It's ok to...

by Mommy N

As a people, we have become impatient and aren't interested in waiting until later for anything. We want everything as soon and as quickly as possible.

I know when my kids get sick, I want to rush to the doctor in hopes of getting a cure-all quick fix prescription. Truth is, there's not one. They usually have to suffer through at least a day or two of being sick before they start feeling better.

If we have to suffer with our illness for a day or two while our bodies recover, than you would think it should be o.k. if we don't answer the phone for a couple of hours while we finish our school work.

I have a policy to not answer the phone if I can't talk. The only exception is for my husband. The only time I don't answer his calls is if the kids are in the tub or I'm changing a diaper. I usually check the caller id to see who it is, make a note to myself, and then call the person back as soon as I can talk.

By implementing this policy, we are able to complete our school work with little to no interruptions. It takes the stress away of trying to do too many things and allows me to focus on the kids and any questions they have. One of the worst thing that can happen to us doing school time is to be in the middle of learning something new, the phone ring, I answer it, and my attention leaves them. Usually by the time I get back to them, they are no longer interested in what we were learning.

So, here are a few It's ok to ... that I've implemented that have helped us tremendously.

It's ok...

....to not answer the phone when it rings.

....to not spend 45 minutes to an hour on each subject.

....for them to rewrite their reports 7 times to learn proper grammer rules.

....if they don't understand something the first few times.

....if Home Ec is when they cook dinner.

....if school isn't from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

....if they have school in their pajamas as long as their teeth are brushed.

....if we do science before math or vica versa, as long as they know and understand the importance of Bible Study.

....if we start a little later, as long as they know we might finish later.

....if they need to go to the restroom or get something to drink during class.

....if they ask questions during the middle of our reading aloud time - it means they're paying attention and learning.

....if they don't learn about every battle they would have been taught about in a public school setting.

....encourage them and lift them up - OFTEN.

....if they don't want to do something - they still need to understand the importance of doing things they don't want to do.

I love the fact that God doesn't call the equipped, but He equips the called. If you have been called to homeschool the gifts He has given you, trust that the things you teach them will be exactly what they need.