"Tell them every day"

Dear younger me,
Homeschooling is the right decision. Do it. Don’t question yourself, but jump in and enjoy your time with your kids!
You need to know some things....

• First and foremost: Homeschooling does not guarantee perfect kids. Don’t expect that from them or you. 
• Keep going to daily mass with your growing, noisy, family. Grumpy old ladies will actually miss them being there, when they realize the loss... and it is really hard to reestablish the habit when you have busy, bigger kids.
• Stay with Catholic curricula as often as you can. Support small homeschool companies. Buy used books to save some trees and dollars. Keep a better list of the books you own as you add to your library. Don’t buy every book you want for ‘someday’!
• Make sure to keep your relationships in proper order. Prayer life with God, time with your husband, and having fun with your children are all foremost priorities to your vocation. Academics will happen. Relationships can be broken and are hard to repair.
• Build Christian friendships in your local community sooner. These will be the families your teens should have strong ties to during those trying years. They will need strong friendships established when they start participation with sports, choir, and band.
• When you need a break from schooling ‘that child’ make the sacrifice to send her to Catholic school. Those 20 weeks at the public school changed lives in ways that will always be filled with regret.
• And the conference speaker who convinced you that your children will adapt to the teacher’s learning- teaching style. That was so wrong and caused so much frustration for everyone! You need to nurture each individual mind, just as God tends to each individual soul. Tread with kindness and respect to their individuality and God given free will.
• ......And tell your kids every day that you love them.

Christ's Servant,
Older me.