Make Gratitude Part of Your Homeschool Routine

Gratitude can help keep your student focused on what matters.  

While homeschooling, I noticed myself getting so focused on “The List”, that I would get away from WHY we were homeschooling.  For us, a big part of why we started was to be able to disciple our children.  We wanted to instill values into them that would impact the rest of their lives.

While working on a specific school struggle with our son, a friend told me, “Toni, he has a great heart.  That’s what is going to make the difference as he gets older.”  I realized, yes he needs to be able to accomplish school work, but what matters more is that he has a heart for God and treats people well.

During this Thanksgiving season, I’m reminded of this.  I want to teach my kids to always be thankful for the opportunities and gifts that God has given us.  Yes, they have to get their work done.  However, what if we start the day with a different list.  I’m going to add a gratitude list to the beginning of my to-do list.  A list of things I’m so glad God gave me.  One of those is the opportunity to show our kids what matters most.

I’m grateful for:

• Seasons - We traveled to Arkansas and saw the leaves changing.  Beautiful.
• Friends - I have friends from all different backgrounds and that makes me a better me.  
• My kids - They’ve taken what we taught them and gone far beyond anything I could have imagined.  Homeschooling gave them the opportunity to be surrounded by a lot of great people who taught them things I never could have.

What about you?  What are you thankful for right now?