Homeschool Creations

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Inside My Head...

Over the last few weeks I have found myself a little overwhelmed with everything that is coming up in the next year. Even though I've done 'school' with all four of our kids in some way shape or form over the last few years, trying to sort out our schedule and adjust to having Zachary do more full-time school this year has been proving a bit trying.

Because really, Mommy can only go in so many directions.

We did have school time during the summer in a more modified way, and now that we are in the full swing of things I am tweaking our schedule a bit here and there - but still feeling that 'overwhelmed' feeling.

I'm sure that many of you can relate, can't you? Because even though it's time to learn, a toddler wants to potty train...or have his Mommy read HIM a book {not read a book to his sibling}...or someone doesn't want to take a nap...or someone gets frustrated that they can't get the math problems done just right...and laundry still needs to be done...dinner needs to be made...and those toilets - well, yuck.

This is just rambling on my part, but I just wanted to share what's going on inside my head right now. Can you relate? :)

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posted by Jolanthe at 5:00 AM

15 Comments:

  • Relate?

    Oh my - it is the story of my life!

    I have four toddlers who demand my attention when the our older children who need it.

    Oh toilets - nope not my job anymore - the girls do them twice a week. I did them for over 30 yrs - time to pass the almighty scrubber to someone else! :)

    Laundry - mounds upon mounds - sometimes I skip a few days just because I can't take another load. Only to punish myself with more of it! Oh it is a vicious cycle!

    Praying you are resting in Him today and not worrying about sticking to a schedule - but sticking to His side and depending on His love for you to see you through!

    Blessings and rejoicing in the awesome job of being a Mommy to 8!
    Jill

    By Blogger Unknown, At August 13, 2009 at 7:21 AM  

  • amen to all of it.

    By Blogger sea salt MOSAIC, At August 13, 2009 at 7:33 AM  

  • My head is saying the same thing. Last year divided by two, this year by three and a rambunctious 5 year old that I wonder how he will ever learn anything. The house-a disaster. Hang in there. We are right there with you.
    Bev
    www.homeschoolgardener.blogspot.com

    By Blogger The Mom, At August 13, 2009 at 7:53 AM  

  • I can so relate! I am tweaking our schedule as well. The boys clean the bathroom toilets now too... but there are still many other things that I can't seem to get too... like the floors. Gross.

    I even set up a nifty chore chart system that breaks everything down into manageable days. But it doesn't do the work for you.... Rats.

    I don't even want to think of potty training my two year old yet! lol!

    By Blogger Mama Fish, At August 13, 2009 at 8:09 AM  

  • Listen, I feel so overwhelmed lately it's not even funny. Laundry is a joke--even though I have "farmed" out the sorting and folding of it to my 9 and 4 year old (you can picture what our folded laundry looks like--I don't even care!)--getting it washed is impossible on some days.

    I can't find the time to cook a decent meal on lots of days for trying to get school done or tend to my littlest one.

    I'm tired:-)!

    I can't ever find the time for errands--it's so hard taking them all with me--so I put off errands and we run out of things--you know, like food!

    My 16 month old has decided to end napping temporarily, so he is in his crib crying lots of days while I try and get school finished up with the older two--and I'm due in 1 month--I'm scared.

    However, I am loving homeschool. Even with all of this I wouldn't trade it for anything. We did public school/or some sort of school for the past 8 years with my oldest and I wouldn't go back to that for anything! I love this part of my life and just pray each day for peace and guidance. On the good days life is great--on the hard days, it's just plain hard! I know though, just from looking around me that my struggles and trials are nothing compared to alot of others I know.

    We'll all figure things out one day and one prayer at a time--we have too:-)!

    By Blogger Susana, At August 13, 2009 at 8:13 AM  

  • Oh yes! I can relate. lol

    My 16 mo old wants to sit right in the middle of everthing....and participate.

    My 3 yr old asks me help questions that I *know* he knows if he thinks his older brothers are getting more attention than him.

    Can't even THINK of adding anything extra (like this week long yard sales we're participating in) and expect to get much of anything school or house related done.

    I figure if we get more than half of what I have planned actually completed each day, we're doing GREAT!! lol That's my goal....51%. =) Everything passed that is BONUS!!

    This Monday we didn't get finished until 5pm. Then Tuesday-2:30. Don't know how or why the time difference. lol BUT! At least it's getting done!

    Regardless of the craziness, I love it and wouldn't have it any other way!!

    By Blogger Christie, At August 13, 2009 at 8:29 AM  

  • Though I don't fall into the land of homeschooling, I certainly do with the aspect of being overwhelmed. Yup. I can relate.

    Breathe in. Breathe out.

