January 3, 2024 – I am Resolved . . . to Homeschool!

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

What Keeps You Going?

When trouble hits your homeschool, what keeps you going? When you feel like quitting after the second child cries over doing their math problems, what keeps you going? How about when the kids are not being kind to each other or are treating you with disrespect—again? Or when you have no energy because the baby was up most of the night and now the toddler is throwing a tantrum. Do you give up or keep going? How about failed jobs, tough finances, illness, or death in the family? We must have a reason to keep these kids home through all of this.

A resolution is a foundation to stand on when the storms come. It’s what keeps us grounded in this homeschool life. Where do we find this resolve! It must be found in Christ alone, and the power behind a resolve is His Word. When we base all that we do on the Word of God, we find stability. We see in His Word that He is our Keeper. He is our Preserver. He is our Help. He is our Counselor. He cares for us and provides safety, security, and wisdom—and we find our resolve to keep going.

Resolution

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word resolution:
RESOLUTION: Fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition. The effect of fixed purpose; firmness, steadiness or constancy in execution, implying courage.

Homeschooling often requires courage in hardship or seeming failure. Courage to bear through difficulties to the end. The only way to find this kind of courage is to dig ourselves out of our own thinking and become buried deep in the Word of God.

Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Repent and Return

Have you lost sight of the true eternal priorities of educating your children? Did you forget that it is your obedience and not your ability that God rewards? Now is the time to repent for your lack of desire to be obedient, your lack of courage to continue, or your lack of vision for what is eternally important. Then, return to the assignment God has given you in training up His children for His glory as you keep them Home. Where They Belong.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

~Deborah

Resources:

Visit our YouTube page here and check out our video devotions. My husband joins me in this week’s podcast here: www.HomeschoolShow.com. And, as always, there is practical help from our magazine here:

New School Year Resolutions: Five “I Will’s”
Navigating the Mid-Winter Doldrums

The mission of Christ-Centered-Parenting presumes a resolve to fulfill a God-given purpose to train children with a Biblical worldview, Christian character, and skills necessary to fulfill God’s calling on their lives. This is our “WHY,” — “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!” Raising children who have “faith to move mountains” requires having parents with resolve to lead the way by example.

I coached girls middle-school soccer for eight years as a homeschool parent/coach. I coached to inspire faith and sense of purpose by magnifying the “WHY!” I taught resolve by nurturing a “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION” mindset.

I’d start by asking, “Would somebody go to the parking lot and lift up that car?” Puzzled expressions replied, “Why? — I can’t!” I changed the paradigm: “If you had a flat tire on the interstate, could you do it then?” Understanding why in clearer context, some interjected, “We could use a jack!” I’d inquire further: “Suppose your mom just lifted the car with a jack and just as your little baby brother reached for your soccer ball that had rolled under the car, a wind gust from a huge truck passing by blew the car off the jack. Your baby brother is pinned under the car. CAN YOU LIFT THE CAR NOW?” Would your “WHY,” your “resolve,” and your “faith to move mountains” prompt you to flag down a hundred truckers to stop and help lift that car off your brother?” That is what resolve looks like.

Home education is not a “do-it-all-yourself” undertaking. Resolve is measured by the adversity it takes to stop us. — If only EVERY Christian parent possessed the same resolve to rescue their child’s soul from the DANGER imposed by secular state-controlled education. The stakes, though not so immediate, are just as high.

Coach Bobby Grete

www.christcenteredcurriculum.com

(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

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Kerry Tittle

Resolved

Staying resolved can be a hard decision. I’ve shared this before, but it seems worth sharing again.

In April 2014, I lost my husband and two daughters in an F4 tornado. Throughout the summer I never even gave a thought to schooling. But when fall came around I had to make a decision. I had lost 20 years of homeschool curriculum and had five traumatized children. Even the other two adult children were too devastated to help me. I couldn’t put them in school away from their mother after losing so much, yet their mom could barely function. It was a mess.

Even in the midst of shock I knew I had a deep held conviction to Deuteronomy 11:19:

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (ESV)

I decided that God understood my weakness and I moved forward anyway. I bought curriculum and we started. It was pathetic at best. I had to make special schedules around storms and anniversaries. In a short blog I can’t share all the ways we had to be creative with our schooling, but it wasn’t as traditional as it used to be.

How are we today?  Some days we take strides, some days we take baby steps, and some days we just stand. (My daughter just laughed and said I forgot the part about the times we fall flat on our face and turn to chocolate!)  But as I look back over the years, I can see God’s fingerprints of grace in each step attempted. He never left us. Even in the weakest attempts of homeschooling, He was there.

