The Problem With Homeschooling
Itâs been two weeks on the road and adjusting to this new life has already humbled me. Our transition to full-time travel has been intentionally slow and calculated. What I am noticing on this side of the transition, however, is that it can feel jarring at times. Schooling on the road seems to be our most recent challenge. The Problem With Homeschooling might be caused when you pluck a family out of the standard way of working and schooling, then strive to create a new “normal.” This adjustment, sometimes called “deschooling,” takes more time than I thought. It is also revealing more about me than I knew was possible. It seems that balancing homeschooling, work, and adventure can be tricky. Same struggles most of us feel all the time, huh? Same struggles I had while not traveling, interesting, huh?Â
I am learning though, that The Problem With Homeschooling might have little or nothing to do with homeschooling…..
What I Love About Homeschooling
We started homeschooling at the beginning of this school year so we could get into a routine before we left. I adore the idea of homeschooling. It’s already clear that the “school” part can be accomplished in a very short amount of time. I love that the kids spend most of their time in ways they want to, exploring, playing, getting bored, creating, dreaming.  A dream of mine is to teach them time management and priority tasking through homeschool. Spending the increased and intimate time with them is already a gift so great I wish everyone I know with kids could experience. Being able to see my kids little brains turn and learn and create is magical.  Itâs important to us that they know they donât have to structure their time as society urges.Â
In everything, your actions are your choice, even down to how you school or work. These lessons are incredible to live out with them through this construct we call homeschool.Â
It Might Not Be For Me
But! I will be honest, being the “teacher” is really hard for me. I am not a patient person by nature and while I do feel supernatural strength in my patience thus far, it’s still a chore to me. Homeschool can be hard.
I came to realize (in my frustration ) this past month of homeschooling that I was quick to blame the kids for the hardships. Reese gets too emotional; Nixon is too hyper and disinterested; Ty wonât play on his own so that I can focus on the older two. I found myself getting so frustrated that they were treating our school-time like something to be “checked off” instead of an exciting time to learn all the things! In this, I have been toggling with the curriculum to find solutions to work for everyone. We adjusted our schedule, took breaks, didnât take breaks, and tried new things. It’s been exhausting.
Recently, I hit a wall and really felt over it. Work was crazy and school was frustrating. I thought several times we should just do the bare bones and put them back in school next year so I could see a finish line to this crazy part of the journey.
The Experience of Homeschool
Then, when there was a moment to be alone in prayer and meditation it became so clear that I was feeling (and sometimes exhibiting) all the same annoying traits my kids were. I donât break down in tears like Reese, but my emotions shift and change quickly when it comes to school. I am too busy and preoccupied to really focus fully on schooling every day, just like Nix. Like Ty, I donât want to be put off while everyone else is together. And the most eye-opening to me: I treat school like something to be checked off instead of enjoying the carved out time with my children to learn and experience new things. WHAT?!?! I adore learning and reading and doing new things. How could this be?
No wonder I am so frustrated. Itâs me who needs a state-of-mind adjustment, not them.
Frustration = Time To Self Evaluate
I have come to realize when something frustrating is happening in life, the thing that seems outrageous, unfair or frustrating is the exact issue we need to address within ourselves. Seriously, try it. The next time you’re frustrated, take a moment to pause and think about how you are reacting, why you are reacting, and what you could change to feel differently. The issue may manifest itself in different ways, but once it can be identified itâs more often than not very much related to something in ourselves we donât like.
I am humbled that schooling the kids is a way for me to look inside and pull apart some things I want to change. The good news here is I am too stubborn to abandon homeschooling this early on. Also, I am not alone in this choice to spend time with my kids. Its extremely easy to find books, blogs, podcasts, and dear friends to lean on. I feel so confident this lifestyle, whether for one year or 10, is a journey we will thrive on, so we will stick the course and continue to learn along the way.
Whatever The Problem With Homeschooling might be something I do know is this: I love these kiddos. The incredible opportunity they give me daily to learn more about who I am and who I want to be is a gift I am wildly thankful for.
A Team Family Adventures is a family travel blog documenting our familyâs adventures together.
