The Reality of Homeschooling

I had a request for the sequel of this post so I will attempt to be real... but it might be painful.

Let me start by saying I have only been officially doing this (with real curriculum and everything) for 5 m0nths :) So I know I have a long way to go. I am a procrastinator. I like to wing it. I'm laid back. I like to be organized, but rarely am. I see hope in the future, but definitely have not reached homeschool stardom (if there is such a thing). So with that, here is the reality:

1. Many days I stay in my pajamas until well into the afternoon because we need to go to the library or somewhere in the evening, or the neighbors kids start to knock on the door wanting to play. Cambria is too young to play outside with the rest of them, so I have to go supervise (and would rather not go out in my PJs).

2. There are always babies and toys underfoot. Occasionally I step on both of them.

3. The only time I get to myself is when I am very purposeful about it. They sleep in until about 7 am so if I want to have an uninterrupted quiet reading/praying time before I start my day, I have to get up early. The only other time is during "quiet time/nap time" which seems to be diminishing. Mason and Kaiah no longer nap so I have to keep on them to do their school work or play time quietly so the younger two don't wake early.

4. Occasionally the baby does wake early and that usually makes for an interesting day. He can be quite whiney and fussy and wants to be held constantly making helping the other kids and making dinner pretty difficult. This has led me to sew a baby sling (still in trial mode because there are so many twists and turns and knots involved and I don't know if it's worth it yet) meant to hold him on my back giving me 2 free hands and less back problems.

5. Speaking of dinner, I haven't made a menu for several months which usually means I haven't planned very well and the kids usually get sandwiches or something easy and quick. I always know a day has gone well when I thought ahead enough to use the crock pot or have some sort of meal in a large enough amount for Cliff to take leftovers to work the next day.

6. I don't get to drop everything and go out to lunch or coffee with my friends who have their kids in school very often. Cliff is really good about letting me get out but lately my priority use of that time has been for going to work out, reading at Starbucks, or my newest adventure of couponing at the main 5 participating stores in the area (and without kids is always easier).

7. I bought a pretty expensive (I think) curriculum for science/history/geography/Bible and I have been really lax in using it to it's fullest potential. We always get the English/Math/Writing in every day, but the extra stuff has been lacking. It takes more planning. I have goals... I just need to implement them... :)

8. I have two fairly intelligent kids doing school this year who are great workers... when they understand it and can do it fairly easily. But when they hit something new that is difficult, they almost immediately resort to tears and a self-defeated attitude, challenging me to use self-control and great patience while I try to get them to calm down and look at a different way. These days are challenging because they spend so much time thinking about how they will never learn something, it can often add a good hour or two to the day.

9. I had to cut out several things this year that really helped, but I miss. Mostly I miss the Tuesday ladies Bible study that I have gone to for several years. The last 2 years I was a small group discussion leader/facilitator and LOVED it, but it took up too much time in the planning/calling of group members and I was neglecting my family. Even if I just attended it, that would eliminate Tuesdays for any type of productive schooling so I decided to cut it out and am glad I did. "There is a season for everything."

10. I am frequently reminded to thank the Lord for my blessings which often involve some not so pleasant things... babies throwing food on the floor and laughing about it, bottoms needing to be wiped, phones ringing, cats barfing, kids needing help with their school work, toilets needing to be plunged, incessantly cleaning up toys and other numerous items all over the house (because we really live here all day every day), carb counting with every 2 hour meals or snacks, twice daily insulin shots, and training and discipline issues among others.

Homeschooling is not without its challenges but in our minds they are worth it. To be able to teach our kids and watch them learn and help them through their own trials while building a strong family unit and do on our own schedule has been wonderful. How could I ask for more?

If you want to hear this song, scroll down and click on How Could I Ask For More? by Cindy Morgan...

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Walking to the sunlight, and being cradled my the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mam's face goodnight
And holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoolt in the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more