Dear Mom,

Bless your heart. It is probably better that you feel overwhelmed at this point. Let me explain. When I began homeschooling my list of subjects was not much different that yours. In fact I began with the same grades that you are tackling plus a highschooler. A dear friend of mine who had been homeschooling for many years called one day to see how I was doing. 'Fine' was my reply. She was amazed. She asked if there were any problems. 'No, none that I know of. ' Little did I know that the way I was feeling was merely the eye before the storm. My children were still in the honeymoon stage of homeschooling and the challenges had yet to present themselves.

The first hurdle that we came to was the sheer amount of work that I had loaded upon our day. Gone were the images of us playing, exploring, and laughing together as we went about our ideal homeschool day. I was pushing them to finish their work, I was frustrated at our lack of progress, and I was feeling compelled to complete an arbitrary schedule that lacked flexibility. I saw my children go from easy going good and bright students (that they had been in public school) to whiney argumentative students who seemed to resist me at every turn.

When my children were in public school it was always my motto to celebrate the accomplishments and not fret over the challenges that presented themselves believing that we would be able to work through these as time and opportunity allowed. However with the first weeks of homeschooling I was pushed to somehow model the classroom environment (that is all I knew) in our homeschool. This was a disaster.

The biggest difference between a school and my home is that I am after all the children's mother. Our days should spin around the relationship of mother/child. Mothers are very keen teachers when they are teaching from the heart. Mothers are aware of the uniquenesses and strengths of their children. It is in this relationship that our teaching finds its fruitfulness.

Now with that in mind, look at the schedule you have prepared. Ask yourself the following questions.

Is there room for flexibility? Many times moms will find that they are just beginning to see a glimmer of recognition in a child's eye when teaching a particular concept when the clock tells us that we should be moving ahead to the next task. Can you ignore the clock and instead let your teaching move with the child?

Many subjects are truly enrichment (even in the public school). The basics of reading, writing, math and in our case religion are the core subjects that are the most important. Do I truly believe that though all subjects are interesting there is only so many hours in a day or week and that it is important that I concentrate my efforts accordingly? Can I reserve formal teaching and instruction for those subjects that must be mastered without feeling guilty about the others should we not be able to work on them in a given day?

Can I use an approach that allows for the freedom to combine subjects and lessons for children that are close gradewise? History and science are two such subjects. I have found that what a 4th grade student can comprehend, a 2nd grade student can comprehend as well with regard to these two subjects. Reading aloud the text, allowing for self guided research on the computer, drawing, and storytelling (retelling to the family what was learned) are excellent and positive ways to enhance the lessons. Enrichment means just that 'my thinking out of the box' when approaching a subject allows for creativity and in turn greater enjoyment or enrichment of the material.

It is important that we look to the work that we want our children to accomplish and pray to be realistic in our goals. I believe that a small goal accomplished (without tears) is better than large goals that are failed and make us feel guilty. When we begin to feel guilty or pushed or frustrated this is a signal that our work lacks fruitfulness. It is far more important to be fruitful in this task of teaching than to adhere to unrealistic goals which only create a sense of urgency and frustration.

When children are allowed to learn (all people learn, even the most profoundly challenged person learns to some degree) they are using a natural tendency gifted to them from the Lord.

For the child, whether they be in public school or homeschool, it is so important that we keep in mind that children are learning machines soaking up all experiences as lessons in the classroom of their world. A classroom begins in the heart of the parent and extends to the teaching the parent provides.

You are going to do great. Just pray and take a second look at the list of subjects you have outlined. After prayer see if there are some subjects that can wait until you have determined what type of learning environment you are striving to create in your home. Let your children settle into this experience and show you their unique learning styles. Go forward with joy and allow the Lord to lead you. Remember to concentrate on the basics so as to build a firm foundation early on.

I admire you. I will be praying for you each day on the 4th Glorious Mystery.

Let us pray together a Memorare for all the persons who are facing challenges this day with regard to weather and circumstance. Amen.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn