Restarting Homeschool... Encouragement Needed!

[Elizabeth Morgan]

Hello!
I want to ask for some encouragement. My husband and I have been 'round and 'round about Homeschool vs. Public School. He grew up experiencing those, plus private Christian school. I was in public school until my last three years of college. During those three years, I attended a private Christian college here in Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I wanted to be a teacher, of all things! By the time I got out of college, I knew I didn't want to teach in the public school; I would have too many issues with paperwork, etc. (I won't even get started; then there's no danger of me getting on my soapbox!)
In years since we've had our children, I quit teaching at a small private Christian school to stay home with our daughters. I agreed that I wanted to try homeschooling. After a short while of being a mom with young children and the closest family two hours away, I decided I could not take having my children around me 24/7. I finally convinced my husband that public school was the way to go. Kindergarten enrollment is today and tomorrow; just this week, I've heard enough from my friends about how they want to do activities with their kids, but they had a school thing that was required ... Or about how kids can't bring homemade birthday treats to share; they have to be prepackaged items from store or commercial bakery. It's all these little things that bother me about the school system.
What I need is some other moms or dads to tell me something, whether it's just, "Hey, you've made a great decision", or what a parent does when it's just one of them with small children and loads of housework and the other parent is there to sleep. Help!

[Valerie]

Elizabeth,

I'm sorry I'm a bit confused...my fault not yours, lol.......You wanted to homeschool, then wanted a break, and now want to homeschool again? Is that right?

Are you going to be homeschooling this year for sure, or have you enrolled in Public KG?

I know it can be hard to try and keep up with the children, housework, and homeschool.....especially if your spouse works a lot and needs to be sleeping when he returns.

I am no expert, I'm just starting with this homeschool thing.....but one of my main concerns is having time to myself........(I like you have a spouse that is needing sleep when he returns, and I don't have any family in the area....and of course I'm super paranoid with who I leave my children with, so my nights off, and date night (out) are practically non-existant)

But if your asking how to accomplish the super heavy load of Motherhood....lol.....I think the best method that works for us is sticking to a schedule......I know it sounds silly, because homeschooling can offer you more times to jump of schedule but really it's the only thing that works at my house (I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old.) Just having a schedule keeps the house going, and you'll find time to combine stuff (I do dishes while my children are sitting there eating lunch for example)

Also, I work the days lesson into the housework.....ha ha, No, I'm not some evil stepmother grinding my children's little fingers away, but I do think that they can participate with the chores of the house (even at their young age) So part of our day is spent talking over subjects while we're doing dishes (they dry), and sometimes we'll learn a bible story while doing laundry, and we even learn at bath-time while they draw letters into shaving cream on the wall........

So my best answer is that when their this young and need extra attention to complete their work is that you combine your household activities with their homeschooling.....

I hope that helps, I know that what works for one family, might not work for others, but I'm interested to hear how others juggle the daily tasks....for me the housework is the first category to show "signs of wear"

Keep us posted with what you've decided!

In Christ,

Valerie