“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.” Psalm 27:11 (ESV)
When reviewing the theme for the upcoming CHAP Convention, the word level struck me as being about balance, a keeping centered, not straying off to one side or the other.
We teach our children to not eat too much sugar and to pursue a balanced diet.
Perhaps you strive to balance your children’s entertainment, media, chores, academics, and extra-curriculars.
We try to balance our budgets, which is often harder if one of us is a stay-at-home parent.
We hope and trust that our spouses find the right balance in work and family time, whether they go off to work each day or own a family business. We want to teach a good work ethic without workaholism.
We endeavor to find balance in studying from the text and implementing fun and games into our learning routine.
Homeschooling isn’t just an educational choice. It is ultimately a lifestyle. For some of us, it can become an all-consuming lifestyle. It is constantly on our minds. Am I doing enough? Are there too many gaps? Should I change curriculum? Will I ruin my child?
More than two decades ago, as a young homeschool mama, I read a challenging article by Zan Tyler on Crosswalk.com about an idea for homeschool moms to keep their sanity, their balance. It was an idea of something like a retreat, parent-teacher conference, and seminar all wrapped together. Mrs. Tyler encouraged homeschool moms to take, at a minimum, two days off in the summer, using one day for relaxation or a hobby or fun, and another day (or more) for preparing and planning, with a focus on seeking the Lord’s guidance for the upcoming school year. I began that practice and, with the privilege of having in-laws who fully supported our homeschooling, was gifted a week of planning and rejuvenation. While they graciously cared for our children, I would spend that week recharging for the coming school year. My mother-in-law now lives with us, and my father-in-law recently passed away. I cherish that gift they gave me, which helped keep my focus in balance.
Too often we can do something to the exclusion of everything else, even something good. While admittedly homeschooling is A LOT of work, sometimes overwhelmingly so, it can’t be to the exclusion of the rest of life. Meals still need made. Laundry still needs done. And relationships—with God, with our husbands, and even with our children—still need to take priority. Taking time to just be mom, and not teacher, is hard, especially if we are trying to teach our children to love learning. But it is imperative.
Your attendance at the 2023 CHAP Convention, to be held at the York Expo Center, could be that needed get-away for you to put YOUR homeschool in perspective, to strike the balance you need to find. There are seminars for every stage of childhood; educational, organizational, and parenting advice; and vendors to scope out which curriculum path to follow. Join us May 12–13, 2023, to have your heart refreshed, your purpose reignited, your focus aligned.
