A Beautiful Mess

written by Jessica Prukner

Homeschooling isn’t an adventure for the faint of heart. One thing I have learned over the past seven years of homeschooling my three children is that I get to be their greatest influence. For kids who attend school, kids will leave for seven to eight hours a day to be influenced and taught but other adults and peers. This was something I wasn’t ok with for my kids’ lives. I didn’t want to only get them for a few hours a day when they were going to be tired, doing homework, maybe practicing a sport or eating dinner. I wanted to spend the prime, best parts of their days with them.

There has been such beauty that has come with having my kids with me all day, every day. Being homeschooled, they spend 80-90% of their time with each other and me. Their dad pops in throughout the day, grandparents are always close by and visiting, but the majority of their time is with me. I discovered early on in this adventure that my influence will play a major role, not just in the outcome of our current day, but in who they become as people. Someone once said, “If mamma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” This is an improper slang saying, but it gets the point across well!

Mom or Dad, you are the thermostat of your day. There are many days I come to the school room exhausted and moody and within minutes the whole room will take a turn for the worse, and suddenly everyone is bickering and fighting with each other. What a mess! But other days, I bring a positive, joyful attitude and we all have a wonderful day learning and laughing. I am not saying this is 100% accurate, but most of the time it works out to be effective.

Early on, when I was looking for a homeschool name, I came across the Bible verse, Psalm 127:3-4, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” I named our school “Soaring Arrows Academy” and plastered this verse all over the place so I could see it. I needed to constantly remind myself that God chose me to be my kids’ greatest influence. This verse went so far as to call me a ‘warrior’! I have taken this duty very seriously over the years. I am not just a teacher and a mom, I am a great influencer, a mighty warrior. I have the calling and ability to send these beautiful three arrows that God has entrusted me with into the world! You are the same! You are a mighty warrior!

Jessica Prukner is a homeschooling mom for the past seven years. She does life with her fun-loving and adventurous three kids, Kayley, Zac and Zoey. She has built a successful business with her husband and best friend in life, Ian. Jessica enjoys speaking at parenting partnerships that strive to work together to create successful, thriving homes and businesses. She has had the blessed opportunity to co-host homeschooling bootcamps, marriage retreats and other seminars.