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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter June, 2004
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dearest Reader,
We made it! My first born and my oldest homeschooling
child has graduated! What a wonderful feeling of
accomplishment for our whole family. Did we do all those
years of homeschooling perfectly? No. Were there days
when we wanted to quit? Yes! Was I the model Proverbs 31
Homeschooling Mom? (see this months Ideas article) NO! Are
there things we could have done better? Absolutely.
But we made it and all of the frustration, exhaustion and
plain hard work was well worth it.
At this time of year we all take a look back and wonder if
we did things as well as we could have. If you tend to be
a little hard on yourself, keep reading and see if the Lord
will speak to you through this month’s Ideas article.
Blessings on your day,
Charmaine
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*** In This Issue ***
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1. Ideas: Proverbs 31 Homeschool Mom by Tamara Eaton
2. Tips: Compare Not! by Charmaine Wistad
3. What's New?
4. About Charmaine
5. Testimonial
6. Quote of the Month
7. Funny of the Month
8. The Small Print
9. In Our Next Issue
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*** Ideas ***
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Proverbs 31 Homeschool Mom
Sometimes we just need to take time to do a "reality check"
in our homes. We have to remind ourselves, "What does the
LORD require of me?" Perfection, in this season of life, in
our houses, in our homeschools, and in ourselves, is not
going to occur!
Some homeschooling moms have this idealistic vision of a
Proverbs 31 homeschooling mother who rises while it is yet
early and prepares a large, nutritious hot breakfast for
her family, (complete with homemade bread, she never buys
"store-bought!") then has time to devote an hour to the
Lord in prayer and Bible Study (whoops! Make that two
hours, an hour for each!) and then has the house all
sparkling clean by 8:00 to start homeschool!
Her energy level and sunshiny disposition remains steadfast
all day, never letting up for even a second. She runs an
"one-room-schoolhouse" atmosphere in her kitchen or family
room. She lectures brilliantly, reads entire books in one
sitting just for fun, all HER children know all their
multiplication tables by the second grade. She teaches them
all to copy her flawlessly beautiful old-fashioned
penmanship. Her children are enthusiastic learners all the
time and never are reluctant to have school, but actually
beg for more on the weekends! They are all well advanced in
all subjects. They are also finished by noon so that she
can devote the rest of her day to other meaningful,
important activities.
Lunch is gourmet, and so is dinner. The kitchen literally
sparkles, the sink and floor areas in particular. She makes
everything from scratch, even her own soap. Yet, she does
it all in her "spare" time, so as to not take precious
moments away from the time she could be spending with her
husband and children.
She is always available to answer the phone and the door,
to encourage others and just provide entertaining chit chat
to the lonely. She is never more than a load of laundry
behind...and all of her family's socks match. She has a
policy of mending clothes the second they are brought to
her...this is simple, she always has matching thread and
materials because she makes all of their clothing, too!
But who is the Proverbs 31 homeschooling mother? One who
loves the Lord with all her heart and does her work as unto
the Lord...serves her family as she would serve the Lord.
She's not perfect, but she has a steadfast love for her
family and it shows. She takes time to examine priorities
and prayerfully consider what just HAS to be done, so that
she can eliminate the unnecessary. She takes time to rest
herself and provide for her own needs, too. She understands
that this helps her be a better mom and wife and servant of
the Lord!
She doesn't carry around a large burden which the Lord
never intended...a burden of "perfection" as she perceives
it. Instead, she lets the Lord carry that burden, and she
joyfully yields herself to His Holy Spirit to be lead, used
and encouraged in her daily walk with Him. While she
admires other godly Christian women, she doesn't constantly
compare herself with them. She knows that God has created
her uniquely and that there is no one on the face of the
earth that will be just like her, nor have her unique gifts
and ministry.
When she wakes up in the morning, her first thought is not,
"What must I do to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother and
woman today?", but instead she lifts praises up to the
Lord, "For this is the day that the Lord has made, and I
will be glad and rejoice in it!" She lets the love and joy
of the Lord flow through her...those "Living Waters!" It
just naturally reaches out to embrace her family and others
that she has contact with throughout the day.
