Dear Mom,

Eliminate. Eliminate. Eliminate. :) Go through your home with the help of your dear children and see if there are not things that you can get rid of, perhaps passing them on to someone who can use them. Look for inspiration as to furniture placement. See if there is clutter that you can control with some creative touches such as baskets, etc.

As far as homeschooling one of the most helpful and inexpensive items you might purchase (or you may already have) is a small book shelf. The shelf would be very handy to store school books, papers, and materials when they are not in use for school. Think of the kitchen table as your school table. When you are teaching then spread your materials out on the table. When school is finished have the children move everything to the shelf.

Think of the public library as your extended classroom. Some families find that getting up, cleaning up after the morning's activities and tidying up the house and then leaving for the library to work on school is a wonderful alternative. When you return home the house is clean and the books are put away. Your children are older and this may work well for you.

Homeschooling is a lifestyle. It is true that sometimes homeschooling seems to take over a house. This is not altogether bad in that it creates a sense that learning is an important aspect of each day.

Some families designate one area as a school free zone. No books, papers, clutter from school or school materials are allowed in the school free zone.

If your budget will allow, purchase a desk for each child's room. Here in their own room they can do school work and leave some of their books on the desk.

Stand in each room of your house and carefully examine and explore ways to eliminate in order to better utilize the available space.

Being with your children and teaching them is a joy and a gift. I sense that you agree with this feeling. Prayer to the Holy Spirit and ask that He send you inspirations to work within the confines of your space in order to peacefully teach your children.

Let us pray this afternoon for those persons who are working within Habitat for Humanity helping families to build suitable housing. Lord, we know that when our hearts are focused upon You we are able to see possibilities despite limitations. St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Theresa, pray for us.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn