Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Things My Child Taught Me During Homeschool Lessons

This is today's meme topic at Heart of the Matter Online.

Whew! Where do you start when you've had 7 highly unique individual to educate? Goad has used homeschooling as a mighty pruning tool in my life.

I've decided to narrow this down and share the things my dyslexic daughter taught me during homeschool lessons.

TENACITY & PERSEVERANCE - both for her and I. I watched my sweet daughter do all that was asked of her for years and years....until finally she could read. Years later than we "planned".

I learned that MY time schedule is not always given from on high. ::snort:: Routines and schedules are good - but not at the cost of causing a child to feel like a failure.

GUARD YOUR CHILDREN - I learned not to tell her story. I learned to allow her to tell her story and to guard her heart and confidences. Our children need a safe place to share their heart - if we are trustworthy with their confidences, we will become that place. Our support groups, Mom's cirlces, best friend, et al don't NEED to know our children's stories without their permission. I only share now as my sweet daughter, shares her story.

Each weakness is an OPPORTUNITY for strength to be developed. With a bit of mentoring, stubborness becomes tenacity, high energy becomes drive, cautious slow moving folks often become hugely successful admin types.....look for the flip side of your child's "weaknesses".

Mavis Beacon and Spell Check are essentials. It's OK to "just know the answer" in Saxon Advanced Math if you are dyslexic.....this later leads to seeing the BIG PICTURE quickly in real life. ::snort::

During those years of teaching my almost 21 yo.......these verses became alive.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb – I knew you….

Eph 1:4 – He chose us before the foundation of the world – to be holy and blameless
We determined not to let her feel like a failure, not to let the world define who she was. She was uniquely formed and chosen.

Eph 2:10 – We are HIS workmanship (finished product) and are created to walk in works that He created beforehand...
God didn’t make a mistake. He knew what factors she needed to encounter and overcome in order for her character to develop so that she could walk in the works HE has for her.

Krista will turn 21 this summer. She reads fluently and voraciously. She is in her second year of staff at Master's Commission. God is stirring her heart to move forward and follow His heart on new paths....and I know she will follow. To read more posts on the same topic go here.

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11 comments:

Shari Ellen said...

I really like what you said about guarding your daughter's heart and confidences. I'm try not to share private things about my children. I want them to continue trusting me and coming to me.

Celly B said...

Those are great lessons learned! I especially liked the Bible verses to keep in mind while homeschooling and raising our children.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the reminder to let them tell their stories!
I was blessed reading your post!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading your wise answers to this topic. I love what you wrote about weaknesses being opportunities for development!

~Andrea
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/andijeane/518492/

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful testimony!

Linda said...

Thanks for the excellent reminders, DeEtta!

Anonymous said...

I like what you said about not causing our children to feel like failures and guarding our children. Those are great reminders.

Laura said...

Oh De'Etta -
This really got me - especially the "Guarding your children" part. That is so important. I can't write more, but wanted you to know I appreciate what you share.

berrypatch said...

Thank you, De'Etta for the great reminder about keeping a child's confidences. I really needed to hear that.

Anonymous said...

Love the answers!! Thanks for sharing!! : )