Saying all that to say, if you are struggling with your resolve to stay committed, it’s ok–we have all been there. He only requires you to take the next step and trust Him. He doesn’t want you to school in your strength, but His.

About the author

Kerry Tittle is a mother of nine children and a 20-year homeschool veteran. She was the owner of ReformationKidz with her husband Rob until a tornado destroyed their home and business in 2014, taking the lives of Rob and two of their daughters, Tori and Rebekah. Kerry is the founder of Refined Family, which is created to encourage others to find hope in the gospel in the midst of trials.

Alexandria Letkeman

Homeschooling Through Rough Seas

Beginning the homeschooling journey is like setting sail on an adventurous sea of education, where you captain your children’s academic voyage. As parents, you’ve weathered many storms in life, but this is a unique and exciting venture filled with the promise of discovery and growth. Like a seasoned captain who charts the course, homeschooling parents navigate through uncharted waters with determination, love, and a sense of adventure.

You are captain of your ship, guiding your crew through the vast curriculum sea, tailoring it to the needs and interests of your learners. Whether it’s a hands-on science experiment in the kitchen or a history lesson through engaging field trips, the possibilities are endless. Imagine learning fractions while baking cookies or diving into literature in pajamas on a rainy day. Education is an integral part of daily life.

However, no adventure is without challenges. Storms will arise, testing your resolve. Waves of doubt and frustration may crash against your ship, but remember, storms are a natural part of the journey. Just as a skilled sailor adjusts the sails to weather the storm, homeschooling parents adapt their strategies to face the waves. Seek support from fellow homeschooling parents, and remember the storm will pass, leaving you stronger. Keep in mind the profound impact you have on your child’s character development. Beyond academic achievement, you are shaping resilient, creative, and independent thinkers.

Many parents fret about lacking teaching credentials, but you are capable of guiding your child’s education. With abundant online resources, support groups, and educational materials at your fingertips, you’ll find a vast community of like-minded parents eager to share their experiences. Homeschooling is a collaborative effort, and your commitment to your child’s education will create lasting bonds within the community.

To all the brave homeschooling parents, set your compass, adjust your sails, and embrace the adventure that lies ahead. May your journey be filled with excitement, the storms be navigated with resilience, and the shores of success be reached with the knowledge that you’ve provided your children with a truly unique and enriching education. Take a peek at the Gold Care Club!

Wouldn’t that be a gift?

About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. She plans to homeschool her own children when the time comes and start a homesteading farm featuring mini cows.

Pillar of Faith

Heidi Mosher

I Am Resolved . . . to Homeschool

A verse comes to mind on the worst of homeschool hours (or days or years), when apathy and bad moods (the kids’ or mine) are on display. It’s 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV): “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Even at our worst, our deep love for each other outshines the awful. That deep love is a tiny display of the Lord’s even deeper love for us when He stretched out His arms and covered all our ugly.

A scene comes to mind, too, whenever I waiver in my resolve to homeschool. This scene played out one summer morning at the park where my four little ones and I had gathered with my sisters and their little ones for playground and picnic fun. The young cousins played and ran free while we young moms chatted and kept a watchful eye.

What I remember most about that morning wasn’t our group, though. Rather, it was something I noticed: a long line of like-sized kids with lanyard nametags and matching T-shirts walked robotically and quietly in single file through the park, hemmed in by teachers. One teacher stood out, dressed to the nines, bending intimidatingly towards the line, barking at the children, and clapping rhythmically and firmly to keep them moving in the direction she wanted. What an unnatural arrangement—especially at the park! It was a sad, ugly contrast to how the rest of the park visitors were making use of the gorgeous morning.

We’ve got a metaphorical “gorgeous morning” to use with each one of our children as we begin with them the day that is their life. A family can spend the time together—that’s natural. We can see our precious children for who they are instead of who the experts think they should be. We can lovingly call them by their carefully chosen names instead of checking lanyards for their identity. We can gently guide them on the path of life, filling their lives with good things, showing them with Whom to abide.

That’s homeschooling, and that’s a morning well spent.

About the author

Heidi Mosher is honored to write for The Homeschool Minute, as it was the lifeline of her early homeschooling years. She is thankful to be the mother of four—two recent homeschool graduates and two who are currently homeschooled.

Where can your child learn about quicksand, zombie fire ants, rogue waves, and several other topics that will intrigue, surprise, and fascinate? Curious Science includes themes that combine science with language arts, math, art, Bible, and even history. This unit study approach to homeschooling is designed to be flexible to meet your individual needs! Be sure to check out the Snow Roller unit for some curious winter fun!