As a homeschooler, when you see me in public, you will probably see one to five of my children by my side. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10:00 a.m. M. From a Wednesday at the grocery store or 11:30 a.m. M. In a busy doctor’s office. Children are always with me.

What puzzles me is the reaction of the adults we come in contact with during our day.

Many are dumbfounded that I wear ironed clothes and have my hair combed. Most think I should go crazy.

Breaking news

My kids don’t drive me crazy.

(most of the time)

I always have 1 to 5 children (8 to 20 years old) by my side, no matter where I go. They are my friends. I am blessed beyond words!

I find my children to be amazing people. Unique, creative and interesting.

I want spend time with my boys. They are quirky, fun, and entertaining.

I love being the one who gets to hear all those crazy ‘childhood imaginations’. Why should I be in the dark about what brings you joy?

I appreciate that my children work side by side with me to manage our home. They understand that we are a team.

Family is the central point of my children’s lives.

My children spend their time with people of different age groups and can easily relate to almost anyone. It is a pleasure to have you around.

I spend so much time with my children that they are not clingy or needy.

I don’t feel like I’m missing her childhood. I am there to witness the quality moments encapsulated in the quantity of time.

If my children are suffering, they come to me. They know You can trust me.

If my children are afraid, they come to me. They know that I will reassure them.

My children do not question my desire to be a part of their lives.

I am “all in”.

Why do children drive their parents crazy?

They are not used to having their children around; they are usually at school or daycare.

Tea heart of your children’s life you live far from them.

During the school day, children laugh, cry, and are surprised.

At the end of the day, parents ask their children, “What did you do today?”

Children say: “Nothing.” They do not know how to relate to each other.

With working parents, public schools, and extracurricular activities. Families move from one destination to another, often marinated in tension because children cannot find their shoes, backpack or sports equipment. Families feed on anxiety.

Children take advantage of their parents’ time. They need attention. When parents and their children live apart from each other all day, they try to take advantage of their quality time. You rarely get quality time without amount hour. While special moments can be created, spontaneous moments are lost.

They don’t know their kids the same way they would if they spent all their time together. This is a question of quantity. The best friends are looking for. They invest the best they can in each other. Together with our spouses, our children should make the most of us.

School is the center of the child’s life.

Children spend most of their time around children their own age, so they do not easily interact with people of other age groups.

They believe that “me time” is essential to daily life. (I think “we are in time” is essential. My children too)

Bottom line?

I think our society has been seriously misled. Our children should not be moved into a classroom where they are surrounded by their peer group and they should be force-fed information that does not inspire them to learn more.

I know that homeschooling is not for everyone. Honestly, homeschooling is tough. Very hard.

Parents should do everything possible to refocus their children so that the family is the center, not the school. This may mean turning off the television, giving up sports, and renting a motorhome. I think children need to know that their parents are “with everything.” It may take convincing, but our kids need it!

I think parents need a mentality reset.

• It is good to be around your children.

• It’s okay to have many, many, many moments that are unstructured. That’s where quality time lives!

• It is good to snuggle and read together.

• It is good to cook, clean and create with your children by your side.

• It’s good drag Take your kids to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, and the zoo.

• It’s good for your kids to see you laugh.

• Children are entertaining.

• Children are a blessing.

• Family time is more important than time to me. Almost. Forever.

You may be thinking, but you don’t know my children. They don’t want to have anything to do with me. You don’t have to take them out of public school necessarily, but their time is running out. This is one of those mountains worth dying for. Your family is everything. Get your family back. It will take time and energy that you don’t think you have, but it’s worth it.

If you know you can’t homeschool your children, you can still claim your family …

Turn off the television at least one day a week.

I’m not against television, I just like my kids better. Television prevents children from building, creating, and speaking. It’s true your home is cleaner and quieter with the TV on, but at what cost?

Start eating at the table. Reset family dinners. Have the children help plan and prepare at least one meal a week (or a month).

Clear the calendar and set up a Family Game Night.

Wake up your kids early and go watch the sunrise (once a month). Be sure to bring or pick up a delicious breakfast.

Let the kids stay up late and set up a telescope in the yard. Sit outside and gaze at the stars with your children.

Read aloud to your children. It doesn’t matter how old they are. Find a gripping story and stop at a point of suspension. Let them enjoy a bowl of popcorn while you read. Do you need some suggestions?

Learn to ask questions that cannot be answered with a yes or no.

Learn to wait for children to respond. We can be so busy that we don’t have the patience for our children’s minds to form the answers.

Teach your kids to do something difficult: change a tire, use a weed killer, unplug a drain, reprogram a computer, build a fence, ANYTHING. Make this a regular habit.

Expect your children to help out around the house. Children need chores, but they are not slaves. Work alongside them. Put them in charge of the background music (maybe just once a week if you can’t stand their choices).

Set limits. Children need to know that it will keep them safe. This means different things to each family. You are the father. You set the standards.

TURN OFF YOUR smartphone, laptops, iPads, or any screen that takes your eyes off your kids. Make it a policy that during your brief time together, you will be “EVERYONE.”

Turn off the house phone at night. Family time is sacred!

Read a proverb every day to your children. There are 31 proverbs, so you look at the calendar and you read that proverb. If you really want your family back, you need more of God. Period. Start where you are. Ask God to help you and start reading your Bible. Proverbs is a good place to start because it is full of incredible wisdom for your family. No, it is not out of date.

Eliminate any activities that do not strengthen your family. This can be VERY difficult. Be honest with yourself. There is no one-size-fits-all family. What I need to cut back in my family will be absolutely different for yours. Be real.

Family time is precious.

Reduce expenses. This may seem obvious, but it is not. By reducing your expenses, you can spend more and more time with your family. With a little creative financing, maybe you can afford to stay home!

Start out slow.

• Leave your children and let them know that you are getting your family back.

• Implement one new habit at a time. If you have older children, let them choose one thing to change first.

• Be consistent.

• Set a reminder on your calendar and reevaluate your efforts at least once a month.

Which mom would you rather be?

The one who loves to be close to her children,

Or the one who goes crazy for them?

Manufacture any change necessary to make the right decision.

It may not be easy, but it’s worth it!