Last week, millions of American kids began at-home schooling for an indefinite amount of time. So many changes and closures have parents scrambling, unsure, anxious. I have been a homeschool mom since my kids started school, but unfortunately the truth is that I am not an expert at homeschooling. Sorry. I am sure there are many moms who can offer advice and wisdom, but I don’t feel qualified to do that. Plus, there are so many different types of schedules and schooling styles (let alone personalities of children!) that what works for one family may not for another.
The best encouragement I can give for these weeks and months ahead is to daily (minutely!) remember who is the One with all wisdom and ability. Just like parenting, schooling at home is humbling. We want to do it all, be it all, and never make any mistakes, but life isn’t like that. There is only One who is all-sufficient, all-powerful, and perfect. It isn’t me. And it isn’t you. Let’s run to the cross with our insufficiency and ask Christ to fill us with the power of His Spirit. May He give us the grace and endurance for these uncharted waters ahead. They are no surprise to Him. And after we lean into His strength and not our own, be encouraged by this: God has given you these children, and He has entrusted you to raise them. You are well-equipped to love them, nurture them, disciple them, and yes, teach them too. You’ve already been doing it for many years in many ways, right?
These are strange days, and even for homeschooling families it will be challenging to be at home virtually all the time. I know my kids have been disappointed as our calendar has been wiped clean of all upcoming events and even the comfy weekly routine we had established. I am reminded of a quote I keep taped inside my cabinet, ‘Deprivation and rejection are necessary in order for your child to become strong.’ (Crawford Loritts) I hope these little deprivations make them stronger. My prayer is that this difficult season will grow us all. May we come to the other side with more compassion for others, a deeper love for humanity, and a stronger faith in God. The following activity list doesn’t relate to at-home schooling per se, but I compiled it specifically with Christian parents in mind. I hope there are a few you find encouraging and helpful in your home:
- Talk about the coronavirus with your kids. If they are school-age or above, I guarantee they will remember this crazy spring for the rest of their lives. (Much like I hear my parents speak of the blizzard of ‘78.) Let’s not speak fearfully, and let’s not speak flippantly, and let’s not speak conspiratorially. This is having a big impact globally. Treat it as such. We should have a long haul perspective because the way we handle these weeks and the conversations we have will help to shape their memories of this event.
- Don’t just talk, pray! This is so important. We can help turn our kids’ hearts toward God. And we can help them increase in compassion toward others. Pray for those who are sick in our community. Pray for those who are fearful. Pray for those impacted economically. Pray for healthcare workers. And don’t just pray for our small section of the world- tell them about China and Japan and South Korea and Italy and Denmark (etc!) and then pray for those countries too.
- Teach your kids about “snail mail” Find who in your community is sick, lonely, or isolated, and send them cards and letters.
- Teach your kids how to make phone calls! Truly! They won’t know how unless we teach them. (Weird, huh?!) Not only can they call their friends they won’t get to hang out with, but they can call an elderly lady in your church who may not get any other calls.
- Walk to the park You know that park that is a 5 minute drive away? Make it a regular habit to walk there as a family. Getting out into the fresh air helps so much!
- Nature Study Speaking of getting out, let your kids explore in nature! You could take a check-off list with items for them to find on your walk. You may even be able to put together a container with air holes in case they find an insect or roly-poly they want to keep. Binoculars make it even more fun!
- Do regular family devotions This time period is a good opportunity to make regular family devotions a priority. It doesn’t have to be fancy (and it may sometimes “flop”) but be consistent and it will be worth it! It can be as simple as reading a scripture passage and then talking about it as a family, singing a favorite worship song together, and praying. You can ask your kids who they think your family should pray for, and what they can thank God for. Everyone could even take turns praying for certain requests if you want. The Psalms are also a great way to pray when you aren’t sure what to say. You can simply turn a Psalm into a prayer to God. There are many great resources out there, but that can also be daunting. All you truly need is a bible. 🙂
- Family Game Night This slower time at home can be really rich with family activities that otherwise might get rescheduled or pushed to the backburner. You can have a family game night every week, or every evening! 🙂 Take turns choosing everyone’s favorites.
- Read a book aloud to your kids. Start reading the Chronicles of Narnia series to them. Or Little Pilgrim’s Progress (Helen Taylor/John Bunyan), or any of the YWAM heroes of the faith biographies. These are beautiful books with lasting impact.
- Teach your kids how to bake or cook something Most kids are itching to get in the kitchen and help! Typically life is flying and it is hard to slow down so they can “help.” Sort through your recipes and find some that you want them to learn to prepare on their own. And then, maybe you can deliver that meal or those cookies to a lonely neighbor or a friend who just had a baby! Ministering and care can still happen. Maybe especially more now.
- Make Dad breakfast in bed Some dads may be home in the mornings more than usual. If that’s the case at your house, you could plan to surprise him with breakfast in bed to show him how much you appreciate him.
- Plan an at-home date night and let your kids help you prepare Maybe they can be the waiters for your candle-lit dinner, or maybe they can be in charge of music selection, or help set the table. It will delight them to be a part of their parents celebrating each other.
- Start a book exchange program Library systems across the country are also closing for the time being. Sort through your adult and kid books and then set up your own system with friends. You can drop off some books on their stoop, ring the bell and run back to your car. Watch their surprise as they open and discover their books to borrow! Then yell “Hi!”, give an air hug, and wait for your own special book drop.
- Be silly together Crank up the music and dance. Make up silly stories around the table. Play Hide-and-Seek. Have a Nerf battle.
- Talk about Heaven It’s important for us to make the connection about why these pandemics periodically happen. Our world is broken and fallen and under the curse of sin. Romans 8 tells us that ‘all creation groans’ under the weight of it. This should make us long for heaven! Talk with your kids about heaven and work together to ‘set your mind on things above’ (Colossians 3:2). Randy Alcorn has a great book called Heaven for Kids. I highly recommend it.
- Plan your own At-home event Many families and kids had exciting plans that had to be cancelled during this period. Get creative and plan your own retreat at home! It won’t be the same as the adventure you are missing, but it could still be fun and memorable. Plan a field day for your backyard. Decorate your house for a party and have a slumber party in your living room. You can probably think of better ideas than me! (Your kids definitely can.) 😉
- Remember Sundays Many churches across the country will not be meeting for the foreseeable future. It would be really easy to let Sunday just become like any other day of the week and turn that into a habit. Don’t let that happen by being very intentional with your time on Sunday. Sing some worship songs as a family and watch/listen to your pastor’s sermon together if it’s available. If your church is not posting sermons online during this time you could choose another to stream or do a Sunday devotional together. And pray together for your church family in the meantime.
- Notice your neighbors Most of us are flying so quickly in and out of our homes that we don’t know our neighbors down the street very well. Use this time to connect. Perhaps you could bake cookies and pass them door-to-door or make plans for a summertime barbeque when (hopefully) life will be returning to normal again.
Most of all, friends, I pray that the ‘Lord of peace Himself may continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!’ (2 Thessalonians 3:16) May God fill our hearts and homes with the peace only He can bring, and may we rest in Him throughout this uncertain time. In doing so, perhaps our neighbors and friends will find our living hope even more contagious than the virus itself.
-written by Elizabeth Sim
https://www.allmomdoes.com/2020/03/23/tips-for-dealing-with-anxious-thoughts/
https://www.allmomdoes.com/2020/03/12/finding-hope-purpose-amidst-the-panic/
https://www.allmomdoes.com/2020/03/06/tips-for-the-moms-unexpectedly-navigating-at-home-school/
