We are in our eleventh year of homeschooling and we have had good and not-so-good years. Creating joy in homeschooling is one way to partially control the outcome of the school year.
Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of this article!
We can not control our circumstances, but we can control how we react/respond to them. That is a lesson I have been learning all of my life and may never master, but will never stop trying!
Of course, there are always circumstances out of our control that are factors in how the homeschool year goes, but how we react/respond to those events matter. Creating joy in homeschooling helps us to circle back around to what actually matters in life.
The concept of creating joy is simple: look for and/or create joyful moments in each day, week, month, and year of your homeschool! Little moments make up the entirety of life, how many of them can be made into joyful ones?
Here are a few ways that we have been creating joy in homeschooling days and adding beauty to our home. Subtle, yet powerful.
Joyful Homeschooling Is Possible With These Resources
Handmade, All Natural, 100% Pure Scented Bee Wax Candle
Minimalism Art, Classic Notebook Journal
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
Easy-to-Do Crochet Kit
Holy Bible
Honey for a Child’s Heart
Seeking & Creating Joy In Homeschooling
- light a candle. Whether for meals, snacks, or read-aloud time lighting a candle immediately gives a feeling of calm, cozy, and beauty. This is something I just started and it has been a blessing. We love the natural bee’s wax candles best.
- play some music. From classical to hymns, the addition of music playing quietly can brighten the home and bring joy to the family. Choose uplifting tunes that you all enjoy listening to.
- read a book. Either read to your children or assign reading they can read to themselves for 15-minutes every day, in between the chaos of more stressful lessons or household chores. It can give everyone a peaceful moment they need to decompress.
- journal together. Lead your children, by example, in journaling every morning. Gathering and sorting thoughts on paper – whether through the written word or through art/pictures – is a great way to start the day. Practice counting blessings and seeking joy to record in your journal.
- saturate your home in Scripture. Start and end your days together with Bible reading, write a Bible verse on the chalk/whiteboard, play worship music, turn to scripture when seeking answers to conflict or questions, etc. Just immersing your home/family in God’s Word is the ultimate in creating joy in homeschool life!
- go outside into nature. Intentionally take the time to enjoy God’s creation and point it out to your children, every day. Ask your children to discover something beautiful and joyful in nature to thank God for!
- take a break from textbooks. Choose a project or activity to do in your homeschool that actually sparks joy within all of your hearts. It may be handiwork, artwork, baking, or something else. Ask your children what they’d like to do!
- slow down. I am so guilty of rushing through everything. Breakfast, morning time, school lessons … I am impatient and barking orders through it all. It stems from fear of failing to get it all done. But, I find that when I slow down and calmly persevere through each moment, we actually accomplish more. Go figure!
- smile more. It goes without saying that a smile brings joy to yourself and others around you. It never hurts to choose to smile at your children (and husband) more often, am I right?
A lot of the above start with our simple morning time routine. I think it is best to start the day right!
How are you creating joy in homeschooling your children? Please share your additional ideas, because we can never have too much joy!
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113:9
HOMESCHOOL GIVEAWAY – ends Oct. 26th, 2020
It’s time for Giveaway Wednesday! We are so excited to partner with Hebrew for Homeschoolers this month!
Ana is a homeschool mom of 3 and the creator behind They Call Me Blessed. She is passionate about Hebrew for so many reasons. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and that is about 70% of the whole Bible. Jesus and His disciples read the Holy Scriptures and prayed in Hebrew daily.
“Hebrew is the best language to learn of all… no one can really understand Scripture without it.” – Martin Luther
Hebrew is the language of Moses, King David, and so many heroes of our faith. Learning Hebrew brings you into a much deeper understanding of the Bible and strengthens your faith.
Can you imagine you and your kids learning to read, write and speak the very language of Jesus and our heroes of the Bible spoke? What if…
- This could unlock an amazing and much deeper understanding of the word of God?
- Learning Hebrew can open doors bigger than you could ever know in your life?
- This can bring you a personal revival like never before?
Here is what Hebrew for Homeschoolers for Beginners will teach you:
- The Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet)
- Numbers
- Colors
- Shapes
- Greetings
- Basic vocabulary
- Biblical vocabulary
- Hebrew songs
In only 10 weeks you and your children will be able to read, write and speak Hebrew for beginners and have basic conversations. How fun will this be?
There are no other courses like Hebrew for Homeschoolers!
- Classes are self-paced and last about 60 minutes.
- This course is geared to the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest in the family.
- You will have lifetime access to the course.
- And join our Facebook community for extra learning.
Enter below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It is your responsibility to read the terms and conditions upon entering. By entering, all entrants understand that they are subject to being added to each of the participating blogger’s email lists, including Clarissa R. West if you are not already signed up for the newsletter.
This is the perfect reminder as I’m reevaluating our life and time together! I want to be present with my kids and create a love of learning all while training them to know the Truth and bear the Light! Thank you for the practical tips and pointing me in the Way! ❤️
You are so welcome, glad they are helpful!
Smile more! So good! I can get so focused on all we need to do that I forget to have fun. My goal…rest more and relax.
Such great tips! I was reminded just the other day that’s i e Lowe’s morning self to get into that rut of only seeing the work that needs done and what goes wrong…. no joyful ness or smiles there! Time to get my smile, and my home’s happy back!
Love the giveaway! My husband and I have long talked about and hoped to learn Hebrew and haven’t been able to do it yet.
Thank you for your insight and the giveaway. It would be an honor for my children (and myself) to learn Hebrew. I admire and look forward to your positive perspective on things in emails. God has used you to encourage me more than you know.
We took our children to Israel in February and they came home interested in learning Hebrew and wanting to return to Israel.
Thank you for the reminder that joy can be found in everything.
The Hebrew class sounds incredible. I don’t homeschool at present, but I work in a very small classical Christian school where I feel like I homeschool my sweet students! I would love to take this class with my own children at home. We are a pastoral family, and this would enrich our learning incredibly!
Thanks for the tips and the great giveaway opportunity! What a neat idea for a family to do together!
These are great tips. We are new at homeschooling, but I have been enjoying this time with my kids. We found that starting the day off with a devotion and God’s word is so encouraging. I really enjoy taking time out to “discover” something we are reading about. We also choose a book to read together, out loud, taking turns reading. I have an 8th grader and a very reluctant 3rd grade reader. One of my 8th graders goals this year was to begin learning Hebrew. We are very interested in this course.
Thanks for the giveaway!
My 9yo just recently told me that she wants to learn Hebrew, so this is perfect timing!
As a American Messianic Jew I have always wanted to learn to speak and read Hebrew. I would also like it if my children learned to also
I am entering this not only for my kids. This has always been an interest of mine, and I would learn with them.