Let’s face it. It isn’t easy being a parent, much less a homeschooling parent. The winter months can be particularly trying for me, especially when it comes to homeschooling. I LOVE the sunshine and warm weather. I was made to live near the equator, and not so much in the northern hemisphere. However, since I live on the Canadian prairies, winter can last for what seems an eternity. It’s cold, and there are days when the sun just doesn’t pierce through the clouds. This winter especially, I found myself feeling stuck in these same four walls, wishing I was anywhere else but here. For me, it is easy to question the decision to homeschool this time of year.
I want to take a moment to examine some reasons why we can end up feeling this way and what we can do to combat it. This is by no means an exhaustive list nor is it in any particular order. It is, however, a list of things I turn to, to regain my focus and direction.
These 5 points help me tremendously, and I am sure they can help you also:
#1 Check your attitude
Are you walking around with an attitude, expecting perfection from everyone around you?
Or are you giving grace where it’s needed? God gave us grace by sending his Son, Jesus to save us. Shouldn’t we extend the same grace?
#2 Let it go
It’s easy to become completely bound to your to-do list and the things that you want to get done. You can start to feel like all you do is “work, work, and more work.” In the process, we don’t love those around us very well. Letting go of the housework and intentionally taking joy in the people around you is so much more important.
#3 Check your commitments
Do you have so many commitments that you are running yourself ragged?
Here’s the thing, you are not the same as everyone else. What is your personality type? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? I love people, but I am actually introvert. I do not recharge from spending massive amounts of time with people. I need and crave alone time. I didn’t get this for years because I thought introverts were shy and reserved, which I am not. You need to know yourself. What are the commitments that are God things for you right now? They may be a lot less than you would think. Remember you are a stay at home parent, but that doesn’t mean you have unlimited time.
#4 Spend some time with good friends
It’s easy to be focused on everyone else, but ourselves. It can be easy to feel guilty if you aren’t home all the time. However, I think it’s highly important to spend time with good friends. Take that time. It will recharge you and it will take your mind off of yourself.
#5 Make sure you are trusting
James 1:8 says “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Who do you look to when you are feeling down?
Do you mindlessly surf Facebook or do you get into the Word of God and seek Jesus’ face?
It’s easy to say on one hand that you are trusting in the Lord, but when it comes right down to it, are you?
Remember the Word is the ONLY truth.
At the end of the day, I am going to go back to the fact that God called me to homeschool my children. Is it easy? Nope. God doesn’t promise that it will be easy. In fact, he promises tribulation. The promise is that he has overcome the world. In the end, Christ has won the victory for us.
Phil 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ Who Strengthens me.”
