Reaching Higher Homeschool Ezine, Issue #012 -- 2+2=5 ...What?

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Issue #012 - November 2007

2+2=5...What?

We received an email from a new mom recently in which she was sharing her hopes and dreams for her child and how she wanted to make sure that her child was “perfect and not lacking in anything”.

Besides for her zealousness as a first time mom, which can be a good thing if it is channeled correctly, there is also a pervading belief amongst many other parents that this is something we all need to do – i.e. raise children who are perfect and not lacking in anything.

This month we would like to focus on this particular issue which has a spin off into so many areas of our lives. Anyone, who has homeschooled for a length of time, will know that things do not always go according to plan, that we parents, make mistakes and we often face challenges that can seem to difficult to tackle.

Let’s look at some common mistakes parents make with homeschooling:

Importing school models into the HOMEschool

Unrealistic expectations

Incorrect curriculum choices

Being child centered instead of family centered.

Not allowing their own world view and principles to be changed to a godly worldview

Perhaps you have made one of these mistakes and realize the need to change the situation? Read on…

Advice

So you made a mistake? You bought the wrong program or you realize that your children are disrespectful? Maybe you are holding onto an image of what you think your family and home should look like to “qualify” for homeschooling?

The first way to change these problems is prayer. The second is to listen to God. The third thing is to obey Him and make the changes. For some it may mean a complete change in method, for others just small adjustments.

But whatever the scale of the changes is that you need to make – make them! And then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. If you can see undesirable behaviors in your children, address these issues in your own life first. If your homeschool curriculum program is sucking the life out of you and your children – leave it and find something more suitable.

If you are being stubborn and not allowing God to do His work in your life, stop being stubborn…remember that homeschooling is more for the parents than the children. We came across a quote a few years back which seemed to sum up our combined experience through many seasons of homeschooling:

“In contrast to what many homeschoolers believe, God’s initial goal for Christian homeschooling families is not the raising of godly children. Instead, God’s wonderful but subtly hidden agenda is that the homeschooling experience be so challenging for the parents that they feel the need and hunger for a closer walk with their Heavenly Father.” Kyle Miller.

What about guilt over wrong choices or mistakes made? Guilt is a wonderful tool that God has given human kind – but it is also only a tool if our hearts are yielded to Him. Guilt tells us that something is wrong and needs our attention. It is easier to give into self pity when we feel guilty – but self pity is based in pride and is never a solution. But guilt, when used to help us correct a wrong, is a wonderful way to overcome and move on in freedom.

Free Printables

Shirley has created an ABC Animal Coloring in book for young children. She is offering this as a free giveaway to parents. It is a perfect go-along with our Little Footprints program. Be sure to get your copy, and consider a donation to the cause it is dedicated too.

Websites

As a season of giving is just around the corner, can we encourage you to visit The Love of Christ Ministries. The Love of Christ ministry families are Footprints clients who run an orphanage for children of all ages but care for a lot of babies and toddlers. They have a Christmas Wishlist with a list of items that many of us could easily afford to purchase or find in our homes and send to them. It would be wonderful if you would perhaps show your children the other pages of their website and let them help you decide how to bless these orphans and little ones that are in need.

Footprints News

We had a fabulous time up in Johannesburg at the last curriculum expo and want to thank the organizers for all their hard work. It was wonderful to meet so many of our readers.

We have had to make a few changes to our Footprints packages, the main one being that we can no longer offer the staggered payment options for the SA Heritage Program.

Shirley has been using her linguistics knowledge to create a wonderful relevant language program to accompany the high school Footprints Into the 21st Century program. We have also created a complete daily schedule for your teen so that they are able to work consistently through the program on a daily basis.

We would also like to remind parents who are wanting to place their orders for any of the three programs, that Footprints will be closing down for a short break from the 15th December until the 5th of January. All parents wanting to receive their books in time for the New Year, please make sure your orders and payments reach us before the 15th.

Be sure to sign up for Wendy’s new FREE E-course entitled Homeschool Planning Essentials

Till next month, we wish you every blessing

Wendy and Shirley

www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com

Footprints On Our Land - South African Homeschool Curriculum

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