Oct. 15, 2007 - Interruptions Galore!!!
This just in: homeschooling with a 2 year old and a newborn is..... shall we say: "challenging"!
Okay, so I really do hesitate to post anything remotely negative about homeschooling because: #1. I don't like complaining. #2. I really like homeschooling. In fact, it is a dream come true for me. #3. I don't like complaining. #4. I would never want to DIScourage anyone contemplating homeschooling or having 4 children. #5. Did I mention that I don't like complaining? All that said, here's the scoop:
Sometimes I get a little task-oriented. In fact, I am more a Martha than a Mary; a characteristic about myself that I am constantly working on. My task-oriented nature has its benefits, such as the ability to actually homeschool. I suppose if I had no drive within me to finish a task, my children would really not be doing well. However, this characterisitc makes it very difficult to be a sweet, tender, loving, patient, kind mother when I get interupted 14,000 times while simply trying to teach one math lesson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH (this is a cyber-scream is frustration. Can you hear it?). I knew this year would likely be challenging, perhaps even one of my most challenging ones ever. My oldest is not quite old enough to be completely self-directed in school; my kindergartener, of course, is going to need me right beside him at all times; my two year old is active and busy and definitely in training, as she should be, which requires my constant attention; and the baby is three months old so of course, she is going to have needs that occassionally cannot wait until the math lesson has been taught. All this adds up to many, many interruptions during the scheduled school time.
Here's the bottom line, though: I was considering my options, my solutions to my interruption saga. Is it the interuptions that are the problem or is it my ability (or lack thereof) to roll with it that's the problem? Perhaps a bit of both. I can scale down the interruptions by forethought (such as having some set activities for the two year old to do, near me, while we school) and by training ("You may get a drink before we start school but once we start school, you must sit there, parched, dying of thirst, until we are done", says the mean momma
). But a lot of it falls on me rolling with the punces a bit more. No amount of forethought and training is going to help the multiple times when the 2 year old, who is potty trained (YIPPEE!!!!), has to go potty. Or the three month old who suddenly has an overwhelming need to be held. Or the 5 year old who suddenly HAS to know why God doesn't kill Satan. Or the 7 year old who feels moved to pray for Grahms RIGHT NOW. In fact, sometimes in my task-oriented mentality, I forget that this is part of the reason why we choose to homeschool. We wanted to be available for our children as much as possible so that when questions arise, like why God doesn't kill Satan, we can be right there to answer them. Homeschooling isn't all about math or grammar. In fact, some of the best life lessons are learned from an interruption! I will do my best to minimize UNNECESSARY interruptions; however, I am praying that the Lord will help me to eagerly tackle the interruptions that perhaps aren't interruptions at all. Perhaps it is in the interruption that the real lessons for the day are learned.
Just a side note: Some days, I roll with the punches much better than others. The other day I was not so lucky. I rolled, alright. I rolled right out of bed with a big, dark cloud hovering over me. I knew from the moment I slipped into awareness that I was GRUMPY!!!!!! I began praying immediately. I knew my potential was great to be an ugly, yucky person that day. Everything within me wanted to avoid that at all costs. And so I prayed, and coveted the prayers of a few people close to me. God was faithful. My day was difficult, challenging, exhausting (its tiring to have to control your firey tongue ALL DAY LONG!!!) and I felt like I barely survived. But God was faithful and, though I felt like I was holding on by a mere thread most of the day, that thread was enough.
