Before I jump into the advice I have to offer you I need admit something. I need to just get it off my chest.
I am not a perfect parent. Neither am I a perfect HOMESCHOOLING parent.
Shocking, I know.
I DON’T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.
I don’t even have half the answers. Or even a quarter of the answers.
In fact, if we want to be honest about this (and I absolutely do) I really only know a few things.
So don’t be deceived if you clicked on the eye-catching Pinterest link and expected to find ALL the answers to all of your homeschooling woes in one swell swoop.
However. And I am stating this with all the brevity I can muster…I have learned a few things over the years I have homeschooled my beautiful teenage son. I also have learned a lot in my life and the things I have suffered.
I’m passing some of those things on to you.
1. Wear Sparkly Shoes.
Or something like it. I happen to adore sparkly shoes. My point is to BE YOURSELF. Don’t worry about trying to make yourself into the image of what you think a “homeschool” mom should look like, talk like or even act like. Act like Jesus. Embrace those parts of yourself that makes you who you are. It can be exhausting to try and keep up. Be YOU!
2. Sleep In.
I MEAN IT! Take care of yourself. Eat properly. Get plenty of sleep. Take that long hot bath. It’s so easy to let the constant cares of your little homeschool family ultimately consume you to the point of fatigue. Nothing is worth neglecting yourself. Not even those pesky multiplication tables. They will come in time. Trust me.
3. Find Your Fun.
As I sit here typing this it is early spring in my neck of the woods. Today is all shiny and happy. This morning I flung open a window in the house to air out some of those winter cobwebs that have been accumulating. It’s easy to get stuck in the “stuckiness” (probably not a word) of a homeschool day. If you feel “stucky” insert a game day into your schedule. Do math outside or plan a “field trip” to the park. Be flexible with the seasons and the rhythms of your life. If you see your son’s eyes starting cross during history, maybe it’s time to run to Dairy Queen for an impromptu sundae followed by a fantastic sword fight in the yard. We call this Tuesday.
4. Just Do the Thing.
As opposed to my previous bit of advice, which involved dropping everything for a bit of ice cream covered with chocolate, I am now telling you that sometimes you just have to suck it up. Set your timer. Bit your tongue and go after whatever it is you are putting off. Here is the thing. Some things in life are JUST. NOT. FUN. For example, for me, math is not fun. Doing dishes is not fun. Going to the motor vehicle department is not fun. It’s just something we have to do. If we can teach our children the same principle, they have a better chance of a more fulfilling life.
5. Keep it Quiet.
I could go many difference places with this last piece of advice. But, since I’m talking about matters of the heart (and minding one’s own business) on my blog this week, I will head in this direction. Establish quiet times. Everyone needs to know how to entertain him or herself. Everyone needs to have a time during the day when they can reflect, rest or just piddle.
This week, I hope you take some time to read through some of the wonderful posts my friends on The Crew have written. We want to bless you. We want to encourage you. You are not alone.
Rebekah Teague is the homeschooling mama to one busy and beautiful boy. She is married to The Muffin who is a pastor and a really great guy. In her spare time she can be found with a book and a cup of tea. She blogs at There Will Be A $5 Charge For Whining
I love this post! Just what I needed to hear.