One of the Wine Sisters (neighbors that I have become friends with. They drink a lot of wine, hence the name.) came over today to visit. I had just gotten back from my morning exercise class and was helping the kids to get their math finished, which I started with them before I left. My friend saw me get home and came over for a cup of tea and some girlfriend time.
While she sat, drinking her tea, I was emptying and refilling my dishwasher, helping the kids with their math, getting Laurelyn a snack and reminding David that hitting and yelling is not a real form of communication. I wish he learned that lesson as easily as Jason and Jocelyn learned their addition and subtraction facts.
I visited with her as much as I could and I shared my new Truffle flavored herb tea, because I am an amazing friend but it reminded me of my most asked question when I tell people that I homeschool.
How do you have the time?
or
How do you get time for yourself with your kids around all the time?
I know very little about time management or on parenting children. If I did my house would be clean and organized every day and my children would behave properly and stop hitting each other, I’m referring to David in case you didn’t pick up on that. I would do things so much better if I knew how to manage my time and my children in the best way possible, but I don’t. I do know that I love my kids and I love having them close. I love being there when they learn something new and when they need me. I love being there especially when they don’t need me. I love being there when they find their independence and when they need me to give advice and then back off. I love that our schedule and routine are so intertwined that there is no difference between what Chuck or I or any of the kids are doing. It is only about what WE are doing and we figure it out together.
I go to fitness class three mornings a week. I work two nights a week and I take a French class one night a week and while I’m there I know exactly what my kids are doing and what to expect when I get home because I know their personalities, their behavior and their interests so well that I can sit in my garage and play out in my head what has happened the entire time I was gone.
There is nowhere on this Earth that I would rather be than with those kids who are spilling milk on my counter, Cheerios on my floor and smiling while they do it. I don’t have large blocks of time without my kids but I don’t wish for anything different. My house is loud and conversations are interrupted by word problems and adding fractions but this is my life and I am happy with how things are.
That is how I have the time.
we have more or less, depending on the changes. you are doing a wonderful job. It won’t always be this way, with all of the interruptions and chaos and busy-ness that constitutes a family growing up. There will be a space of time when you will have quiet and time for yourself. However, in the interum I would suggest that you be more demanding and claim more time uninterrupted for yourself, safeguarding segments of time that is yours alone. The reason that I suggest this is that if you don’t fight for it, when you must and it’s at a premium, when the years go by, and the time is yours finally, you will be programed to allow others ownership of your space and time, because you won’t have learned possesion is 9/10ths of the law. Own it, now. That’s what Chuck does, and so do each of your little ones. Good luck. I love you
I only have one son at the moment but want several more kids and hope to homeschool them. It’s great so read about another mom who loves being with her kids all the time (well, most of the time) and prove that if you want it bad enough, it’s possible to homeschool 4 kids and be happy. It’s amazing how even something as simple as an hour or two doing something that you enjoy can re-energize your for another week (or month) or 24/7 with your kids
If I had more than one child, I would absolutely consider homeschooling – but I want her to have that socialization part, too, which she’d have if she had siblings but it’s hard to have that with dogs and a cat.
It’s amazing how things seem to just work – and you obviously do a great job juggling everything!
Stopping by from Ann’s – Happy VGNO!
Happy VGNO!!
I never had the patience to sty home with mine. I love them dearly, and enjoyed our time together, but just wasn’t made for homeschooling. Kudos to you!
As much as I try to convince her, she still insists on this homeschooling thing instead of coming to work full-time for me…
Seriously, your kids are so lucky to have a teacher like you. I’ve never seen someone get so excited about almost everything If you have room in your class, I’d like to join!