| I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, | | | | I guarantee that if you've actually taken the time |
| plus she tutors several other children that are | | | | to write down your list of 100 things that you're |
| dropped off at her house. AND she's a Pastor's | | | | grateful for and 10 wonderful qualities of your |
| wife. AND she's working on fixing up the | | | | child, that you won't care what other people think |
| fixer-upper they just moved into. Whenever I've | | | | because you will know and appreciate what you |
| been in her house, it's been immaculate. Her | | | | have.And, see, it really doesn't matter what other |
| children all have perfect manners. They all seem | | | | people think.What matters is what's important to |
| to be way ahead of their grade level. She's | | | | you. Your core values. Your beliefs. Your ethics. |
| definitely gotta be a Homeschool Super | | | | How do you want your children to be as adults? |
| Mom.You're probably thinking of someone like this | | | | Hey, write it down right now. 5 things you want |
| too, right? Someone that made you think, "Man, | | | | your child to be as an adult.Okay, I'll do it right |
| my son isn't reading as well as hers." or "My | | | | now too for Ryan who is 6 years old--but do |
| house isn't as clean as hers." Or a million other | | | | yours before you read mine: A loving husband and |
| things.And you probably discovered her when you | | | | father An honest, ethical entrepreneur Faithful in |
| were new to homeschooling. When you were | | | | service to God Kind, thoughtful, and helpful to |
| already feeling uncertain in your new endeavors. | | | | those less fortunate Thankful and content for |
| You were already putting high expectations on | | | | what he can do and what he has Now, I'll bet that |
| yourself. You were constantly analyzing to be | | | | you had similar types of things. Not, "makes |
| sure you were doing everything right. And as a | | | | $1,000,000 by age 30" or "wins he Miss America |
| result, you tend to be a little over-sensitive about | | | | contest".Focus on developing and rearing your child |
| what other's are accomplishing around you | | | | to have those 5 qualities, and I'll guarantee that |
| without giving enough credit to yourself.So, it's | | | | the fact that Mrs. Smith's daughter who is 2 |
| really important that you remember (as a new | | | | years younger than yours is reading book three |
| homeschooler or a seasoned one) these basic | | | | times as difficult. Geez, that's a real life skill. You |
| principles that we all so easily forget:"The 4 Basic | | | | see what I'm getting at?Principle #4: When you |
| Principles That Conquer the 'Super-Moms' | | | | say "yes" to one thing, you are always saying |
| Syndrome"Principle #1: We always see other's | | | | "no" to something else. Have you ever heard that |
| through glasses that make them larger than life. | | | | before? I heard that from an owner of a |
| When I was a teenager, there was this lady in | | | | successful multi-million dollar business. That was |
| our church. Her hair and makeup was always | | | | the simple rule that he used to prioritize his life. |
| perfect. She lived in a big, expensive home. She | | | | When he sat at his desk with phone messages to |
| was very stylish and her kids were so cool. I | | | | return, he would literally think, "If I say 'yes' to |
| always wanted to grow up and have that.But I | | | | calling this person, what will I be saying 'no' to?" |
| don't anymore.I'd rather have my house that gets | | | | When someone would asked to do something, he |
| messy 5 minutes after it gets picked up, my hair | | | | was able to say "no", knowing that if he said |
| that falls down into my eyes as I pick up my | | | | "yes" to that project, that he would be saying |
| children, and my face that only gets makeup on | | | | "no" to extra time with his family.This principle |
| Sunday. Why you may ask? Well, here's why. I'm | | | | applies to everyone whether they are conscious |
| happy. I love my family, and I wouldn't trade | | | | of it or not.Mrs. Smith who is working so hard to |
| them for anything.The lady I had idolized as a | | | | have her child advanced in reading is saying "no" |
| teen? She still has her perfect home and | | | | to some other educational area. Or, Suzie |
| impeccable style. But, she has a marriage without | | | | Homeschool Super Mom up the street who has |
| love and children who are stuck up adults who | | | | her immaculate home is saying "no" to time with |
