Fish do not climb trees.

I am often comforted by the idea you cannot judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, or you will conclude that the fish is a failure. We are not all designed or called to be tree-climbers. 

Quick question for you, my lovely friends:

What are your strengths in homeschooling?

 I'm reading Homeschool Bravely, by Jamie Erickson, and she puts it this way, "Everyone's awesome at something...Average isn't very motivating...When I consciously acknowledge my awesome, I start to see it grow." She encourages the reader to write a list of his or her "awesome."

No homeschool is going to be exactly like another--my little patch of heaven would almost certainly not suit other people--and usually doesn't feel particularly "heavenly" either. 

Since comparison is the thief of joy, I want to encourage you all in joyfulness. I share little successes and ideas from my homeschool, not because I have it all figured out, but because one of MY strengths is gathering a smorgasbord of ideas (thank you, Pinterest!), mushing them all together and ruthlessly cutting the parts I don't like, and turning it into something fresh and mine. I always love seeing what other people do and picking the plums out of their pudding, and I hope you all feel free to do the same for my stuff--and disregard the rest. 

Another note in her chapter regarding comparison is to think that any given other mom has her life all together and truly, "does it all." Oh, my dears, I hope--and assume--it's crystal clear that I do NOT do it all, nor do I "have it all together." Pretty sure you can tell, but I'll say it, just to be sure. 

Here are some things I DON'T DO:

• Lots of outside classes or extra curriculars
• Expensive and/or multiple subject curriculum
• Have lots of toys
• Cook every meal at home
• Put a time limit on movies or, "screen time"

What I do instead:

• Focus on one or two thing and really dig into them
• Simplify our curriculum to four main subjects, using four curriculums that fit us THIS YEAR, and give ourselves latitude and margin to follow interests and bunny trails and use life-opportunities as learning opportunities, as well as freedom to switch curriculums when they stop working for us.
• Make or obtain dress-up clothes and props for imaginative play and encourage the kids to go outside as much as possible.
• Utilize mobile apps for drive-thru discounts and figure out "deconstructed" meals (like cheeseboards) for my kiddos at regular intervals. 
• Vet the movies, apps, and other "screen" exposure with extreme care, but not set hard and fast limits on time spent in consumption.

None of this may be right for you, or you may be similar to me in how you function. I am obsessive/compulsive about some of my record-keeping, house-cleaning, and other things--but that means other things are let go. I'm really good about discussion time, stories, and providing my kids with good books--but I'm actually really terrible about reading out loud consistently. (We've struggled through a lot of read-alouds--but it is a STRUGGLE for me.)

On the other hand, I love making a lifestyle of learning. I love creating an ambiance and multi-sensory experience to amplify whatever we're learning--be it WWII history, Little House on the Prairie books, or Astronomy. I love setting my kids' imaginations free. I thrive on unofficial field trips--but oh, organized group field trips absolutely wither my soul. I love writing and taking pictures and creating pretty visuals.

I hope you can take a moment to step back and see the amazing gifts God has given YOU, and to realize that He specially chose YOU to be your littles' mama, and that He will continue to equip and provide for what He has called you to do. 

So, homeschooler, what are your strengths?