As I plan next year’s homeschool, I have found myself reading blog after blog and article after article, trying to get ideas on what I want to incorporate into our school year next year. This can be fun and I’ve gotten some great ideas! However, I have noticed that it has the potential of making me feel inferior or disorganized. I am trying to not be caught up into feeling as if I need to be like these families I have read about.
However, I sometimes wonder how good we look on paper compared to the reality of our day. Though we have an ideal day, and sometimes we ALMOST do it that way, most days are filled with reality. As I read other blogs and articles, I try to keep in mind that this is probably the ideal as well and not necessarily the norm of one’s everyday homeschool day.
I try not to feel like I have to keep up with the homeschooling Jones’ and be perfect, per se. We are far from perfect, God certainly knows that, and I know that. But when we spend the 3rd day not fitting in our foreign language and another day of dropping the craft I had planned, and being interrupted from our story time again I wonder how “normal” we are? Am I failing as a homeschooling parent or just living a typical homeschool day that includes the daily distractions that life brings?
I have this vision of our typical day. It comes with a sunny beginning, joyful math problems, peaceful reading time, and a schedule that stays on course completed in time for a quiet time and a nice nature walk in the afternoon. Well, obviously, that is rarely the case, though all these things happen on different days.
As I continue planning for next year, which incorporates a major change in our homeschool, I continue to read blogs, books, and articles in preparation, trying to keep what I’m reading in perspective. I’m also trying to keep reality in view as I plan, not planning and expecting too much, which is in character for me.
What I’ve determined after weeks of reflection and prayer is that we’ll never keep up with the “Jones’.” However, I know that we have found a groove in our homeschool that works for us and we get done what needs to be done and we will this year too. Some days we even stay on schedule and have all the boxes checked and are at the park relaxing with dinner in the crockpot, thinking about how we actually made it work today!
How do you fight over planning and high expectations?
I am so glad for your post. I, too, have an “ideal” day. I, too, rarely if ever acheive it. Fighting the sense that I am inferior as I read about the amazing things others do is a constant battle. It’s good to know I am not alone.
Melinda recently posted…Song for Sunday
It’s true. I’m guessing many people feel that way. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a great homeschooling year!
I totally agree….the 1st year of homeschooling I tried to be like all the homeschool Moms whose blogs I read and “keep up” with them too. Then one day as I was down on myself, my abilities, my efforts, etc. because I felt inadequate, God reminded me that he created us each unique with our own ways and that as long as I was focusing on what worked best for our children and our family’s schedule, then I was doing it right. It took so much pressure off of me not to have “keep up and compare”. While I still love reading homeschool blogs and discovering new things it is refreshing not to get caught up in the emotional game that can often accompany those blog posts.
Gretta recently posted…Make It Count: 180 Devotions for the School Year GIVEAWAY
Exactly. I love reading and learning new ways and considerations and other curriculum. You never know what you might discover. But we definitely have to keep in mind our own lives, challenges, and goals. We must all experience it at one time or another. Thanks for stopping by.
Excellent reflections! 😉
I fight off the Joneses by remembering
#1. People only blog about their highlights.
#2. The Joneses don’t really exist! 😉
Ms.B. recently posted…Never Stop Learning Giveaway!
Excellent point – sometimes its hard to remember that The Joneses do not really exist! Thanks for stopping by!
You are busy! I love that your daughter panetid her room all by herself. What a cool Mom you are. I’d be fretting the entire time. LOLPS…Bob Jones School (and BJU Press) is a few miles from where I live. It used to be around the corner from my previous house. Excellent books! Thanks for the heads up on their summer reading program. Sometimes when things are right under your nose, you miss them! Happy Friday!
I think everyone struggles with this. It’s hard to see and read about how others do things and not compare. I try to remember that most blogs don’t show the whole picture and that we each have our own journey. I am guilty of feeling inadequate at time especially when browsing blogs or pinterest.
Sarah recently posted…Big and Little: How to Homeschool with Little Ones in the House
Pinterest – yeah you hit the nail on the head there. I’m always thinking – wow, if only I did this or that. There are such great ideas on there. Love to browse, but it can be intimidating! Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah, I definitely feel kind of like I’m failing if we don’t finish everything we have planned for the day (about 80% of the time lol). But it’s good to know we’re not the only ones! I guess that it’s important to remember that this is reality, we’re not perfect and that’s okay.
DenSchool recently posted…Giveaways You Should Enter This Week! 7/20 – 7/26
I’m going to do my best to go with the flow this year and not stress about it. I think it will make all the difference. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a fabulous idea!! I alywas love free stuff and to make it homeschool free stuff is brilliant! LOLI shared this blog on Facebook I can’t wait to see what else ends up being available over time.
Isn’t it funny that once we stop trying to keep up with others, we can relax:) I’m doing Classical Conversations this year too!
Michelle G recently posted…What’s in the Bible Review
So true! Looking forward to a great year of not worrying about it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I’m totally the sort to over-plan and over-do. I recently discovered that planning one day at a time is really better for me. I do best with routines and lists than I do lesson plans weeks and months in advance, or with schedules. We just don’t fly that way.
And I’ve also been giggling lately about others’ perception of me as “super mom.” Actually, my sister was telling me about a conversation she had with a fellow church-goer at her church, and that she mentioned that I have 5 kids including twin toddlers that I breastfeed and cloth diaper in addition to homeschooling all of the kids. This mom then apparently referred to me as “super mom.” I guess when you list it that way, it sounds like I must have it all together. OH, how I wish I was half as able as everyone seems to think I am! 😉
Keep at it! Great post!
DaLynn McCoy recently posted…Two to Tango
Isn’t it true? I have heard the same thing in the past and think that if it were only as it “appeared” things would run smoother. We cloth diapered too 🙂 And breastfeed. Funny how that pushes you over to the super mama category, huh? Thanks for stopping by.