2020 is Almost over!

By now most of our kids have started their Christmas vacation and the end of 2020 is now in sight. Whether you are of the homeschool persuasion that slows down your schooling during the holidays or you are the type that uses this as a chance to make up for lost time, the end of a year presents us with the opportunity to reflect. 

What has worked? What hasn't? What can I do differently in 2021? Which of the changes brought on by COVID will I stick with? One thing that has stood out to me lately is the fact that education is about far more than just learning academics. While reading and writing are important, education is also about shaping character. Have you used a year of loss to sharpen the edges of your child's character? Are you taking advantage of the time you have with your kids to mold them into the men or women God has designed them to be?

Change, disappointment, and fear can all be channeled into one amazing opportunity after another. Each time something goes wrong, we as parents have the chance to turn it around. Sometimes all that's needed is a long hug. Other times it's wise counsel and sometimes it's up to us to create a new opportunity.

What new opportunities will you be seeking in the new year? How will these opportunities shape the character of your kids? Don't get so focused on the curriculum and the lesson plans that you lose sight of their character. Teachable moments abound in the homeschooling world. Take advantage of them. Sometimes it's best to put the books away and just talk. Or go do something fun with your kids so that talking can happen more naturally.
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You know your kids. You know what makes them tick. Make it a goal this year to talk with your kids in new ways. Quite often, when we look for new ways of talking, we learn new things and, in turn, create opportunities to shape their character.