Mom,
Thank you for being so supportive of my home schooling. It has meant a lot to me to have you cheer me on and build confidence in me that what I am doing is a good thing. But really, that is not what I am going to talk about. Although, my teaching role as a home school mom is important, I want my teaching as a mom to be the focus.
I recently had an experience with Eyrlin that really gave me an advantage to teach. She told me with boldness and confidence, “Mom, I only want to do things that moms do.” I laughed and told her, “Well Sweets, that’s everything!!”
It has stuck with me for months now. Eyrlin wants to be a mom and she is watching my every move to see what moms do. This isn’t a formal sit down text book write up, she is watching me! Slightly scary I will admit, basically, I am her text book. Ok, now that IS scary!!
This is just another reason why I feel like studying who I am as a mother and where I need to be is so important. I am not perfect, and I say and do a lot of things that I wish I had a rewind button for.
So here I am, a teacher, who would have thought…..
L. Tom Perry, “Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions, such as church and school, can assist parents to “train up a child in the way he [or she] should go” (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development of our Heavenly Father’s children. Our families are an integral part of His work and glory—“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). On God’s eternal stage, it is usually intended that parents act as the central cast members in their children’s lives. Fortunately, there are understudies involved in the production who may step in when parents can’t. It, however, is parents who have been commanded by the Lord to bring up their children in light and truth (see D&C 93:40).”
“Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.”
So no pressure, right? I love it, I love that it is one day at a time. I love his words of “righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting”. Maybe I can’t push rewind on some of my parenting mistakes, but I persist on doing the best I can.
I love looking Eyrlin in the eyes and saying, “This is a job of a mother” as I hold Canon when he is sick or move laundry along or make a special dinner for dad. Our opportunity to teach is a daily doing, sometimes we don’t even know that we are teaching. I love peaking in on my daughter as she is trying to breast feed her doll, I just know she is understanding some intimate bits and pieces of the role as a mom. Love it!!
Goals:
1. Notebook – I am stealing this from a friend. I want to write down each day the things we need to accomplish in a day. Anywhere from prayer, lunch, get dressed, pay a bill to a more personal teaching opportunity; teach Eyrlin how to make cookies or lead a song, talk to Jax about his next Faith in God goal or scouts, help Rylon memorize his next article of faith or play piano, help Broden with his personal prayers or puzzle, etc. I think this will help me focus on the things that matter most in my day. I think this will also be a nice transition into next weeks goal on time.
Mom, you still teach me today. That is a role that doesn’t cease after we are married and gone. I still call you and get my dose of instruction. Just today a matter of fact you gave me a little food for thought. Really, I should have written down all the many words of wisdom you have given me throughout the years. Dang! Maybe I will start doing that now.
Thank you for teaching me EVERYTHING!! Especially, how to turn around and teach my kids. Well, and how to make Hawaiian Haystacks ;}
I love you!!
Kathy
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