    By Blogger Bailey's Leaf, At August 13, 2009 at 8:36 AM  

  • Oh my I think you have been a fly on the wall in my house a couple weeks ago....scared that I wasn't going to be able to keep up with life when our school year started....Here is a book that someone gave me that I am currently reading and it has lots of great ideas...the book mainly talks about scheduling EVERYTHING!! Although I am a pretty scheduled person anyway...getting more ideas of how to make it happen has been a real blessing....THE BOOK is "Managers of Their Homes"
    A Practical Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Home-School Families
    BY: Steven & Teri Maxwell

    I also feel the me eliminating any extra stuff like computer time, blogging, answering the phone (let the machine get it), I do all my errand on one day in the evening..so hubby can keep the kids and my time away can be more productive and a little breather away from it all. Also I have been making sure that I am out of bed at 7am, I take my quiet time with the Lord first thing reading scripture. The boys are not allowed out of bed until 730A...sounds weird to some I know but I have found that if I allow them they will be up before 7am tired, with bad whining attitudes for mommy to deal with the rest of the day. My two year old gets up around 8a normally lately (except this am she followed me down the stairs..... Anyway me getting up and getting my quiet time is key then it also allows to to straighten up the house...or start laundry...actually brush my hair and teeth before lunch..or sadly enough bedtime!!! Because once they hit the floor for the day...doing anything to myself just doesn't usually happen! Our goal is to start school by 9am..with animals (dogs and cats) fed, breakfast done, beds made, clothes on, teeth brushed....I school my preschooler in the am with my 2 year old hanging out with us as well...my 3rd grader is actually doing a DVD program (A Beka) this year because I felt like I needed to be focused on work with my preschooler, and first grader. It really is helping me a lot!!!
    Naps around our house are not optional for a two year old...I know she needs it..so I make it happen...even if it takes me an hour fight to get her to stay in bed...while she sleeps I read aloud with the two older kids, and do work with my 1st grader...my four year old only naps when needed...I either throw in a DVD (like a leap frog DVD...LOVE THOSE!!!!) well I could go on and on with what we try to do to make our day work....but you might fall asleep with all the details.....I will keep you in my prayers and pray you will encouraged by the comments other mommy's have left you!

    By Blogger The Gaertegang Homestead, At August 13, 2009 at 9:31 AM  

  • Yep! I totally relate! I have a first grader and a 27 month old. I've been overwhelmed just trying to figure out a schedule that might work that my little Hurricane (the young one) will comply with. And when Hurricane naps, I really need one too! But I'm learning to do some school at the beginning of nap time. But the rest of the day is still a struggle. It's a season, I know. And I'm very grateful for it. But the day to day...my mantra is "His mercies are new every morning."
    And laundry?? Um, I'm getting to that when my sweet husband lets me know he's out of clean boxers. :0
    I'm so glad to know I'm not alone.
    And all that being said, I'm so glad I homeschool.
    Kim

    By Blogger Kim, At August 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM  

  • Oh Jolanthe, I can relate! The funny thing was yesterday I was feeling extremely overwhelmed just trying to figure out what direction to go with our year. I went to your site because you had that great post about your binder and your planner on Amazon. It gave me the motivatioin to start planning a little.

    I have two little ones and 3 older ones and I'm going to have to be diligent to really stick to a schedule this year (not my strong point). Add to the mix the fact that I'm trying to do a little freelance work on the side---all makes me very overwhelmed.

    I'm been praying about our year, praying when that overwhelming feeling starts to creep up on me, and praying for wisdom to be able to juggle it all--because I know that I can't do it by my own strength.

    Is it weird that I find it conforting that I'm not the only one who feels this way?

    By Blogger Mozer, At August 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM  

  • I can relate. I'm schooling 4 this year with a toddler running around. Gotta have a sense of humor and lots of coffee!

    You're not alone and we'll still love you if you need to take a break from blogging to catch up on school stuff. But, if you are like me, it's therapeutic.

    I have a feeling you like to do too much, (because you CAN) so just realize that every once in a while you will hit a wall and have to adjust some things. Adjust and move on. You're a wonderful mommy and an inspiration to us all!!

    By Blogger Brenda @ Tie That Binds Us, At August 13, 2009 at 3:16 PM  

  • 1. I just found your blog and enjoy it immensely.

    2. If it makes anyone feel better...I have only ONE sweet little boy and there are days I feel completely overwhelmed! LOL

    Hee hee...aren't we a mess? :)

    By Blogger Jessica, At August 13, 2009 at 9:19 PM  

  • YES! I can relate! Only, I am just trying to start preschooling my 3 year old and I have a 2 month old who is high-demand! It is so much ahrder making this happen than I thought it would be!

    By Blogger Chic Mama, At August 14, 2009 at 1:45 PM  

  • Like everyone else said, No, you are not alone.

    I personally like cleaning my bathroom the most out of every other room in the house. It is small and confined and I can clean it, top to bottom, in just a short time. And then I know that at least one room in the house is totally clean. At least for a short time anyway.

    The words I live by are: Be Positive and Keep it Simple.

    By Blogger Cindy, At August 14, 2009 at 11:09 PM  

  • Soooooooooo can relate - 'nuff said - just know you are not alone!

    By Blogger Michelle Gibson, At August 15, 2009 at 11:20 AM  

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