Yep, it's January. Gray, cold skies. Just what we needed to make our depression complete. And then, the children. Hyped up on Christmas treats and freedom, they're bickering, irritable, too energetic, and lazy (How do they even manage to do both?), which just emphasizes our failures as parents, doesn't it?

It's tough and we're there, too!

When we're tempted to throw up our hands, we need to remember, though:

We serve the God who "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." (1 John 1:9)

• There's an answer when we feel guilty for spending too much time on the internet instead of reading to our children or when we find ourselves yelling instead of being the adult in the situation. Uh, huh. Repent. The Catechism for Boys and Girls puts it this way, "Be sorry for our sin and hate it and forsake it because it's displeasing to God." When we do that and trust God to forgive our sins because of what Jesus did on the cross, He does. Thankfully, He really does.

We serve the God who "will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." (Joel 2:25)

• Homeschooling gives us flexibility and freedom to recover from all kinds of messes. It's January and though it feels like, "Oh, no! Half the year is gone! We're ruined!" Instead, realize that it's almost eight months until the next school year starts. Even if you had a catastrophe (and we've been there--cancer, sickness, hospitalizations, moves) and you've gotten almost NOTHING done so far, you can still catch up before next year. Pare down and focus on the essentials. Close the computer, turn down your phone, and just start wherever you are to make progress in the right direction. God is amazing when you do things like that. He is so merciful!

When your children are grown, you'll look back and realize that many of the things you were anxious about weren't really the point at all.

• We have a few grown children, now, and they've turned out all right. They're good guys who love the Lord and we're proud of them. We've realized, though, that the most important parts of what we gave them in homeschooling weren't the days when everything went well and we accomplished all the academics on my list. Instead, it was the side-tracked days Melanie felt awful about. The days we spent disciplining and discussing and counseling. The days that felt like a waste back then are the days that shaped the men our boys would become. Don't begrudge them.

The very next verse in Joel after the one about the locusts says it so well, "And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed." (Joel 2:26)

Don't be discouraged in the days of battle in your homeschooling. It's the end that matters. Disciple those children, friends!

Yours in the battle,  

Hal & Melanie

PS. This week on our radio program, Making Biblical Family Life Practical, we talk about Homeschooling in Hard Times. Download it at the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network and get practical help and real encouragement for making it through times like these!

Do your little ones want to learn to sew? I have a little girl who has just been begging for sewing lessons all year long. I had the wonderful privilege to review the DVD Pixie Candy's Projects: Learn How to Sew for Kids, Level 1, by Kids Sewing. It has five beginning projects for kids learning to sew with a sewing machine, ages five and up. It is taught by designer, Katrina Marie and sells for $39.95.

This DVD is set up to teach beginners how to sew. Since it is on a DVD it can be used in a home or school setting. The projects are fun, simple, and things that your little ones will enjoy making. Each project teaches you how to make a pattern first, then gives simple step-by-step instructions to guide you through making it. You'll learn everything from making your pattern templates to marking, cutting, pinning, sewing, turning, clipping, ironing, stuffing, hand sewing, and finishing. The materials needed are outlined from the beginning, so you will be sure to be prepared ahead of time. Projects included on this DVD are: a Hair Bow, Neck Roll, Plush Pillow, Kitchen Apron and a Pretty Purse. The projects are meant to prepare your kids for the next level which includes five more fun projects.

We have made several of the projects on the DVD already. My kids' favorite was the neck roll pillow. Even my son wanted to be a part of this project and enjoyed making it along with his sister. It was simple enough that my kids really could do most of it on their own. They didn't have any experience with sewing before beginning this DVD, so I had to help them with a lot of the actual sewing to help familiarize them with it. They loved choosing their fabric, measuring, marking and cutting their fabric on their own. (Read the rest of the review...) 

 You can WIN this DVD!

TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Learning to Sew" for a chance to win* this amazing homeschool resource for your family!