You Call That a Mess?

Sometimes learning is messy, and usually, if I've done a good job teaching, things are definitely out of place. And often, it "messes up" my house to some degree for at least some length of time. But learning is what I've gotta be all about. It's what I signed up for.


One thing I've learned is that messy is relative.
Things that I used to consider messy when I had no children (or one child) are no longer messy. Undone dishes for a couple hours? Meh. Laundry heaped on the living room couch? At least it's clean. Sparkly remnants of craft time strewn on the dining room floor? I've got a vacuum for that.
C'mon Michelle. Life is good. Life is great. Relax a little. (says my husband) And stop worrying about what others might think in that imaginary world you've created in your head.


I must credit my mom for being a living example of enjoying God's goodness in the little things and not stressing over mess that can be cleaned up, even if it means that, in the end, I will be more tired than I'd prefer. She was always so positive. Thanks mom!

Hiccups

Some people have asked how I manage to homeschool L, yet make time to care for and mother my other two kids. Honestly, I'm not sure. 


N the baby, is quite easy to handle these days. She loves to watch others from her pack 'n play or be on the floor, crawling about and getting into simple baby mischief. And sometimes she naps in the morning, but not often enough these days. For now, though, she's easy to manage, and I'll take it. 


My son, S, on the other hand is less manageable and totally 2. Sure, he has his days where it's easy to commandeer him. But, in general, my creative hat is worn daily specifically for this dude. 


Thankfully, he loves playdough. Colorful, pliable, MESSY playdough. He also loves playing with dry beans. The kind that find their home anywhere but inside their convenient Rubbermaid bin. He also loves throwing fits at the most inconvenient times. But the fit is usually thrown due to boredom (or his 2 year molars) and that's where I must rise to the occasion: I include him in storytime. I use songs to help him learn concepts with us. I send him on missions to make me coffee (!) or buy his sister some diapers (he loves pretend play right now). I build him a fort (or give him a box) to play in. I cut up tons of scrap paper into random shapes and let him paste to his heart's content using a gluestick. I set up a starting line for his "races" down the upstairs hallway. I could go on.


On Friday, he was a challenging handful. Today, he was wonderful handful. He's a ball of energy that must be managed and engaged, and the Lord has given him to me...to enjoy. My husband reminded me the other day that S is tenderhearted, needing much more demonstrative displays of affection than L ever did (cuddling, conversation, calm tones of speech lest his feelings be hurt). I needed that reminder. 


Friday was an OK day for S. Today was a good day. I'll focus on today.

Why Homeschool?

So, I figured I'd get into why I do what I do. Honestly, if you'd asked me 5 years ago, homeschooling was not even an option. It wasn't on my radar. I remember telling Tim, "I'm just not that type of mom...I think kids should go to a building for school. Another building than here." :) Well, obviously I changed my mind. My husband did not change my mind, although I would have listened and complied had he asked me. I really believe the Lord changed my heart so that I would consider all my options. And that He did so in order that I would have joy in my decision.


Now, I want to be sure I make myself clear---homeschooling is not, I believe, the end all-be all. It is, however, what I prefer. This year. And right now. So, I've chosen to do it. Not because I don't think public school provides a good education. We're in a great school district. Not because I think it's the only Biblical way. God gives us grace in making these decisions and I don't believe there is one RIGHT way. Honestly, it's because I want God to be an integral part and obvious focus of my child's education and I know that will not happen in public school. I also know that I can not afford private school for all my children, and if I could, I still wouldn't want to spend the money. Since I went to Christian private school (only because my mom worked there), I know that even private school has its faults. I also know that I have my faults. To put it bluntly, any school environment has its faults. But, I've determined to put aside my insecurities and try to teach my children. Try with all my might. And have some confidence in how the Lord's gifted me. And take it a day at a time. Because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Learning as I Go

Take 2. Obviously I need help with this blogging thing already. My first post didn't show up, so I will attempt to reiterate everything word for word. Or not.

I told my husband I'd never do this, but here I am. Partly because I want to chronicle my homeschool experience and learn from it as I go: every wonderful, crazy, maddening, character-building moment of it. But mostly because I hate the idea of writing things out by hand and having to store some random notebook of happenings somewhere in my house just so I can misplace it or spill coffee all over it, losing every painstaking memory that lies within.

So, here goes. My journey as a homeschooling mom...and every other journey in between.

By the way, the title of this blog is a reference to my personal outlook on life: the "seasons" of childhood and motherhood require different attire as you go--creativity, ambitiousness, flexibility, steadfastness, patience and numerous other traits. So be prepared! Dress for the Season! And hold on to your hat!