After much prayer and research, I decided to begin homeschooling my boys last year. Pulling my oldest out of public school was scary and uncertain. I wasn’t sure how my elementary education degree (to teach in the classroom) was going to pan out teaching my three boys in the kitchen.
I will say that it has been a learning curve for all of us. Some days are awesome and we love homeschooling. While there are other days, I am ready to find the nearest school and enroll them ALL for full day school + after school activities. Just being honest.
Amidst the chaos, noise, juggling, teaching, learning, and playing… one thing remains true for me… I do love having the boys home all the time. I love homeschooling them. I love hanging out with them. I love being the one to teach, lead, inspire, and guide them. I love it.
I love being the one to teach my children how to read, write, and do arithmetic. I love that homeschooling gives the boys the freedom to do their school in their super hero costumes, police gear, or even bike helmets… complete with nerf guns at ready should there be a bad guy intruding on the lesson.
I love that my youngest has grown leaps and bounds by doing school with the big boys. He just turned 4 and knows all of his letters (upper and lower case), letter sounds, and is starting to read simple CVC words. I love that he loves doing school on the computer just like his big brothers. His latest favorite school is ABCmouse. (Review/giveaway coming on the blog soon!!)
I love that he can do school (and I can teach school) while still wearing our pajamas! No fancy dress clothes, makeup or perfume for this mama. Don’t judge.
Homeschooling Confession: I REALLY do NOT mind the boys being home. Having them home is fun, normal, and ‘easier’ than the hustle and bustle of drop off/pick up.
The challenge (for me) is distinguishing the different hats I must wear during the day: Mom, Teacher, Housekeeper, Errand Runner, Bill Payer, Cook, RACHEL.
Very rarely do ALL those hats happen at the same time. Most days a hat collects ‘dust’ and is left behind. Finding the proverbial BALANCE of juggling life, home school, and motherhood is the biggest struggle for me.
One of my good friends, Danielle, reminded me that, “Homeschooling is not for sissys. The main reason you should homeschool is because you love to learn and you want to do that with your favorite peeps.” I agree… I love hanging out with my little people.
As wild as my monkeys are… we have fun swinging and learning together! Homeschooling is not for wimps. It is hard. But it is also naturally easy too. It is just that darn responsibility hat that gets in the way of all my fun!
Kendra says
I can relate! I so enjoyed reading this honest account of the homeschool life! Thanks Rach.
Rachel says
Love and miss you!! <3
Lisa @ RunWiki says
You’re a complete stud. I have thought about homeschooling year after year, and I don’t have the “you know whats” to make the jump. I just found out that our school district is increasing class sizes and making our campus open enrollment, so I have to really think about what I am going to do next year. Reading this is good for me, thank you for sharing the good and the not so good.
Jessica says
100% relate… but you know that. I wish the “teaching” part was easier for me. I love the easy morning and the freedom it allows us to have.
Toni says
Go you! I just started homeschooling my 13-year-old son and it is tough, as he is well, 13, and there is some part of his brain that is forced to question every thing I say. (Even though I am an educator.) Despite the challenges, I love it, and wouldn’t trade this time with him for anything.
nurina says
You will never look back and regret the time that you have with your kiddos at home. What a difference you are making in their little lives! You know them better than anyone else…making you the best educator for them. Even though the days can seem hectic and the house not just so…your investment and time will be worth it as you look back year down the road! Good job! Bless you 😉
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Homeschooling is definitely not for sissies. I’ve thought about it but am afraid I don’t have the patience. Anyone who does home school, I give major high 5’s to!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I admire my friends that homeschool so much! This is certainly something we are thinking about with Baby Delight!
Maureen says
Way to go! I can imagine that at moments it is quite overwhelming to home school. But then there are better moments that make it ALL worth it!
Tina@GottaRunNow says
Homeschooling is great! The most difficult part may be finding the time to do everything that you want to do!
Kayla says
I can imagine how hard it is to wear the different hats. I don’t have children of my own but I am an elementary school teacher. I think that homeschooling would be great – but even more so if I was able to home school someone else’s children!Flexibility – discovery field trips whenever… it would be great – so much more real world application!
Janice says
I like playing homeschool for an hour of doing homework with my daughters every night. I can see how it definitely helps to bond the family. I am seriously in awe of how you do it all – I do not have the patience to teach my daughters any longer than the hour I spend with them on their school work at night. For some reason I have far more patience for work clients 🙂
Katie says
We don’t home-school and have great faith in the public school system here, however if given the skills and ability I would certainly consider it. Especially when you hear tales from the playground and can spot the future ‘mean girls’. I guess I can only hope that I’ll be able to be sure she’ll be the guiding light of kindness to her peers.