I must admit when I found out we were moving to California and I decided to homeschool the girls my expectation were a bit high. I started pinning all kinds of awesome ideas from Pinterest as visions of smiling children stretched out on hammocks, basking in the sun while reading books filled my head. I could hear the birds chirping and my wonderful children were learning “naturally” and absorbing all kinds of knowledge from the world around us. We would take nature hikes for science, trips to the art museum to determine who our favorite impressionists of all time where, and we would write literary masterpieces that were sure to become best sellers while lounging in the park.
*Cue the sound of a screeching halt*
What I was not prepared for was the crying, the arguing, the deception and the flat out lying. Did I mention the crying?
Yeah there is a lot of crying. A LOT.
I don’t remember anyone ever warning me about these things. Every other homeschooling mom out there must just be way better at this then me. My ego has taken a hit. Even at the recent back to school picnic I overheard all the other smiling moms talking about just how wonderful everything is going and how there children’s grades have all improved just so much.
Mean while, I am sitting on the bench wondering where I went wrong. My straight A middle schooler is now barely skating by, my inconsistent 10 year old is just as inconsistent, and my struggling 8 year old doesn’t even like me any more. There are obviously some flaws to my methods, but when I catch a moment like this
or better yet one like this
it renews my spirit and give me the strength and determination to try again tomorrow. After all it is progress, not perfection we are after. I can honestly say that although the experience is not what I had expected it to be, I am so much closer to my kids then I ever have been before and as they are getting older I am realizing just how precious these moments are.
"After all it is progress, not perfection we are after. I can honestly say that although the experience is not what I had expected it to be, I am so much closer to my kids then I ever have been before and as they are getting older I am realizing just how precious these moments are. "
ReplyDeleteTears and goosebumps Summer. I'm so amazed by what you have done with the kids this year! Amazed. <3
Thank you, Patty! I seriously read it over and over before hitting publish, and honestly it brought tears to my eyes every. single. time. But it's all true. I just have to keep reminding myself that.
DeleteOh. my gosh, Summer. We did a hybrid homeschool academy for 2 years - they went to a small Catholic school 2 days and were at home the other 3. I loved the flexibility, but my r'ship with my oldest pretty much tanked. Hindsight - we now know that he is ADHD / ODD and some of my approaches were not only not right for him but flat out bad for him. He needed more structure and an authority figure that was not ME. Hang in there, momma! You are not the only one who struggles with this, not by a longshot!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy! I do think me as their schooling authority figure is a big part of the issue. It's a game of seeing what they can get away with, and between the 3 of them, it's quite a bit.
DeleteGo girl! These are the days that you all will look back and treasure... it's just taking it a day at a time and figuring out what you all need to do it successfully. Amazing mama!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shannon! It can just be so frustrating. We will be arguing, they will be crying, I'll want to cry, and then they'll "get it" and it's like a hallelujah moment!
DeleteNothing is ever perfect and don't let the internet lie to you. I hope it starts working out better the more yall get the hang of it. Glad to hear you're closer to your children because of the experience though. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Abby!! Before the kids were in public school and I worked at a different public school so we really didn't have as much time together. Now we are always together so we definitely talk a lot more!
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