httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

This video is hilarious because it’s true about the reactions people have to us and the mythology about our lifestyle.

A friend told me she has a fascination-repulsion complex about homeschooling. Is it a compliment to my ego strength that someone would be so honest with me?  She asked me to share what a day of homeschooling life looks like.  Before I go on, I need to say that socially, I feel fascination/repulsion from people almost every day. I am aware that homeschooling makes most people feel uncomfortable. Perhaps through this honest post, you will see that while my life is not ideal, I LOVE what I do each day. So, sorry for a tedious post, but I’m doing this for a friend (or two):

Here is a day in the life of a homeschooling family

Paige (8th grade), Daniel (5th grade), Timothy (1st grade), Mark, age 3

6:30-7:45: We wake up and try to get ready. Paige has a first-day-after-braces hangover and we take longer at breakfast than usual. Paige and I make waffles and we wait for Paige to gingerly chew them. I throw some laundry in the machine.

7:50-8:10: Family scripture study. We read aloud, then we say the pledge. No time for singing this morning. We’re late!

8:15-9:15: I have a planning conference with Daniel to plan out his day. I made lists of assignments in their planners last night. Daniel chooses to do history first. He tries to read the chapter to Timothy, who is also studying ancient history, but Timothy is uncooperative. Tim wants history with me. I can’t do it now, so I set him to work with his calendar and then copywork. Meanwhile, Paige starts on algebra. Once Daniel finishes reading his chapter, I give him some oral review questions on history and then narrate a summary of the chapter for him to write in his history notebook. I teach Paige a 10 minute math lesson about absolute value and then she continues her lesson. I finally coax Mark to get dressed and I change his messy diaper. Daniel writes a journal entry. Timothy goes to his room for a Lego break.

9:15-10:00: Daniel practices piano. I fold some laundry (just a little… I try not to do housework during school). I help Paige review her chapter about the lymphatic system. Timothy and Mark play together. Daniel is very upset by his new piano piece so I take a break from science and play along with him on the piano. Pretty soon I won’t be able to help him at all in piano because he’s getting so good.

10:00-10:30: Paige and I finish our science review. Mark joins us and plays with stickers while Timothy finishes his copywork and Daniel reads the scriptures and takes a recess. Paige and Mark watch science videos on a CD rom. They watch lymphocytes in action and blood flow and I’m amazed at the technology that allows us to see inside the human body. Meanwhile, Timothy plays a math game on the Leapster. (I cringe a little over this. It’s still just a computer game, no matter how many numbers and things they throw in.)

10:30-11:30: Paige practices piano. Mark talks to me in the school room. That boy likes to talk. Daniel reads for an hour. I haven’t assigned him a book yet, so he gets to choose the book today. It’s a Hardy Boys morning. Timothy reads to me from a Curious George book on the couch. I never get tired of Curious George. I teach Timothy a math lesson. Mark wants a math lesson, so Paige takes him out of the school room and counts with him in his own math book. Paige begins her history chapter and summary on her own. Mark plays with tangrams while Timothy finishes his math assignmnent. We pull out the gummy candies to keep the little guys happy. Daniel tells me he can’t read the clock from far away. Well, that’s good to know. There’s another appointment we need to make.

11:30-12:00: Daniel works on math in the school room while Paige works on a history essay in her quiet bedroom about the unfortunate rise of Hitler in Germany. Timothy and Mark head outside. I indulge and look at the computer. More friends bragging announcing on Facebook about all the canning/food preservation they have accomplished. Guilt. Denial. Ok, I’m fine now, and acknowledge that I, too enjoy the affirmation that comes from writing about one’s day on the internet. We didn’t finish school by noon as planned, but that’s ok. There are 5 more hours after lunch before we have to be anywhere.

12:00-1:00: Lunch. We always take an hour for lunch. It’s essential to my happiness. While waiting for pasta to cook, the kids watch a DVD and sort through coins from my bank. If you have coins from a foreign country, Daniel is a collector. We eat, then do the breakfast and lunch dishes.

1:00-2:00: Daniel finishes math and spelling. Paige works on Writing Strands. I read to Timothy from history, his final (and favorite) subject. Mark watches Curious George. I update the homeschool club list.

