Like any mother beginning her homeschooling journey, I set out to equip my children with the best education I could. Better than mine, surely, but better that most was my goal. I pictured beginning at the break of day. I would descend the stairs, fully dressed, hair done, to see my little disciples posture-perfect at their early 19th century desk/chair combination, eagerly completing their numerical studies, awaiting my instruction in Latin verb conjugation.
I won't go into detail about the following six years, where there was, not only, not one 19th century desk in sight, but a severe lack of early morning accomplishments. I was so focused on creating what I thought was the picture of a successful education, I forgot that my main goal was to teach my children to learn. I was constantly discouraged and on the brink of calling it quits. I spent too much time looking at what other families were doing, and trying to succeed as something other than who we are. I don't say all of this to applaud the posture of failure, which is very popular in Christian culture right now. I don't want to revel in my late-morning lack of accomplishments, or call myself a “hot mess”, excusing diligence for the sake of embracing grace. But more is not always better. The richness of an overflowing curriculum library does not equate a rich education.
I have embraced a simpler approach to my homeschooling. My kids use a math curriculum that is printed on, what looks like, handwriting practice sheets from 1982. It does not look nice on my shelf. But it is enabling my children to finally understand mathematical concepts that we were really struggling with. Our geography class next semester will begin with memorizing the countries by spinning the globe and saying where your finger lands. They will grow into more challenging methods as time goes on, but for now, it is enough.
Our house isn't big enough for four 19th century desk/chair combinations, but I intend on being diligent, and accepting the grace that comes with it.