Continuing with my Top 10 List of “What I’ve Learned Homeschooling” my 16-year old daughter the past three years, we pick up with #6:

#6. My daily quiet time before school began was crucial in keeping me fueled and grounded for the day. Prior to homeschooling, I had the privacy and quietness of our home for nice long quiet times after my daughter left for school and hubby went to work. When I began homeschooling, solitude obviously went by the wayside. It took some adjustment, but I forced myself to get up early, even though I’m not a morning person, to get my quiet time done before she awoke. If I didn’t, it showed up in how I handled and managed the day of teaching in addition to everything else. I learned even more how desperately I needed God’s grounding every day!

#5. God truly does help me accomplish what I didn’t think I could. I went into homeschooling with little preconceived expectations and found out quickly the massive undertaking ahead of me. As high school hit, the responsibility increased. I never wanted to be a hindrance to her education holding her back from achieving her long-term goals. The weight of that responsibility overwhelmed me. Many days I cried out to God feeling incredibly inadequate as a teacher. Continually, God came through! At times He gave me just the right words to say to explain a problem, other times He directed me to a resource that could help or led me to a person who could direct me further, and all the time I felt His strength carrying me along as He and I accomplished each day together!

#4. I learned further what truly mattered. The dynamic of my daily routine turned upside down. Freelance writer mom became principal and teacher mom. Interruptions replaced inspiration. Teaching replaced tranquility. School preparation replaced planned writing. I had to re-evaluate my priorities. I’m a mom first. Although hard to accept, God desired me to set aside things I was passionate about for a season, to be available for this journey with my daughter that carried far more importance!

Stay tuned …

With my homeschooling career coming to a close, I thought it only fitting to do a Top 10 List of “What I’ve Learned Homeschooling” my 16-year old daughter the past three years. Today will be part one.

#10. Learning about my daughter’s learning style is invaluable whether I homeschool or not. The summer before we started homeschooling, I read what to do and not to do manuals, gave my daughter learning style assessments, took a few myself to discover my teaching style, and analyzed curriculum to see what fit with her learning and my teaching styles. It was an eye opening experience as I realized more about both our personalities than I didn’t already know. It improved our communication and relationship just having those tools to work from, let alone helped make our homeschooling experience more successful. I remember wishing I had known that information sooner as it would have helped in daily parenting decisions.

#9. Expanding my communication skills is critical to effectively teach. I’ve always thought I was a great communicator … that was until I started homeschooling. I would explain how to do an algebraic equation, but she didn’t get it. It made sense to me, so I explained it again the same way. She still didn’t get it. I learned that communicating information is far more than repeating the same thing over and over. How my mind processes information is different from hers. So I had to take time to dig deeper to discover how I could explain it in such a way that it would make sense to her and the way she thinks.

#8. Research is my friend. There were many times where I didn’t know how to breathe more life into a historical fact, how to push through a learning hurdle, or know whether I was doing it right. My response was to research, research, RESEARCH! I found countless articles, resources, and encouragement on the internet that provided me exactly what information I needed. I was amazed at how much I learned, on many levels, through the process of teaching my daughter.

#7. Being a teacher and parent is a tough line to find. When difficult situations arose with assignments or projects, I found it to be a hard line to tow between teacher/principal and parent. At times I had to stand firm as the teacher and other times I let the parent in me rule. In looking back, I would say I’ve learned that in homeschooling, you are a parent first, then a teacher. Being their teacher is very important, but not to the detriment of your relationship with your child. Some days were a struggle to keep a good balance!

Stay tuned  …

I’ve always said I enjoyed every stage of growth in my daughter’s life. Each season carried its own set of joys and challenges, but I loved every one. I went into each season without expectation but enjoy the ride … little did I know what the phase of a 16-year old just taking her driver’s education course would entail.

* You forgot to put on your blinker mom.

* I asked my teacher and she said what you just did is illegal.

* You aren’t supposed to change lanes within 100 feet of that intersection.

* THIS IS ILLEGAL MOM!

Oh yes, this is just a taste of the things I’ve heard just this week alone. But I have to say, its been fun (mostly). I have learned that if I took the actual driving test at my age, I would probably fail. It’s amazing what bad habits we get into when we go on auto pilot.

In addition to learning new things this week, I’m thoroughly enjoying watching her enthusiasm with this new milestone. I’m reminded that in just two short years, I will be sending her off to college and our home will lack the bouncing energy and thrills of a teenager. It’s those reminders that make me embrace gratefully the driving correction. I know she’s not being critical, but just showing me what she’s learning. What an exciting time in her life! I’m thrilled to be a part of her enthusiasm in this milestone.

Whatever stage your child is in, remember this too will pass quickly. We can never get back today’s events as tomorrow comes soon. Remember to embrace the good with the bad.

Enjoy the thrills of today with your children!