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Question:

This is going to be my daughter's first year as a homeshooler. I am a bit nervous at the fact that I would be her "teacher". I don't want this to be a mistake. I've read, researched and talked to many homeschooler parents and I believe that this is my calling. I have two older daughters, both graduated with Catholic Educations. So the difference with my youngest (9 year old)....she got lost somewhere in the shuffle of things. Money became the priority in our catholic school and I am very unhappy with the last few years of her attendance there. My daughter, I feel, has lost a bit over the years. She is going into the fifth grade, with what I believe is with a second-third grade education. This summer, I started teaching her basic math skills. She didn't really know her multiplication facts after her fourth grade promotion! How can this be? How did I miss this? As a parent, I failed to follow through with her lessons at school, I know this. But I was confident by paying her tuition that someone else would teacher (the things I couldn't) because I was afraid to fail her in that regard(its been awhile since I was in school). But soul searching, I believe I could do better with her by homeschooling- at least better than what she already had gone through. This is where CHC comes in: I ordered her the fourth grade materials with third grade math student and math teacher manuals. I just want to make sure that she doesn't struggle with the basics. Can you help? I need direction on this. Am I doing the right thing by going back a year in educational materials. Please advise - I look forward to your response.

Answer:

Dear Mom,

Let us begin our time together with a pep talk and a prayer, believing that both are not only necessary but within the holy will of the Lord. Jesus longs that we feel empowered and encouraged especially when we are entering into lifestyles or situations that seem daunting. Remember that when we pray to follow the will of the Father we not only find the right path but we will be gifted with the very strength of the Lord Himself. Who needs more than that and indeed is there more than that?

Lord, we ask that You come upon this communication and give to me the right words to say that will comfort this dear mom as she struggles to meet the demands of teaching her dear children. Lord, we ask that You empower and inspire her in all her duties as she believes she is working with accordance of Your holy and perfect will for her and her children. Lord, we trust in Your desire to strengthen us from Your strength and Your tender love and care for us in every second of our lives. Amen.

Begin this new season in your life with prayer. I would suggest that you spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and allow that the dear Jesus comfort you gently and melt away the anxiety that is chasing you. To do this is to ensure the best of your efforts. Ask the Lord to clear away the doubts and the troubled feelings in your spirit and replace these feelings with empowerment.

Remember that to begin at the beginning is most important. If you feel that your daughter has missed vital steps in the journey then you are right and prudent to spend time rebuilding the foundation of her education. This is most important.

It is clear that you have a heart for your daughter and her needs. It is a beautiful gift that your dear daughter has in you a mom who is ready to dedicate time to the most important needs of education. I sense that you are eager to make certain that her education contains not only knowledge of the practical but the spiritual as well. Jesus will honor your desire to impart the spiritual and to bring your daughter to a fuller knowledge of Him. In this goal you will begin to see an improvement in her ability to comprehend the practical. Humans are complete when we see the face of the Lord in all we do. It is in this completeness of our purpose that we experience a quiet peace in our tasks.

I would spend time this summer (no more than an hour a day) in tutoring your dear daughter in those areas that you believe she is lacking. If this is her basic knowledge of math facts, then begin here. Make the time together fun and peaceful, knowing that your daughter has not failed you or herself but is only in need of extra help. What matter does it make if one needs two days or two months to grasp a concept when the most important fact is the outcome.

I think that it is perfectly acceptable to begin at the level you feel is right for your daughter. Remember that CHC believes the curriculum must fit the needs of the child. Unlike a classroom education, that is built on a standard, a homeschooling education is built upon the use of books etc. that meet the needs of the child as they are in the journey at the present time. If math is your challenge then using math materials that address the needs is prudent.

Go forward knowing that you are empowered by the Lord. The Lord wants you to succeed and to give unto Him the glory when you do. In this way you become a holy and docile witness before the Lord.

I admire you and will be keeping you in my daily prayers. I will be working in my garden all day and each time I become discouraged I will offer up my efforts for you, dear sister in Christ.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn