Dear Mom,

I am a strong believer in the 'home' part of the word homeschool. For me and for my family it is vital that we weave our schooling around our home life. We have an active family with many outside interests that we find uplifting and doable. Our schooling is important as a lifestyle approach not merely a way to educate our children. It takes a certain amount of faith not to bring 'school' home. When I first began the journey into the homeschooling lifestyle it was safe to imitate the school environment within our home. It wasn't long into the process that I found I was robbing my children of the unique and completely wonderful lifestyle of homeschooling. For example, today my daughters are going to work on 4H projects that are due in two days, help me plant the garden, and prepare to have lunch with some dear friends. I will combine their Latin lessons (I highly recommend this approach), have them work independently on Math, and finish the day with an outing to the city. Their older sister and her husband live with us and they have just had a baby. The days are full and fruitful. Prioritizing the amount of school work that must be done balanced against the activities in home is the key to peaceful homeschooling. The Lord calls us into this work and it is He alone who empowers and inspires us to accomplish what He sets out for us to do. On any given day, the work the Lord has for that day is the most important work of the day. If we honor what Jesus calls us to do then He will help us find the time to do not only that but other tasks as well. I love the homeschooling lifestyle, my children thrive in the environment, and I have found a sense of purpose and peace in the work.

I recommend combining grades where possible. I like the energy generated from the give and take between one or more children. I recommend looking at all you plan to do and then realistically cutting the list of those tasks that can wait or seem to be only enrichment, especially when you are pressed for time or there is a more pressing need. I think enrichment is important and necessary but life happens and enrichment activities are not meant to be core subjects and therefore they are the most likely to be set aside when necessary. I recommend getting children early on to understand that they are able to work independently and encourage them to do so. I recommend with all my heart that moms take time each day to read out loud to their dear children and embrace the beauty of the homeschooling lifestyle. If you find you are running in circles keeping up with someone else's designs for your day, then it is time to take a step back and reexamine your goals and priorities for your homeschooling day. I recommend that each mom find time to take a walk and pray the rosary while she does so. In this I find I am having a wonderful Parent Teacher Conference with the giver of All Good Things, Jesus who loves me more than I can imagine and longs to see me do well.

I hope this helps. You are a dear mommy and your children are indeed blest to have in you a faithful daughter of the Lord. I will keep you in prayer this day. I will offer up my prayers for your intentions. Keep up the good work. Take a deep breath and embrace the beautiful children that the tender Jesus has given you. Remember that homeschooling is a lifestyle and as such you and your husband are creating a lifestyle that best fits your family.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn