Someone asked me recently in a comment how I was able to manage my time between blogging and family. I have to admit... it is a struggle to get EVERYTHING done. Rarely do I have a day where I feel like I have accomplished it all. Those are rare gems in the gritty dirt of normal daily existence. Often, I feel as if I'm spread "2 miles wide and half an inch deep". Due to the fact that my husband works odd hours and days, there are many days that we fall apart just because of our schedule shifting; something that is entirely out of our control. More often than not I am driven to my knees praying for smoother days, more energy to keep on top of my demands, and the impossible and God-given ability to multi-task between the millions of things on my to-do list. I am NOT a perfect mom. I'm NOT a perfect homeschooler. I am certainly NOT a perfect wife... and I am FAR from a perfect Christian.
I have written about these things in the past... many times. I have also shared many links that include articles written by others. I tend to collect these types of articles to encourage MYSELF. Don't feel like you are the only one out there who needs to hear a pep-talk now and then. Some of us have daily or weekly issues with time-management (I am no exception to the rule). Struggling with time, energy, scheduling, priorities, and stress are common complaints of most homeschool moms. In case you are a first time visitor here or even a long-time lurker who hasn't had time to browse some of my archives, I thought I would post a few of my 'TIME' posts again (via links) for you to check out (see below).
THE NEXT THREE WEEKS...
Speaking of time... I wanted to let you know up front that the next few weeks are going to be HAIRY for me as far as blogging goes. This week we are doing Spring Cleaning around the apartment and getting a solid four days of school done. Next week I have houseguests coming from Texas and I am certain that there will be days next week when I am NO-WHERE near a computer - and quite possibly even running water or electricity. Lastly, the week after my friends leave to go back home, we have standardized testing for three days and a regular routine to try and salvage after the previous week's blissful chaos. To say the least, March is going to be a hoppin' month for us. Finding time to blog will be difficult, but I will make sure and put forth my best efforts to keep you informed of what is going on in the Bee Hive.
So there you have it... and what a timely comment that started this discussion, might I add!
MOTIVATION FOR MANAGING
Sometimes it is just NOT possible to keep on top of things. When difficulties arise in day-to-day schedules (i.e.: mommy has a meltdown, Math lessons go awry, someone gets sick, the cell phone is found in the washing machine...) I try to: STOP... PRAY... PRIORITIZE... and PRESS ON. Pressing on is a vague term... but that step could mean a multitude of things including continuing with our regular schedule or moving on to plan B, C, D or Z. Believe me, there are days when I feel as if I've gone through the alphabet in terms of plans! Try and remind yourself: 'with God, all things are possible' (even homeschooling and homemaking simultaneously).
First of all, please don't try to read all these posts in one day. Bookmark this post and come back later for encouragement. I pray you will find the strength you need to keep on keeping on (and me, too)! In the mean time, as you stop to reward yourself for recognizing the problem... have a cup of tea or coffee and read through a couple of these inspirational posts:
- Holiday Encouragement For Homeschool Moms
- Prayer Journaling
- Homeschool: Did You Make The Right Choice?
- Meme for Homeschool Moms
- Five Habits of Highly Effective Homeschoolers
- A-Z of Why I Homeschool
- Back to School Interview with Sprittibee: Schedules, etc.
- How Do You Use Your Time?
- Reduce Stress This School Year!
- 4-Alarm Fire Burn-Out
- Being a Good Steward of Time
- When Life Gets in the Way
- Simplifying the Load
- Under Attack
- God's Smoke Alarms
- Resolutions for a Homeschool Mom
- ORDER and "The Organized Homeschooler"
- Popcorn Cats on the Rabbit Trail
- Ode to Homeschool Mothers...
- Revised Parents' Prayer
Enjoy!
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9 comments:
Thanks, Heather! Perfect timing. I know I've read some of these before, but can certainly use them now. I'm coming face-to-face with the reality that we are SO far from where we should be in terms of homeschool. I'm just taking this to God, otherwise I will be in a complete panic mode. But I will also come back and re-read some of these.