2:00-3:00: I put Mark down for a nap. Paige finishes writing, does a German lesson on the computer and studies her spelling words. Daniel is finished with school, so Timothy and Daniel begin their free time. 4-5 hours of free time is what I try to give my children each day. It’s not possible for Paige to have this much, though.

3:00-4:00: Paige reads. Timothy uses his 15 minutes of computer time on Lego.com. Daniel and Timothy keep playing together. Mark sleeps. I correct math problems and read.

4:00-5:30: Paige and I paint with oils. Mark and Timothy join us for a little while. Daniel works on his animated computer programming. Dad comes home.

It’s 5:45 now and I’m going to post this. Basically, this is what we have planned tonight:

6:00-7:30: Paige goes to ballet. We have a friend come over. Our other friends were sick or too busy to play today. I make dinner.

7:30-8:30: We get the kids ready for bed.

9:00-10:00: I make lists for tomorrow and read.

Things to remember:

1. I worked into this schedule gradually, one child at a time. I built my curriculum and goals over time. I’m always trying to improve.

2. I believe in providing a religious education, teaching many subjects, working together, providing opportunities to pursue interests and talents, and allowing lots of unstructured play time.

3. I limit t.v. and computer time.

4. To me, parenting and teaching and family life are hard to distinguish from one another. They all blend together in my days.

 

I am learning that Motherhood isn’t a narrow, restrictive road, and even more important, this path is full of vantage points to my own talents and interests. Overall, my experiences in raising my children have allowed me a greater outlet for my “self” than I ever imagined.

It’s all about making my Own Brand of Motherhood, and trusting that my particular talents and interests were taken into consideration when God sent these children to me. And trusting that He will guide me, often minute by minute, in this journey.

Minerva Teichert ran a ranch and raised children. As a painter, she almost always had a mural in progress, hanging on her living room wall. She’d paint in her free minutes, many of which I am sure she had to sacrifice to find. As she studied the scriptures and church history, which were the topics of her paintings, she became a scripture scholar. She used this knowledge as she taught her children and grandchildren. Her paintings provided income, but also a larger legacy. Her paintings still help define Mormonism to the world.

In this stage of my life I am most fulfilled as I work in my own home.  As a wise friend commented this week, it’s not about finding fulfillment doing “grown-up” things away from home. It’s being centered at home that makes life most fulfilling. So, these days, I am defined almost always as a mother, but find adventure in incorporating my other interests into my day. These personal interests can actually enhance my ability to mother my children and be a good community member.

It bothers me that EVERY TIME I go to one of my doctors she asks in a very concerned tone, “So, are you still homeschooling?” and then seems amazed to hear that I play the violin (away from home!), pursue other interests, and I don’t feel wasted by my lifestyle, raising four children.

Mothering and Personal Happiness are not Mutually Exclusive, Dr. W.

This week, I have studied Shakespeare, read some Jane Austen, worked on food storage, laundry, and countless other things. I haven’t done my nails, whitened my teeth (the kit’s in the bathroom), or finished my book (which I began in June).

It occurred to me this week as I finished up some laundry and dishes that I am living the fairy tale backwards, becoming Cinderella after I met my prince. Studies show that women work more after they are married than before. You may be thinking I’m moving in a negative direction with these thoughts, but no, rest assured. I believe in the backwards fairy tale. Long live the Backwards Fairy Tale Life!

I believe in work, and the absolute necessity of it because it combats my selfishness. Of all the traits that I work hard to tame, vanity and selfishness are at the core. Being a wife and mother and loving it is so helpful as I try to improve my character and talents.

It also helps that Mark, Timothy, Daniel, and Paige are so absolutely cute and good. And these small people will do great things.

Post-Edit Addition:

I sweat bullets over this post, and I still don’t have it right. For instance, I didn’t fully express my innate fulfillment motherhood brings… even without the extra curriculars. Kids are so fascinating and enlivening. They make me want to be a better person. In my case, this means a person who doesn’t seek accolades or affirmation from anybody but my Heavenly Father.

Because He sees what I do and how I try.