August is quickly approaching which means I am one month away from offically being a homeschooler. Am I nervous, ABSOLUTELY!
I have mentioned this to a few friends and their first response is always "why? what do you have to be nervous about?" Although I do appreciate the optimism, the nerves are still there. I think to myself, "What DO I have to be nervous about?" and the answers keep coming and coming.
1. The amount of energy I am going to need.
This has become a lot more "real" to me since our newest addition has arrived. I cannot express how much energy and patience it takes to make it through the day. I mean 14 hours of constant movement (I do make it a point to sit down while I am nursing!) Up the stairs, down the stairs, on the floor, picking up one kid, then picking up another, making 3 meals and 2 snacks a day and all the dishes that go along with them, "mommy can you get me this", "mommy I need that," loading kids in and out of the car, laundry, paying bills, trying to maintain some sort of clean household and the list can go on and on.
I would like to say that so far I am keeping up. I have a lot of energy during the day, but come night time, I am ready to sit down. Right now I am only getting about 2/3 hour stretches of sleep at night, so I am hoping when I start to get a full nights sleep, things will only get better.
2. No time to myself
Currently my older 2 are at a summer program for 2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that gives me time to run errands, get to dr. appts for me or the little ones and try to get the house organized. What am I going to do when I don't have those 4 hours a week?? I know we will find a new "normal" but going to the store with 2 instead of 4 is a LOT easier!
I can always tell when I need to get out of the house because my patience starts to run short and I know I need a break. Mentally, I know I need to do things for myself, but I truly struggle with that. I always feel guilty when I have to ask other people for help. My husband is fabulous when it comes to this and is always saying "GO, take some time for you, you deserve it!" I just need to learn to actually do it.
3. I need to dedicate time daily for "school"
Although we currently try to get in some study time every day, there are many days that pass and I think to myself where did the time go?
I do have a couple of positive things going for me here. We are starting at the beginning of August so if we miss a day here or there it's ok. We can also take time off for vacation and around the holidays and still be able to get all of our work in. My kids are young enough that if we don't get everything done, we can take as much time as we need. (Definite benefit of homeschooling!)
As I am reading back over this blog, I am overcome with a feeling of confidence. Although there will be some obstacles and adjustments, I know there isn't anything I can't handle. I know there will be times when I will question homeschooling, but I will just need to go back to the reasons I decided to homeschool and keep in mind what is important to our family. If you ever have any words of encouragement, feel free to share them!
**On a side note. As I sit here typing this blog, my 2 oldest are watching their afternoon video and I just heard my little Laney say to her big sister "Ad, I love you" and she responded "I love you too!" Nothing melts my heart more and I know these are the moments I don't want to miss!!
I started this blog with the oh my gosh, what am I going to do mentallity and I am ending it with a smile. It's the little things that keep me going.
