In the role of homeschoolers there are essential elements for us to have. We must have what I call M.O.D.T: Motivation, Organization, Discipline and Teamwork. In my short journey of home schooling, I have discovered that these elements are imperative, vital and invaluable to our success at home schooling. For now, let's talk about motivation.

Motivation: its importance and some tips

Motivation is a drive that compels one to act. It is the desire and willingness to do something; the purpose of external and internal influence that causes one to strive. Your incentives are what make you put in long and hard effort to see something through. They are intentions or reasons for achieving a goal. Motivation is  why we make our decisions and actions we chose to do. We are in a great need of being motivated. If we were to give this some continuing thought, as Muslims, we would see that Allah is constantly inspiring us in the Qur’an to strive hard in this dunya (worldly life) for our Jannah (paradise).  Allah says,
 

شِدَادٌ لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded”. (At-Tahrim 66:6) 

In addition, this leads us to homeschooling our children so that we can raise them to strive in their deen for the pleasure of Allah. We as people are in need of goals (reasons for striving).

Most people are buried in trying to weave through lesson plans, teaching, correct papers, cooking, cleaning and doctor appointments. That load tends to push our motivation to an all time low. Lack of enthusiasm seems to make us physically tired, lazy, unhappy, impatience, unorganized and a whole list of non-motivating factors arises. When this happens to us, we see that the quality of our efforts become deficient. We must first understand that motivation is imperative to us in our endeavor of homeschooling. When we are motivated our quality of teaching is improved .We are thus organized, happy, patient, and ready to fulfill our goals.

We must first understand that motivation is imperative to us in our endeavor of homeschooling. When we are motivated our quality of teaching is improved .We are thus organized, happy, patient, and ready to fulfill our goals.

وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا لَا نَسْأَلُكَ

رِزْقًا نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَى

  “And enjoin As-Salât (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salât (prayers)]. We ask not of you a provision (i.e. to give Us something: money, etc.); We provide for you. And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is for the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2)” (Ta-Ha 20:132)

When your motivation is low try these tips

1. We should firstly remind ourselves of why we choose to homeschool.
   
2. Make du’aa [supplications] remember that we can go to Allah for everything).
3. Try a trip to your local teacher store & look around.
4. Change the look of your teaching area.
   
5. Talk to other homeschoolers.
   
6. Change your routine.
   
7. Take breaks… relax I know that is easier said than done, but sometimes you need to refocus to get motivated.
8. Make a list of things that needs to be done.
   
9. Set firm intentions the night before and rising on a good foot to start some tasks.
   
10. Look around on the web and see how others are at homeschooling. Check out the Forums on Today's Tomorrow!
11. Finally, yet importantly read homeschooling success stories.

    
To conclude M.O.D.T is Motivation, Organization, Discipline, and Teamwork. May Allah bless us all to stay, motivated, enthused, and inspired to keep our purpose. Whichever way you chose motivation is at the top of our list.