Once my son’s developmental specialist gave me the green light to follow my dream to home school, I was very excited. I jumped in with both feet, soon realizing how much of a challenge this would bring.
My son is the oldest of 4 children, at age 9. He is considered by teachers and therapists to be at the mild end of the autistic spectrum, and has had a speech and language delay since he was 2.
While homeschooling is not meant for every parent of a child with special needs, I felt led to pursue this after much prayer and with support from family and friends.
Daily routines since his first year at home, in second grade, involve fun, but quiet, transition activities to start school time and between subjects. As well, many manipulatives and creative techniques are used to capture and keep his attention on me and each task. The biggest challenge is allowing extra time waiting for an answer to every question or problem.
To prepare me to teach him and care for my home and family, I go to the source of my joy and strength and sit at the feet of Jesus for as long as I can when I wake up in the morning. As I talk to Him and read His Word, the Bible, I imagine Jesus picking me up to allow me to rest in His arms, and He fills me with enough love, patience, endurance, creativity, and everything else needed to get me through the day.
The opposite certainly happens when I don’t start the day with Jesus. I lack all of these qualities, and the day just doesn’t feel right until I take the time to stop and pray.
Homeschooling is a blessing and one of the most important and rewarding ministries of God. I am very thankful to be placed in a position of teaching God’s precious gifts to me, my children.
**** Julie
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