Are you struggling? Are you starting to dread homeschooling? Are you trying your hardest but you still feel like you are failing? Failing your kids, your husband, your mission? Do you feel invisible and forgotten? Are you often angry and becoming bitter? Well, me too. Hello, I’m Jessica and I think I may have just hit rock bottom in my homeschooling journey.
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure how it happened. And I’m not sure it was any one thing. I think it was about a million little things and a few big ones and an incredibly difficult season. Anyone with a bunch of little kids and baby understands what I mean.
I could focus on my story and what all has happened, but I think I’d rather focus on what I’ve learned and how I’m using this time to reflect, grow and overcome.
First of all, never forget who you are fighting against.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Ephesians 6:12 NIV.
You are not fighting against your husband or your children. Satan would love for you to believe that, but it’s simply not true. You are fighting against Satan. Recently, when my two year old was having a tantrum I turned on some worship music and sang along as I rocked her and she screamed. I put on my armor, bathed myself in truth, and my sweet daughter quickly fell asleep. Be prepared to fight the enemy.
Stop pretending everything is ok. I’m so over acting like everything is good. It’s not. I’m struggling. Now that it’s out there and confessed I can begin to heal, to move on, and get unstuck. Recently I shared my struggle with a friend and the next day I felt so much better. She texted me the next day thanking me for going deep with her. She also told me she had prayed for me three times that day. I genuinely felt her prayers.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV.
Get connected to real people and share your struggles.
Find the treasure in each day. Lysa TerKeurst is one of my favorite Christian authors. I especially love her authenticity. In a devotional of hers I read recently she encouraged me to find the treasure in each day. To seek it out. That day I removed Facebook from my phone and chose to just be in that day. Before I knew it I saw hundreds of birds flying around outside my house and yard. It was beautiful and filled me with joy. Don’t miss your life just because it’s hard. Find the joy hidden in each day.
Stop focusing on your problems. I’ve had a lot of pity parties the last nine months. I’ve cried. I’ve wallowed in my self pity. I’ve dwelled on my problems. But you know what? Everyone has struggles. Everyone! And if one of your struggles goes away it will be replaced with another. It’s always something.
The Bible says, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 NIV.
So you have a choice. You can focus on your current problems or you can seek out ways to serve and further God’s Kingdom right in the middle of your current mess. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed to God to take away my problems. I find great comfort and power from Paul’s words,
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV.
So rather than focusing on your problems, start remembering God has this! He will empower you – He alone! Even in your most difficult moments.
Another curriculum won’t solve your problems. Trust me! I know! I’ve tried almost all of them! I’ve tried Ambleside, My Father’s World, Heart of Dakota, textbooks, Sonlight, Simply Charlotte Mason, Biblioplan, Five in a Row and many others. I always think that this next one will solve all my problems. But quickly I despair and believe I’ve failed again. It’s not the curriculum that’s failed. It’s me thinking that I’m going to find a perfect curriculum. If you dread homeschooling then please get your head straight. Seek God with all your heart. Let Him lead you. Find something you can get behind and show up happy to use it every day. Maybe a fully planned boxed curriculum will work best for this season or maybe you like just following an outline. Just remember it’s not going to be perfect and solve all your problems. Your children need you! They need you to check in and fully engage in their life. They need you filled with His Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 NIV
Be the best mom you can be. Notice this doesn’t say be the best mom. It’s says be the best mom you can be. For me this means getting up and getting showered and dressed everyday. It means eating mostly healthy and resting enough. It means getting outdoors and letting the sun touch my skin. It means turning off the noise of Facebook and being present in my real life. It means praying and reading scripture and seeking Him first. It means getting connected to other real life people and going deep. It means serving His Kingdom and focusing on the eternal. It means getting excited about my homeschool with my kids and searching out the treasures of each day.
God has an abundant, full life waiting, and I intend to embrace it despite my struggles! If you are struggling please know you are not alone and you are not forgotten!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Jesus wants you to rest in Him.
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Rural Space Learning 
Thanks for sharing, great tips! I hope things calm down for you soon!
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Maybe in about 5 years. Ha!
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Such a great article. Thank you fir your honesty and Scripture references
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This is lovely
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Thank you for reaching out. You are right. God’s encouragement is lovely. ❤️. I, on the other hand, am a work in progress!
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Great post and reminders! So many need to hear this: “Another curriculum won’t solve your problems. Trust me!…I always think that this next one will solve all my problems. But quickly I despair and believe I’ve failed again. It’s not the curriculum that’s failed. It’s me thinking that I’m going to find a perfect curriculum. …”
No perfect curriculum. No perfect church. No perfect people. We all struggle! Thanks for sharing yours as too many keep it hidden.
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Thank you, Beth.
