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Homeschooling Mama Support Group


Oh my do I need just that today! Along with all of the wonderful, magical, joy filled days that a homeschooling mama is blessed with.....there's always one of those days where you can find her locked in a closet, in her pajamas, a bag of her children's Easter chocolate in hand, dreaming of what it would be like if a bus were to pull up in the drive, take her children away, and bring them back hours later full of knowledge that she herself didn't pound into their thick little heads. Oh yes, I have those days too, and today is one of them. Sure, most days are completely uneventful, save a sibling fight here and there, and most days leave me feeling so blessed that I get to be the one that teaches them.....but on days like today I wonder why we can't all just get together for coffee and chocolate to tell our silly stories and laugh about the different ways our children have tried to get out of doing their school. We could tell each other about all of the the crazy things that we have done to get them to remember something that they just couldn't "get"...oh you know what I mean, the silly songs we make up and sing, that dance you do when they get it right (similar to the one you did when they pooped in the potty for the first time), the things that you have put up with when they are really into learning about something (Example: The "important" collection of sticks, rocks, and pine cones that have taken over the china cabinet where your beloved china used to be.) You see, if we could just get together and talk about these things today, I know I would end up laughing my head off instead of hiding in the closet! The best I can do right now though, is invite you to sit down with a cup of coffee, read this post again, and laugh about the fact that even though we don't know each other in real life, I totally called you out on that potty dance....I did didn't I....and then tell me what you want to hear when you have days like this, because I need a good laugh today.....then you will feel better too, knowing that we ALL have days like this....and we all do that insanely embarrassing dance too. Don't we? xo, Sam

Comments

Tammy said…
My kids have spring fever BAD right now. They are trying everything to get out of doing their work! In fact, right now they're in the middle of an elaborate pretend game and I just don't have the heart to stop them - but we have to learn the multiplication tables sometime, right? Lol. Late winter/early spring is the hardest time for us in our homeschooling journey. I know how you feel!!
Sarah said…
Just had to post to say how much i appreciate this post! LOL! I homeschool, too, (I have 6 children) and i can relate to every word you posted. :)
My hubby is gone a lot with working, and I admit to sometimes being so envious of moms that send their children to school for the day! The hours of uninterrupted thinking and cleaning and organizing! Not to mention having that much less responsibility on my shoulders (ie, their education)!
I know deep in my heart that homeschooling is best for our own family, and years from now i'll be so thankful we stuck it out. But yeah, some days are easier to remember that than others. :)
Love your dresses....i saw a friend of mine became a fan of your facebook page, and i was curious and took a peek. I love seeing your posts!
-Sarah
Melody said…
I TOTALLY have days like that. In fact, today was one of them. They're so hard!!

The dance.....well.....can I simply not admit to it? LOL!

Coffee and chocolate would have been nice this morning. Oh wait - I did have chocolate. And because of this morning, my share of the Easter candy is now pretty much gone. Oops.
Jody said…
Oh yes I do that dance.☺ Today while reviewing multiplication facts I gave the numbers personalities/voices and made them "talk" (i.e. "Don't you remember who I am? How can you not remember me? I thought I was your favorite") and was totally silly. The good news is that I think my son is finally starting to remember some of them and we giggled our way through the flashcards.
Crystal said…
I homeschool and have days like this a bit more frequently than I would like. I have five kids but only three are "in school". it's hard sometimes and even more difficult without support.
Marla said…
Gurl, take school outside! It is too nice to be hiding in the closet with your chocolates! Get 'em out- breathing some fresh air- school on a quilt, then promise lemonade and games when they finish! Sometimes ya just need to mix it up- for your own sanity- and there's too! Enjoy this beautiful day.....and share the chocolates or you'll be sorry later! ;o)
Haws Family said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Haws Family said…
I am just beginning my journey, but I am so glad to hear that everyone else doesn't have a dream life of it all the time. We are just starting kindergarten with my first, and I am sick with the pregnancy of my 5th child. We are silly aren't we? The kids will remember those times fondly, and with a blush perhaps, but of such things is childhood made. :) Thank you for sharing the tough times as well as the joyous ones.
Kristin said…
I do have those days too, but today was not one of them, so maybe I can encourage you while I'm on this side today! Just this morning, I was really enjoying teaching my boys about creation and how Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil. Then it made me think of telling them about how the same was done to Jesus! But the difference is that Jesus stood strong! How we need to be like HIM! My kids are 2,5 &7. They would NEVER be learning this if they were not at home with me. And teaching them about the Lord has been the most important thing! I have times where I feel like I'm gonna fall asleep as I read to them, even though they are fun stories of adventures or history... BUT I wouldn't trade it for anything! Be encouraged! I'm sure you are doing a lovely job teaching your children, but also allow yourself some time for just you during the day! (Mine is right now.) :) And the kids are probably off eating the chocolate from Easter that I really want! LOL
Emma Anne said…
I think my kids are fine, but *I* have spring fever like nobody's business! We are trying to recover from our spring break and spring colds and relatives being in town from Easter. Yikes! Does anyone care if there is food all over my floors and loads of laundry to be done and lessons to be taught, and here I am trying to pretend like I can't hear it all calling me. Okay, here I go, back to it! Good luck to you too, and thanks for being honest today. :)
Anonymous said…
oh yes! Sometimes I have homeschooling months like that, I think! I am sooo committed to homeschooling and I really do love it....just sometimes (usually), my dreams and plans don't match up to reality!
Hayes said…
I feel your pain! Next time, call me. We can let all the kids run wild in my backyard and drink coffee and cry together!
Leslie said…
Oh my goodness, yes I know what you're talking about. This is my 7th year of homeschooling, and we've had our fair share of those days too. Sometimes I try to reign in either the children or myself (whoever is less than motivated that day), but other days we just have a day full of P.E. and the kids just play all day, or nothing but home economics, when the kids get assigned the cooking because mommy wants to sew, not do school. I've also been know to declare rain, snow, or sun days, depending on the weather.
tara said…
It must be Spring related because I have been thoroughly tested by my 4 year old (including the killing of a baby chick).
I dont now how you do it (homeschooling).
Julie said…
I don't homeschool yet but my husband and I making that decision as we speak!!

