The Misconception of Homeschooling

Many people think when you homeschool your children…that they are automatically weird. Now, my kids may be weird….but it’s not because they are homeschooled…it’s because their mother is weird….and I’ve got no problem whatsoever admitting that!🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️

However (in case any of you reading this haven’t met me) my kids aren’t really weird…my son is 19, and besides his habits of a messy room and car…he is in fact…somewhat normal…and my daughter…well she’s 12….I haven’t met a normal one yet.

Another misconception…is that we all sit home and drool over ourselves all day…and that misconception is what brings me to my blog post…this very day.

After I’m done calculating hours each year (it’s a MO thing) I always look back in the year to see what I can change…to make life better…and this year…I…was….dead….tired…like ridiculous…and my daughter….was begging to stay home more….something had to change…..and I’m not completely sure…but 99.9 percent sure there’s some big changes happening for us this first semester.

Last year, we belonged to two co-ops. I taught three classes, clowned at two retirement homes and another place as well each month, and of course I helped run a business (doing all the social media) scheduling of employees, decorating, and I also decided to take some classes (you know to keep life interesting) homeschooled my daughter, and sent a son off to college. I also, have aging parents, who one had a stroke (they thought) and the other we spent a lot of time at the neurologist. Writing all that makes me tired…doesn’t make me feel important or anything positive..:it sounds like a train wreck….

This summer, we have done swim team, we have done horse lessons, had friends over, and will go to art camp and church camp…and I personally think that is plenty. I’ve started back into yoga…keep trying to find time to run again…and am trying to finish my last gem class.

Today, I did something I’ve been trying to take care of all summer…and it’s almost the middle of July..::

We started back to art journaling…and my soul instantly found peace.

Why do I feel it so necessary to fill my day with impossible lists and tasks…that I drown out any joy? Why is it so important to constantly move and check lists…and never sit and listen to silence?

I’ve been purging my home more and more…spending less and less…and trying to fill that free time…with quiet conversation. Petting the dog, fitness for me. Drinking more water…planning meals, developing my hobbies more. Finding more time to explore our curriculum more…going on more field trips. We never go on any at all because we have filled our days with co-op and Enrichment classes (all good things) but my soul needs quiet right now.

As homeschoolers we have so many activities, and the need and the pull to go from one thing to the other is great….but I promised myself….that this semester….we are going to spend more time outside, go on some field trips, some activities…and try my hardest to slow down.