SONLIGHT BLOG PARTY: Homeschooling Advice 101

This month we continue with the fun of the Sonlight Blog party.  Every month on the 25th we celebrate Sonlight's 25th anniversary  on their blog with snippets of fun advice, ideas to encourage, and ideas to inspire.  This month we are focusing on advice with regards to homeschooling, specifically advice that will benefit new homeschoolers.

I must admit that this was something that really made me stop and think.  While there were some who encouraged me in the beginning of our homeschooling journey almost four years ago, I really wasn't given much advice.  I was encouraged to put the kiddos back in school.  I was encouraged that I was indeed doing the right thing.  I was encouraged to consider the drain that I was being on our family by not returning to work, not teaching, and not being a productive member of society.  I was encouraged to consider the impact of the limitation my teaching style would be on our children.  I was encouraged to consider a lot, but not really given any advice, and then the conversation happened.

I was chatting with a sweet older woman of our church who had homeschooled her seven kiddos.  We weren't discussing homeschooling per say, but her advice was aptly applied.  I was taken in when she said:

"There is a certain maturity in knowing when to say NO.  Whether it is in life or school, knowing when to say NO and that it is okay to say NO is the mark of a wise woman."

This advice is something that I have tried to live by. It is a wise woman, wife, mom, and homeschooling mom who knows that it is okay to say NO.  More than okay, there are seasons in life when it is necessary.

 It is okay to say NO to art lessons and Latin in Kindergarten.  It is okay to say NO to reading inside and to head outside to play.  It is okay to say NO to school and take a mental day if you need it.   It is okay to say NO, you do have to finish your math today.  It is okay to say NO that you do have to work on science today.  

It is okay to say NO, you refuse to listen to the negativity around you.  It is okay to say NO when someone insists that you are harming your child by not socializing them all the time in a classroom.   It is okay to say NO to changing, to not fit into a mold, to allow your children to be who they were created to be, and to be who you were created to be!  It is okay to say NO when doubts assail your mind!    It is not a weak woman who says NO, it is a strong and wise woman who knows when to say NO.

Knowing that it is okay to say NO, it is also important to remember to say YES.  Don't forget to say YES to snuggles, hugs, and time together.  Say YES to the fact that you are doing what is best for you in this moment and current season of your life.  Say YES to letting your children be who they are.  Don't forget to say YES to who you are!  

So here is the best advice that I can give to any homeschooler, veteran or novice.  Saying NO is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of maturity.  Saying NO doesn't make you a bad wife, mom, or woman.  Saying NO can be good for your soul.  There is power in the word NO.  You as a woman, wife, mother, and as a homeschooler have the ability to harness the power of NO!  Use that power wisely!