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Posted by Christine Alcott Jun 13, 2006 |
I carry a lot of guilt while I homeschool. I want to be a model parent - the perfect mom, the perfect homeschooler, the perfect housewife. All I end up with is guilt. I just can not ever seem to get it all together. If I clean the house, school does not get done. If I devote myself to homeschool for the day, chores get neglected.
I remember my best day, The Day when I almost had it all together. I got up, ate a healthy breakfast, exercised, showered, got the kids ready for the day, started the laundry, and did a whole morning of productive homeschool. I felt great. I thought, "Yes, I finally balanced everything. It can be done, and I am learning how"!
We took a break from school for lunch. As I walked into the kitchen, the table came into view, complete with all the cereal, dishes, spills, and gallon of milk left out for hours since breakfast.
At first, I felt despair. I did not do it. I did not get everything done. I failed.
Then, I laughed. I was, and still am, learning one of the greatest lessons a homeschooling parent can learn - You can not do it all, and it is okay! Every day is about choices. What can I get done today? What do I want to get done today? I am coming more to term with my own imperfections, and dealing with my desire for perfection.
Homeschooling for parents is a learning process, too. There is a lot of balancing and juggling in our personal lives to do this important work we have dedicated ourselves to. Guilt is always there, wanting us to feel incapable.
Dealing with the guilt of not living up to our often high expectations as homeschoolers is something we must deal with in order to grow. Check out this article on homeschooling guilt.