School takes place in our kitchen, on the run, and out in the “real world.” Sometimes it’s magical, sometimes it’s maddening. One thing is for sure though- It changes every day.
Of my four kids three have had a public school experience. They were generally successful. Academic pursuits come fairly easily to all four of my kids. We did not leave the public school system with an ax to grind.
Being out and about with four kids can be a spectacle. Three of my four are boys so there is usually some type of loud, mildly inappropriate noise and distracting, repetitive movement happening somewhere in my group. My kids are all tall and big for their age so people assume they are all several years older than they truly are. People stare. The introvert in me wants to crawl under a rock and wait for them to grow up a bit before we venture out again.
“Love is patient. Love is kind.” Except sometimes love makes you want to hide in the pantry and binge eat mediocre gluten free Oreo substitutes.
My husband and I Me, okay, just me. I was planning a “not back to school” party for our kids and a few other families that have recently jumped on the homeschool wagon. My husband was deep in the throes of his super busy season at work. Slip and slide construction was not at the top of his to-do list.
Back to school celebration?? Is that when moms get together for a pool day after dropping kids off for 8 hours at school? Not at our house it isn’t. (Although I wouldn’t argue with an adult only pool party.)
Any homeschooler that is honest would tell you that some homeschool days stink. No matter how early you wake up, or what awesome experience you are prepped for; it just doesn’t work. Maybe someone doesn’t feel well or a too late practice the night before. Most often there is no discernible cause. It just is. Sigh.
I love, love, love to sing the praises of homeschooling. We just sit around our kitchen table all day getting smart, basking in sibling on sibling kindness, and endless parental patience. Ummmm, no.
My kids have spent the last two weeks like sloths, hanging off the edge of the couch, barely able to support their own body weight. There has been complaints of boredom, tiredness, and and a lack of purpose that could drive an adult with a mile long to do list batty.
As a homeschool mom I’m sure you have heard every variety of the statements below. I know I have. Sometimes it leaves me feeling a little deflated. Does our version of school look that unappealing from the outside?