Since I’ve been pretty focused on homeschooling this week, I realise that there is a lot to be thankful for within the context of homeschooling.  Homeschooling is wonderful.  But, it’s also hard.  It means I can’t do many things that other at-home moms do.  I don’t get time out from my kids too often.  My patience levels are tested on a parenting level and a teacher level, and the overlap is somewhat treacherous. 

But, there is soooo much to be grateful for, too.  And I’d like to focus on that:

I am thankful that…

1. I can stay home to school our kids
2. we can stay warm in bed that little bit longer on these dark rainy winter mornings
3. we get to read beautiful stories together that we’d never have had time to read in another context
4. I get to be a part of my kids "aha!" moments
5. there is no external pressure to perform – they can enjoy learning for the fun of it
6. our kids have great friends; young, old, mainstream schooled, homeschooled, boys and girls
7. we can downplay stranger danger and embrace life skills such as talking to new people
8. we can picnic in Kirstenbosch and call it "Science", bake in the kitchen and it’s "Maths, Home Ec and Life Skills" all in one, cuddle on the couch and read great tales of ancient times and know we’ve got "History" covered
9. every moment is a teaching moment – and that by homeschooling, my dulled senses were awakened – suddenly the world is new and exciting to me too as I see things through their learning eyes
10. despite those hard moments; the times I lose my patience; the less-than-great job I do as I let self take precedence, the sinfulness of my kids – squabbles, grumpiness, "this is boring" uttered too regularly… despite all these, I still find short little legs or long gangly arms wrapped around me at the end of the day; I still get the sloppy kisses and "mommy, I love you!" moments; and I can still sit back and smile, knowing that His love has wiped the slate clean and my kids’ ability to forgive and forget is a sweet earthly reminder of that greatest of gifts.