what chick-fil-a has taught me…advice for new homeschoolers

The a/c blares in my face as I watch the brake lights in front of me. Cars are stacked in the drive-thru, and wrap clear around the building. There isn’t a parking space to be found. You would think that perhaps there was a national shortage on chicken or something crazy like that, but it’s just another day at Chick-fil-a.

As I sat in line watching the near empty parking lots of the competitors just right across the street, I just smiled at the success that this business has had. And then I got to thinking…could I apply Chick-fil-a’s philosophies to my life? I think, yes.

What Chick-fil-a has taught me…advice for new homeschoolers…

It’s my pleasure

Regardless of how busy it is or how a customer behaves, the response from a CFA employee is always…”it’s my pleasure.” My homeschool should be the same way. It’s a pleasure to have this freedom. Even on the hard days when no one is listening or the baby colors on my new dress.

Rest on Sundays

Being closed on Sunday is a standard that defines the success of CFA. Am I willing to rest on Sunday? Putting family first will always bring successful results. I long to enjoy God’s day. To rest in Him, worship, and to worry about those lesson plans later.

Give generously

CFA is always the first to donate and support ministries. I want this to be a part of my homeschool. Who can we give to today? Does the elderly lady down the street need a meal? Does the church need some repair work? Perhaps the greatest advantage to homeschooling is the ability to integrate service to others into our daily lives. I don’t want to miss this.

Reading is a PRIZE!

Most of the time, kid’s meals come with a book. What an amazing prize! We are a privileged people that we own even one book. Am I teaching my children that reading is a prize and a wonderful privilege?  (See growing readers for ideas on how to encourage readers.)

Quality is worth the cost

I don’t think anyone would argue that CFA is the most expensive fast food restaurant. Yet, again, we keep coming back. A large part of the reason for that is quality. I’m willing to pay a little more because it tastes good. And that’s exactly what my homeschool should be. I’m willing to do a little more because the benefit is good. While somedays homeschooling is a daunting sacrifice, I must remember that it’s worth the cost.

Be clean and neat

One of the few restaurants that actually hires people simply to walk around and clean, CFA sets the bar high. I won’t eat in a dirty restaurant anymore that I will school in a dirty room. If my space isn’t neat and organized, I feel overwhelmed or uninterested. Cleaning and organizing must be a priority. (Check out last year’s school area.)

Always make sure there is a place for play

My children know Chick-fil-a for their play places. It adds a little excitement into a seemingly mundane activity- eating. I want this excitement in my homeschool. How easily I can become trapped by the lesson plans and forget to enjoy. A valuable benefit of homeschooling is this freedom to simply play. To explore and create. May I not squelch that desire with a long to-do list or stack of worksheets.

Take requests

I’m picky and I love the I can ask for something specific at CFA and know that the employee will be thrilled to help with it. I want my children to have the same confidence. To know that when they express an interest in a subject, that I will try to make it a part of our studies, if at all possible. I want them to give feedback on what works about a book that I have chosen and when they are older, help me select from the various wonderful choices out there.

Train well

One of the most talked about components of the CFA business model is their manager and owner training. The cooperate office relies on this training to set-up every aspect of their business. Without it, everything crumbles. As a homeschool mom, I have the same need for training. In order to sharpen my skills, I need an annual convention full of ideas, mentors, and curriculum…such as my all-time favorite, Teach Them Diligently Convention. (Like their Facebook page for a BIG announcement today!)

Go the second mile

This is actually Truett Cathy’s number one business principle. You see it written all over the restaurant from refilling drinks at your table to carrying trays for busy moms. Truett challenges his employees to think beyond the extra mile and go a second. How does this look in my homeschool? Am I just doing enough to get by or am I giving my kids the second mile? For me, going the second mile is about doing those little things that my kids love, rather then just doing what needs to be done to finish the book or topic. And yes, paint is usually involved!

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Each Tuesday, I am teaming up with a wonderful group of homeschool bloggers to bring you 10 weeks of Top Ten Homeschooling Lists. Be sure you stop by ihomeschool network where you will find a list of over 30 other bloggers participating in the series.

Linking with Hip Homeschool, Raising Homemakers, Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling

Kim Sorgius

Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.

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Last updated by Kim Sorgius at July 6, 2012.

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