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The Unhurried Homeschooling Mom

I casually asked our 15-year-old how his biology studies were going.    “It’s not as terrible as I expected.”  

HHM The Unhurried Homeschooling Mom

I was reminded once again that no one can force a love for learning into their kids.  It’s ALWAYS a process.

We’ve been homeschooling over 20 years (8 kids), and it still surprises me the odd times at which teachable moments happen, and 99% of the time they aren’t created by me.  I’ve learned over the years to do far more observing than initiating, and I find that my kids and teachable moments seem to intersect more naturally than most people think.  

But it takes a certain amount of faith in a child’s natural desire to learn and the unique process it is for each one.  Most of us believe that each child is unique, so it makes sense that their learning curves would be vast and varied.

Even now and then, I  step back and take into account where each child is in his development…yes, even the semi-adults who live in our house because the learning doesn’t stop just because they have graduated.

We have graduated 5 and have 3 to go. Two who just graduated live with us.  They are headed different directions, but are both life-long learners like the rest of our kids.

These boys are forging their way into life and coming by their opportunities honestly.  This is something that money can’t buy…hard earned respect and a good name.

Both are continuing to learn, BUT they also know what they are passionate about.  They are willing to pay their dues to get where they want to go.

As a mom, I am finding great reward in watching all of this play out in front of me.  It’s the long awaited harvest of many seeds sown over many years.

But it didn’t come by being in a hurry.  It came by ever so slowly being faithful in the little things which, as it turns out, are really the big things.

Every homeschooling mom struggles with wondering if what she is doing is enough.  It seems to be part of the homeschooling package.  Yet, I’ve learned that most of the time I WAS doing enough…by simply providing a loving, secure home environment through daily routine/chores, etc, encouraging our kids along the way, and not trying to force too much book learning too early.

When our kids see us rushing around, panicking and stressing about their education, what message are they getting? That learning is stressful?  That it’s HARD?  That it’s anything but FUN?  Kids don’t want to see their parents burdened and preoccupied.  They just want us to be there in the moment WITH them.

Moms, our kids need us to SLOW DOWN. They want US, not our lesson plans.  Homeschooling is a chance to be authentic with our kids…to learn together.   I encourage you to make it your goal to create unhurried (not to be confused with directionless), joyful days with your kids.  Let anything else be the exception, not the rule.  Don’t settle for counterfeit versions of homeschooling.

Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint.  I encourage you to pace yourself.  Take time to savor each season.  Let your heart slow down regularly to soak in this precious time with your kids.  The days are long, but the years are short.  Live them well. Together. Your kids are worth it.

For more encouragement on unhurried homeschooling, read Durenda’s new book, “The Unhurried Homeschooler” available on Amazon.

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One Comment

  1. Durenda-thank you for being a beacon of light and a voice of sanity in the daily round! When I finally turned that corner and realized that doing it all was slowly killing my spirit by turning the days into a smoking grind-I stepped back and released myself to an inner peace and a higher knowing. I check in daily with those two sources for guidance and inspiration and *yes!* our growth is hearty and exponential now that I have gotten out of my own way!

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