Last week we talked about taking action. Action of some kind is better than standing still. At times, we may not take action for fear we don’t have what it takes or can’t decide on the right curriculum. Instead of being afraid, give them the best of what you’ve got available.
In our homeschools our children need guidance, resources, a place to learn. But what if a mom feels like she really doesn’t have much to offer? The answer is simple: Give them the BEST of what you’ve got even if what you’ve got is not a lot.
Moms are way too hard on themselves. Homeschooling moms are no exception. We give out all day long. We feel tapped out and don’t always take time to refuel. We have these kids relying on us for their meals and their lessons and their entertainment. We have friends and family we feel we need to prove ourselves to. We field questions like “Why aren’t these kids in school?” as we check out at the grocery store.
All this chips away at our confidence and our outlook. In my experience, giving to our children with the best we have available is more than enough to see them through to a high school diploma. Something happens when we put to use what we have available to us in the best way we can. It will bring about the best in us and in our children.
Are you low on energy because you’ve been up with the baby all night? A few minutes of focused attention after breakfast might be the BEST you can do today with the lessons you had planned. Curl up on the couch and watch an education video or let them listen to story tapes and color while you rest in the recliner nearby.
Have you had a cutback in the amount of money you can spend on school books? Use the BEST of what you have available on your shelves right now. There are tons of websites with resources available for download, some are printable, some can be used on computer or mobile device of your choice. Take a look, compare and choose the BEST option you find.
You don’t have a school room or designated space for ‘schooling’?Β Neither do we!Β Some families have the blessing of a separate room just for school lessons. Most of us don’t. When our family made our cross-country move, we spent 7 weeks living in a hotel. Rather than putting our lessons completely on hold, we made the BEST of the situation, getting creative with where and how we studied.Β On the days we had housekeeping come for a thorough cleaning we grabbed our tote full of school books and supplies and headed down to the lobby. There was plenty of room to spread out, and during daytime hours it was pretty quiet. The extra leg room and elbow room was nice and changing up the location rejuvenated us.
Crayons and scrap paper work just as well mechanical pencils and grade-specific writing pads when it comes to practicing spelling lessons or drawing skills. Empty cereal boxes or cast off plastic dish pans work great as shelf organizers and cost you nothing in comparison to the fancy-schmancy containers you find at the home stores. If that is what you have available, then make it work!
Offering the BEST of what you have will always be better than offering nothing. Using the BEST of the resources you have available will always be better, always be enough to do what you need to do and will meet needs of your children and your family.
There will be days when the BEST we have to offer is only a fraction of what we feel we should be offering. It happens to us all. When you decide to move forward anyway, take action and give it your BEST shot even when it’s imperfect, you and your children will be better off than sitting back and doing nothing.
We have so much information coming into our lives and our homes these days. Everyone has an idea of what is BEST and what is acceptable. In your home, you can choose what is BEST, for your family, in your situation, even when your BEST is different from everyone else’s.
Join me as I blog through the alphabet, sharing thoughts to encourage the homeschooling mom in her own homeschooling journey. Join me every Monday as we work our way from A to Z! You can click on the image below to see all the posts in the series.
annette @ A net in Time says
a good reminder to us isn’t it? To give the best, even if our best some days is a poor second.
Linda says
that’s exactly it, Annette! Through the years I’m amazed at how much is accomplished if we just are willing to give/use what we have. Blessings come from the willingness to be content. And it’ll be OKAY! thanks, again, for hosting this alphabet challenge. Can’t wait for next week!
Kirsten West says
I felt myself take a breath and relax as I read your post. Thank You. We have days like all the scenarios you mentioned and it took me years and years to figure out that things went better when I relaxed and did not push beyond what we could happily do in a given situation. Giving your best is a great solution!
Linda says
oh, this makes me so happy, Kirsten π We all need to breathe and relax! If I could go back and change one thing at the start of our homeschooling journey, it would be to relax more. breathe more. We do all have those days, and that’s ok. Praying you have great days in this week ahead!
