This particular blog post is specifically to answer my many friends who are asking the questions: "How do you do it?" and "Is home-school really hard?"
How do you do it?
If by "it" you mean raise and home school 5 children while pregnant with my 6th; one day at a time. You see, the first 7-9 years of my marriage and child bearing years were full of high expectations of myself. I kept my house immaculately clean. There was NEVER dirty laundry laying around. You would see no dirty dishes in the sink. I vacuumed every single day. (seriously, I did) I had a strict schedule for my kids. I read every parenting book I could get my hands on. I did story times and playgroups. I home schooled, then I didn't. I served in huge callings both while my husband was deployed and state side. I fulfilled my role as the supportive military wife. This meant I did everything by myself; finances, bedtimes, lawn care, home care and maintenance, car maintenance, child rearing, even hosting and caring for our numerous family members and special occasions. ~I love to throw a party! I took many judgements and advice from others, I gave a bit of my own-sorry :( I drew close to the Lord and sometimes I ran away from Him. I have loved my husband and at times, despised my husband. I have learned. I have grown, I have changed. One day at a time. You see, I restart every day with a fresh pallet. I always tell my kids that once their punishment is over and they have apologized, its done. Its over. I do not continue the punishment or guilt trip. Its over! So I try to do this with myself, and my mate, as well. I have to. I disappoint myself everyday. I am not who I want to be. I do not act the way I know I should all the time. But I'm trying.
Now, I have learned a lot of 'tricks of the trade' along the way that I will be sharing with all of you as soon as I figure out how to make a most amazing blog! But, I "do it" one day at a time. This also means one baby at a time. They get older you guys! They grow and learn as well! Its scary and crazy cool all at the same time.
Is homeschool really hard?
Oh boy! How do I answer this? No. and Yes. Is it harder than putting your kid on a bus at 7am and not seeing them again until 3pm or later? SURE! I've done both! I can guarantee that it is harder. It takes more of your time. It takes planning, scheduling, juggling. But it is also easier in some respects. I HATED that the kids would come home from school and we'd rush off to piano, then come home for homework and dinner, then rush off to soccer practice, then get home just in time to do our bedtime routine. It was chaotic! It felt like we were constantly rushed. It felt hectic. I hated it!!! Homeschooling allows us to take our time. It allows us time for scripture study. We sit at the table longer and talk about silly things. We are forced to communicate and work together. The children have stronger relationships with one another because of being home together all the time.
The choice to home-school is a personal one.
You need to choose first for yourself, with the help of our Lord through prayer, if this is right for you. I am not going to spew all this anti public school garbage that you can get from many people. It doesn't help convince anybody to do or not to! I can share my "Why" and let you discover yours. My "Why" comes from a quote I read in Pres. Uchtdorf's talk "Of Things That Matter Most" (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng). I had prayed for many months about whether or not I should pull my kids out of public school and homeschool them. Zech had been picked up for TAG and Gabriel was doing great at the school too. I even attended a LDS homeschool convention in hopes of receiving that AH HA! moment. One day I was soaking in the tub, reading the Ensign and this hit me like a ton of bricks,
"Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in a recent general conference, taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”
There you go. That was it. That was my answer. Public school was good! But home-schooling my children was better or best because it would allow us to develop our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen my family. I knew it. Without a doubt, I knew it. So I did it! Ok, so once you've made the choice...where do you start?! That, my friends will be tomorrows post :)
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