Every homeschool family on the planet has days when it feels like they belly flopped. It’s painful, sometimes, feels like we can’t recover from them, and it can cause us to feel like we are the only ones struggling. I am here to testify you are not the only one struggling. In fact I’m sure if you asked any mom on the planet, we are pretty sure we are screwing our kids up for life.
I’m here to tell you, you are not screwing your kids up! The fact that you are worrying about this, tells me you care, it tells me you are looking for solutions. You are aware of the importance of your children’s hearts and education. You care! That right there, is the biggest thing you can do, care.
When your day has belly flopped there are a few things you can do. You can push through or you can throw out the life rafts and bail. Both have their place. There are days when bailing on our school day would not teach our kids perseverance, choosing to have a joyful attitude, and excusing them would only bring the same struggle the next day.
However, there is also wisdom in knowing when to bail. Sometimes laughing, throwing your hands up, and declaring the day a park day, hike day, or whatever will restore your relationship with your kids is a must. Where’s the balance, well, this is something that looks different for each family. I know, I would love to tell you there is a magic solution, but there isn’t. Sorry!
The point to this post, we’re all just paddling around like we know what we’re doing or trying to know what we are doing. I have learned the best thing I can do is to stay connected to other moms, homeschool families, and to pray, pray, pray. Sometimes praying seems like a bandaid answer, honestly, as unchristian as this sounds, sometimes I wonder if I should say it. It sometimes feels like a copout and sometimes, honestly, I think it is. But, with that said, prayer is the pulse for wisdom, it is the divine source of great ideas, and revelations into our kids hearts. Prayer changes my kids hearts, my heart, and the relationships within our family. It often takes our day from a crappy day to an amazing day.
While those around me can give me suggestions, advice, and encouragement, sometimes it’s just nice to know others belly flop too. It’s helpful to see their scars have healed and how God has used their scars to encourage others. After all, belly flops have their place in our lives. We might as well learn to laugh at ourselves (sometimes this takes time for the sting to wear off) and learn from one another.
Get out there and be awesome! If you need someone to belly flop with you, let me know, I’d be happy to go along.