You're always a great encouragement. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Dianne :-)
Thanks for sharing. A good motivation can certainly provide a strong sense of drive in a person. No matter how tired you are, a simple encouragement will definitely liven up your mood.
Thanks for being up front and honest about real life. It is sooo easy to read all of these bloggers' daily living and question who I am. Some people REALLY seem to have it together while others like yourself tell it like it really is. We are ALL on a journey and those of us who are Believers in Jesus Christ are covered by GRACE. Thanks for the post!
:) Thank YOU, Dianne. I love to read people's comments and thoughts. I am glad that a few of the visitors that get drawn in here take the time to share them. Don't feel like you are the only one in terms of feeling behind where you want to be. Although my daughter is a year ahead in GRADE (she just turned 8 and is in the middle of 3rd Grade right now - should be in second), that doesn't stop me from being mad that I'm not as far along in the Math books as I would like to be BEFORE standardized testing in two weeks. It doesn't seem fair that she has to test (at age 8 with other 3rd Graders who are 9 already) when she hasn't been able to get 3/4 of the way done with her curriculum yet. We are only about half-way through with our year because we take weeks off here and there for vacation/breaks and usually school until the end of June. I have part of March and all of April, May and June left to school (and about 153 pages left of her A Beka Math book to go). Same for Kaden, of course... and he's in 4th Grade (but is ON grade level because he did Kindergarten twice during the year I had to go back to work for the private school).
Anyway, :) Thanks for the sweet comments.
Bob - Thank you, too. I agree that encouragement is a useful tool in getting people back on track.
Panda-Mom... You are welcome for the honesty. I would much rather tell you that I AM a super-mom... but reality is hard to ignore. I agree that sometimes I read other women's blogs and come away second-guessing myself as a homemaker or homeschooler. I wonder how in the world they are able to manage multiple kids, home-made bread, church ministry, hand-sewn crafts, horseback riding lessons, violin and piano, fencing and karate for the boys, and reading 6 classics a month along with art appreciation and cooking classes with the eldest (of course that is all hypothetical... but just for an example). ;0) Sometimes reading those types of lists make me think my efforts are meager and unworthy... and it is definately good to know that other moms struggle to keep on top of homeschool, housework, bible-study, cooking, and making hubby feel like the king he is. ;) If only God had a tape recording message that you could have programmed to run every day to tell you exactly what to do and when! Wouldn't that be nice? ;) I suppose God made us all imperfect so we could see how badly we need HIM... even to get through a 'simple' day! Simple is far from what I would call a day around here... but we're working on simplifying! ;)
Today we goofed off with Daddy, so I had a much needed break. I also spent way too much money on a coat that was on sale 75% off. I feel guilty for buying a coat now... not for being behind on my Math books. So there's always a level of guilt that is going to come from somewhere, eh?! Oh, well...
I read about your testing situation - how frustrating! In Colorado, it's pretty easy. I do have to test on odd grade years. My oldest is 7th grade, so he'll test, but I have some choices in which test (or evaluation) he'll do. I just have to submit the results to the district. I checked with them today and they have no particular deadline. So that gives me some time still (whew!). But we have a lot of ground to cover between now & then. I guess it's pretty difficult to test too low (whew again). We've been going through a test prep book just to get an idea of where he ought to be.
You're such a role model for all of us. Thanks so much for sharing your inspirational words. I feel so much like a "wanna-be" sometimes. I'm glad I'm not alone!
These are perfect for the midwinter blahs! Thanks for sharing them.
This is great encouragement for all of us. I've always thought of motivation every time I came up with something I can not finish. But I would usually spend the time thinking how to get pass it. Thanks to you, I found a great motivation.
Good luck with your guests.
I enjoy visiting because of your cheerful Texas grit. You go girl! I appreciate your positive outlook.
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