Oct. 21, 2005 - Feeling a bit discouraged
 I am usually the one giving out encouraging advice to my fellow homeschoolers....the one everyone calls to 'make sure' home schooling is the right decision. But today I am in need of encouragement. Lots of it!! I am nost sure the orgin of my discouraging attitude but it is very plain to me that I am in a funk. I don't even know exactly what it is I am in a funk about. I think I am doubting myself again...wondering if my boys are missing out on friends, school functions, sports. I am wondering if they are learning anything, if I am providing them with enough stimulation, am I keeping my attitude in check so that they can learn what they need to learn. Do I spend too much time scolding, too much time planning and not enough time allowing them the freedom to explore, am I pushy, am I enough? Do my boys need more? If they do, how can I give them more. I am already pulled in so many directions it isn't even funny. DH suggested I get on some antidepressants but then I heard they cause you to gain weight..well, I just spent the last six months loosing 35 pounds, I don't want it back in any shape or form!! Plus, I don't think drugs will help. Depression does run deep in my family and it does peek it's dreay little head into my life at times, but this is different. I know home schooling is the right thing, I just feel as if I am not doing enough, not teaching enough, not liking it enough to teach. I get tired mid day, I want to take a nap or read a book, while my boys veg in front of Pokemon....big no no, I know!! But boy does that TV provide sufficient stimulation when dear 'ole mom is in a funk. 
I ask the boys if they would perfer public school and they always say no! But then I turn around and ask them a question about a unit we just finished and they shrug their little shoulders like they've never heard of such things.  What's a mom to do?? How much more can I take? Do I just let it go and convince myself they will turn out okay, that they won't be social outcasts because they can't remember who Henry VIII was?
|
|
Post A Comment!
|
Oct. 21, 2005 - I can relate |
| Posted by 2boysmom |
I can relate to everything you've said - every doubt you mentioned - I think most homeschool moms can. You are not alone! In fact I just went through a few weeks of this same thing, even to the point of getting so fed up with my kids bickering that I actually considered (and threatened) to put them in public school with the hopes that I would have peace and maybe they would be glad to see each other by the end of the day. After a long Saturday by myself, out shopping, praying, and thinking on all that I was feeling, I came home that night and came to this conclusion: The enemy (Satan) is trying to cause me to go the way of the world and not the way God wants me to go. Yes! Satan is our enemy and he plays tricks with us and will do anything to confuse us and take our eyes off Christ and His plans for our lives. Have you heard - "Don't question in the dark what God shows you in the light"? If you are truly called to keep your children at home, then this will pass. Pray, Pray, Pray! Get organized, get active, find time during the week to do outside projects with your kids such as ministry work or homeschool group activities. Don't isolate yourself because this only adds to your "funk". I have found that I must have some outside activity to look forward to during the week. Then after that one active day, I'm glad to be back to our normal routine.
I hope this helps. You're doing a great job! |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 21, 2005 - depression |
| Posted by Anonymous |
It could be that you are being attacked by Satan...most likely.
You need to pray for God's protection and ask God to put
good thoughts in place of the lies that Satan is giving you.
Also, you could be clinically..physically depressed. I've tried a few
meds- Zoloft, Prozac..both easily add pounds. Wellbutrin actually
has the opposite effect and does not affect libido the way the others do. (I lost ten plus pounds on Wellbutrin) Just FYI. Don't be afraid to get some medical help. It's not worth the time
and suffering to try and do it all on your own. |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 21, 2005 - You're my twin! |
| Posted by sdacrew |
We've been having the exact same week! I've been dragging all week, with the major blahs too. I'm trying to get more sleep, I'm taking B100 vitamins and trying not to beat myself up about everything. Today is my best day all week. It's okay to go easy on the school for a while until you're back in the swing of things. Don't worry about your sons, they love and appreciate all you do. I'll be praying for you!
Ann |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 21, 2005 - Hang in there! |
| Posted by |
Satan sure does try to drag us down, doesn't he! I've faced my own discouragements this week. My dd10 still calls division "dot-line-dot"! Perhaps you need to pamper yourself a little bit, take some time to relax and "chill". The best encouragement I can give is in my article "Depression: Encouragement from Psalms" found at @http://www.girlfriends-in-christ-online.com/articles/050710-0001art.html (You'll have to copy and paste it into your browser. I'm not a depression expert, I just share some things I've learned.)
Dear Lord,
Please help this dear mother to feel Your presence in an extra special way today. Help her to see herself and her family through Your eyes. Help her to know the best way to teach her children and serve her family. Set her free from the lies Satan is telling her, and give her confidence in knowing she is in Your will and in the Palms of Your hands. Give her rest and encouragement. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Edited by DreweLlyn on Oct. 21, 2005 at 4:46 PM |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 21, 2005 - Hello |
| Posted by Anonymous |
What you are dealing with is allowing fear to envelope inside of you and cause confusion and everything that is opposite of faith. You have the right to tell it to GO in JESUS name and it can not stay. Now you can put your thoughts on the fear and still be tormented but the minute you put your thoughts on peace it can not stay. Also when you change your thoughts to line up to what the Word says and not what you "feel:" about it. Then you will change what you "feel" about it. Tell the "mountain" to go and act like it is so,
Do not focus on what you believe they might be missing out. Thank God for all they are being delivered from. God is big enough to be able to open what ever doors they need to teach them in all things. What we think is important is not always as important as it seems at the time. But I believe once you get control over the fear then you will see exactly what God wants your child to have.
I believe God blesses moms with a specail blesssing that will stand firm in teaching their child the Truth in a world full of darkness.
Stand Strong and know you are blessed for the work you do each day.
April |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 21, 2005 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Perri |
| Even on your worst day at home - they are better off than their best day at school. Your kids are learning. They might not know how to express that to you as you would like, but it is sinking in. Trust. Believe. Have faith in them. |
| Permanent Link |
Oct. 22, 2005 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by drewsfamilytx |
Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
~Philippians 4:6-8
((((((((Quida!))))))))
We all get discouraged sometimes. Don't let Satan put those thoughts into your head especially since you already know that God wants you to homeschool. God does not give you a task without tools and ability to complete them! When Satan puts these thoughts in your head, take them captive and turn them over to the Lord! Replace each thought with a positive one, one that is true, honest, noble and just...I know you can do it! It may be really forced at first, but it will become easier each time as well as a great reminder of all the things that ARE going well in your schooling.
If there is a certain area that you are struggling with that makes you go down this depressed path, then pray SPECIFICALLY for that situation-- for wisdom, grace and strength to get through it and improve it. "By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"-- that is exactly what you should do!
I don't know about you, but for me personally my ultimate homeschooling goal is for me children to grow up to be good Christians who have a compassion for lost souls, who love to learn, and who have the common sense, knowledge, and initiative to do whatever God has called them to do (and enjoy it!). Especially when kids are young, it's okay that they haven't remembered the periodic table or that the difference between a stamen and a pistil...you are building a FOUNDATION. Every year, you build and add to that knowledge base...and every year the information/lessons presented to them stick a little more and make a little more sense. That is the kind of learning that lasts a lifetime
Praying for you dear friend!
Marsha |
| Permanent Link |
|
About Me
Homeschooling Mom of 3 wild guys!! Sharing her daily strife, success and blessings while atempting to tame the wild hearted boys she has been blessed with!!
Links
• Home
• View my profile
• Archives
• Email Me
|
