My family recently attended a birthday party for a child celebrating her second birthday. The food table was impressive: three different homemade cheese balls, an assortment of finger foods both hot and cold, four or five different kinds of chips, two variations of dip, fruit salad, and two different types of cake to choose from. Don’t even get me started on the drink station. Now don’t get me wrong, the momma had the best intentions, she wanted to have a great party for her child. However, it became overly complicated, a burden, and just too much. The hostess was stressed and worn out before the party, the child didn’t sit still long enough to realize there was food, and I don’t recall seeing anyone get near the cake. Everyone was in such a hurry to have the party done with that clean-up began a quarter of the way through the party. People felt rushed to get out. Much of the food was packed up to go back home (or to the dump), and the momma opened the gifts in the absence of the wandering child.
I’m sure each of you can envision that birthday party pretty clearly in your mind. You may even be shaking your head and thinking, “well bless her heart.” Now, before you get too high and lifted up in your thinking, stop and ask yourself, “Have I done the same thing where home schooling is concerned?” Ouch!
In the effort to give your children the “best education” have you joined too many co-ops, taken on too many extra-curricular activities, and made the children feel like they need to hurry up and get through instead of enjoying the journey? Well, let me tell you, I’ve certainly been guilty of that.
Just recently, I was feeling frazzled with our homeschooling experience. I just didn’t feel like the kids were putting enough effort into their lessons; those co-op people wouldn’t do what they’d committed to do, and gosh darn it, those kids are going to be geniuses whether they like it or not. Not to mention, like birthday party momma, I was stressed and worn out from trying to make things happen.
Admittedly, I did a half hearted prayer that may have gone something like this: “God, I just don’t know what’s wrong here. I’ve done thus and so, and this and that and I just don’t know why it’s not working the way I think it should.” I’m not the only one who says those kinds of prayers, am I?
Almost instantly, God’s answer rang loudly in my heart “Because I told you to home school your kids, not turn it into a career.” Ouch! It’s not about me, it’s about them!
Might I suggest that we all take a look at what our “homeschooling” has become. Perhaps it’s time to realize that Junior isn’t going to be doing quantum physics in 2nd grade, and that Suzy isn’t going to earn her doctorate in middle school. Perhaps you will never be hailed as the “Ultimate Homeschool Mom.”
Maybe it’s time to cut out some of the extra cheese ball and chip selections in life and take time to savor a piece of the cake of life.
It is, what it is…and that’s ok.