Panic in the Homeschool
Today was just one of those days. Actually, it started yesterday. It happens quite regularly, and I’m sure no one else in the whole wide world has this happen to them… You’d think that after 7 years of homeschooling I’d be prepared for the attack - the attack of panic in the Homeschool.
Just in case you are one of those who has never experienced this (because it only happens to me), this is how it goes. Your day starts out fine. Everything is going well…. until you look around you and realize that the dishes aren’t done….. dinner isn’t even a figment of your imagination, and your son has just spent the last hour on one Math problem. The children are hungry, but you didn’t have time to bake this week and you are being frugal, so of course you didn’t BUY any snacks. You decide to bake cupcakes… and donuts…. and some cheese cookies while you are at it. The kitchen looks worse and worse, but the children are fed - sugar and white flour. Oh, and some cheese.
The kids have a break and run to their rooms to play, leaving you to survey the mess.
Then the voices start….. you can’t do this.. it’s too much…. they will never learn everything they need to know…. they are behind…. you haven’t even put the washing in the machine yet….
The voices are not just discouraging, they are also full of “good” advice. No, don’t put them in school, get a REAL curriculum. Then you will know that they are covering EVERYTHING. You can have more time for yourself. You can sew. You can quilt. You can have gourmet meals on the table, because this wonderful curriculum that will teach them EVERYTHING is self taught. You don’t have to do ANYTHING, but make sure they are at the table working. That is the only way you are going to survive the high school years…. until you have to put them in school……
When your husband sets foot in the door he knows there is something very wrong. As soon as he hears you wail, “I can’t do it anymore!!!! ” he knows… it’s that time of the month again where there is panic in the homeschool……
Thankfully this too passes and the Word of the Lord reigns supreme:
“At their wit’s end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,
and he bringeth them out” (Ps. 107:27, 28).
Today Daniel breezed through his Math and Science. Matthew and Elizabeth wrote a story in their free time. Matthew worked on his Bee lapbook and happily told me all he already knew about bees. Elizabeth started working on a cat lapbook, making up crossword puzzles and word searches herself. The dishes eventually ended up in the dishwasher and the kitchen was tidy. Some more dirty clothes were washed and dinner was on the table, simple, but nice.
You know what? My children may not learn EVERYTHING, but I didn’t either when I was at school. Our curriculum may not cover EVERYTHING, but it covers what we think is important. And some of my children still don’t know their times tables, but one day they will.
And so the panic ends…. and it is time for bed. Aren’t you glad this NEVER happens to you?!
May 26th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Oh, I totally can relate to your homeschool panic feeling. I’ve been there and done that so many times. I am finally getting to the point where I don’t, though. It’s such a blessing to just school and do what we can and enjoy our learning.
I really enjoyed your post! I especially could relate to the messy kitchen part! In fact, it made me remember, I still have dishes in the sink that need to be done. *sigh* It never ends. . .
God bless you ~ Julie
May 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Oh Joy, I understand. I get that condition about every 3 months and now I have a word for it! It’s crazy. I have found that those are the days when I say “School Break” and I try to get the house back in order. It helps me to get back on track and I can focus better when we do get back to school. Character training and school are the priority in our day, but I can’t do school well with a huge mess. I have learned to live with a litte mess though. As a matter of fact I wouldn’t know what to do if everything was clean at the same time! Write all those school dates and plans in pencil and call a “Break” when needed. It helps. Wendy