We Are Persevering With Homeschooling

It seems we have finally gotten into a good school routine here, and we are starting to accomplish some of the goals that were planned out for this year. I am so thankful for that because - I won't lie - we had a very rough start to our school year this year and, I gotta tell ya, there have been times when part of me really wanted to quit.

Homeschooling my 14-year-old son is not easy! Its not the teaching part that is hard; I can usually handle that - and, if there is something I don't know the answer to, then we look it up (thanks, in part, to Google). The hard part has been his attitude about schoolwork.  He is not a fan of school - never has been. I'm guessing its because school is hard for him due to his learning difficulties. I understand that. But, I have always been a positive thinker and I have a difficult time with "complainers." He is the type of person who doesn't hold back his negative thoughts, so I OFTEN hear his complaints and feelings about his schoolwork. It irks me to no end; and, I guess maybe I take it too personally at times. I spend countless hours trying to find the curriculum that best fits his personality, and best fits his learning style (as well as my teaching style), and then I get excited about how great our year is going to be and how much we are going to learn. Then, my efforts are met with complaints about the curriculum, or about the work that needs to get done. I want him to have the same kind of excitement about learning as I do, but he doesn't. So, it is frustrating, and it is hard.

On our hardest days, I have prayed, "Why can’t he see how much I am doing for him! Will he ever appreciate me for it? Will he ever learn to do his work without complaining and just do it because its what he is supposed to do? How can I motivate this kid to love learning?"

And, then, the Lord reminds me that, yes, it is hard; but I need to persevere. It will be worth it in the end.

James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

So, no.... I’m not going to quit just because its hard. One thing I have always tried to teach my kids is that we don't give up "just because its hard." So, that applies to me as well.

But, I want to be clear about something... I would never say it is wrong to enroll a child into an organized brick and mortar school. I would never say every child should be homeschooled. Every family and every situation is different, and not every schooling option is the best fit for every child. But, for me and MY family, homeschooling is what we have chosen to do. It is what my husband and I feel is best for OUR family. So, I know I, personally, need to keep going. With God's help, I am bound and determined to get this kid through High School.

JJ is just being funny here. He knows he has frustrated me, and he is making "light" of it. LOL. He is a good kid, and is trying to do better. I love him dearly and wouldn't trade him for anything.

   

A Visit from Cousin Jon & Sam Judd

Cousin Jon from Kentucky came to visit us for a week. He and JJ are not just cousins, but the best of friends. They talk on the phone almost daily, text each other, Skype, and play some online games together. Their interests are very similar. So, when we found out my brother's friend, Sam Judd, was going to come minister at our church on October 15th, we worked out a way to have Cousin Jon dropped off on Sunday, October 8th. Jon is also homeschooled, so he was able to take the time away from home. However, the boys did not get away from doing ALL of their schoolwork. 

Jon and JJ took Monday, October 9th off from schoolwork because it was Columbus Day. But, they were required to spend the mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday doing their work. Then, Friday was another "holiday" for us, just because we wanted it to be.  It's not every day that we get a visit from Cousin Jon, seeing as how he lives at least 6 hours away.

They also did some chores together while Jon was here. Here they are picking up the pears that continually fall from the tree in our front yard every Fall.

They also took numerous bike rides around town on the days it wasn't raining. Great exercise for them, and kept them off the video games for awhile.

Sam Judd came on Saturday, October 14th, and ministered at our church on the 15th. It was a great visit with him, and we enjoyed getting to know him. He is an excellent speaker, and a great musician. So, be sure to check out his website, listen to samples of his music, and contact him to see when he might be available to minister at YOUR church:  www.samjudd.com

 

Sam left on Monday morning, the 16th, and took Jon home with him. It was fun to have him here. I am glad we were able to take advantage of this opportunity for the cousins to spend some enjoyable time together.