BALANCE AND MODERATION...

Balance and Moderation
My parenting/homeschooling methodology…

I have been reading a lot online about different people’s perspectives on parenting and homeschooling methods...I have been married for 20 years and have been a mother/homeschooler for 19 years. So take my advice with a grain of salt...

My husband and I have tried about every different parent strategy as well as about 15 different homeschooling curriculums. We owned a Christian/Catholic bookstore for 10 years and got to pick from the best!

What we have learned in the end is what my old spiritual adviser suggested monthly to me..."BALANCE AND MODERATION".

I know those who know us laugh and say balance and moderation??? 12th child on the way...and an exercise crazed man??? What kind of balance and moderation is that???...trust me if you only knew how crazy we really are...

We learn from the best...we take what we like from everyone and use what works for us at different stages in our lives, different personalities work well with different approaches; different seasons call for creative methods. Sometimes due to pregnancy, newborns, construction, or other calls of life make us stretch and adjust our "plans".

That is why my husband and I make a perfect team!!! God's design for our family calls us to balance each other out and find moderation in our lives.

The one thing that has gotten us through it all is tenacity and stick-to-itiveness. The good old "JUST DO IT" approach.

I know many people ask me for specific advice and are disappointed when I don't give them a "just add water" answer. Yes, I like different parenting strategies. Yes, I use about 10 different curriculums to meet the needs of my crazy family.

But in the end...we are happy and taking one day at a time.
I have found that in this stressful world, not to mention adding homeschooling to our crazy schedule. In life finding a balance in all areas is important. I will break them into four categories I constantly try to meet: Spiritual, social, academic, and human balance.
Under spiritual balance it is important to raise our children with a love for Christ and His holy mother in an everyday love and respect. This is to make Christ part of your family in good times and in bad. Christ should be part of our joys and our sufferings. Bringing Christ and prayer into our normal everyday life is absolutely essential.
Social balance is important too. Having friends and entertaining in any environment is essential in our family. It may be as simple as friends over to play, clubs meeting at your home, or bringing out the china for a special guest.
Academic balance in our family is pretty crazy. With kids from K through college we roll with the punches and do what we can to keep on track. I find it very important to find time for math and reading, we squeeze in all the other subjects when we can. My older kids (about fourth grade and up) pretty much stay on track with their own school work. I put together my own curriculum, so I can meet each child at their own level and concentrate on their strengths. I usually spend most of my “teaching” with the little guys and “overseeing” everyone and keep the household running. Somehow through the grace of God my kids have turned out pretty smart!!! I just finished the school year with two high school students with an A average (they attend a two day tutorial) and I have the college kid’s grades to prove that God is in control of our schooling!!!
Human balance has been a struggle of mine since I got married. I find it quite difficult to manage a home in the ways that I feel appropriate. I am a pretty poor housewife. Cooking and cleaning have always been a difficult for me. I am constantly trying new ways to manage my home. The best thing I have found to help me manage is keeping balanced and not to get overwhelmed. Besides my amazing husband who accepts me the way I am and helps me constantly, my laid back personality saves me from the overwhelming task of raising 11 children and dealing with my pregnancy. Human balance also reminds me to keep up my appearance as well as the importance of exercise in the state of life I am in. (which is constantly changing)
So my advice in raising a happy balanced family is to be flexible, start each day with an open mind, and beg God for the wisdom to make holy decisions.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+