Let us all yield ourselves to His Holy Spirit today and
allow the Lord to work through us and in us!
Tamara Eaton www.chfweb.com/eaton/
Reprinted in this newsletter with the author’s permission.
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*** Tips ***
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We are all tempted to compare ourselves to other
homeschooling families. This can add to the “burden of
perfection” and unrealistic expectations. Resist the
temptation to compare and instead try the following:
1. Make a list of all the positive things in your
homeschool.
2. Praise the Lord for the positive things in your
family's lifestyle.
3. Trust that God knows exactly what your family needs and
will find a way to supply it.
4. Celebrate the unique qualities of your family.
5. Work with your personal coach on finding your unique
style of homeschooling and being comfortable with it.
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*** What's New? ***
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Summer is a great time to gather your thoughts, assess your
options, determine your unique homeschooling style and make
plans for next fall.
Summer Special: sign up for coaching sessions for June,
July and August and get September thrown in for fr*ee!
Email or call today to schedule your fr*ee sample telephone
coaching session.
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
715-635-8609
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has successfully homeschooled her two
children from pre-school through high school. Now she is
turning her attention toward helping other homeschooling
moms.
Through regularly scheduled telephone coaching sessions,
Charmaine helps homeschool moms identify and define their
ideal homeschooling lifestyle, then make a plan and set the
realistic goals to achieve it. She also provides the
accountability necessary to carry through and have true
victory.
Charmaine helps homeschool moms THRIVE…not just survive.
Be sure to visit her website:
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com and sign up for her FREE
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter.
You are also invited to try a free no-obligation telephone
coaching session. You'll be amazed at how much can be
accomplished in just one session!
Email to request your free sample session at:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com.
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*** Testimonial ***
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I would like to recommend Charmaine and Victory Coaching to
anyone who needs a little extra boost or a LOT of help!! I
am a new homeschooling mom who also deals with several
chronic illnesses. Charmaine helped me get the "paper
monster" under control. I explained my situation to
her--paper was taking over my life and my bedroom!! She
asked a few questions and came up with an idea that has
helped me get the paper under control and still teach my
children from the bed if need be. She is able to take a
problem and look at it in many different ways to bring
about an answer that is right for you, in your particular
situation.
Another big plus was that she did not pressure me to
continue with more sessions. I was not able to afford
more, even though she offered to work with me on the
charge. She in no way made me feel bad about this, or that
I owed her since she had given me the free trial session.
I really appreciate her integrity in this area.
I believe that she could help you solve your homeschool
challenges, no matter what they are. The first session is
free. What have you got to lose?
Donna T. in AL
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*** Quote of the Month ***
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"For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of
children...certainly makes all other forms of success and
achievement lose their importance by comparison."
-Theodore Roosevelt -
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*** Funny of the Month ***
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My mother was away all weekend at a business conference.
During a break, she decided to call home - collect.
My six-year-old brother picked up the phone and heard a
stranger's voice say, "We have a Marcia on the line. Will
you accept the charges?"
Frantic, he dropped the receiver and came charging outside
screaming, "Dad! They've got Mom! And they want money!"
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***The Small Print ***
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If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to
everyone you know. Thanks!
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Honoring Your Privacy:
Your privacy is completely and utterly protected.
I will not sell or give away your name or email. You have
my word on it!
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If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter:
please send an email with the word 'unsubscribe'
in the subject line to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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I would love to hear from you! But please do not reply to
this newsletter. It is sent out automatically and I will
not receive your reply. Instead, send your comments and
ideas for future issues to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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Homeschooling Ideas and Tips Copyright 2004,
Victory Coaching
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of Homeschooling Ideas and Tips
may be forwarded in full without special permission
provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full
attribution and copyright notice are given. For other
purposes, please contact:
Charmaine Wistad
P.O. Box 343
Spooner, WI 54801
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** In Our Next Issue ***
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Make the most of the summer.
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