That Time of Year Again!

Its that time of year again when I kinda become jakyll hyde-ish.  One moment Im super pumped and ready to take on another year of homeschooling, the next Im seriously freaking out thinking Im ruining my kids and considering which would be the best school to put them in.

My emotions are greatly triggered by senses.  When I feel and smell the cooler September air, the flashbacks begin of all the great things we've done along our homeschooling journey.  But then I see cutely dressed kids with their new back packs and lunch boxes and think maybe my kids would be better off going to school too.

*sigh*  ......motherhood

Im beginning to learn, understand, and truly accept that no matter what we do in life, well always be making mistakes, but learning and improving too.

Im also realizing that because I chose to homeschool, I (mistakenly) thought that things would be sooo much smoother and in my control compared to if the kids went to school.  I was in for a rude awakening and I believe that is what was / is to blame for so much of my crankiness.   When I learn to let go of my expectations of perfections and embrace that my kids and I are going to make mistakes together and inshallah learn through them and become stronger and closer, then... Im ok.

So heres to making tons of mistakes, but accepting that its okay.
Because mistakes are proof that were trying.

Here's to waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but also waking up to snuggles n cuddles.

Here's to having kids that excel in some areas, but struggle in others.

Here's to regrets, but also to accomplishments.

Here's to feeling like were drowning, to feeling like were on top of the world.

Here's to good days and bad.

But most importantly, here's to embarking on this journey together as a family.
Alhamdulillah. <3

Yes! This is me!

One thing I hate about homeschooling is people praising me about how patient I am... how brave I am...and then they go on to bash themselves saying they'd never be able to homeschool because they're not as organized or whatever blah blah blah blah.

Disclaimer - I know homeschooling isn't for everyone but it really pains me to see people saying they wish they home schooled but just cant, because they're not [insert quality here] enough.

I've said it before and I'll say this again, I'm far from perfect and you're than welcome to ask my kids and hubby how flawed I really am.  I try telling parents who ask me how I do it, but I dont think it always comes out right.  But this article nails it on the head.  This is me. I am highly sensitive and it wasnt until I read this that I realized that.

The key to me surviving homeschooling has been I've been blessed enough to find ways to cope with being highly sensitive.  I've been blessed with awesome support as well.  And one of the biggest blessings has been learning more about myself.  Learning when to let go.  When to not care.  When to ask for a break, or when to take a break from homeschooling.

There are days when we do nothing.  Like absolutely nothing.  Actually there are weeks when we do nothing.  There are days when my house is such a disaster that you'd seriously not want to come in.  There are days when my kids have eaten cold leftover french fries, or chips and chocolate for breakfast.  Yes, breakfast.  There are days I sit and daydream about what it would be like to send my kids to school.  And there are days where Im in tears by bedtime thinking I can't do this anymore.

The more I homeschool, the more I learn to laugh at myself.  To not care about the temporary imbalance in my kids dietary intake or the fact the only educational activity has been a youtube video.

I've come to the realization its okay to lock myself in the bathroom so I can get a minute to myself.
Or to stick my kids infront of the TV so I can drink my tea in peace.

I've learned this whole unschooling business doesn't work as well for my family as I once thought it would and that the white board where I write our daily to do list helps us to stay focused and productive and happy.

Homeschooling is a lot about teaching kids.  But sometimes I feel its even more about my own learning.  About myself and life in general.

I hope and pray that despite our bad days, we come out of this journey successful, and despite our countless mistakes, I pray Allah accept it from us and is pleased with us, Ameen.


And here is the article you must read....click here.