May 6, 2026 – Teacher Appreciation for the Homeschool Mom!

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Your Future Self Thanks You!

Not only do we wear the title Mother, but we also are privileged to wear the title Teacher. From reading board books to reading living books, then watching them read on their own, we get a front seat to watch our children learn and grow. From grade school to graduation, the joys of motherhood never end, and our role as teacher changes to counselor. Motherhood is one of the greatest joys of life. Add on the privilege of educating our children and we are doubly blessed. 

However, there are those days when motherhood feels overwhelming: a pounding headache, sick children, a toddler wanting “up” constantly, teenagers wanting to talk, dinner still undone after 7 p.m., and a house in chaos. In those moments, it feels like no one sees what we carry or cares how exhausted we are. It doesn’t feel virtuous or glorious at all.

Yet the heart of motherhood isn’t the tasks themselves, but how we respond to them for God’s glory. What our children remember—and what matters eternally—is whether we lived as faithful servants who made Christ known in the midst of the good days and the bad. Our responses become their training. 

So when we under- or over-elevate our role, or entertain unrealistic expectations of recognition, our emotions become entangled. We can forget that we are called to imitate the One who made Himself a servant of no reputation. When we realize that all the teaching and serving we do could only be done through Christ, then every day becomes a celebration of His goodness, not ours.

God sees our joys and sorrows. He sees our weariness and He invites us to come to Him for rest. Mothers, plan time with your Father. In His presence and in His Word, you become the virtuous mother you long to be. 

Your future self will be blessed by the children you are laying your life down for today. And we all appreciate the amazing blessings you are raising for God’s glory and our collective good. Thank you for all you do! 

~Deborah

On the Hey, Mama! Homeschool Show Podcast, Episode 67, hear about how you can remove discouragement by turning your expectations for celebration into yearly traditions. 

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Danika Cooley

Days Off for Mom . . . with the Kids

I am a big fan of living a pragmatic life. For me, that means keeping my expectations of others low. In the day-to-day monotony of schooling, I’ve worked to create and find joy in the life that God has graciously given me. After all, no one else is in charge of my happiness.

In our homeschool, when I started to feel burnt out or underappreciated, it usually meant that either my relationship with the kids needed a little bonding, or we just all needed a break. I solved this by taking a day off with my kids. Fun days are just as important as schoolwork days.

Fun days in our homeschool included:

• A movie and hot chocolate morning
• Taking a day trip with my husband and the kids
• A trip to the zoo
• Hiking in the arboretum, park, or at the beach
• Park days with other homeschool families
• Visiting the ice cream shop after lunch
• Going for a family bike ride
• Playing games 

Homeschooling our children all day every day leaves us susceptible to serious mom burnout. That is no good for anyone! It is better to sacrifice a day of “learning” for a day of fun and connection. 

When our kids feel loved and treasured, they are far more likely to reflect that back to us. So, if you are struggling to feel appreciated, take the day off. Spend time loving on your kids. Chances are, by the end of the day, you’ll feel their appreciation and joy—no hint-dropping required. 

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About the author

Danika Cooley is an award-winning children’s author who blogs about Bible and Christian history books, crafts, and activities at Thinking Kids. Her books include 60 Scriptures You Can Pray, Help Your Kids Learn  and Love the Bible, puzzle-based study with Bible Investigators, and the Who What Why Series, Christian history for 7-12 year olds. Grab your free three-week sample of her popular Bible Road Trip™ curriculum here.

Beth Mora

Homeschool Mom, Here’s to All the Moments You Make

Yes, I see you! You, beautiful you, who sacrifices and does what it takes to make all those memorable moments happen. Here’s to celebrating you! 

Celebrate the moments that you didn’t give up.

I applaud you for not giving up and for choosing, year after year, a better path for your children. This kind of decision takes courage, and I, for one, admire you for that. 

Celebrate the moments that you laid aside perfection and embraced your family’s uniqueness. 

You are amazing! I see you resting in God’s grace rather than chasing the wayward wind of image. I really appreciate that you entrust all your homeschool details to your Heavenly Father. 

Celebrate the moments when you said yes to God and His plan for you, and you engaged in your amazing personal homeschool ministry. Wow! The legacy you will leave for the Kingdom of God outshines the most prestigious ministry. Your value is far above rubies!

Celebrate the moments you battled for your child’s heart. Again, I stand clapping for your fierce love for your family. It’s a tireless love where service over self becomes the norm. 

No, you’re not perfect—no one is. However, you trust in the fact that you serve a perfect God who made you, yes, you, the best person on this planet to teach, train, and disciple your children! 

You are a reflection of these lines from one of my favorite poems, “Little Things” by Julia A.F. Carney:

“Thus the little moments,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.”

Today, celebrate the moments, with God’s help, that you make each day!  

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About the author

Beth Mora is a staff writer for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and lesson designer for SchoolhouseTeachers.com. She is the creator/teacher-on-camera for Here to Help Learning’s Homeschool Writing Program Grades 1-6, and a homeschool conference and women’s events speaker. Her blog, Home To Home, is one of her favorite places to encourage others. Everything she does is done to honor her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:31).

The bounty of spring flowers and garden vegetables in May is a beautiful picture of the abundance produced by homeschooling moms—an abundance we joyfully recognize during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8) and Mother’s Day (May 10). Homeschooling moms, in particular, wear many hats, and this is a wonderful month to remember that your efforts are seen and appreciated. May your loving and diligent labor bring forth a generous harvest: excited storytelling from a child discovering something new, a smile from a child enjoying a field trip, plenty of hugs from children who know they are loved and valued, and perhaps even a homemade Mother’s Day card.

Here at SchoolhouseTeachers.com, we applaud you and pray for God’s favor on all your endeavors.