I was contemplating that particular day a few days later. I think I have this hope and expectation that when I finally attain the status of "Good Mom", I will not have challening days. Every day will be filled to overflowing with joy and peace and happiness and love and that these will be EASY to come by. And then I thought of what happens to a muscle that never gets used. A muscle that never has to lift anything heavy or move a limb or support a skeletal system. It becomes weak, it deteriates, it ceases to be strong and it is unable to serve it's purpose. It becomes useless. Challenging days are not fun, but they cause me to work; I have to work hard at being obedient to Christ even though nothing within me feels like it. I have to work hard at being patient and kind to my children when everything within me wants to be impatient and frustrated and critical. I have to work hard at serving my family when all I really want to do is crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head and let them fend for themselves. This is the exercising of the muscle. When days like that draw to a close, I have been made stronger beacause I had to work hard. It made me realize that challenging days are not a reflection of a lousy momma, they are the gift of a loving God, a chance to exercise the muscles of self-control, a chance to practice dependence on One stronger than I, a chance to work HARD at being the person I believe the Lord wants me to be. I really would rather not be a completely useless muscle! Thus, the next time a storm cloud rolls in, I pray that I would see the opportunity and face the challenge head on!
Comments
Oct. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rebeca
It's good to hear from you again! And to hear how things are going. I've been thinking a lot lately (and was actually thinking of blogging about it!) about how I tend to be a "Martha" mommy so often- focused on accomplishing something when my kids just need me to get down and BE with them.
I too have that notion that "when we get this figured out things will be smooth sailing". Ha! I know it's not true, but it's sure easy to think that way. One of these days.... I'll arrive at a state of constant serenity and joy, my children will always obey cheerfully, the house will be clean, dinner will be made, and I'll still have plenty of energy when Erik gets home from work!
Meanwhile, back in reality...
Bless you!
Rebeca
Oct. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks for your honest post. I can totally relate. I have 5 children (9,6,4,2 and 2 months). This season has taught me so much. I have learned that I can accomplish nothing without His help. Press on Mama and enjoy those beautiful babies. Veronica(hsb-womanofgod)
Oct. 16, 2007 - Thank you!
Posted by Phyllis
That was anything but a complaint. It was honest and very inspiring. Thank you!
Oct. 17, 2007 - thoughtfully rendered
Posted by stillgrowing
I appreciate your honesty so much and really identify with each of the things you contemplate in your post. Your post has helped me to see things differenty in my own homeschooling saga, and maybe instead of being so hard on myself when I have bad days, I can run to the Lord and let Him reaffirm me and lift me!
I want to encourage you, dear friend, that these difficult days will surely and truly pass. Please hang on! I was once there and I know we've touched on this before, but I felt led to remind you that this is a season, and it's an entirely normal season. You will blink and all of a sudden, Mr 7 year old is 10 and totally self motivated! It will happen, trust me......
Thanks for refreshing me this morning, my sister. So glad you moved here and so glad God was so compassionate to put us together as friends!
lots of ***hugs***
Leanne
Oct. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I was thinking these same thoughts just this morning as I was reading a history book to my 2 older children, with a toddler "staked" at my feet, a baby rolling around on the floor, fussy, and 2 others sometimes cooperatively playing legos on the floor. I read for about a half hour and I bet I'm not underestimating that I was interupted a good 30 times! Oh the joy of homeschooling a bunch! :-0 Michelle
Nov. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeskoolmom
Some days I feel like a chicken with my head cut off for distractions. And like you, some days I handle it better than others...
as for posting "negative" about homeschooling... it's a part of it. Not every day can be perfect. We are with our children more than anyone else, there are bound to be hard times.
I like Todd Wilson's saying... "be real"
Christine
Mar. 4, 2008 - Wow
Posted by Mrs.MegLogan
Well... I'm ALMOST in that same boat. I have three, and my oldest is almost five and in first grade. My other two are almost two, and five months. Thankfully, like you my almost two year old is potty trained. And here is something that might help you :buy a baby bjorn potty and put it in the homeschool area. Teach 2yo to pull down own britches. (they can trust me, my 20 month old does it.) then they can go potty by them selves!
I wish I was as faithful as you seemed when you said you prayed right away when you woke up grumpy. I hate to be grumpy, and rude to my kids, but I never seem to clue in to the idea of praying CONTINUALLY that I would not give into MY fiery tongue. Thanks for the tip.
Mrs. Meg Logan (ws'er)
