Happy New Year

I love the New Year because it gives me the chance to start fresh. January itself feels like a clean slate. The thought of the fresh white snow and the cold, crisp air makes me want to start brand new and clean.

Today I sent my kids back to school. I was sad because we had such a nice time together as a family. But, they were ready for routine again, whether or not they realized it!

I used to homeschool them. I did for 5 1/2 years. It became a real struggle for me when I was pregnant with my fourth child. No one told me I had to. I don't think my husband always thought it was a good idea. He knows my personality, but he supported my decision to school them.

I would always pray and ask the Lord for strength. Most days were difficult. I kept good records and made lesson plans, but life happens and some things got put off, only to have to scramble to catch up later. And then I would stress out. Everyone was affected by that!

One day when we were running errands, my daughter said out loud "I wish I knew what it was like to go to school." I almost cried. I went home and told my husband that I wanted her to go to private school the remainder of the year. He agreed with me and I have never regretted that decision.

That fall we bought our first home. I now had 5 children ages 10, 8, 6, almost 2 and 6 months. There was no way I could homeschool them effectively. So after talking to one of my closest friends (who also had children in the district we were moving to) I knew we were going to enroll all our children there also.

My children all had wonderful, caring teachers. Since then I have met some awesome women (some Christian, some not). Merry Christmas signs are in the hallways, Christmas songs are played and sung in the concerts (and not just about Santa, but about the Christ child) , abstinence is taught in the upper grades.

Is their school perfect? Nope. Do I get attitude? Yup. Is the school a substitute for me being a parent? No way. But I couldn't ask for a better place to send my kids.

A couple weeks ago, I asked the Lord to show me that I made the right decision. As I was still in prayer, I walked past the kitchen counter and picked up a paper my daughter asked her dad and I to read. It was a school assignment. She thanked us for all that we do for her. She said that one of the "most incredible thing we ever did for her" was to enroll her in school. Boy! Talk about confirmation!

I could go on and on, and I might expand on this in another post, but I felt lead to post this in my blog to help other struggling moms.

We are to be a light to the world. How could I be a light, when I was suffering half the time.

I am in no means whatsoever against homeschooling. I think we have to do what's right for our families individually. No where in the Bible does it say "thou shall homeschool" or public school, or private school. But the Lord calls us to pray for our children. Homeschooling is not for everyone. Right now it is just simply not right for us.

If you are depressed or suffering, try something different.