Did you know that January is a hard month for teachers? I know it is for home school teachers (been there; done that), and I’ve been told that it’s the same for teachers in formal classrooms as well.
I’m not sure why that is the case, but I have some ideas. Perhaps it’s because you’ve just had a long break and you are now looking at five months of school and spring break seems like a long time off. Maybe it’s because you started out the school year with great plans and hopes, and your expectations haven’t been met and/or your students didn’t respond the way you hoped they would. Maybe it’s just because the weather stinks and your children can’t go outside and play like they can in other months.
Whatever the reason, January is a downer for many.
So, now that you know you’re not alone, what can you do to make it through January victoriously?
Obviously, one thing you need to do is to talk to God about it. He is our source of hope and peace. Remember to thank Him in all things, including the blues and grumpiness.
Another thing is to avail yourself of people who will be an encouragement to you (and, hopefully, to whom you can also be an encouragement). This can come in the form of people in your support group, believers in your church, older women, etc.
You home school moms have a unique opportunity if you live in/near Texas or Oklahoma that I would like to suggest–the Home School Moms’ Winter Summit.
On the word of a couple of friends whose opinions I trust, I attended the summit for the first time last year. I was so impressed with the heart of the group of women who have come together to host this event! They are home schooling moms with a total of no-telling-how-many years of home schooling experience, many years of needing to be encouraged.
From the time the event starts until the time it is over, encouragement is the theme. You laugh together and sometimes cry together. There are lots of hugs and prayers and, well, transparency. As I think of it, that’s probably the key to the effectiveness of their encouragement—that they are willing to be transparent and identify with the attendees and their issues.
As one friend put it, “I have never felt so loved upon!” These women, understanding how home schooling moms tend to get down and/or beat themselves up, put together this time of encouragement for other home schooling moms.
They now do it twice, once in Texas and once in Oklahoma, so they can bless even more moms. So you have the option of attending either of two weeks, January 16-17 (Texas) and January 23-24 (Oklahoma).
I will be attending the summit in Texas; I am honored to be a speaker again this year. I hope to see many of you there!
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