The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

I also put way too much emphasis on making sure they succeeded at one subject. There were many tears and many heated arguments over math for my first two daughters. I now realize each child is gifted or struggles in their own way. When one is stellar at language, often math may be a struggle. Even though I still expect them to go over missed problems, I try to keep it upbeat. If something is overwhelming, I seek another way for them to cover that subject.

What We Did Well

I look for opportunities to let them enjoy and thrive in the areas where they are strong, and let them know that if they struggle in certain subjects, it’s okay. I am not teaching for perfection. I am teaching for a working knowledge of the subject, so that once they choose an educational path or vocation, they can be further trained. I also decided to not let the area where they struggle become the dominant part of their school day. I try to keep those subjects in balance with the ones where they are working eagerly above average.

Finally, for all our graduates, we do a per-
sonal finance class that teaches the basics of
budgeting and money management. We use
Dave Ramsey’s program (Financial Peace)
for either middle school or high school. We
want our children to pursue their goals and
to do it debt-free. This class also teaches the
basics of tithing, giving, saving and invest-
ing. We consider this knowledge important
for all of them, whether they choose to pur-
sue more education or not.

As a mother of six, and after 18 years of
homeschooling, I share the following with
every mom who asks my advice. My pri-
mary homeschool goal is that each child
who graduates knows the Lord and can
function as adults in whatever capacity
they are able. This means they have the
education to pursue college if the Lord
leads them. They should also have the
basic skills to run a household, maintain
a home, and take care of general clerical
duties required for adult life.

Don’t let math, or any other subject take precedence over your other goals. Tears, fights, and drama do not have to be a normal part of your children’s education. Also, be flexible and willing to adjust, subtract, and add to any curriculum you use. You are their educator and can make that judgment call. However, neither should you shrink from helping your children to learn to do difficult things, even to the point of struggling.

Lead by example, and help them keep pressing forward to obtain the skills and character needed for adult life.

Malia Russell is an author, home educator of six children ages 5-27, a grandmother to two children, an author, conference speaker, and the director of www.homemaking911.com. Her primary ministry is encouraging and empowering mothers and home educators to seek God’s Word when facing challenges and encouraging women in their Biblical roles as wives and mothers .