Melissa says
Excellent advice. Our kids probably are happier with a happy mom giving her best than a stressed out mom trying to have a Pinterest-worthy homeschool experience!
Linda says
Yes, Melissa, that’s it! I do love browsing Pinterest but I have to be careful to not make that my measuring rod π I’m glad you stopped by for a visit!
Carol E says
I love how you finished this great post: the best for your family. That has been one of the things that kept me going over the years when doubt would creep in. I would be reminded that our home was different than everyone else’s, and so our best choice probably would always look different too.
Linda says
Oh, it’s so important, isn’t it? To do what is best for us and not what others think might be best. There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschoolers. It’s wonderful we have the freedom to tailor things for our own circumstances and situations.
Lori says
Oh Linda, Just what I needed reminding of today. Even on a day when we have almost no school scheduled, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or doing it well. When really, it was. Thank you! I am loving your series.
Linda says
Your comment makes my day, Lori π I know that feeling well and I do want you to know that just BEING there is enough some days! I’ll be praying your week brings joy and blessings. I am so glad you stopped by!
Mother of 3 says
Excellent advice and reminder! I love this encouraging post.
Linda says
thank you π This series is a good exercise for me, glad to know it’s helpful for my readers, too!
Barbie says
Being a mom who works outside the home, I struggle with knowing if I am providing the best for my son. But I know this decision was the best one for him and with God, we will succeed. Thank for sharing!
Linda says
Your family will be blessed beyond belief because you were willing to make the tough decision. Giving our best isn’t always easy, but it’ll be oh so worth it down the road. You can do it! Blessings to you and your family as you walk this road, Barbie.
Tasha says
I wish I had read this before I started homeschooling. This is such great advice! Sometimes my best is watching educational movies like you talked about! I stopped feeling guilty about those days, because they are still learning! This is a fantastic series!
Linda says
I can relate, Tasha. I have had more than my fair share of guilt-ridden days. Even now, I have to work at throwing off that feeling. Working through this series is helping me, too. I’m glad you are encouraged in your visit here – I’ll be ‘seeing’ you again soon!
Wren says
This is a consistent theme for me this week! I read a novel Monday night/Tuesday morning (yes, it was that good) and my takeaway from it was how we as parents shape not only our kids’ spiritual lives but their emotional ones as well. How important it is that we are present and giving the best we can.
Linda says
I hope to be reinforcing the good things you are learning! It can be overwhelming thinking about all the responsibility we have as parents, but being content with giving the best we can with what we have available makes us even better parents! You’ll connect with them and be able to nurture those spiritual and emotional needs that way. Have a blessed week!
Amanda says
I love this message! It is so true. Some days are better than others, but knowing I am giving my best is giving them something. Thank you for this reminder and for joining us while we blog through the alphabet!
Linda says
giving them something, is always better than giving them nothing, right? π I’m enjoying the whole alphabet theme, and learning from all the others participating – thank you for hosting!
Desiree Winz says
As I have looked back on the years I have homeschooled, I often wonder why I didn’t do more, or am I doing enough now. After I think about it for a while, it always comes back to this. I have done the best I can with the time, energy, and supplies that I have. I may have struggled, but I feel I’ve done the best I can. Thanks for this reminder.
Linda says
I think we all have those feelings and questions about whether we did enough. Doing our best with what we have available to us is always a good thing. I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit this week!
Lee @ Dragon'sEyeView says
Love this reminder to give my kids my BEST!
Another #abcblogger had a Charlotte Mason tagline: “Children should have the best of their Mothers.” I can’t remember who it was though…I hope she reads this and responds!
Linda says
It’s an important message, and one I need to be reminded of as well π I’ll pop over to see and read. Thanks!
Model the JOY says
Great insight and wisdom!
Linda says
thank you π I hope you were encouraged!