Back to the homeschooling questions!
Here’s one I hear A LOT! Mostly I hear it phrased this way:
I think the people who say such things to me think I have some sort of innate super-human patience they do not possess; therefore, *I* can homeschool, while they most definitely cannot.
OK, let’s dispel that myth once and for all.
Remember, I’m the lady who couldn’t wait to send her child off on the big yellow school bus? I was the lady who begged to have her tubes tied during her 3rd pregnancy. Patience was not my forte. In fact, I’m not sure it is even now.
Super-human…Nope. Supernatural is more like it.
I don’t grow tired of my kids because the Lord renews me over and over and over again.
There is such a thing as homeschool burnout, but there are some things you can set in place to help keep you from hitting the wall:
1. Surround yourself with encouraging homeschool moms. I’m not necessarily talking about ladies who never have troubles of their own or who spend their lives with a goofy smile on their faces. I’m talking about real women who offer real answers with real encouragement.
Perhaps they are online (there are a million forums out there…pick one!) Even better if they are just a phone call away.
Join a homeschool support group just for moms. Not one where you commiserate over all the bad things, but one where you come home uplifted and edified. This isn’t selfish. It’s a great way to keep from becoming selfish.
2. Remember why you homeschool. Post the goals. Post the Scripture. When you are feeling like you’ve had enough, go back to the roots.
3. Read encouraging books, magazines, and blogs or watch encouraging videos. I know you think you don’t have time, but sometimes all you need is a quick pep talk. Some of my favorites are:
Books
When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally Clarkson
Magazines
The Old Schoolhouse
Salt Magazine
Blogs
(Don’t want to step on any toes here. I read so many homeschooling blogs it would take an entire post to list them all! These are just a few of the many!)
Discover the Child
A House on Fire
A High & Noble Calling
Regan Family Farm
Peace Creek Prairie
Videos
The Children of Caesar ~ Voddie Baucham
(watch an excerpt here on You Tube)
4. Change things up. When the children are at each other and you are at them, do something different. Take a field trip. Give yourself the day off. Meet friends at the park and let the kids run. Homeschooling does not (and should not) look like traditional public school. You are not bound to the kitchen table with scope and sequence ropes that won’t let you do anything out of the norm. If the kids are driving you crazy, chances are you’re driving them crazy too. Do something different!
5. You’re not perfect…and it’s okay. There will be days when you are supermom. There will be days when you wish you could just crawl in a hole. If most days you are somewhere in between the two, you’re doing good. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Let God be in charge.
and finally…
6. Kids are kids. Don’t expect perfection from them either. Love ’em where they live, train ’em in the way they should go, always remember they are a blessing.
Luke says
My mom says that she doesn’t fully understand this question because she likes being around us kids. That’s not to say we didn’t have our days [smile]. But on the whole, as you spend more time with people and learn to work and live with them, life becomes better. That’s real socialization, yes? Yes. [smile]
My wife says she’s getting more and more attached to the girls every day. I don’t see them nearly as much, so I could totally relate to the: I couldn’t be around them all the time!
Of course, that’s another good point: You’re not. They can go play. They don’t just hang out with you all the time. If you made it through the baby-stage, I think you’re doing pretty well [smile].
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Good stuff here!
~Luke
Marie says
I don’t know if you shared this because of the email I sent you, but thank you for posting this. I found it very helpful and encouraging. I really need to relax more and be less about me more about HIM! My kids deserve the BEST I can give them. Just reading these homeschool blogs is very helpful. At times I feel very alone in my homeschool journey because we don’t ‘get out’ much with the homeschool group. Hopefully that will change soon (if gas prices go down, lol). I put those two books on my list to read (S.Clarkson’s was already on my list).
Again, thanks!
Marie
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mom244now
Candice says
Great reminders, Amy! Those ‘you must be so patient’ comments always make me want to laugh. I say that through homeschooling God shows you how IMPATIENT and SELFISH you are, and then graciously works on you through your weakness.
Kristy says
I have never commented before, but wanted to say THANKS for your encouragement! I have a 5 year old and twin 4 year olds…all girls. We will begin our homeschool journey next fall, but it has been one hard decision for us (for me). The main reason it was so hard is b/c of this very question/statement. I love my girls, I do but I just don’t want to be irritable all the time! ha! Although, as of late, God has given me peace about our decision to homeschool and I’m even excited! I’ve realized that God will do a work in me as well…as we homeschool.
I’m not even sure how I came across your blog, but I am so glad I did. I have read every homeschool post you’ve written and each one has encouraged me in so many ways…as our thinking/family views/philosophy is very similar to yours. So, THANK YOU for allowing God to use you to encourage!! 🙂
The Proverbs Wife says
I always feel a sense of sadness when a mom says that she couldn’t be around her child/children all day. Such a loss.
I would be ashamed to say that in front of my children and the LORD. There are challenging times but I am so glad that my heart knows how valuable my time with my children is.
Great post.
joelle says
Thanks for this encouraging post. It is so true. BTW, i do not comment often but I really enjoy your posts.
Tammy (Mom to this crazy bunch) says
Great advice…
Andrea says
Great post. I home-schooled my children. I often say, “We all lived through it and came out better for it.” GOD grew us tremendously. I am thankful I surrendered. I think it became easier for me when I realized I would face challenges whether my children were in public school, private school, or I home-schooled them. Home-schooling is one of the best decisions I ever made.
Blessings, andrea
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Raven,
I am humbled by your comment! Thanks 🙂 (and welcome!)
Lynnette,
found those pics in her camera…never know what treats I’m going to find when I download her pics!
Lynnette Kraft says
That picture of M is priceless! Love it! 🙂
Raven says
Amy, you just made my day! I love your blog and was just reading through this post and found your link to my blog. I am humbled and just blown away. As a total newbie to both the homeschooling and the blogging scene, your link means a lot to me 🙂 And great post! I totally agree–I am not the remarkable one; He is.
Thanks again!
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Joelle,
So glad you stopped by and commented! 🙂
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Kristy,
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you are encouraged!
Michelle says
Amy your posts like these are such an incredible blessing to me – and to so many others. This one is going in my ‘favorites’ file.
(and there are about 20 friends that I think I’m going to forward it to) 😉
Thanks for the encouragement!
Michelle
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
Reggie says
What’s really bad is when you contemplate homeschooling and other people (relatives who shall remain nameless) who know you well ask themselves this. 😉