All Day Every Day with Our Children – Homeschool Truth Bomb

How many times has someone said to you they just don’t see how you can spend all day every day with your children when they find out you are homeschooling? I don’t know about you, but I LOVE spending time with my kiddos.

Motherhood

Some days are hard – filled with too much to do.

Others are just pure joy – especially when I choose to ignore the to-do list in my brain.

Some days I have to be a fierce mama, driving hard and keeping their future and the big picture in mind.

Other days I’m flexible, more gentle and easy-going, where we just laugh and play games.

But everyday we are making memories. Trying to enjoy the journey while keeping the destination in mind.

Time Flies

It is so true. When our children are little it is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And if you do see it, you suspect it is a train headed straight for you. I know. When I had my last son, I had two other boys under 4. It was a crazy time. The days are long but the years are short.

Some days seem to last forever.

Yet, the years will literally fly by.

Wasted Time

I now look back over the last 18 years and wonder where the time has gone. I realize how much of it I wasted on nothing. Something I thought at the time was really super important and now I can’t even remember any of the details.

I was Busy.

Very busy.

Keeping busy.

So many days I was too busy at work, or cleaning the house, or focusing on what had not been finished.

Moms, 18 years evaporates so quickly.

As I sat watching my oldest son at prom this past weekend, tears welled up often realizing it's almost over.

I won’t have many more days of helping him into a tux.

Getting his tie positioned.

Adjusting that pocket square and vest to show just the right amount.

The time has passed so quickly.  It was only a couple of years ago when he was learning to walk.

My heart aches when I realize how busy I’ve been being busy… and frustrated with my mommy mind that can’t remember all the details when they were little.

When we first started homeschooling, I had the boys on a fast track.

Doing dual enrollment, CLEPs and entering college early with lots of credits already under the belt.

And then a counselor with my umbrella school set me straight.

With one question.

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”850″ size=”20″ bg_color=”#000000″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]Are you ready for your boys to deal with the things college students say and do?[/mks_pullquote]

 

Woah.

NO! I’m not ready for that.

Slowing Down the Clock, Sort of…

Since that fateful day, I’ve slowed the clock down and taken a more relaxed approach to our homeschool and our little bit of time left together. One dramatic thing that has happened is that Chase, my oldest, has decided he wants a gap year before college.

Which means another whole year with him at home!

I am thrilled to have him here, but I also want to be sure that he is not just wasting a year here.

So we have come up with a compromise.

He is doing dual enrollment for all of his classes next year, but will be doing them here at home.

Which means another year of breakfasts over coffee.

Lunches.

Dinner.

Being navigator for me on our homeschool road trips.

Helping him pick classes.

Helping him match his tux to his date’s dress …. one more time.

Doing life together… with him in close proximity.

And I have news for you… I don’t feel once ounce of regret or worry about him being here an extra year.

There is plenty of time for him to grow up and deal with adult stresses. I’m thankful to have him here one more year.

Yes, there is no doubt, I love spending all day every day with my children!