From Danielle:
Really, this list would be for anyone with kids, no matter what their ages, or where they accomplish their schoolwork.
Laugh
A lot.
Especially when you'd rather cry. When both schoolaged kids need the very same red crayon (no, I cannot use the other identicle red crayon, I need that one!), the preschooler yanks the box away from everyone and in the process dumps it on the floor, and the baby starts screaming "Yaaayyy!!!" simply to add to the mayhem--laugh! "You guys are so goofy!! You were trying so hard to get your way that you all made a huge mess! Go pick it up."
Not that anything like that has ever happened here!
Be Thankful.
Always.
It's tough, sometimes. Especially on the days where nothing seems to be going right. Some days there's just too much noise to handle. The thought of how nice and quiet it will be someday, when all these joyful noisemakers are on their own can seem rather dreamy. Until I think of the ones who never lived long enough to make noise. I'm thankful the noise!
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Really. Don't. It isn't worth it!
I'm a school nerd. I love looking at all the new curricula on the market. I love talking about school with other moms (especially the ones who've been at this for a hundred years and know everything there is to know...You know--the "perfect" moms!). It took me a few years to find the combination of schooling sources that works for our family. But we have it, now. Looking at glossy magazines and switching textbooks every semester isn't going to do anyone any favors. Every curriculum has its strenghts and weaknesses. The grass isn't necessarily more nutritious from that pasture over there, simply because it looks a little darker or a little taller, or...
But if it is broken...
Fix it.
Sometimes a great idea just doesn't pan out. This happened to us last year. I was looking for the perfect science course. You know--the one that has all pros and no cons. Right. Well, I found it. Except it didn't quite work. I love Answers in Genesis' God's Design. It is my dream to use this. Someday. But with two non-schooling kids running around, and only one proficient reader, I needed a much simpler approach. (We ended up with Christian Light's God's Light in Science, by the way.)
Pray.
Without ceasing.
Spend time on your face before the Lord, begging for the souls of your children. And their hearts. In fact, you may not get their souls, if you don't first have their hearts. Be sensative to their state.
Spend time pouring your heart out to the Lord for your husband. Nothing else will strenthen that relationship as much. Your relationship to him is of utmost importance to the stability of your children--they're watching.
And, of course, as the day unfolds, be in a constant state of prayer for sanity! When the kids make you angry (not they ever would, of course, but should such a situation ever arise...) breath a prayer for the right reaction and words. Two seconds could make the difference between harsh words and tears or a gentle reprimand in love.
Stay in the Word of God.
Every day. Somehow, somewhere, make time to meditate on the Word of God. Let its pure waters cleanse your mind and heart. Those precepts will come out in your parenting, and they will see His reflection in you.
Yeah. That's my desire. I've got a loooong way to go. Just ask my kids. And my husband.
Look back.
Every now and then. Don't dwell there. But let the Lord show you how far He's brought you. It's good to know He doesn't give up on us!
Love.
As He loves.
Everyone from strangers to those in your own home. It'll change the way you think.
It's a good life, really. After all, it's the one we were given by the Lord.
So smile and rejoice!
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