G is for Gifts: A to Z of Encouraging Homeschool Moms
When my first gift came into the world, I had no thought of homeschooling. It wasn’t until my third gift was born that I started thinking this could be an option for us. The oldest of these three gifts was four, and the thought of sending him away each day went against every fiber in my being. He wasn’t old enough! I taught him to walk and talk and tie his shoes, about colors and shapes and animals — I wanted to be the one to teach him (and his siblings) about reading and writing and arithmetic, too! How I loved to see his eyes light up when he figured something out.
Children Are Gifts From God
I know many people will disagree with me, and I may even ruffle a few feathers when I say this. But, it truly saddens me to see so many mothers (of public school children) celebrating because their children are going back to school. Memes and advertisements show parents cheering as their children ride away on a school bus, or a smiling mom is relaxing in a swimming pool while her children (with sad faces) are dressed for the day at school, complete with backpacks and lunch boxes.
Why are they so happy to be separated from their children? What is this saying about their relationship; and what is it conveying to their children?
Children are gifts from God. Psalm 127:3 tells us so!
God doesn’t have to give us children. He blesses us with them!
Homeschooling, much like parenting, is not always easy. Sometimes it involves fighting, but we always do it for the benefit of our children, our gifts.
We care for our gifts and protect them because we love them.
Children Each Have Unique Gifts
Not only are our children gifts, but they each have unique gifts as well. God has blessed them with specific character traits, likes and dislikes, and talents. He expects us to nurture our gifts so that they may use their giftings to further His kingdom.
Homeschooling fits our needs quite nicely.
Is your child involved in sports? Organize their day around their practices and games.
Does your child have an artistic talent? Find a good teacher to draw that talent out and help it bloom.
Budding astronomers can do science in the evening instead of during the regular school day.
Wordsmiths can find contests to enter online.
Young chefs and bakers can use their talents to assist local charities and non-profits.
You are Uniquely Gifted to Teach Your Child
What type of gifts do your children have? Discover them; nurture them; help them to grow!
You know each of your children better than anyone else.
God placed them in your family because He knew you would be able to raise them the way He wants them raised.
There are some days when I must remind myself of this truth hourly. While it can be tempting to want to tell God He made a mistake, I know that the rough days are due to my own lack of diligence. It is those days when I must reassess my own giftings and discover how to best teach the gifts God has given me.
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.”
So, I must ask: do you have days like that? Do you know what your children’s gifts are? Do you know your children are gifts? Leave a comment, and we can talk about it!
