Living, Loving, Learning by His Grace

I think I have run the gamut of labels and names to call our homeschool style…something that I can just tell other homeschoolers and then they will know somewhat of my philosophy, style, and method of home educating.  But I think I’ve come to the point where having a label is not so important anymore.  I think mainly because I’m finding I don’t squarely fit into any 1 camp or any 1 or 2 camps or any 1,2 or 3 camps or homeschool philosophies.

Now, there are several methods and philosophies that have influenced our homeschool philosophy and style but only as I’ve found the principles and tenets put forth by these varied philosophies to be biblical AND to be the right thing to do for my family AT the right time.

The longer I homeschool I’m also finding that just because I do things one way one year doesn’t mean I’ll be led to use the same thing or do it the same way next year OR EVEN FOR A WHOLE YEAR!!  I’m finding I just have to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit day by day, step by step throughout the month, throughout the year.  Things may change from quarter to quarter or month to month, depending on my children, depending on what “thus sayeth the Lord”.

I’m finding that I’ve begun to look “out of the box”.  I’ve even stepped out of the box and am now at least standing (if not walking around) outside the box…homeschooling outside the box.    Little did I know that even within homeschooling circles that I could get caught up in the religiosity of homeschooling…the way “everybody does it” or the way “this” curriculum or philosophy says to do it.    I considered myself to have taken the road less traveled when I decided not put my children in public school.  That was as “out-of-the-box” as I thought I’d get.

But the Lord has led me to a wonderful place of freedom by just following and obeying Him as He gives me direction each day, each week, month and year in our homeschooling.  I’ve decided to ditch textbooks and workbooks as much as I can at least for this current season we are in.  I come up with my own lessons/topics to teach as I look at the needs of my children and what they need to learn next.  I’ve ditched (with SOME degree of success) looking at the public school or anybody else’s scope and sequences and just let my children be who they are and be right where they are in their spiritual, mental, emotional and yes, even academic growth.

Starting this year I will begin to use more multi-sensory approaches.  It has become so very real and “in-my-face” apparent that I CANNOT force my children to learn using the same methods for all of them.  My second child wins the medal for snatching me into the reality of this.   The Lord has taught me through my second child what patience really means; what love really means; what commitment to my children really means.  You see my son is a ”mover” and a “shaker”, a real “sizzler” and I’ve spent many tearful, frustrating moments(for him and myself) trying to force my trianglular-shaped son into my rectangle world.   But what God has so patiently and lovingly shown me is how to let my son just be…be who God created him to be.  Every child is unique and has very special attributes and qualities, and learning styles.   I used to look at these things as such hindrances and obstacles and so bothersome but what I see now is such a wonderful opportunity to learn who my son is and to see how he grows and what exciteds him and what makes him tick and what makes him him.   I see it as my learning time to be taught by him(and them).

So what kind of homeschoolers are we?  I still don’t know.

What methods and philosophies have made a major impact on our homeschool style?  principles from Ruth Beechick,  some Charlotte Mason, some Christian Classical, Biblical Principle Approach with a very heavy dose of Lifestyle of Learning(Barb Shelton/Marilyn Howshall).   I’m not squarely in any one camp but there are principles I glean from them all that I use bathing everything I do or plan to do in prayer and study of God’s Word to hear the word of the Lord for us at this time.  I do find, though, that I base everything we do on principles from God’s Word but in  (I’m working on creating) a very, very free, relaxed environment using a plethora of resources and learning tools and modalities.

My  focus this year is love and relationship building through our learning.   I’ve made our schedule for the year but just recently my heart was stirred to make relationships more of a priority in our day.  Even though we are together every day, all day I’m finding that doesn’t ensure our relationships are what they are supposed to be, at least not for us.  I find that I can be so caught up in my mind with what needs to be done(managing the house and all that entails and the education of my children) that I am not “present” with my children.  I’m not taking the time to just talk with them collectively and individually; not spending time with them.  So many times my son has asked me to play an XBOX game with him(and yes I limit the time on XBOX) and I never take the time to just sit with him and play.  I always have something to do, clean, check, or I’m too tired.  He asked me yesterday as I was walking downstairs to workout.  It has been a challenge for me to stay consistent with my workout–the last thing I need is to play a video game before working out…the workout may never happen.  Well, I sat down and played with him.  This sizzler, the one who has the ability to really rattle my cage was so patient and sweet and kind in that time we sat and played together.  He showed me how to maneuver my playing piece and I really, really enjoyed him.  I want to do more of that.   I want to create special, loving memories with them starting this year as we live, love, and learn this year.  (And yes I still did get my workout in

So if all this is to be accomplished I”m gonna have to obey God in what He tells me to focus  and do each day, (even minute by minute sometimes) and trust Him for the rest, knowing that His Grace is sufficient in my weakness….what I cannot do, He can and will; trusting that

¹³ All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children(Isaiah 54:13)