The Mission Field Home

One morning I had my coffee, the table was set with all of our school books and supplies, and I could already picture my kids coming by downstairs, ready to take on the homeschool day. In my head, it was going to be like one of those beautiful Pinterest images I scroll through all the time. But as soon as everyone sat down, someone started arguing about a stolen pencil and another started complaining that they had too much work to do. Literally, within minutes, my “perfect” vision for the day was broken.

In my 6 years of homeschooling, I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve definitely over romanticized it at times. Not on purpose or in a fake way, but just in the way that my mind imagined what I thought our school days should look like. Homeschooling really is a blessing, but it’s not always the cozy, picture perfect life we see all over the internet. And that’s where it can take a wrong turn, because when we over romanticize it, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and those mamas watching us, considering on making the switch.

Over Romanticizing Homeschool Can Lead to Burnout

There’ve been times where I’ve pushed myself too hard trying to create a perfect homeschool atmosphere which only led to frustration and exhaustion. I’d stay up late to set up our table so it looked good for Instagram the next morning, only to wake up feeling rushed and overwhelmed right away. On top of my overwhelm, the kids didn’t even notice any of the work I put in the night before. All they really needed was for me to be patient and centered in order to walk them through everything. Instead, I was frustrated that I couldn’t get my Instagram worthy picture to share online that day.

When we strive for a flawless homeschool day, it can really leave us drained and discouraged. Scripture tells us in Matthew 11:28 (NKJV), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If homeschooling is leaving us exhausted and burnt out, it’s probably because we’re focused on an image instead of resting in Him. Its completely normal to want a peaceful homeschool day, but when we try to force an atmosphere just to prove everything is “perfect”, we end up missing the real beauty of how our homeschool is supposed to be.

If We’re Not Careful, Homeschool Can Become An Idol

I’ve had to catch myself more than once when homeschooling started becoming more about me and my abilities as an educator and content creator than about God’s call to homeschool. There have been times when I’ve tied my worth and identity as a mom to how smoothly a lesson went or how put together our days looked like. On days when math lessons ended in tears or I decided to throw a subject out the door for the day, I felt like a complete failure.

The truth is that when we allow homeschooling to take part in our success or identity as Christian moms, it becomes idolatry. Psalms 16:4 reminds us that chasing after other gods (even good things like homeschooling), only leads to sorrow. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t love homeschooling. But when homeschooling becomes about us, and less about it glorifying God, it becomes an idol in our lives.

The Comparison Trap and Uncontentment is dangerous

Scrolling through social media can be a dangerous trap. I remember seeing other mom’s homeschool rooms with their beautiful and aesthetically pleasing chalkboard wall, organized bookshelves, desks for each kid, and a perfectly curated morning basket. Meanwhile, we were homeschooling on the dining table, stuffing our homeschool supplies in the entertainment cabinet and writing everything out on a very unaesthetic white board. For a moment there, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough to be a good homeschool mom.

Comparison robs us of joy, contentment and gratitude. Philippians 4:11 (NKJV) says, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”. It’s a reminder that contentment isn’t found in circumstances, but in Christ. Likewise, our source of joy and contentment shouldn’t be found in the way that our homeschool looks or feels. It doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to reflect the unique family culture that God has given you.

Homeschooling is a Ministry, not a romantic ideal

Homeschooling is discipleship. It’s a ministry. It’s an opportunity to point our kids to Christ through math lessons, projects, and even arguments between siblings. When we lean into the fact that homeschool is a ministry and not a romantic ideal, we stop worrying so much about how it looks and focus more on how we can better serve our kids.

Colossians 3:23 (NKJV) says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”. This scripture has become an anthem in my family. Everything we do is meant to honor God, not impress others for looks, likes or follows. That includes our homeschool. The ministry of homeschool isn’t about those who are outside looking in, but about glorifying the Lord as we raise up our kids in Him. As a content creator, I can admit that it’s fun to share the beauty of homeschool and encourage other moms. But at the end of the day, my homeschool isn’t just content for social media. It’s a ministry that God has entrusted me with.

Journal Prompts to Help Process these Burdens

Sometimes, the best way to process the burdens we feel in homeschooling, is to slow down, pray, reflect, and then put those thoughts onto paper. As someone who journals consistently, I can honestly say that has helped me realized when I’ve had unrealistic expectations, when I’ve been hit with the comparisons bug, and where I’ve failed to rest in Gods grace. Here are some prompts that you can use to help you release the pressure and instead find freedom in a Christ centered homeschool.

1. Have you ever tied your worth to how smoothly your homeschool day was? How did it affect you?
2. In what ways might you be idolizing homeschool? What can you today to stop?
3. When have you felt burnout in homeschool? What led you to that point?
4. How have you fallen into comparison with other homeschool moms? What scriptures can you use to combat that?
5. If you could let go of one unrealistic homeschool expectation, what would it be? Why?
6. In what ways do you see homeschool as a ministry? How can you disciple your children better during the hard moments?
7. What specific burdens in homeschool are you carrying that you need to surrender to Christ in prayer?
8. How have you seen God work through the messy homeschool days?
9. In what small ways can you invite more joy and gratitude into your homeschool day?

Download the free Journal Prompts printable, here.

Final Thoughts

Over romanticizing homeschool can be a serious burden. It shows up in burnout, idolatry, comparison and sometimes even guilt and pressure. But we can choose to not carry those burdens. Homeschooling isn’t about having a perfect aesthetic. It’s about walking daily with our children and pointing them to Christ during the ordinary moments. Some of the most meaningful lessons that happen, won’t be planned. But that’s where you find the beauty in it.

If you’re feeling the weight of unrealistic expectations in your homeschool, I get it! Your messy, chaotic moments are not failures. They’re opportunities to allow Gods grace to shine through. Keep going, mama. You got this!