Ever struggle with a homeschool day?
It was just not right from the moment you got up? Some days, it’s easy to see the positive. Some days, it’s easier to try and be positive. And some days, you just know it’s not going to happen, and you wait for another try tomorrow.
You started the day waking up late. It’s never good to start behind. The entire day it seems you can never catch up. The kids seem extra whiny, they feed off your stress. The babies seem to be on overload.
You run from putting out one fire, to cleaning up another mess.
The older kids think the littles are cute, so the littles just act up more to get approval. It is a vicious cycle to try and break.
School is not ready for the kids. The copies aren’t made, the plan not put on paper. They seem to have no self-motivation. Every ounce of learning for this day seems to come at a great cost. All the while, the 4 and 5 year old are playing Veggie Tag and asking in tandem,
“Are we having school? Where’s our school? What are we doing for school today? Did you forget our school today?“
The three year old still isn’t potty trained. He is yelling about having to sit on the toilet. (I WANT A DIAPER!)(Not happening now, buddy.)
The washing machine breaks. There is water all over the floor. The dishes are piling up, and you did the sniff test to find a cleanish shirt to wear. Repair men come to your door, and one of the littles, while only in their underwear, answers, lets him in, and informs him you are going potty and may be awhile.
You forgot to set out meat for dinner, and your husband has to pick something up on the way home. He cannot figure out why two kids are still in pajamas, or why it looks like you reenacted a war scene in your living room.
Sometimes, it’s as if nothing goes right.
Days like this, I just want to crawl back in bed, throw the covers over my head, and forget I was ever considered a responsible adult. Life is often hard. There are those that think we are the perfect family. That my kids do no wrong. That our parental skills are always on the mark.
I am here to tell you, I am not perfect. That bad day you are having? I have had them too. In grand, blow-out fashion. Lay it at the Master’s feet. Take a lesson from Mary, and forget the busy, good things, and just soak in the Lord’s presence. He gave you enough mercies for today. And tomorrow, what ever it brings, is known by our Maker. We need not worry about it.
The last thing for this day, I asked my 9 year old if he remembered our memory verse. He replied, “Sure! It’s Philippians 4:6-7. “Be obnoxious in nothing, but in prayer, ask God for help…..I can’t remember the rest”. Mercies. God is always there!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:6-7
Lord, guard my heart from wrath. Let me be patient and kind, and thank you for blessing me with these children.
Thank you for this. I needed to hear this… I’m copying that prayer at the end and putting it in my Bible right now.
Thank you! I have this prayer copied down as well. I read it every morning before my feet hit the floor!
We have not only had bad days, but bad weeks! We are in our 3rd yr. of full-time homeschooling and still learning so much about what we can do, can’t do, and what to expect from our children. Great post. Thanks so much for sharing. I just hate the days you feel like you cannot keep up. Had those fire putting out days:)
We are in year 5. There are always struggles. And so often we get short sighted and forget the big picture. This is my reminder! 🙂
I just started homeschooling about 3 weeks ago. I pulled my child out of a school that cost $18,500.00/year,yep, it was a kindergarten program. It was a horrible experience for her. Everything on that application was wrong and a lie, after i observed the classroom for 8 hours once day. God lead me to homeschooling and its been amazing. I noticed that some days we make it , some days we dont, and make the work up the next day. I really needed this post because there were some challenge says with my only child who is 6 years old. I love your blog. God bless you for being so transparent! -Amanda Lancaster
Thank you so much. And you are always welcome here or at my blog to ask questions, get help, or just find encouragement. I wish I could tell you it gets easier. In some ways it does. But as is life, the best things are always fought for. So thrilled you are starting this journey. It is something you will not regret. Know that you and your family have been prayed over today, friend!
Thank you so much, friend! I look forward to reading your blog posts! Thank you for the prayer and the friendship! Here is my blog as well. It is such a transition that after a couple hours of home school we are abel to get 2 or three subjects done. Some days I am just flipping through pages trying to get my barring down before a behavior change comes about. Is it normal for kids to be tired after 2 or 3 hours of homeschooling? I mean, my 6 year old daughter, Sophia, after working diligently and hard, she is wiped out! LOL! Right now we are reading the book of Matthew in the bible, and going over everyday things of what its like to be a Christian, and after gong through those things she is ready for a break and a snack!