"I am so looking forward to spring and summer," I told an acquaintance, recently. I was thinking about how ready I was to see green, again! Flowers blooming, the fresh scent of warming air...   

"Oh, not me," she replied with a harsh laugh.

Surprised, I asked, "Why's that?"

I thought I must have misunderstood her! -- Yes, the snow is lovely, and winter is special too. But the cold seems to seep straight to my bones, and it takes so long to warm back up! And the sunshine! Winter lacks the amount of warm, bright sunlight that spring and summer sport.

My acquaintance chuckled again, shook her head, and admitted, "Well, once summer hits, the children'll be home all day long. I start dreading it round about now... with the springtime on the brink. During the wintertime, they're away, 'n the house is so peaceful. I mean, you wouldn't believe how my home changes when those monsters get off the bus and come scamping into the house! Pure noise and chaos. I can't think straight! It's a hundred times worse in the summer time when they're there constantly! Every day, all day!"

I was shocked.

"I'm sure it's nice to have them to yourself again, though, isn't it?" I asked hopefully. 

"Not really! They're into everything! All the time! I usually have to kick 'em out of the house so I don't go berserk!"

"Oh." I stumbled within my mind for something positive to say, and breathed a prayer. I was afraid I might say something I shouldn't. Something I would regret... "Maybe if you would put them to work doing some things alongside you, you could chat together and get to know one another better? Maybe focus on their interests and spend more time with them during the days they're home from school?"

"I don't know. I guess they'd rather be with their friends... and I have to admit, I like my space, too. They're just so unruly and wild. Plus, what do they have in common with me? I'm a middle-aged woman! They're still children. We live in two separate worlds!" 

She must have seen the surprise on my face. "It's not that I don't love 'em. Don't get me wrong. Frankly, I don't know how you do it. You have a bunch. And they're there every second of every day... no break! I have two and that's too many! I really respect you guys for what you do. I just know it's not for me, that's all. God gave some of us patience. Some, He passed over, like me!"

How sad!

Do we mothers truly appreciate the gift we have in our children? Do we realize what a great duty and privilege we have in being able to school our children at home? I don't know about other mothers who homeschool... but I find I have a lot in common with my children! Even the tiny ones! I enjoy them (even when they cause my blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels!). I really do.

Yes, children bring work. They bring noise. They bring a lot of "negatives" by society's standards. But... the positives far outweigh those negatives! Truly they do!

And God doesn't give some of us Fruits of the Spirit, and pass by others... We all have to work to develop such traits in our lives!

Another common complaint I hear from mothers who public (or private) school their children is that, "now I guess I'll have to find a babysitter again for them. It's so nice when they're at school while I'm working. I don't have to worry over what I'm going to do with them. I always dread summer vacation!"

Mom, why are you at work? Surely your family would be blessed if you were at home spending time serving them, loving them, enjoying them! Do you really think your bankbook needs the extra cash? Which is more important, in the long run? An easier, more "comfortable" lifestyle and a bigger house in a nicer area... or safe, happy, content, secure, godly, loved, moral children?

It all starts in the heart. If you do not know God, I pray that you will come to a place of repentance, where He can touch you, and draw you close. I pray you find that rest in Him. Your children, not to mention your life in general, will be seen as a burden until you surrender all to Him... and lay down your life for His. And, only when this happens... will you see your true need to be home, as the Scriptures teach.

Your children need you. They need your presence.

Do you think your children cannot sense when you don't want them there? They are very perceptive!

Children are treasures! Blessings from God! Isn't it amazing that He bothered to entrust them to you, at all!? I know I don't deserve mine! -- I'm a weak failure as a mother! I make so many mistakes! I wonder at how grieved the Lord must be with me, at times! How frustrated I must make Him! -- And I pray His grace will cover over all my errors and stumblings!

"But you don't understand," I've been told. "We really do need the money. We cannot survive on just my husband's income. We need mine, too. We can't homeschool. I'm glad it works for you... but it's just not for us." 

I am being bold, I know, in suggesting this is not true. But, if you take a step backward and look at all of your working expenses... gas, clothing, special lunches, etc... I am confident that you will see that you might have less stuff, yes, by being an at-home mother. But you will not be lacking!

If you have a husband, if you have children at home... the Bible calls you to be a keeper of the home. The Proverbs 31 example is sometimes given as argument. But, if you look closely, she isn't away from home. She's working from home. And it is apparent that her family comes before her work.

Homeschooling is just for me? -- I'll be bold again... I believe it is for everyone! What parent doesn't know their child, their learning style, their needs better than any outside school teacher? Does the Bible not command us as parents to teach our own? All day long?

