So, as I have mentioned before, I never intended on homeschooling my kids. Really. I thought homeschoolers were "weird" but now I am a part of that club of anomolies who prefer to spend all day with their kids learning the ins and outs of fractions and American government in lieu of luxuriously cleaning a house that would actually stay that way for a few hours, if the kids were all in school.
1. I sometimes do envy the moms who have time to go out for a cup of coffee with their girlfriends after dropping the kids off to school... I also totally envy the time they have to go grocery shopping "kid free".
Don't get me wrong, I do get my morning cup of fully leaded coffee, but more often than not it ends up being re-heated 2-3 times throughout the day because I don't ever get a chance to finish it piping hot, and never in the presence of a girlfriend while we laugh and chat about our lives over lattes.
2. I don't have any idea what it is like to go to the bathroom without being interrupted a minimum of 4 times with questions such as "I need help! I'm finished with math! Can I go outside? Can I have a snack?
Sometimes I would like to go into the bathroom and hide, but alas, they find me.
3. I have been known to have freak out moments over math problems.
when we are working on the same math problem for the third time because my child can't focus on the math but rather has his mind wandering with questions such as "how can I make a robot from a battery? What comes after a zillion? Do you like my favorite Pokemon?"
4. I have a perpetual basket of mismatched socks.
Yup, I admitted it. Its out there now. I HATE matching socks and there is a basket full of nothing but mismatched socks, so if you are looking for a pair, go check the basket. How is this part of homeschooling? Well, I think its because I always feel too busy to sit down and match socks...or maybe just because I hate that chore so much.
5. Sometimes I get creative and turn cooking dinner into math and home ec all tied into one.
Afterall it is helpful to see that fractions really do serve a purpose and I want all my kids to know their way around a kitchen.
6. We sometimes take random "days off"
We do this for things like a trip to great-grandma's house, or a massive outdoor chore day, an all out gingerbread house making extravaganza with friends, or just because we want to. I figure we can do this because there is no rule that says we cannot do math on Saturday or that my kids are not learning invaluable lessons visiting with relatives or working hard outdoors.
7. I have switched curriculum, more than once.
If there is one thing that homeschooling has taught me, it is that there is no "one size fits all" for learning. I often wonder just how much harder some subjects would be for my children if they were not homeschooled. I have the freedom to mix and match, speed up and slow down, and get very creative in my teaching techniques.
8. I have never figured out where all the pencils in the house go, seriously, where do they go?
I can start the school year with 50 pencils and by October they are all missing.
9. I have learned way more schooling my kids then I ever did in public school.
Who knew that history could actually be interesting? I have been able to teach my children in a way I wish I could have learned, I think I would have retained so much more than I did from my schooling.
10. I hate hearing non homeschooling moms say "I could never do that" (homeschool)
Guess what? Me either. It is by God's grace and leading that we are on this journey, it certainly wasn't my idea. But, you know what? I wouldn't trade the time I have with these kids for the world now, I could never get back what I have gained from being with them if I hadn't started this journey. I am better for it and the way I see our public education system going, I know my kids are better for it too.
