"Wow, you homeschool? You must have a lot of PATIENCE!" I get this a lot, do you??? I always add, "I have patience, I don't know about A LOT." Patience is definitely a God characteristic. Scripture is full of verses on patience, when you have a moment check some out.
Scripture on Patience:
Hebrews 6:12
James 1:4
Act of being Patient:
Psalm 40:1
Romans 2:7
Romans 12:12
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Stories of those who had to be Patient:
Sarah and Abraham awaiting a heir, Genesis 17, 21
Hannah's pain and trust with Samuel, 1 Samuel 1
Patience is certainly helpful with kids, and yes even more so when homeschooling. But truth be told, it really is something I believe most people learn. Some might start out with more than others, but never-the-less we all need it. If I have learned anything in these past few years of homeschooling, it is that I need more patience. Parenting and homeschooling is an emotional and physical task. At the end of the day I am drained ... emotionally and physically. It takes patience to discipline, correct, show love, care for, and to do and mend the many other task as a parent. I endlessly ask God for patience, endurance and strength to be the best parent I can be.
I often tell my hyperactive now 5 year old, "being patient means waiting nicely." Because you know I have told him a thousand times to "be patient," and he has asked ten thousand times "what does 'be patient' mean?" So now, if asked, he can recite it. Unfortunately, that means at every opportunity we must show them how to be patient. Fist part of 'being patient' is waiting, or time. Do you hear the clock? Tick-tock tick-tock. Do we rush without measure when they take their time finishing a seemingly simple task? What is a reasonable time before we are impatient? Who decides what is reasonable and what is timely? I admit this is not my strong suit either.
Which brings up the second part of 'being patient', reaction. Which is arguably the more important part. When that simple task with your young one takes way longer than it should, how do you react? Harshly, yell, boil with anger and frustration? Oh me, this is where I get my toes stepped on! As mentioned before, I have always dreamed of becoming a mother. I love children. I envisioned myself being calm, soft spoken, and God directing mother. As I became one ... where I thought I was fairly good at has increasingly become obvious I'm still lacking. I yell. I get frustrated. And yes at times I am harsh. I seek biblical guidance in this ongoing quest to be patient with my children.
Getting back to the title of this post, if you homeschool does that mean you have a lot of patience? I have meet some parents that homeschool who appear overwhelmed, impatient, and out of control. I have also meet some homeschooling parents who seem to generate this calm, peaceful, and loving vibe. The same to those parents who are not homeschooling. Some are seemingly patient and some are not. Of course this is an over all picture of patient and not based on a single instance.
True, homeschooling means you are spending more time with your child than the average parent. And I would safely assume the majority of homeschooling parents over time have come to practice patience with grace. After all, the alternative would to go insane (ask how close I am to that?haha).
Does that mean I am patient? Uh, depends ... Over all, honestly I would say no. It sincerely is the one place I think I need the most improvement on. But then again ... if I sent my kids to public school, which that would be the 2 oldest, and I only had to manage 2 little ones for 8 hours a day ... My answer might change. So maybe I appear more patient because I manage all four of them, all day?? Not sure. Homeschooling = Patience ? Myth. I believe it most likely depends on the season of life you are in, and/or the amount of time seeking and practicing patience.
Well there is my thoughts, how about you?
