From the Editor - By Deborah Wuehler
This month is dedicated to answering questions.
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- How do you homeschool a large family with an eighth grader and a 2-year-old? See our new Q&A with Deborah column.
- Are we really interceding for our children? Read Mindy Virgin's "Reflections on Intercession."
- Will you be remembered this Valentine's Day? Does it really matter? Read one of our most popular Valentine's Articles here, called "The Death of Love."
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From Our Readers: Reflections on Intercession
By Mindy Virgin, Davis, CA
"He saw that there was no one, and he was appalled that there was no one to intercede." --Isaiah 59:16
How often I strive with my kids trying to fix something. I correct and reprove and I fret over their immaturity or inability to "get it right." Anxiety and preoccupation with the concern storms into my prayer life, and my frustration becomes the focus of the "prayer time." No longer is the focus on Jesus.
I know that Christ Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and is interceding for us (Romans 8:34) and that the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will (Romans 8:27). As a Spirit-taught child, my work is to intercede for others, especially for the members of my own household.
But when God looks at my heart, will he see someone who intercedes for her children?
Worship is living life in a holy relationship with God, living in awareness and appreciation of His nature and His control. Prayer should always be an act of worship, not an irritated reaction. Oswald Chambers defines intercessory prayer as "worship as to rouse self to lay hold of Him so that we may be brought into contact with His mind about the one whom we pray." Foremost, it is a time to communicate with God. In that anxious state we should pray--but in confession of our weakness and our need to fully rely on God. In prayer for others we intercede, we don't criticize our children. We worship God; we don't try to fix something. We are to labor in prayer until we get Jesus' heart and mind for that child, not stress our own agenda. God gives us discernment into the soul of another so that we might intercede on His line.
The caution is to not let circumstances badger me out of God's presence so that I don't worship the Lord, to not allow my mind to be so burdened with a situation or difficulty that I don't do the work of the intercessor. Unless I am worshipping God, there is a degree of heartlessness in my interaction with my household because my own natural strength of affection is in conflict with my present frustration level. Then, when the burden or pressure comes, if I don't worship, I become hard toward God and toward my family, and I despair. I can teach my kids obedience, but it is God's work in their spirits that makes them Christlike.
Prayer: "Father, may we come to you in true worship. Give us Your mind about our children as we intercede for them. Work in our spirits to make us all more like You."
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Q&A with Deborah
We start our new column with a much-asked question. This query is from Mary V.
Q: "I would really like to know how you homeschool your six or more children. How do you manage your eighth grade student and your 2-year-old?"
A: I'll start with your last question first. If I only had to manage an eighth grader and a 2-year-old, I would have them both at the table with me during homeschooling. The 2-year-old can be kept busy with special things that are brought out only during school time. Also, the eighth grader should be able to work independently for most of his coursework, freeing you up to spend more time with the 2-year-old. Another option is training the 2-year-old to play in his room or another assigned place during some of the schooling time. However, Mom needs to be consistent in her training in order to create whatever structure is needed.
Believe me, Mary, it can be very challenging to fit all the pieces of the scheduling puzzle together with more than your average number of children to homeschool. When my oldest was 8 and there were four more under him, it was more difficult in terms of getting everything done myself, but as they have grown, their capacity to help me teach, clean, cook, watch toddlers, and so on, has grown as well, and things have actually become much easier. However, while they were young, I would work with the children around the baby's naptimes. When the baby napped, the 8-year-old would watch the 4- and 2-year-olds while I worked with the 6-year-old and then they would switch. I learned to be creative and flexible with my time.
My husband and I both work on teaching the children simple chores from the time they are 2 and can fold washclothes and put plastic dishes away, as well as pick up their toys when done. And, as much as I'd like to keep a tidy and tight ship, some days it looks like a storm just came through again. But we keep picking up, keep going, and we keep learning and continue to love being home together.
Having seven now with my oldest being 15, I have tried many scheduling techniques. What's worked the best for us are simple weekly charts that list all schoolwork and chores for each child for each day. Once each child has gotten through his list for the day, he may then have free time to pursue his interests. I print out a new chart every Monday for their binders, and they check off the items as they go through the day.
Sometimes older children watch younger children while I work with those who need it. And sometimes the 2-year-old ends up not being watched closely enough and we have messes to pick up later. The toddler is learning about his environment while the rest of us are learning patience! Some days are harder than others, but just being together at home and cultivating relationships and character is worth more than academics to me, so I have learned to relax a little.
Some large families enjoy the unit study approach in order to incorporate all the children; however, I am more of an eclectic homeschooler and come at it from a different angle. In a nutshell, having a large family has required that I work myself out of a teaching job with each child as early as possible, training them to be independent workers, thinkers, and researchers so that I can teach the next child what she needs to know in order to learn for herself, and so on, thereby leaving me more time to be the mommy for the little ones.
Do you have a specific question for me? I'll do my best to answer it.
Send questions to: devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
This Month's Contests!
- The Haptoon Collection: Michael Halpin is the contributing cartoonist for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and has generously donated SIX of his Scripture cartoon books to give away! Visit the Website!!
- Story Starters: By Karen Andreola, Charlotte Mason Research and Supply Company. See our Product Review!
TO ENTER: Send an email to Devotions@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com with your name and mailing address for a chance to win one of these gifts.
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Blog of the Month
Each month I will feature a different blog site from TOS's HomeschoolBlogger.com
Our TOS Publisher has an incredible blog!
It's all about bringing children "Home Where They Belong." If you are wondering how to answer critics of homeschooling or want to know the dangers of public schools, you must read her blog.
Haptoon:
Interested in more Haptoons? Email to purchase your own mini book of cartoons here: haptoon@juno.com or visit the website here: http://www21.brinkster.com/haptoon/
Testimonials
Thanks for your articles. They were just what I needed. I need a clear mind and self-control. I need to pay more attention to prayer for my children instead of worrying over the everyday routines of homework. May He use you mightily to further His kingdom. Once again, thanks. God bless you and your dear family.
~ A.B., Singapore
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