I Quit: Again! (write down your bad days. you’ll laugh later… This was one of my “bad days” last year-enjoy) Today is definitely one of those days. I should have quit when: The ceiling started dripping. I realized the water was coming from the upstairs bathroom. When I called the landlord to tell her that the upstairs bathroom was leaking into the downstairs bathroom. When my 7th grader decided I was “wasting his time by trying to get him to write down a few math steps”. My 7th grader was shaking in frustration, confusion, and rebellion. The plumber came and asked me where the main water turn off was for our new home. My 6the grader decided that 2 hours was an appropriate time limit for a lesson that was begun with the words, “honey, I am letting you do this easy math lesson today so you can practice three things: neatness, discipline, and timing…” I looked at my 6th grader’s paper only to discover he had only neatly written the lesson number after 30 minutes. My 4th grader disappeared from the school area… AGAIN. My 7th grader announces to me, in front of the plumber, “mom, ______ just bit ______” (no names to protect the guilty) Related: The Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Ok, I really should have quit when: I realized that one of my kids bit another of my kids. (Really? I have No kids under the age of 9!!!) The guilty child was just “play biting in order to get his toy back…” (I repeat. My kids are older than 9). The plumber asks, “So… You homeschool?” I reply, “Yes sir. Only today is one of those days that I question homeschooling!” I really, really, really should have quit when: The boys almost hung the dog. Accidentally of course. So, I quit. Just now. I sent the boys to bed until tomorrow. (Or until I cool down, whichever comes first) Do you ever keep going on a day that clearly communicates, “STOP!” Tell me, I’m not the only one!! [leadpages_leadbox leadbox_id=142a79846639c5] [/leadpages_leadbox] Print this free homeschool mom reminder.This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!Here is a sneak preview…Download Your Free PrintableDownload the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.
3 Questions I Ask Myself When I Feel Like Giving Up on Homeschooling: by Kristy at The Little Cottage I found Kristy at The Little Natural Cottage a few weeks ago and just fell in love with her transparency. As a veteran homeschooler, I confess there are many days that I find myself overwhelmed and very tempted to quit. Kristy wrote an article where she shares this reality and how she manages to get over the hump. It really spoke to my heart. Here is her article. If it speaks to your heart like it did to mine, jump over to her site and let her know you were blessed! 3 Questions I Ask Myself When I Feel Like Giving Up on Homeschooling Yes, I feel like giving up sometimes. I get overwhelmed. Frustrated. Off track. And just plain tired. Homeschooling takes all I’ve got and then some, and there are weeks when I just feel like throwing in the towel. Years ago, during an especially difficult season of life, my husband and I agreed that there would never be another option for us regarding educating our children. Homeschooling is a conviction for our family, and we’re sticking with it. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. So what do I do when I feel like I’m absolutely the wrong mom for the job? Well, after I’ve drank a few cups of coffee, sneaked into the bag of chocolate chips, put the kids down for a nap and escaped to a quiet place with my laptop… I ask myself a few questions. 1. Am I getting enough sleep? The answer to this one is almost always no. I am a chronic overachiever, and sleep is usually the first thing to go when I feel like I don’t have time to tackle one of my beloved projects. Plain and simple, I’m an ogre when I’m sleep deprived. If you don’t believe me, ask my kids. (On second thought, please don’t.) It’s amazing how much better I handle stress (yes, homeschooling can feel stressful at times) when I’m leaving enough margin in my day for sufficient rest. 2. Am I trying to do too much? The answer to this question is almost always yes. It’s hard for us moms to admit it, but we really can’t do it all. Something has to go. For me, the first things I “let go” when the going gets tough are my expectations of a perfect house and my blogging projects. I can’t be a career blogger and a career mother. I just can’t. I have to let go. 3. Why am I homeschooling in the first place? This may seem like a strange question to ask when I’m feeling low, but it’s amazing what a little honest evaluation can do for my resolve. I’m not homeschooling because it’s easy. I’m not homeschooling because I’m cut out for it. I’m not homeschooling because I have a fancy education and I feel smart. I’m not homeschooling because it fits so well with my schedule and personal goals. I’ve chosen life as a homeschool mom because I believe God has called me to it. And since He called me, He will equip me. He will. And He does. More than anything, homeschooling is a walk of faith. I believe that God is bigger than my mistakes. Wiser than my weaknesses. Stronger than my inconsistencies. I believe that He knows and loves my children infinitely more than I could ever know and love them. I believe that He gave them to ME, and me to them, with an eternal purpose in mind. I believe that I can do this, and do it well. Not because of anything good within me, but because I am equipped by God Almighty himself. So is there ever really a time when I’m ready to say, “I quit?” Sure. I say it. And when I reach the end of myself is when I find Him. Holding me. Cheering me on. Giving grace for another day. And another… and another… Thank you Kristy, for your wisdom and heart!Were you blessed? Take a minute to let Kristy know by clicking here.