When I quit work to stay home with Connor, I received some flack. I was asked,”Why? You have so much to offer.” After dialing down what I really wanted to say, I usually responded with something like, “I have always known that with my personality, I would try to hyper focus and over achieve on both my job and my kids, but eventually, something would have to give. I didn’t want my kids to be what gave.” I recognize and know some amazing women who seem to do both beautifully, I am just not one of them. It’s good to know one’s limitations.
When I started to homeschool, I received some of the same flack alongside the “Are you qualified?” and the ever so popular, “what about socialization?”. Interestingly, I also started getting the, “Since you homeschool, you have lots of free time to lead women’s Bible Studies or be free to babysit during the day.” I decided right there and then that Homeschooling was my job, it was my priority. I was my children’s teacher and that was my job. Being their Mom was my blessing and privilege, but being their teacher was my job and needed to be treated as such.
Last year, I taught preschool at a local Charlotte Mason private school, this year I will teach afternoon Kindergarten three days a week. When I teach, I am completely focused on teaching. I don’t do anything else besides teach. I don’t check my phone or FB or throw in laundry or put dinner in the crock pot. I do occasionally have to stop to clean throw up, bloody noses or potty accidents. That’s the same in both classrooms or homeschooling, much to my chagrin. Whether I am in the classroom or in my living room, my students should be my priority.
Until my kids became independent learners, which was somewhere around 7th grade for my twins, the hours between 8:30 and 12:30p.m Monday – Thursday were completely blocked off for school. I put laundry in before and after school, I put food in the crock pot before school started. Chores happened before school and on Fridays. Sometimes, I didn’t get a shower until noon, because it was time to start school.
My husband, parents and friends knew not to call or text me between those hours unless it was an emergency because I was unavailable. I was teaching and it was my job to be focused on that. I often told my kids that teaching them was my job during that time and their job was to learn. I was giving my entire attention to them during that time and I expected them to give me the same amount of focused attention.
As a teacher, classroom or homeschool, I need to have a plan, be prepared and be completely present. I know everyday seems like forever in the midst of the daily chaos, but I promise you will wonder where the time went. I don’t regret any of the time I gave my wonderful students and I don’t think you will either. It is, by far, the hardest, best job I have ever had.
