While this is a homeschool hint, it’s really a hint for everyone.
You absolutely cannot do it all.
You already know that, of course. I know you do. I know it about myself too. However, it doesn’t stop me from trying to do it all, have it all, be it all. Then, a week like this rolls around where I get sick, and it is a painful reminder that those attempts to do it all are just silly. It becomes even more of a reminder when, after several days of off and on fevers, one of the kids declines having a snack and says he “feels funny.” (Yep, a fever.)
This may seem like such a simple tip, but I think it’s one of the most helpful to embrace as a homeschooler. You just can’t do it all, and your kids will not be damaged because of that. They’ll turn out just fine if you don’t make bread from scratch or if you don’t start a foreign language when they are in kindergarten or if you use a prepackaged curriculum (or don’t use a prepackaged curriculum). Whatever it is that you feel like you’re really depriving them of — chances are that they’ll be just fine and you will too.
I’m going to keep working hard on believing that I can’t do it all, and how about you work on it too, okay?
***
Now it’s your turn. Link up your homeschool hints post and make sure to link back here in your post. You can read guidelines for Helpful Homeschool Hints, as well as get the button to display on your own site. If your link is removed, be sure to check the guidelines to see why.
No related posts.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
So true!!
Lori´s last [type] ..Simplicity Parenting-A Worthwhile Book
I agree, Angie. Realizing that I simply cannot do everything I would like to do with my children academically has been humbling over the years. There are truly only so many hours in the day. While we regularly do art, hands-on history projects, science experiments, read-alouds, and are active in sports – not one of my children plays a musical instrument, speaks Latin, or does volunteer work more than once a week. There are only so many hours in the day!
Samantha
Samantha´s last [type] ..Helpful Homeschool Hint- Look for Opportunities to Laugh During Your Day
We’re a non-Latin family too. As you might imagine, this makes people in our Catholic homeschooling group raise their eyebrows. LOL Everyone there does Latin. We’re like freaks.
I feel regularly guilty about the fresh bread thing
Angela @ Homegrown Mom´s last [type] ..Future Homeschool Teachers Homeschooling Girls Day 4
Hey — I mentioned it for a reason. I have to admit though — no homemade bread I’ve ever made could really be used for sandwich bread. How do people do that?
This is so funny! And true! It just doesn’t make for good sandwich bread. I do make the homemade bread on occasion but I must admit that it is a bit disheartening to spend time making homemade bread only to have the entire loaf devoured by me and my three kids (Warm fresh bread that’s been smelling up the house for an hour? Yes, please!) in one little snacky sitting.
But you must be mistaken! Surely I can do it all, can’t I? No? Sigh! Okay
I too suffer from “why aren’t there more hours in a day?” syndrome. I’m working on letting go and enjoying what we DO get done!
Oh shoot — that’s right! I meant to say “nobody can do it all, except Kimberly.” LOL
It’s a hard thing to admit, isn’t it? I wrote an essay up there on it, and I still can’t really admit it. I mean, I may say that I can’t do it all, but in practice, I act like I think I can. Tsk, tsk.
You are so right about not being able to do it all and releasing ourselves from guilt when we feel like we are failing to do it all – or even enough. At times when I am down about what I am and am not doing, I try to remind myself that God gave each of us specific talents and gifts and as long as I am using mine and not comparing myself to someone who has a different unique set of talents and gifts, all is okay.
Martianne´s last [type] ..Imagination – Dramatic Play
What a beautiful outlook, Martianne! I will need to remember that the next time I’m cursing myself for not being able to do everything.
{ 1 trackback }