Have you ever been threatened with imprisonment or having your children taken from you because you chose to homeschool?
In many countries this is a very real threat.
How often do you thank God for this homeschool freedom?
Have you spent any time thanking God that you live in a country that allows you to educated your children at home, the way you choose?
It is so easy to forget the blessing of homeschooling. And what a blessing it is! Even on the bad days it really is wonderful!
Life moves at such a fast pace. We forget to stop and thank God for this privilege. Did you thank Him for the freedom to homeschool before you started your day, today? I didn’t.
Why is it that most people tend to be nicer, happier, more giving during the holidays? I think it is because we take a little bit of time to to think of things to be thankful for. We slow down just enough to reflect on our blessings,
Gratefulness has many benefits, but here are three. Grateful people sleep better. Gratitude improves physical health. Gratitude increases mental strength. All if these are essential for moms!
It’s only in the expression of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover that we truly are blessed.
With this in mind, knowing that being thankful will benefit you as a mom and in turn benefit your children, I want you to do something, right now. This activity will literally only take you 2 minutes max!
I’d like to suggest you make one or two lists. You may choose to do both or either.
- Option one– A complete thought or sentence list
Write down as many things that you can think of to thank God for because you have the freedom to homeschool. Use whatever paper, scratch pad, napkin, anything that you have in front of you to write on….. just do it.
- Option two- Homeschool blessings list. This list is a one to three words max list of things that you see or do because you have the freedom to homeschool. I would strongly suggest after you make this list, when you have time, transfer it to a notebook or journal where you can keep your blessings journal in an easy to find, grab and write place. This list will change your life and outlook on not only homeschooling but life as well!
Right now, before you do anything else, stop, set the timer on your phone for 15 seconds…. start writing!
Have you made your list(s) yet?
Come on now,…. you have time…. it’s only 15 seconds!
Do you hate feeling rushed? Give yourselves 30 secs. But do it now. Procrastinating means it will very likely not happen.
Were any of these on your Option 1 list?
I have homeschool freedom to….
- create a home where the pillars of true education stand on the firm foundation of the Word of God.
- give my children a Spirit-led education and a stress-free learning environment.
- to pray before during and after school as a necessity, not an option.
- choose my own rules and way of life for my homeschool day.
- choose my own curriculum that fits each of my children’s needs best!
- cuddle with my newborn, dance with my toddler, and chat with my teen.
- be there for all the milestones of each child with the whole family cheering each other on.
- sing Scripture songs, learn Bible stories, and memorize Scripture together.
- Create, paint, or make cookies with my kids while listening to worship music.
- read good books aloud to everyone and hear them beg for just one more chapter!
- go to the park and playing tag
- try science experiments (that usually don’t turn out right… but together, you enjoy trying!)
- sit around the family room and laugh with each other or just talk about whatever comes up.
- solve crises together, and praying for others.
- teach them critical thinking skills through problems that arise.
- watch my children learn and grow and develop their God-given abilities.
- catch those aha moments when my child gets it.
- see a glimpse of a look or expression that takes me back to when they were a toddler.
- watch my children enjoying each other’s company and being best friends!
. . . experiencing life, and life in Christ—together.
How about your option two list?
I see these blessing because we have the freedom to homeschool….
- love
- friendship
- daughter’s smile
- son’s mischievous look
- park days
- books
- lazy
- sleep
- laughter
- time
- school outside
The idea for this blessing list came from the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. This book is exactly what the subtitle says… Dare to live fully right where you are. It all begins with gratitude! Start gratitude journaling today.
It is a precious thing to have your children home with you.
From a place of gratitude, looking back on the 22 homeschool years, I can see that regardless of the challenges, the draining days, the exhausting moments, and even in the repetitive and exhilarating aspects of homeschooling, I was profoundly thankful to be where I belonged—at home, living the life that God called me to live.
And, I’m glad we chose this life for our family. We were all home where we belonged, learning, laughing, crying, playing and growing together!
Family is God’s brilliant design, and I am so blessed and thankful for it! Let’s practice family gratitude.
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.”
Psalm 92:1-2; 4
Enjoying the journey,
~Michelle~
To help you out, I’ve created a simple 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Printable. Each person in your family should have their own printable. At dinner time or bedtime, let your kids write what they are thankful for that day. There is enough space on the printable to let your kids write what they are thankful for that day.
Younger kids can use the printable with prompts for each day. Even preschoolers can take on the challenge with the thank you prompts on the printable. Actually, I’m sending a copy to my daughter who has a 3-year old. The prompts are a simple way to stay focused on thankfulness all of November.
For, older kids and parents, I suggest writing at least 3 things you are thankful for each day. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with specific ideas for older kids.
Be sure to check back here (or sign up for our email updatesat the top of this post) throughout November for lots of great ideas to help you teach gratitude to your kids. For now, take the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge and get your free printables below.
Michelle Osborn is the owner and founder of Homeschooling Teens Successfully and Yellow House Book Rental, specializing in providing homeschool curriculum for rent or purchase, as well as coaching and guidance for homeschool families. She is a wife, a 22-year homeschool veteran, and mom of four children and grandma to five! Two of her children are now successful entrepreneurs. Michelle’s passions include serving by leading worship at her church and encouraging homeschool moms through one-on-one coaching, courses, social media and speaking engagements. She has found her niche in helping parents homeschool their teens through the high school years and on to pursue their dreams.
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