Perfect Timing

My idea of perfect time includes tasty coffee, complete silence, and no interruptions. I crave time alone to plan, to create, to write, to read.

After almost thirteen years of parenting, I wonder if I need to change my definition of perfect time.

It’s imagination that says I accomplish great things after everyone else is asleep. The opposite is often true. My brain is bleary from the work of the day, so I stare at the wall or click link after link on the never-ending internet. Then next morning an empty coffee cup follows me because I experienced perfect time.

Instead of pining for hours of quiet and wasting the rare moments of solitude, can I be diligent in the minutes I have throughout the day?

It is hard to focus in the multitasking of motherhood and homeschool, but what if I fill in the lesson plans while my son works on his math? What if I type out a few sentences when inspiration strikes?

What if I stop grumbling about not having time alone and focus more on why I’m not alone?

I get to homeschool three amazing children. It is messy and delightful, frustrating and rewarding. There are so many things wrapped up in this choice, but I don’t want it any other way (usually).

The Importance of Short Lessons

We got so much school done when my son was in kindergarten. He was an only child. We worked on school for hours a day. Learning phonograms, writing numbers, and reading lots of books. Yes, I was such a good teacher then.

Until I really think about it…

My son cried writing his letters. Math confused and both of us were frustrated. Learning was so painful. I pushed the tears right out.

Sometimes the frustration reappears, but I learned something from that early struggle.

I stop teaching while my little girls are still interested.

The Importance of Making Memories Happen

My five-year-old girl, Sweet Pea, skips across the grass while her brother sails past on his bike with one flat tire. Around and around the park heads bob and smiles erupt. I glance around every once in awhile to see where they have scampered.

They enjoy the freedom to practice their childhood games. I enjoy the adult conversation.

Tears flow when we have to leave. As an afternoon of playing with her cousin at the lake etches into her heart, Sweet Pea shouts,

I’ll never forget this!

I never want to forget her response to the simple delight.

Since I like to stay home, it’s easy for me to forget how important it is to get out and explore. How important it is to create moments my children will remember. How important it is to simply be with my kids and enjoy them instead of pushing and pushing.

Yes, we need to do lessons. But what kind of mother-teacher am I? Tired, worn out, and grumpy?

Homeschooling is not just for my children. It is for me, too. It is an opportunity for me to discover the depths of my motivation. It is an opportunity to learn from the precious ones in my care.

The pressure is real. There is a weight of responsibility, but can I put the worry aside? Can I enjoy the moments so I never forget?

Pounding out words helps me remember, but capturing a memory is not the same as creating it.

An important part of my responsibility is to make memories happen for them, for us, for future generations.

What are your children remembering?

(Photos are from a Father’s Day hike in the Snake River Canyon. I neglected to take my camera to the lake.)

The Homeschool Swap- The Real Gift

My opportunity was on the way!

The opportunity for me to step outside of my introverted ways. The opportunity to open my newly finished and almost empty home. The opportunity to have company while my husband was so far away. 

Some would say it was foolish to let a practical stranger come stay at my house, but that’s the thing. Heather didn’t feel like a stranger. Even though we met only briefly at a homeschool convention, I knew her in a way I don’t know my own neighbors. I knew her through blogging.

photo by: Sprittibee

When I sent my first post into the cloud of search engines, I never imagined friendships would form. Friendships created not on externals, but on ideas shaped with words.

Even though writing doesn’t peel away our flesh, souls are revealed over time. And time is on Heather’s side. She has been blogging at Sprittibee for FIVE years.

photo credit: Sprittibee

I was so blessed to have Heather’s beautiful family in my home. They arrived late and had to leave early, but our time together was refreshing. Our children became instant friends.

I got to hold the baby while the boys chatted about Star Wars Lego faster than my brain could process the words. The girls enjoyed drawing pictures together.

The gifts Heather sent me for The Homeschool Swap are still making me smile. Many of the presents brighten my new kitchen: a cute towel, a stainless steel bowl (the perfect size for blogging munchies), a timer (which I really needed), and a cool magnetic spice container.

The artsy, handmade cards for each of my children were carted off immediately. Sweet Pea claimed the fairy wand, and Bug built the Lego set in mere seconds. Sunshine decided the CD was for her. She was not disappointed. Heather filled it up with pictures of the visit.

These last photos of our time in Texas brought tears to my eyes. She captured not only my children, but little glimpses of my house with new eyes.

photo credit: Sprittibee

The package was only a representation of the real gift: her friendship.

Thank you so much, Heather!

You can read Heather’s side of the story here.

Homeschooling Through the Summer

Lesson plans wait as my little girls collect twigs and pull grass. A Birds’ Nature Park emerges underneath the green-tipped lilac branches. My twelve-year-old son gathers cast-off lumber and sketches plans for a chicken coop.

These first beautiful days of spring remind me of one of the reasons I homeschool: the inherent flexibility.

Photo by Brandi Jordan

During my son’s first year of phonics lessons, our schedule matched public school. I hadn’t considered any other possibility...

To find out my plans for summer learning and get some ideas of your own, please visit The Teachers’ Lounge.

{Psst, if you leave a comment while you’re there, you’ll already be entered for the giveaway from Really Good Stuff here on Monday.}

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While you’re thinking of summer plans, you may want to click over to read my review of a very helpful website I discovered: ChoreBuster.