Thought I would share a website I just found recently called househoncho.com It's a great website that offers practical homemaking tips. You can actually sign up for a daily email that outlines easy tips for one room in your house. She says if you do at least one from each of three categories you'll begin to see a vast improvement. Anyways, I'm a stay at home mom right now...plan to stay that way really, but let's just say I signed up for the daily email! lol Oh yeah, she's also hosting a bag giveaway this week! She's giving away a handmade purse that comes from this website
http://www.vibrantdesignsbyjulianne.blogspot.com

It's really easy to get into the giveaway too! Just thought I'd share!
I don't homeschool but I am a stay at home and I have those days! Not today, but on another day you might find me in the closet with you saying, "Pass the chocolate!" Hang in there. Tomorrow is a brand new day, and if anything, it's only Tuesday, surely there is more Easter candy, in case of emergency! LOL!
Oh I agree with on of the posts, mix it up! Go outside for school work, or declare one of the days field trip day. You know one of my homeschooling friends took advantage of off season rates and the whole family went and hung out at a local resort for a night. Heated pools and pit fires for making smores and roasting hot dogs (lit by the hotel management. They stayed in a condo at the resort. It was around $200 dollars which is a lot, but not for what they got. They were able to cook their own food so the hotel really was their only additional expense. I know you are working toward an adoption but sometimes the family needs a brief change of pace, even if it is just for one night. Just a thought!
Ashley said…
When we have days like that (as long as it's not TOO often) I usually make the executive decision that school is out for the day. We all need a break, or maybe I just need a break, but either way, just spending a day outside or doing nothing but arts and crafts is a great refresher.
waikikimum said…
Sam you summed it up beautifully. I often do the dance when my nine year old daughter gets something that she has been struggling with. We do distance education here in Western Australia as my Lucy has health problems. Some days I would lurve for her to go to school so I could have a moments peace,but, I wouldn't change it for the world. Her education is so much more sound and richer with me as her teacher. I can hone in on exactly what she needs to learn. We are on 2 weeks school holidays at the moment and I'm loving just being mum. Love your blog. Kathy
Cat said…
Very funny! I'm definitely not there yet (little one is only 7 weeks old)--but I'm feeling it already :)

And yesterday--I did the dance trying to entertain baby while folding clothes--and the UPS man caught me as he came to the door. It was just a "little" embarrassing :) LOL

Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Dee said…
A homeschooling, co-oping, private schooling, public schooling mama here!

We only "mutt" the one child. He attends public middle school for a science class, we co-op on Mondays and our other two go to private school-so I am the bus. LOL Or rather the senior in high school is the bus this year, when he goes off to college next fall, I'm the bus driver again.

There are days even for mommies who don't exclusively homsechool too. But, I know I'm blessed to do what we're doing and we evaluate each year, each day on a child by child basis.

All I can say is you're doing the right thing, right now for you and your family. It is hard, but so worth it! Hang in there. Install a lock on the inside of your closet door, stock up your favorite chocolate and don't forget to take a walk when your patience runs out, so you don't!
Anna said…
I am so glad that I am not the only one. Sometimes, as homeschooling Mamas we think that we are the only ones who feel this way and that we have failed somehow. Its nice to know we aren't the only ones and that we have not failed.

My daughter is only 5 years old and school is an easy 15-30 minutes a day for us and even she is experiencing "spring fever" right now. Just last week she informed me "I don't like school any more. Its not my favorite." I asked her, "What DO you like then. What is your favorite?" She replied, "I like skipping school. Skipping school is my favorite."

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