Janell Greer | Life at Home

If I am being honest, over the last couple of years I have been processing what my childhood actually was like. I think because of some traumatic events both big and little, my perception of my childhood reality was a little warped. 

I will say, with confidence, my parents did their absolute best to raise my siblings and I to love God and forgive people. Im thankful that amidst the trauma, I have beautiful and growing relationships with both my parents and siblings. 

A: Nolan is 4.75 and is currently refusing to tell people he’s 4 but instead “almost 5.” 

Miles turned 2 in December and our little girl Noa is 2 months old. 

Nolan is extremely passionate about sports, mainly basketball. He also loves any opportunity where he’s able to come alongside either Dad or I and cook.

Miles sleeps, eats and breathes trucks and cars.

Both of my boys love to dance and are completely swoon over Noa.

A: In April of 2022 I left my job as a probation officer. I loved that job so much but I felt God calling me to be at home, serving my husband and children. At first, I was so excited but quickly felt regretful and overwhelmed with the task of being a homemaker. But, I knew if God was calling me to something, he would provide me the tools.

I honestly just fell into a rabbit hole of being inspired by homeschool moms on Instagram, and thought what if?

I prayed and asked for a glaring sign of confirmation. I prayed that I would stumble across a curriculum that was easy, fun and peaceful. Nolan is only in preschool so I didn’t put a ton of pressure on myself, it was more like a test run. 

Anyway, I found the Peaceful Preschool by the Peaceful Press and fell in love with everything about it. It began adding so much beauty and life into the mundane of being at home with my children. Watching Nolan learn things through reading, art, practical life skills, and phonics (just to name a few) compelled me to dream about the reality of homeschooling my kids for the long run.

A: Anything Bernstein Bears, You are Special by Max Lucado and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde have been books we’ve read over and over.

A: My faith. However, being on a united front with husband comes directly after. We haven’t always seen eye to eye when it comes to parenting and so we are actively working on it through therapy and honest communication. 

As a teacher, knowing my limits as well as my child’s. 

There have been many days where I just didn’t have the emotional or mental capacity to show up and homeschool. I would find myself more focused on checking the box instead of reveling in the beauty of the day. Or, I’d see my child not understanding a concept and growing frustrated and irritable because my unrealistic expectations weren’t being met. 

Or, my child just wasn’t in the space to learn so rigidly and needed a pivot- like a play date or to be in nature.

Lastly, grace upon grace. Recognizing that I’m not being measured and my lack doesn’t define what makes me good.

A: Take risks. I was always told to play it safe and I also watched my parents play it safe. I’m unlearning a lot of misconception I had about taking risks and being a dreamer. There is so much life to be lived and enjoyed on the other side of playing it safe. 

A: Seek wise counsel from seasoned homeschool moms. Don’t compare your resources, your children, your home, or your life with anyone else’s. Find a community of moms alike- if you don’t have one, create one. If God called you to it, He is faithful enough to see you through it. Have fun.