Ode to a Homeschool Mom

As a wife, mother, and home educator
You are the embodiment of life, love, and laughter.
Even at times when you do not feel respected,
You are adored by the children you’ve directed.
Your chosen career means there is much to do,
For you are your children’s best teacher, too–
Training them to walk, to talk and say “please,”
Reading, writing, math, and social studies.
You can give a lesson and bake a cake
While tying a shoe and mending a break.
You take kids on field trips and nature hikes,
While setting up play days and movie nights.
Gathering books from the library, you strive
To read aloud and bring history alive.
Rather than measuring by height, grade or year,
You track their growth by the character they wear.
You are a modern “Renaissance woman”
Instructing every one of your children
In all of the fine arts and sciences
While you also pursue your own interests.
You are a housekeeper, nurse, cook, janitor,
Counselor, cheerleader, and a whole lot more.
You teach your children for most of the day,
And you listen to what they have to say.
You always put your family first
And do your best to fix every hurt.
Your heart is full of compassion showing
You are quite wise and always knowing.
Your life is not as glorious as some,
With many days taken up by tedium.
You rarely get what you truly deserve,
As anyone else would surely observe.
But even amid the worst of all days,
Happiness is found in a special way.
God is your strength and Jesus is your mentor;
As you honor Him, He blesses your endeavor.

by Teri Ann Berg Olsen