Can you believe it's nearing the end of 2018? Christmas has come and gone and we are heading into a new year. I've had many friends and family ask me about how the start of our homeschool journey has gone. I figured that I would write another post on the first few months before we say goodbye to 2018 and hello to 2019. Thanks for joining me in our journey and taking a step into our world.
To say that homeschooling has been exactly what I thought would be a lie. It has been so much more and then some. The first month of trying to get into a routine while I was finishing off work before I went on maternity leave was difficult. Our oldest two kids were starting Kindergarten and Grade 1 so neither one of them had attended school Monday to Friday. They didn't understand why they all of the sudden needed to start doing school work. Over the summer we read books, enjoyed family time, played with many friends and were outdoors a lot. So after a month of starting to regularly sit down and dive into the books and learning they both got comfortable with the idea that "okay, we home school and that means learning with mom at home on a regular basis".
October came quickly, I was 8 months pregnant with our fourth baby but we went full throttle into our learning knowing that there would be a week or two break after baby arrived and shortly after it would be Christmas. The kids really started to get the routine of learning at home. We found our rhythm and healthy mix of play, intentional sit down learning time, outdoor adventures and crafts! I also found my rhythm in the sense that no homeschool day looks exactly the same and that's okay and part of the beauty of doing it.
Many people have asked me: How do you do it Maryse? You have four kids now including a newborn, where do you find the time to teach your older two? Here's the simple answer: what we can accomplish in an hour and a half is what my child would accomplish in eight hours at school with 25 other kids in their class plus lunch time, recess etc. Homeschooling is not replicating the school system, if it was I'd just send my children to school. This was something I had to let go of and remind myself very early on. I needed to immediately stop comparing my children and the way we've chosen to educate them to the way it would be if they were in school. Again, this isn't about right or wrong at all it's about our choice of homeschooling and not putting unreal expectations on myself or my children based off of fear.
If you are reading this and are in the homeschool community or thinking of homeschooling your children, or on the other hand if your kids are in the school system remind yourself: this is not a competition. We aren't meant to be comparing ourselves or our children with others. As mothers we can be so awful at this, believing the lie that every other mom has their lives more put together, that their homes are cleaner and that their kids are better behaved. Comparison steals joy. It isn't healthy and we don't need to put those unrealistic expectations on ourselves. Fellow moms, give yourself grace in your parenting. Homeschooling aside, if you are reading this remember that you are the very best mother for your children! You were chosen by God to be their mom, you are equipped because you have a very BIG God who loves you beyond all measure, who lives inside of you and will provide you with all your needs. He will fill in the gaps where you fall short, and in your weakness He is strong.
To wrap up, we are loving our time together as a family and this thing called homeschooling. I'm thankful that I haven't had to do school drop offs and pick ups five days a week with a newborn. I'm thankful for friends and family who have encouraged me on days where I'm overwhelmed and tired that it's okay to slow down, to stop and just be present with my kids. I'm thankful that quickly I'm learning to let go of unrealistic expectations, to stop comparing and just enjoy what's working for our family and our kids right now.
2019 is around the corner and I will continue to learn and grow in my journey of motherhood, parenting and homeschooling (as I know I have so much to learn). But right here, right now I'm at peace with a grateful and thankful heart for my children, for this transition to homeschooling, for a supportive husband, for healthy children, for an amazing church community, and for hope for an even better year ahead.
A late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Much love,
Maryse.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
