Hello homeschool mom! My name is Katelyn, and we have something so dear in common! I have been homeschooling my four children for almost ten years! My husband and I have three sons and a daughter ranging from lower elementary through middle school.
I know what it’s like to need a little encouragement from someone who has been there. I’m always glad when a fellow homeschool mom shares that she understands and has experienced some of the same feelings. So today, I wanted to share with you a few things that work well for me in hopes that you will glean something to strengthen and encourage you.
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Defeating Discouragement
My journey has had its fair share of discouraging situations. Here are 4 steps I have learned to take in order to defeat the discouragement that often knocks at the door of my heart.
- I begin to look at the big picture instead of the smaller issues at hand.
- I look for and celebrate progress when I get hyper-focused on a problem.
- Though I may be fearful of a new season ahead, I know to look back and recall how God led me through a season in the past when I felt the same way! He has been faithful though a job change, having two surprise babies in a row, financial stress, and a medical diagnosis. At the time, I couldn't see how our family would get through it; but we did! God was faithful then and He is faithful now.
- I practice lifting my eyes off my problem and up to God. Psalm 121 is a favorite scripture of mine and I have it hanging in our homeschool room as Scripture art. It reminds me to lift my eyes up to the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Using #ProBible Courses to Encourage & Equip the Family
I cherish the time that I have spent with my children as we have worked through lessons and experiences together. While our family loves all the courses and subjects we have taken with Master Books, I have such a deep appreciation for science. I have treasured the time spent reading the lessons with my elementary students in the Let's Talk Science series. I love the unique way the author connects God's word to the concepts taught in the lessons. These #Probible courses have created so many amazing and memorable connections for us!
My middle school son loves the spiritual connections and concepts that are taught in Elements of Faith. I love how the good news of the gospel is shared and included in these lessons!
Teaching my youngest to read with Foundations Phonics is definitely a favorite memory for me. We got the chance to snuggle together as he learned the skill of reading. Teaching children to read can definitely seem like a daunting task, but Foundations Phonics made it seamless and enjoyable. I have cried numerous times as a result of the sweet spiritual connections in the lessons from the Let's Talk Science series and Foundations Phonics.
The Blessing and Beauty of a Christian Homeschool Community
I thank God every day that we found the Master Books community and curriculum. Having every subject saturated with God's Word has grown our faith and strengthened us as a family.
Some days, the lesson speaks right into what we needed to hear that day. For example, in Let's Talk Science level 2, while the student is learning about volcanoes, a spiritual lesson on anger is applied. That lesson sure hit home that day with one of my students!
There have been many days where I have felt inadequate, but God has always provided encouragement from many sources, whether a lesson from Master Books curriculum, a live Q & A video or Teaching Tip from the Master Books app, or even a hug from one of my children.
If you are feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, or anxious, I encourage you to join me in lifting your eyes to the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot stumble, and He is always watching over you. Homeschooling is a commitment, but it is also a beautiful journey. I am so grateful to be on this journey with you and with the Master Books tribe!
Scriptures to Feed the Homeschool Mom’s Soul
Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Christian Resources to Feed Your Faith & Your Calling
