Today will be 56 days we've been officially "schooling". I have to confess the biggest homeschooling shocker has been what a crazy roller coaster ride it can be. There's those moments when you shut your eyes tight and you could just swear the only way out is certain death, and then there are the moments when your hands go up in the air, a smile creeps across your face, and you realize how fun it is. I was just telling my husband yesterday I believe "Homeschool" is a nice word for "Yep. We mess our kids up all by ourselves!". No need for society's help, we corrupt our children enough on our own. And, to add to it, there's no one else to blame! I can't tell you how many times I wish I could say, "They learned that at school." Kind of makes you have to own up to everything! As you can tell, we were having a bad day over here. One of those days that makes me scratch my head and think, "What have we done?" "How could we possibly have thought this would be a good idea?"
BUT, His mercies are new every morning! Thank the Lord!! Today we spent all day at the library, discovery place kids, and taco bell. Then we came home and read books and baked brownies. Throw in a reading lesson and that's one fantastic homeschooling day filled with laughter, play, memories, and learning. Within a span of roughly 14 hours I went from thinking we had to have irreversibly messed this child up so much, there was no hope; to praising God for the freedom and means to homeschool my children.
I am not a very flighty person. It takes quite a bit for me to hit deep lows and high highs, but this homeschooling thing has my number! I think it's because you have to jump in with both feet. You have to become completely invested. So, the bad days hurt worse and the good days feel better.
Here are some of my insights 56 days in:
- My biggest teaching obstacle is BY FAR is the two little ones. It doesn't matter how many busy bags I have or how cool of an activity I have for them to do, someone always needs to poop or needs a drink or a snuggle, and it messes up the rhythm of learning my daughter and I have going.
- My daughter is wicked smart!.....(I'm pretty sure I could just say, kids are wicked smart!)
- I REALLY need to try to get up before the kids do and shower, read my Bible, and have coffee so I can great them with a smile and start our day. (I've never been good at this. I wake up when someone cries.)
- Having at least 1 hour of planning by myself on the weekends can seriously transform what goes on during the week.
- Whoever invented the English language had to be on drugs.
- 99% of the things I worry about work itself out all on its own with no help from me.
- I need to use the library regularly.
- A support system is an ABSOLUTE must!!
-Repetition works!
- Understanding and patience pushes my child in the right direction far more then harsh tones and threats.
- My mind boggles at what we ask our teachers to do with 15-20 kids in a class.
Before we started the year I was full of doubt about how it would all shake out. Now, I can say I seriously couldn't imagine doing it any other way. Some days as a mom are super rough and some days as a teacher are super rough, but overall I'm so glad we get to all experience the rough days together. And now the good days we experience together are DYNAMITE!