| ignore her totally.I had seen her through glasses | | | | her kids or family or something else.The same |
| that made her larger than life. In the end, she's | | | | applies to me. I've said "yes" to this homeschool |
| not any bigger or greater than me. In fact, she | | | | site, so I've had to say "no" to things like having a |
| probably wishes that she had my life!So, if you | | | | perfectly neat house, laundry always done and |
| start to think about someone else who seems to | | | | put away, and a 5 course home-cooked meal on |
| have the life you want, STOP LOOKING! Instead, | | | | the table by 5:00 every night.Only say "yes" to |
| sit down and make a list of 100 good things in | | | | the things that are important to you. (See, you |
| your life--from the air you breathe, to the heat in | | | | don't know it, but I've been gone for 20 minutes. |
| your home, to the kisses from your child. I | | | | My daughter came downstairs crying, and I |
| guarantee that you'll feel better about yourself | | | | stopped to take care of her. And I've also |
| that you ever have before.Principle #2: Everyone | | | | acquired a set of ear muffs made from |
| has their own unique gift. Everyone has their own | | | | pipecleaners and pom-poms.) So, as I was saying, |
| unique ability and we tend to notice in other's the | | | | say "yes" ONLY to the things that are most |
| abilities that might be our "weak" ones.For | | | | important to you. And know ahead of time what |
| instance, if you think you're house is always | | | | you'll be saying "no" to before you say |
| messy, you'll seem to know all these people who | | | | "yes"!Principle #5: Take advantage of every |
| have perfectly neat homes.For an example from | | | | possible tool. That's right. I don't lift a finger (well, |
| my life, I have a son who struggles with speech | | | | hardly a finger) to clean my home as I have |
| and it seems like every other parent within a 100 | | | | cleaner's come twice a week to take care of that |
| mile radius have children with perfect diction. But | | | | responsibility for me. And to solve my meal |
| you know that's not the way it is. My son might | | | | preparation dilemma? I purchase items that can |
| not pronounce every phonic sound | | | | be thrown in the oven and get side dishes that |
| correctly--yet!--but he has so many other gifts | | | | are quick and easy.You can do similar things. I |
| that hardly make that one seem important.For | | | | have a homeschooling friend who takes one day |
| instance, no one notices his speech. They always | | | | a month and cooks all day to makes meals for 30 |
| comment, though, how loving he is. Just running | | | | days that she freezes and uses one at a time. |
| up to people and giving them hugs. And he has | | | | And I thought she cooked from scratch every |
| fun no matter what he does. Can you believe one | | | | night!Having difficulties organizing? Don't fight it. |
| day I actually heard myself saying, "Ryan. Stop | | | | Buy something that organizes your stuff or |
| that. Not everything is supposed to be fun." I had | | | | forget it. It really isn't that important to waste |
| to step back and slap myself. Then I said, "Never | | | | time stressing over!Use all the tools you can, and |
| mind. Mommy was wrong. Have as much fun as | | | | leave everything else to collect dust.So whatever |
| you can." And I learned a lesson from that.So, | | | | happened to that super mom?Hopefully by now |
| forget about what the homeschooled Jones' are | | | | you've done the exercises or at least skimmed |
| doing. Discover your child's unique ability and relish | | | | enough here and there to know that there is no |
| in it and develop it and learn from it.Right now, at | | | | super mom except the unrealistic giant you've |
| the end of your list of 100 things that you're | | | | created in your mind. Instead, you should have a |
| grateful for, list 10 wonderful qualities or abilities | | | | full, realistic view of the gifts and treasures that |
| for yourself and each of your children. Work on | | | | you possess and a new appreciation for all you |
| acknowledging, praising, and being thankful for all | | | | get done and how you can enjoy doing what you |
| of your gifts. And don't forget to thank God that | | | | do a little more! If you've done that, than I wasn't |
| you got the greatest kids ever born on this | | | | wrong in saying "yes" to this project!Release your |
| earth.Principle #3: It doesn't matter what others | | | | worries and enjoy life! |
| think. I know, it seems easier said than done. But | | | | |