Moms, Your Are Enough

Vintage Homeschool Moms

Please don’t listen to all the voices that say you can’t do it. Moms, you are enough! Many times, we doubt our abilities. Should we homeschool? Should we put our children in a co-op? Should we put our child in a private school or public school? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz breaks down the critical concerns of homeschool moms and gives you the tools to thrive in your home.

Moms, You. Are. Enough. ~ Episode 532

I’m working on an “Inspire Series.” This is a blueprint for encouraging excellence in our children and our homes. But before I release that series, I really felt the need to encourage you. If you are a mom or dad or even a caregiver, welcome. This episode is geared toward those trying to navigate a hostile world where we are told we need experts for everything. We are also told that we don’t know enough or can’t think for ourselves and need those outside voices, whether it is social media, the news, your favorite app, or even worse, your parents, inlaws, or spouse.

The good news is that I believe, even without meeting you, that you are more than enough and that you have the tools you need. I mean, somehow, you found this podcast, perhaps the entire Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, and in particular, Vintage Homeschool Moms. You found me somewhere in the midst of the noise and the naysayers. That tells me you are incredibly resourceful, open, and willing to learn all you can to be the best you can be at this point in time. You can fill in the blanks.

Moms You Are Enough:

I am a ____________ (Christian, spouse, mom, dad, grandparent, caregiver) to my children. I am enough.

Moms You Are Enough vs. Moms You Are The Best

What’s the difference between being enough and being the best? First, being enough means being comfortable with who we are and our mistakes. I am not the most graceful person. If there is a step, I will trip over it. That doesn’t mean I will avoid steps, but it does mean I am aware of my shortcomings and failure to notice details, and I am extremely careful when navigating steps. My husband and I were walking along a sidewalk, and I tripped on a crack. He actually went back to look because neither of us saw it, and sure enough, there was a tiny elevation along one side. But again, that doesn’t keep me from walking or trying or thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’m such a clutz!” (Okay, so I am, but I’m okay with that.)

What area are you concerned about?

In the near future, we will, God willing, offer a call with some of the podcasters on this network and me who are willing to participate. This is in celebration of our 11 years on the air as a homeschool podcast network. This is because I see such a need for a one-to-one discussion about the greatest needs homeschool parents have today. I’ve learned that many of us struggle not so much thinking we are covering enough information with our children, or hoping our children will fit in socially, or praying that we don’t mess up our kids in some way.

I believe that we can overcome this way of thinking. Homeschool Moms are resilient and strong. If you don’t think you are, that is what we are here for today!

Moms You Are Enough: Parenting

• I believe that God does not make mistakes. As a Christian, I know that before I was born, God knew my name, and therefore my life has meaning. Your life does as well!
• I believe that you, too, are not a mistake, your kids are not a mistake, and your lives have meaning.
• I believe that our minds trick us into worry and concern about problems in the future or even events in the past, and we need to focus on today. (Mindfulness: Christians.)
• I believe that you are given the tools you need to parent, homeschool to nurture, and protect your children and that you have a group of us (this homeschool network) that will come alongside you and help you in any way that we can.

While I believe in all of the things above, what do you believe? Our minds are powerful, and we have the creativity and drive to do great things in our families if we give ourselves some credit.

Try it, what do you believe? How about believing that you are enough? Start your sentence with: “I am enough because…” and list all of your beliefs. What are you finding? If you are stuck, pray about it and see what pops into your head that is positive, not negative.

Some podcasts you might enjoy

• Redeeming Your Time
• Being Present To Your Family
• Mindfulness – Being Present

Positive Mindset

We can take authority over our minds by focusing on the good and starting each day in giving thanks. When I wake up I immediately focus on thanking God for another day and praising Him. We can be thankful for the little things. Years ago, during a really difficult time in my life, I started keeping a praise journal. I was thankful for the sky, and the beautiful clouds. I was thankful for the weather, even when it rained. I focused on being thankful, and my outlook changed dramatically.

Praise. Gratitude. Positivity.

When you praise God, when you are grateful for the little things, and when you focus on positivity in your life, the outcome is so much different. Does that mean we can’t have a pity-party on occasion? Of course, we can. (Share Deacon David’s story.)

Get Rid of the “If Only_____ I will be happy.”

Do you have any “if onlys” in your life? Do you have any of these thoughts? If only we didn’t rent an apartment. If only we had a house. If only our car wasn’t in the shop. If only we had enough money to do the things we’d like to do. If only______ fill in the blank.

The if-onlys are buzzkills; they are detrimental to our health, our mind, and our spirit. (More on air.)

Getting another car is not going to make me happy. If it does, it is fleeting. How do I cope? I thank God my car runs, even with the check engine light a few days ago that indicated low oil. I thank God that I have a car. I pray, “Lord, I am happy with this car and don’t need another one.” Truthfully, I don’t, but in my mind, I wanted to give it to a family member who could use it.

Sometimes, we have to die to ourselves to our wants, focus on what is important, and continue on. We are thankful for what we have, and believe me, the if-onlys never make us happy in the long run. (Tell Sanibel lady story.)

What makes us happy? Our spouses, family, friends, and groups online encourage us as mothers, spouses, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers to remember that bringing up our children is the most important thing we do. Maybe your list is different, but think about this and list all the things that make you happy.

You are enough because you are giving your time, your talents, and your resources to raise children who I pray love and serve our Lord and are wonderful adults someday. The Inspire series coming up next is my way of helping you with some key points in parenting, in education, and in our lives to focus on what is truly important.

Do you believe you are enough now? I pray you do!

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