Super excited about a Mentoring Class I’m taking. Its with author Durenda Wilson. She wrote “The Unhurried Homeschooler” and a devotional called “Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s heart” . She also has a weekly podcast. This “class” is a 12 week session. She posts a new video each week and we get the chance to listen at our own time, and then we are able to interact with her in a “group session” online. She’s been awesome already at answering some of my questions and today was the first “class”. The kids napped nicely this afternoon so I was able to enjoy listening to the first video. I took 3 pages of notes!
God is growing me in so many ways since we decided to try out homeschooling. I’m amazed at how He is working on my heart and causing me to realize things too. Durenda explained about how its so important to have MARGIN in our day, to slow down so we can work through conflict as it arises, and that our kids can have opportunities to see a sinful nature and how we can work through those issues. Jesus disciples us as we disciple our kids! Its so true…. God is working on me as I’m working on on helping my kids grow in the grace of God.
She shared something I never even knew! There are two different methods of homeschooling. GREEK METHOD, which is information based. Feed the kids information and have them learn that stuff and the HEBREW METHOD, this method is rooted in relationship. The teacher learns to understand when to turn right or left or stop. I like the idea of building relationship and discipling my kids, not just a bunch of facts to learn and see if they retain.
She went on to share about how we as Mom’s are naturally NURTURERS! God made us this way! It is one of the greatest gifts, to have that nurture instinct. He created us to know our kids best and to look out for them in that loving way. I love how she brought in James 1, if we lack wisdom, ASK and God will give it. We have to stop doubting, and have faith/trust that God is going to give us what we need!
The story of Mary and Martha was brought up and I just love how she brought that in to homeschooling. I’ve always been a “list checker offer”. ha ha….. Durenda said “Nothing is wrong with a check list, but when it takes the place of relationship we’ve lost the heart of discipleship”. I need to remember to work at home (tending to kids, housework, or homeschool) from a place of rest and peace. Slowing down helps my kids be self directed and life long learners. I need to remember these things and not get hung up on that check list!
We’ve been a lot more intentional about playing! Playing outside and being outside a lot more! Science shows that play nourishes every aspect of a child’s development. Play paves the way for learning. Isn’t that cool? I just love the idea of allowing my kids childhood to flourish by having more time to play and not get so wrapped up in the “book work” or getting too busy with other activities! I’ve even noticed by doing this some of the younger ones have come to me to show me things that we’ve learned in science and that to me is so great!
For me, I want to be so in tune with my kids that I’m able to take time to listen and facilitate what God is orchestrating! I pray that He continue to show me, and teach me so that I can pass on to them what they need.
I’m excited to see what else I get to learn through this course!
