our homeschooling when we FILL our school days before we build structure around our schedules, our work, and our relationships. We make decisions out of emotions or desires without contemplating how they will impact us.
Nothing good ever happens by accident. If you want something good to happen, put some structure around it.
Here are some good FORMING questions to ask:
- Why do I homeschool?
- Ten years from now, what would I consider a “success”?
- What values do I want my children to have when they complete their schooling?
- What would a great homeschooling day look like?
Here are some FILLING questions:
- What am I doing that will help me achieve my homeschool dreams?
- What activities are benefiting my dreams?
- What activities are hindering my dreams?
- Where do I need help? How can I fill this need?
- What works in my schedule?
- What do I need to cut?
- What do I need to add?
The forming isn’t something you can firm up overnight, and the filling will flow with the seasons. Yet I urge you to consider these questions.
Looking back, I’m so glad I took the time to gaze ahead and make plans for our homeschooling journey. I’ve graduated three kids with three more to go.
With God’s help, success can be found!
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Latest posts by Tricia Goyer (see all)
- Worldview Training: The Most Important Part of Your Curriculum - February 21, 2018
- Free (and unexpected!) Library Resources for Homeschoolers - December 4, 2017
- A WWII Christmas: Food Rationing and Recipes in World War II {Part One} - December 12, 2014
- How to Homeschool Adopted Kids - October 16, 2014
- I Choose Faithfulness in Homeschooling - March 14, 2014
I am so glad I ran across this! I’m in the process of changing our homeschool schedule and this really helped.