It wasn’t until recently that the Lord has revealed the truth to me.

Those crushing feelings of guilt that I had allowed Satan to consistently use against me had kept me from seeing all of the amazing things that the Lord had been able to do in the lives of my children. And I feel pretty certain that you have been blinded by that same guilt, too.

You see that’s exactly how guilt works.

• Keeps your mind focused on what you aren’t doing
• Tells you that you are failing your kids
• Holds you hostage in a state of constant stress

But this is not what the Lord wants for any of us.

When we feel guilty, it’s important to evaluate whether we need to make changes.

However, illegitimate guilt can be dangerous, because it usurps all of the good things that the Lord has for us. We have the choice to either cling to feelings of guilt or boldly choose to say no!

And that boldness is exactly what we have to embrace if we want to teach our children to overcome the devil’s devices. So, let’s make a conscious effort to turn a deaf ear to the devil and simply take a look at how many amazing things your kids learn by watching you and how you can help them build a stronger foundation in each area moving forward.

Of all the skills that I hope my boys master, this one is at the top of the list. Time management is essential to everything from working and learning to sleeping and traveling! We have to understand the value of time, because once it is gone it can never be brought back.

Of course, time management isn’t a skill that is mastered overnight… in fact, it is quite the opposite. It has taken a lot of time for my kids to understand the value and importance of time. But by watching me teach online, create curriculum, answer emails, and write blog posts—among so many other things—they have seen just how important time management is to accomplishing the tasks of the day.

We have also worked together to create a schedule with time blocks so they know when I am working on something that cannot be interrupted and when they need to be working on specific tasks. This has been a vital way for them to visualize the day and grasp how time factors into everything.

 Set timers for short increments of time (five minutes), and have your child complete one task. If this is relatively easy for your child, set the timer for a longer period of time and have them complete two or more tasks. The whole point of this endeavor is to help them make the connection between time and tasks. They will begin to realize that focused attention to a task equals quicker completion, and potentially more time for fun!

Create a schedule to help even your youngest kids understand what comes next and when things will happen in a day. Time is complex, so creating a schedule makes this abstract concept more concrete.

As work-from-home, homeschooling moms, we don’t have someone overseeing all of our activities. We have to monitor our own actions and work for each outcome that we hope to achieve. Of course, this requires that we show up every day and take the initiative to do all the things… even the ones we don’t want to do.

Because these activities are super-obvious, it’s important to discuss work ethic and make initiative a topic of conversation. We have to talk about how we don’t have a “boss” that tells us everything we need to do. We can point out how we do things even when we don’t feel like it.

Help your kids brainstorm two to three activities that they already know how to do independently. Then explain that for the next week they need to be observant and notice when these activities need to be completed without you having to ask. Remember, these should be chores or skills that they can do independently, like putting their shoes in the closet, making their bed, loading the dishwasher, folding the laundry, or hanging up their coats.

Be sure to acknowledge each time they take initiative and tell them how much you appreciate their efforts! This is even more important if they do the job well. If they complete a task halfway, thank them for taking initiative. Then explain that part of having a good work ethic is doing your best every time, and show them how to complete the task properly for the next time.

Find a new hobby or a new skill that you would like to learn, and let your kids have a bird’s eye view of your learning process. Point out when you have to walk away because you are frustrated. Let them see you looking up information on Google or watching YouTube videos to figure out what to do next. Allowing them to see you make mistakes will make them more willing to admit when they are struggling themselves.

Read The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. This book is the perfect way to launch a discussion about how frustrating it can be when you work really hard on something but it doesn’t really work out like you plan and how your mindset changes everything.

When you work from home, you have to be a master at troubleshooting. There are always new skills to learn and problems to solve, which means that we have to be lifelong learners. We are constantly learning new information and more effective ways to do things.

Pointing out when we are struggling with a new concept is the perfect teachable moment for our kids. There is no better time to help your children see that they can accomplish anything than when you are in the middle of learning something new yourself. It’s important for your child to see that you don’t know everything and it’s okay to make mistakes!

Knowing when we have learned everything that we can on our own is a pivotal time to talk about the importance of seeking help or advice from someone who is more learned in a particular area. Being willing to reach out to others doesn’t show weakness; it shows boldness!

As we embrace a growth mindset that says, “I don’t understand this yet, but I will!” we are teaching our kids the value of knowledge. We are also showing them that attitude and willingness to try are vital to success.

Find a new hobby or a new skill that you would like to learn, and let your kids have a bird’s eye view of your learning process. Point out when you have to walk away because you are frustrated. Let them see you looking up information on Google or watching YouTube videos to figure out what to do next. Allowing them to see you make mistakes will make them more willing to admit when they are struggling themselves.

Read The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. This book is the perfect way to launch a discussion about how frustrating it can be when you work really hard on something but it doesn’t really work out like you plan and how your mindset changes everything.

Having a job that you love is a blessing, but it can also be difficult to walk away from each day. As work-at-home, homeschooling moms, we don’t leave the office at a certain time because our “office” is in our home, which ultimately blurs the lines when it comes to setting boundaries.

But I have discovered that setting appropriate boundaries is just as important as setting goals. We need to have things that we are working toward or we never make any forward progress. However, we need to temper those goals with realistic boundaries. This teaches our kids that while a job is very important, our family is too.

It is important to stay focused and work hard during work time, but it is just as important to stay focused and work hard at having fun and being present with your family. Setting goals and healthy boundaries is the first step in this process.

 Have them make a list of things they enjoy doing. It can be anything from building with Legos to cooking or blowing bubbles. Then encourage them to pursue those things and help them think of other things they might enjoy based on their ideas. Discuss how their current interests could translate into job options later.

Put a boundary in place for yourself and share that boundary with your kids. Trust me, if you cross that boundary, they will be the first to call you out on it! Make the decision to walk away from work at a certain time, and show your kids that you think this is important by having them hold you accountable. Then take it a step further by letting them choose specific boundaries for themselves for which you can hold them accountable.

Passing on boldness to our children isn’t a one time, “over-the-top” extravaganza. It’s the small, consistent choices we make on a daily basis that mold us, and our children, into the boldest versions of ourselves.