That first year of homeschooling is both exciting and frightening.  If you are a “newbie,” this is a decision you have thought through, prayed through, maybe run from, and finally embraced. You’ve made the decision to do it, and now you’ve most likely launched out to purchase supplies, pore over curriculum choices, and ask lots of questions. You may have even named your home school.

Like any new endeavor (starting a new diet, beginning a hobby, learning a new skill), the launch finds us enthusiastic and expectant. Energy is high, hearts are hopeful, and commitment is at its peak. For the homeschool mom, September is our “January” – our new year, ripe with the hope and promise of new experiences and joys.

And yes – especially at the beginning, you should feel all those things!

Because you love your children and know your children, you are uniquely equipped to teach, train, and spur them on. There will be days your heart is so full, the emotion spills over through happy tears on your cheeks. Gratefulness. Joy. Delight. All these words (and more you can add) will characterize many days in your homeschool journey.

Because you love your children and know your children, you are uniquely equipped to teach, train, and spur them on. Click To Tweet

But within a few months in (maybe even a few weeks), there will be hard days. The laundry will pile up. You will get behind on your grading. Bills will need paid. The flu bug might travel through the family. It’s all fun and games until…it’s not!

And when that hard day arrives, you absolutely must cycle back to your own why. That’s the day you need to pull out the words that you have written for yourself.  That’s the day you will need to be reminded of your why for making the decision to homeschool—your reason for choosing to take on this extraordinarily wonderful, challenging, hard, overwhelming, joyful lifestyle.

So, yes, my friend. Sharpen those pencils. Buy new crayons. Invest in the science kit. Salivate over the beautiful books. Let your heart be full. Hug your kids. Pray for them. Thank God for leading you and claim that promise Jesus made to “never leave you or forsake you.”

But please. Before you begin to make assignments, accept this assignment from a friend who’s been there:  Write out your why. Pour it out. List all your reasons and hopes and expectations.  Record the journey that has brought you to this moment. Pray over your list. Ask God to bless it all.

Then tuck that composition someplace safe.

The February-You will need the reminder from the September-You.