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Wonderful encouragement! I “only” have two children, and I am there, too – and often am this time of year. I will be sharing this with others!
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Only? Ha. Two beautiful blessings. I’m so glad you were encouraged! Thank you for letting me know! God Bless!
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Oh how this week has been a struggle! And then this “randomly” popped up in my Pinterest feed. Thanks. Current struggle is figuring out how to get our oldest diagnosed so we can better help her learn…not even sure what we’re up against right now.
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I’m so glad it blessed you. God has perfect timing. I have a different learner of my own so I understand.
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I think what you said was very encouraging thank you it reminded me to just breathe and God will lead the way thank you for being uplifting
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Thank you for your kind comments. And God is so good. He will indeed lead us in these difficult seasons.
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Thank you for your post! I too have been feeling that I am a struggling homeschool momma! I too have spent way too much time on Facebook! I am so thankful that I was scrolling through Pinterest and was able to find your post! I definitely needed it, thank you again!! God Bless You!!
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Hi, are you a Jehovah’s witness x
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No.
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Can’t even explain to you how much your words encouraged me! I have recently been waking up running to get everything done with my homeschooler, and somehow have put Bible study on the back burner… have felt tremendous frustration and a still small voice reminding me “seek me first….and all these things will be added to you!” had forgotten the main reason I want to teach my children at home….to have Christ as the center and all else will fall into place! This world has us so brainwashed- we must remember our first priority is to show our kids Jesus! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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Wow! Came across this article on Pinterest! Thank you, thank you! I was blessed! Gracie
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So glad to hear!
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Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I will be starting homeschooling my kids this fall and it’s been such a daunting thought. I’m currently 7.5 months pregnant with my third baby and my life feels so overwhelming much more often than it should. It really helped me to read about finding the treasure in each day. So often I just go through the motions and hope I’ll get to the end of the day in one piece, but that’s not the way I want to live my life. Nor is it the example I want to set for my kids. Thank you reminding me of what I need to be a good mom and a good Christian woman. I really needed that reminder today 🙂
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Thank you for your words of honesty & encouragement and the Scipture verses you shared. Wow! I am struggling too. A lot. So much so that it’s sort of paralyzed me this year. And, like you, I’ve often tried new curriculum or some new method to no avail. Right now I just have to keep seeking Him, loving on my kids and keeping on trying to be the best mom I can be. *hugs*
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As a mom of 3; (11,7& 18 months and another on the way!) I needed this. I feel I’m failing so bad and were so ‘behind’ bc I’m so tired to do anything. My middle daughter struggles so hard with Sounds and letters and doesn’t sit still. Most days I wondered why I even decided to take this gig on. This is our first year doing it and I don’t know if I could go on.. Thank you for the encouragment and I’m looking to better days!
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This was so good. I am just starting to prepare to homeschool my 3.5 year old….it won’t be so formal but I’d like to start to lay the ground work for it for when does become formal. I have him, a 2 year old and a 9 month old and lately I have been struggling. Reading this has given me so much encouragement!!! Thank you!!! Glad I came across this. It’s so nice to read the real stuff other moms go through, thank you for being real!
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Today I had a complete breakdown, obviously it was from far more than this but the straw that broke this camel’s back was jamming my thumb in the cupboard door (and not even that hard.)
It sent me into a hot mess of a meltdown and although this season has been a tough one I still felt like I should have been able to hold it all together better. I needed to read this article today and it was right there for me at the top of pinterest. Filled with the love of Christ, the heart of a woman seeking first the Lord, guiding me in the direction of His truth…
Thank you, and thank you a million times more for this much needed post xo
Blessings my sweet sister in Christ.
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Thank you so much for being real!! My 11 year old just told me last night he’s sick of having the same teacher(me) year after year! It hurt my already sruggling heart but it also made me stop and think about what we’re doing and why. Thank you for the encouragement, but mostly thanks for the Scripture references to back it up. I’m not interested in fluff and this reminded me to put on my armor and trust God with this journey!
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I’m a grandmother trying to homeschool my grandson .He’s 10 and has ADHD and authority disorder.This encourages me.I have learned that the curriculum is not the answer.So I will also look for the beautiful things in our world and to remember to always look up.Thanks for sharing I need this!
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I like this. Thanks for being real, and real honest. I need that
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This is just what I needed to read! It was refreshing to find that you are a believer and you gave Godly tips! Thank you for this! God bless you. It’s been a struggle, but I’d rather me know that my son is getting a God filled education then what they are calling education these days!
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I know that you wrote this several years ago but I am always greatly encouraged when I come back to reread this pin. Thank you for sharing the reality of what the struggle is. I love putting on worship music and just all the practical tips that really make a difference. Thank you! A tired mom in Spring, Tx
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