Do You Ever Lose It With Your Kids?

Of course, I'm not asking anyone to admit in the comment section that they've lost it with their kids.

But, let's be honest—we all do it. And so, I offer you grace, dear homeschooling moms. It is not easy to live 24/7 with your little sinners. And some days you just want to scream. Or have your head checked for ever deciding to homeschool in the first place. 

One of the biggest challenges to homeschooling is being a nice mom. Especially when you have little (or not so little) children giving you grief for having to "do school," even after a holiday week off (that maybe was not a planned week off, but happened because you got sick).

This is a big job we have, teaching our children. Not just because we are educating them in math and science, etc., but because we are trying to instruct them in righteousness. And that means we need to watch our walk.

Because our kids are sponges, and we've all probably seen the lovely poster hanging somewhere (in your own home, maybe?) that tells how kids learn what they live. (No pressure there.)

My dear friend and fellow homeschooling mom told me once that someone is always in emotional control of a situation. When you lose it, you give the control to your kids.

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a [homeschooling mom] who has no control over [her] spirit," (Proverbs 25:28 NASB, brackets mine).

Like the cities in biblical times, we need strong walls to protect our emotional state, or our kids will break us down and wear us out. Next thing we know, we are screaming and yelling. And maybe throwing or slamming things. Then the tears come and guilt sets in and everything is a mess.

What makes for strong walls? Time with the Lord. If you are jumping into your school day and not making time to sit with Jesus before you get going, then you are not prepared for your day. Even if things go "as planned," your homeschool journey is more than ticking off the lessons on your daily to-do list.

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps," (Proverbs 16:9, NASB).

 This can be an especially difficult time of year, with the busyness of the holidays and the rush to finish first semester lesson plans. But time with the Lord will help us to have balance, and more importantly, to keep our cool.

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue," (Proverbs 31:26 NASB).

And remember, even "bad" days with your kids are opportunities for learning (for your kids and you!).


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