I have recently heard some moms discussing their balance to be "Fun Mom" instead of just "Homeschool Mom." The fact is, as Mom, we are also Schedule-keeper Mom, Cook-and-housekeeper Mom, Spouse-to-your-husband Mom, Family-member Mom, Neighbor Mom, Church Member Mom, possibly Working-a -job-while-homeschooling-Mom, and more. It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibility to keep your children and yourself on task. We have a great blog post written by a homeschooling mom that shares some great tips for maintaining that balance as Fun Mom. But what about the rest?

Ladies, if you are a Christian, you are, first and foremost, a Child-of-the-King Mom. Your commitments, devotion, motivation, and strength come from God. Instead of trying to be all of the other moms, keep your priorities within biblical confines. As a child of the King, God promises you many things.

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

2 Corinthians 6:18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.

Those things will guide and strengthen you through your other mom responsibilities. And when things don't go as planned for the different mom positions, your position with God is always secure. He sovereignly allows your journey according to the His will. As you obediently follow that will, He guides and strengthens you for the remainder of your mom's responsibilities. If you are a married mom, that also means the commitment to your husband is of high importance. God is the grace-giver in that mom role as well. When those two mom positions are primary, the rest will fall into place.

Ask yourself if you're doing too much right now. Must you do all of the things you're involved in right now? Know what to say yes to and what to say no to changes at different seasons of our lives. Keep the "why" you homeschool goals and statement as a measuring stick for the decisions you make about your daily schedule and your family activities. What you are able to accomplish for the day, that year, and that season in life is what God allowed for you and your family. There will always be laundry, more toys to pick up, and papers to grade. Will this new thing you're saying yes to enhance your homeschool, fulfill a need, or provide a benefit that outweighs the things that will fall by the wayside for now?

Knowing how to prioritize the quality time spent with your children and your well-being requires prayer, wisdom, and grace. Having a mentor or another homeschooling parent to encourage you is very important. One of the best things our consultants do is to care for other homeschooling moms. If ever anyone understood the schedule, the highs, the lows, and the blessing of homeschooling, it's another homeschooling mom who can pray for and encourage you in your homeschooling journey. It's our great privilege to do so.

Your children need a God-loving, spiritually-led mother who loves her husband and educates her children with the resources she has right now with God's grace. The rest will fall into place, or maybe it won't. If the other things do not fall into place, that is ok. But when you find that is too much- ask God to pare away what isn't expedient right now and enjoy what he has for you right now. Enjoy the main mom roles, and the rest will fall into position.