It's Okay If...

* It's okay if my child is not reading at age 5. Really! Even at age 6. They will learn to read. There is so much pressure on little children these days. I have learned to ignore the pressure to make my children little geniuses. I am not worried that my three year old cannot sing the alphabet correctly. I am not worried that my five year old doesn't know all of his letters and sounds yet. They will learn the alphabet, and letters and sounds, and how to read - when they are ready to! I will keep teaching, but not pushing, not worrying.

* It's okay if my child doesn't love math. Or reading. Or grammar. Because not all children will love each subject. It doesn't mean I have failed at teaching it. It doesn't mean I have failed because I have not made it "fun" enough. {I mean, how fun can it be to diagram sentences or multiply three digit numbers?} My children need to learn that in life, not everything is fun. They will not love everything they have to do, but they will have to do it. And I can teach them to do it with a cheerful attitude.

* It's okay if my child struggles. It doesn't mean I am a terrible teacher. If I have to get outside tutors or help for my child, it's okay. One of my children struggles with math. I am not that great at math myself! My  mom, however, is a math genius. We often call her for help! And that is okay. 

* It's okay if my child wants to swap textbooks or change curriculum. My oldest daughter is in 7th grade this year, and I value her input.  Before I buy anything, I show her. I let her look at sample lessons, and I listen to her. If she doesn't think she will like it, I don't buy it. I don't let her change curriculum that often, but if she doesn't like something, we talk about it. We look at our options. We buy something new if necessary. Sometimes I ask her to stick it out a few more weeks, and we discuss it then. Sometimes we decided to wait until next year to change curriculum. And sometimes we buy something new that works so much better for her.

* It's okay if my child doesn't write as neatly, or draw as beautifully, or play an instrument as well as so and so's child. I quit the comparison game years ago. It took too much time and effort to worry about other people's children. I concentrate on what my children can do, as opposed to what they can't do. It makes me feel much better, and keeps me from unintentionally discouraging my own children. 

* It's okay if people think I am doing the wrong thing by sheltering and homeschooling my children. Because I know I am doing exactly what God has called me to do.

What would you add to my list? Tell me in the comments below!