Whether you are schooling at home, online, or in a traditional setting, creating an Intentional School Year is the SECRET to SUCCESS.
Fall is the perfect time to set goals in our family. School is starting; an opportunity to assess what character qualities, skills, and heart issues need the most growth. Prayerfully, I consider each child and the areas that need adjustments. Next, I strategically incorporate tools to lead my child closer to God, character development, as well as, various academic aspirations.
Since I homeschool, the added responsibility of choosing a curriculum adds to my plate, but it also allows me to foster a year that is imperative to their whole development.
Creating an Intentional School Year begins with prayer, asking God to unfold areas of growth that need cultivating. As the mom/teacher, I include myself in the process. What area do I need to improve, get more consistent so that I can lead my blessings? But I am getting ahead of myself, so let me walk it out using a few action steps….
"There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human, are created, strengthened and maintained." - Winston S. Churchill
Actions Steps
FOR MOM: Write a list of things YOU want to do better… read more, keep clutter off counters, follow through with chores, etc….
FOR CHILD: For each child (and I have six), I create a list of all the areas that need improving both within their character and academically.
FOR FAMILY: I look for overall themes that might be occurring within our family.
USE GOD’S WORD: Next, I search for a bible verse that could encompass our year. Sometimes it is obvious, while other times it is more general. I have even had my kids find a verse that will guide them throughout the year, depending on their current stage.
USE RESOURCES/BOOKS: Follow up with books that help guide character development. They could be missionary stories, historical bibliographies or bible studies.
USE CONTRACTS: Design a contract for each child. We incorporate a weekly contract within our school structure. Basically, I set up a structure to develop new habits and maintain goals.
Each year looks different! With six kids, I am always adjusting and tweaking. The overall goal is to be intentional, and the beginning of the school year allows a natural door to create that opportunity. Having three children that have already graduated, keep me aware that the years are going by fast. I now start a countdown with, “how much time I have left to pour into them in a daily setting”.
Being intentional creates an atmosphere of purpose and passion. Most families drift through life being throw side to side by the winds of life, living in a state of reaction instead of being proactive.
What is your heart for your (future) adult children?
Are you raising leaders? Do they have the confidence to be successful? Are they resourceful? Kind? Driven? Do you want them to know we serve a mountain-moving God? Do you want them to have the faith to guide them through the hard times that lay ahead? If so, IT IS UP TO YOU! You must put in the hard work now to develop the godly character that will sustain them for the rest of their life.
No pressure?!??! Right!
I wholeheartedly believe God gave us these blessings to help guide them toward a fulfilling life rooted in Christ. Every year we get to actively pour into their hearts, teach godly truths, and give them a firm foundation.
Begin this school year different.
Set goals.
Allow God to transform your family.
Get Intentional!!
