Proverbs 17:22 says that laughter is good medicine for the soul. Over the past 18 years of homeschooling my six children, I have found that their laughter, squeals of delight, and funny stories brighten my heart on heavy days. They bring a deep sense of joy to my spirit and home. When one child shares a joke or misquotes a historic individual, or when the dog does eat someone’s homework, somewhere amid it all is joy. 

These special moments deepen my relationship with and knowledge of the little people God has given me to raise and teach. Expressing our feelings with each other encourages emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth. Laughter, growth, and joy go hand-in-hand as you walk the journey of homeschooling. 

Joy in Sharing & Studying God’s Word 
One of the greatest joys for me in homeschooling is being able to show and share the love of Jesus with my children. Proverbs 22:6  says that parents should “train up a child in the way he should go.” Many commentaries agree that the word “training” means “instructing or instating thoughts.” 

I count it a joy and privilege to teach my children that the grades they get, good or bad, do not define them. Rather, their effort and dedication to trying and doing their best is what our Lord truly cares about. (Another mom shares her input on this topic in the blog post “Teaching for Joy in Learning.”) 

Being able to open the Word with my children each morning before we start our school day may be one of the best memories I have from the past 18 years. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” 

In our home, we have a variety of ways to study God’s Word together. We listen to missionary biographies, read through storybook bibles, and do verse-by-verse studies. We also use devotionals and watch children’s series on TV together. Cultivating a heart for God and His Word from a young age has given my children a solid biblical foundation. This foundation helps them to make wise and meaningful life decisions. 

Joy in Prayer & Communication 
Encouraging a joyful homeschool environment is natural to some moms. For others, joy is more of a struggle, but it’s important nonetheless. 

I daily need to seek the Lord’s help in creating a positive atmosphere in our homeschool room. Over the years I have stopped in the middle of a reading lesson to call out to Jesus. Sometimes one of the kids is arguing over a reading book or a favorite-colored pencil. Calling out right away to the One who can fix it is more beneficial than my explaining for the hundredth time why the current situation is a “joy killer.” 

Building strong relationships with my children is imperative to setting a good tone for the day. So is encouraging open communication about how they are feeling, or their attitude about an assignment. Being honest with them about my need for Jesus’ help is a step in creating a positive homeschool atmosphere. This honesty also incorporates biblical truth into their hearts and minds. 

Joy in Curriculum Flexibility 
Embracing flexibility and creativity in your homeschool is another great way to nurture joy in the hearts of you and your children. Adapting your curriculum to fit your family’s needs is a great starting point. 

One semester, we didn’t use a reading curriculum. Instead, we went to the local library each Monday and picked out books that interested each child. The joy and excitement this created helped my non-readers in more ways than I could have hoped for! 

Providing creative learning activities is also a way to break up the mundane and pursue joy. Holidays are especially easy to do this with. Try incorporating a math cooking class with special holiday treats. Or set up a craft station for designing amazing holiday decor. These activities help to incorporate hands-on projects and experiments that make learning fun and engaging. 

Joy in Homeschool Community 
Finding community support for your homeschool ensures that you don’t feel alone in your journey. Connecting with other homeschooling families through local co-ops and support groups is a great way to make friends. Joining music groups or sports clubs helps to increase socialization. All these community activities will enhance and broaden your children’s educational experience. My children take part in our county’s after-school fine arts orchestras and public school sports programs. These extracurriculars are a source of joy for them and also build their character. 

Planning and taking field trips with other families is another great way to find community. Last year, one of the homeschooling moms in our church contacted our local jail and set up a tour of the facility. We visited the crime lab, fingerprinting department, ballistics analysis area, and more. The kids (and I) learned so much, and we walked away with ideas of how we could better serve our local police. 

Joy in Reflection 
Recognizing the impact homeschool has on your walk with the Lord is essential to avoiding burnout. At the end of each week, month, or semester, reflect on your personal growth as well as the growth you have seen in your children. 

There will be days when you feel you have taken 100 steps back and that no one has learned anything. But there are also weeks when you look back and realize that God gave you special patience and grace to tackle each hard scenario. There will be days when you realize that you have learned as much, if not more than, your child about a particular subject. And you will be able to praise the Lord with a joyful heart that He is allowing you to be as moldable and teachable as you ask of your children. 

Celebrating milestones and achievements can be fun, exciting, and encouraging to your heart. Parties for A’s, ice cream outings for memorized facts, or a fun movie night for a week well done can help to nurture contentment. 

And of course, remembering to acknowledge God’s faithfulness in your homeschool journey is a biblical command not to overlook. I love Psalm 92:1, which says, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.” 

Joy in Your Homeschool 
I hope this post has given you a new understanding of how homeschooling can be a joy. Tired moms, I pray that you have found a few fresh ideas and ways to breathe joy into your school day. New homeschooling moms, run with the excitement of this beginning adventure. Know that you have many people in your corner cheering you on! Seasoned moms, I hope you are encouraged to try something new or to share your tips for finding joy with someone else. 

Joy is often found in the unexpected moments of the day, week or year. Check out the blog post “Joy of Learning” for extra ways in which joy can be found in the day-to-day of homeschooling. 

Continue your journey with BJU Press. 
Are you ready to embrace a rewarding homeschooling journey? Discover the joy of homeschooling with BJU Press! BJU Press materials offer engaging resources designed to ignite a passion for learning in your children. From textbooks to DVDs to online videos, our curriculum supports your family’s education path. Join countless parents who have found joy and confidence in homeschooling with BJU Press.