You can't imagine how you have touched me today. I'm trying not to cry. I know perfectly well that what you say is true, but it is so hard. I have homeschooled my kids for about ten years now, and I often get discouraged. I love the actual work, I am loving the way I learn so many things myself...but my kids don't love it. I lose my joy in the whole thing because they have such negative attitudes. I find myself hurting inside because I want SO badly for them to enjoy this time, to appreciate the opportunity we have, but instead, they gripe and growl and snipe at each other. I know that I am totally missing something, but I really have no idea how to get it back.

What made me cry was the comment from your child. Never once have I heard a word of thanks from any of my children for schooling them. I suppose that's silly, because how often do we think to thank people for things that we totally take for granted, but it would mean SO much to hear it from their mouths sometime.

The hardest thing I have ever done in my life was homeschool our two kids. After the first year, I knew I was in over my head. Then, something wonderful happened. I was learning more than my children--and loving it. They attended homeschoolhebrew.com, but I learned Hebrew. They took biology, but I abandoned evolution. They took algebra, but I found a mathematical proof that blew evolution out of the ballpark. The worst three years of my life, were the three best years of my life.

This was a wonderful article and I know I struggle from these feelings from time to time. Thanks so much for the gentle reminder and loving way you encouraged us by sharing your story.