Yes, here is my confession. I am struggling to hold on to my joy as we homeschool. We just started our new school year. Everything has been in place. I am excited about the new things we have planned. I've let go of several leadership responsibilities this year and will have more time for all the fun stuff....
But we are more than three weeks into our year and my joy is missing. Help!
If you've educated at home, I am sure you know what I am experiencing. It happens in life just as it does in home education. I am still moving forward in all of our plans. I am watching to see what adjustments if any need to be made. I see that I have been maybe too relaxed in my approach of our days which may be leading to my frustration that is trying to steal my joy. My older two are in middle school and involved in online education within our public school system. They are both doing well. My youngest is struggling which reminds me that I've seen this before with my son. It isn't exactly the same, but those fourth grade blues are trying to overtake my baby girl. Hmmmm...
When you find yourself in a place of frustration and no joy in your journey, don't immediately throw in the towel. Take a few steps to restore your joy and rid yourself of frustrations.
1. Stop. Sit back. Evaluate.
If you need to take time off from school, even if you just started, go ahead and take the time. Think about what is causing you frustration. Is it the curriculum? Is it the time frame? Is it something more personal: lack of sleep, missing your goals, spiritual unrest?
2. What can you do?
Depending on your children's ages and your own financial status will structure how you do this. Some people will automatically know that the curriculum they are using is not working. Easy fix. Get rid of it and use something else. (I'll have to blog about choosing curriculum.) Maybe it is the curriculum, but you can't get rid of it. You can adjust how you are using it. You don't have to do everything that a curriculum guide tells you to do. Choose what will work for you and your family. But maybe it isn't the curriculum. Maybe it is your time schedule. Maybe it is the "classroom set-up" that is causing problems for you. Maybe it's you. Yes, sometimes even the parent needs adjusting. Rethink your goals and pray about what is best for your family.
3. Talk about it.
My husband pretty much leaves all homeschooling decisions to me. Every once in a while, he will say something. (I make sure I listen since those occasions are so few.) But talk to your husband whether he is involved or not. He doesn't have to have any answers. He just needs to listen. Talk to your children about what you see that isn't working. Ask if they have suggestions on how the goals you have set can be accomplished. Talk to another homeschooling mom. Locate this person carefully. You want to ask someone who may have the answer; someone with a gentle spirit who can listen to what you need to say.
4. Restore your joy!
Our joy is not really stolen by things that are going wrong in our home education programs. Our joy is stolen because we are focusing on the wrong thing. My joy comes from the Lord. So, in the end, I give all that has gone on and all that will go on, to Him. He will restore my joy and my confidence, that yes, I can do this. I can homeschool with a smile on my face. I can laugh when things go awry. I can have a redo by his grace. In doing these things, I will teach my children to hold on to their own joy!
I hope you will find and keep the joy as you journey through homeschooling and through life!