On bad days, when I'm feeling sorry for myself, I've sometimes mused over how easy it would be to send my children off on a bus, somewhere. -- It's one more task in my day to find time for. And sometimes, I feel as though we're "running up against a wall" when one of the children grasp a concept more slowly than I feel they "should". But it isn't the educational stuff that matters so much as the moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, month by month, year by year accumulation of GODLY LIVING that grows them. That provides a strong foundation for their future. That gives them a sense of direction. Upon that, we build with stones called, "Mathematics", "English/Grammar", "History", "Geography", "Science", and so on.

I think the only reason a parent might choose not to homeschool is simply because they have not put SELF to death on the cross! They don't want the extra work, the extra stress, the extra responsibility... They need a regular break, like my acquaintance admitted, above. They don't want to deal with the hassle of it all.

If your husband flat refuses to allow you to be at-home... If your husband has put his foot down in regard to home education... I can understand your need to obey his wishes, and trust that the Lord can work all things for good. However, if there is nothing truly holding you back... what's stopping you from enjoying your children all day long? All year long?

Parents who send their children away to school miss so much of their children's lives.

You will never know your child as intimately as I do. You will never be trusted by them as keenly. You will find yourself slipping into attitudes like that of my acquaintance... And, someday, you'll look back and find regret. 

A Side note:
I do not think those who are public schooling their children, or otherwise sending them away to school, are necessarily terrible parents. Some simply have not thought much about the option of home education, or how it relates to them personally on a spiritual front.

If you know about homeschooling, and simply don't want to do it, I would suggest that you take special effort to talk with your children and know them. When they're home, be there completely for them. It is not the same as having them there with you all day... but it's vital!

Truly, this time of childhood passes so quickly! -- I can remember when I was expecting my first, all so clearly! And now, she's almost an adult! They say childhood passes in the blink of an eye. It's no lie.

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Shared by deedee06

I think many times, having children at home during the summer can be stressful, if we don't plan ahead and save for some special activities. When my son received Christmas money, I put most of it into savings in order to buy a swimming pool pass for our family. We like to keep the car in the garage and bicycle as much as we can. Some other mothers and I have talked about getting together on Fridays during the summer months. Equipment as simple as wading pools, sand boxes and sidewalk chalk are especially fun if there is a group to enjoy them. A potluck picnic will add to the fun. We also enjoy nature walks. We identify different types of trees and plants and even different prairie grasses. I enjoyed seeing the photo of your family. You are very blessed............Denise (prairiemom)

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Shared by maa

I know many mothers who dread summertime because the children will be home. That is just horrible, the children all know how their parents feel about them too.The message these parents are sending to their children is, I don't like you or want you with me.How sad it must be for these children to feel that they are annoying to their parents.SAD!!!!!!!These women must be selfish women!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want my children with me always, twenty four seven. I always know where they are and what they are doing.They also want to be with me and we enjoy each other's company very much. I thank God soo very much for the children that he gave to me to raise.
maa's mom

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Shared by gokings13

When I tell people I have 3 teens and that I absolutely love this stage of their life, you'd think I had 2 heads and 6 eyes on my shoulders!
When I tell them we home school all three I hear all the time "oh I could never do that, I don't know how you do it"......I tell them, *I* don't do it.......*I* am not the wheel that drives this bus. It's all God.....and my husband does the math :-) !
When my kids were in PS I would hear mothers say, right in front of their kids, how they dreaded summer. It broke my heart. I know what it feels like to be that child. It hurts a lifetime.

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Shared by karenhuse

My kids are 2 and 3 so they are home with me all the time. I love summer for the fact that I can take them outside all day. However, I do get frustrated in summer when the school kids are home. They run a muck all over the neighborhood unsupervised very loud and ill behaved. I don't want my kids picking up those habits.

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Shared by lizbet

My children go to school, two are at primary (7 and 9) and one at grammar (12). I work during term time in another school. All I can say is I look forward to the holidays so much, time with my children what more could I ask for.

Liz

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Shared by mtdjaques

I have heard those similar responses from parents of public school kids as well. Like you say it is hard, but there would be many special and surprising moments I would miss. but I am glad to say that I have heard some parents who look forward to more time to be with their kids. I still believe it is best to be at home. I think the kids grow more and are happier overall.

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Shared by johnshelpmeet

I really needed to read this. Thank you!!!

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Shared by Joanne

I really needed this. We are homeschoolers and I have been feeling a bit discouraged lately :)
Joanne

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