We homeschool year round to take advantage of every possible teaching moment as well as to allow for the nuances of life that may deter us from our studies. In years past, we have frequently been more focused in the summer months. This summer started out no different.
I have always chuckled when I see posts like this one on friends’ Facebook pages: I wonder why I always have to wake up to the sounds of my kids fighting and hitting each other every frickin’ morning!!! I cant wait for school to start!
I smile demurely when friends state they are anxious for school to resume. As a homeschool mom, I have never shared in their frustration. Sure … there are moments when I lose my patience … when I scream out in vexation … but I am always thankful they are home with me. Until recently.
These past few weeks, I have had a difficult time maintaining any semblance of order in regards to formal lessons. I find myself looking forward to public school resuming in a few weeks myself. It can’t seem to get here soon enough. Yet for entirely different reasons than my public school counterparts.
Without fail, the past few weeks there are little ones on my doorstep at 8 a.m. ringing the bell. “Can Buddy come out to ride bikes? Can MeiLing come out to play?”
When the door bell rings, my kiddos jump up delightedly and run to the door. I have tried explaining that we do lessons in the morning and to please not disturb us until after lunch. I have tried posting a colored sign on the door and explaining that when it is “red” we are not available … to knock only when the sign is “green”. Nothing has worked.
Once the door bell rings .. I’ve lost them. They are no longer focused and willing to put forth any effort. They whine. I encourage. They complain. They plead and ultimately, I give in.
I figure why not … they need time with their friends, too. I am anxious for school to resume, however. I want my kids back.
7 comments
Our Pace
August 17, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I’ve had similar thoughts. I want my kids to not ask if the neighbours are home every five minutes.I can’t wait to get back into a nice grove of discovery. Not that we weren’t already, but during the school hours our homeschool groups do more together and I can’t wait for that to happen again.
Alex
August 17, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I LOVE this post! It is so perfect because I can completely relate. I even read it to my oldest daughter because I knew she could relate.
We took the month of July off and it was pretty quiet, with the odd kid here and there coming out to play with my kids. Then August came, and we were back to our regular scheduled school days. Wouldn’t you believe that our door bell rang so much more this month!! So yes, I am looking forward to school starting too for the public school kids on our street, so we can focus on our studies again. Because, like you, I give in too 😉
Phyllis
August 17, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I laughed so hard. We take our staycation as soon as the public schooled kids go back to school for similar reasons.
gin
August 18, 2010 at 2:02 am
love it!! don’t worry. your life will soon return to normal 😉
here from the hip homeschool hop 🙂
The Lundys
August 18, 2010 at 2:44 am
saw you on the homeschool hop. we have the same issues, but as we travel fulltime, we stay in campgrounds with kids on vacation! very much looking forward to when there are no kids around (tho our kids will be sad!) 🙂
Pebblekeeper
August 18, 2010 at 2:58 am
We were right in the middle of an amazing cattail conversation – until the phone rang. Twice. I told Each Caller to wait 20 minutes please – and then the kids could interact. . . . Well. They waited. But my boys’ attention had spun away from our study . . . . Sigh. It’s only a couple of more weeks. 🙂 Long Live Summer. oh – Nice Owl Post!!!
Kylie
August 18, 2010 at 5:04 am
oh gosh, I had never even considered that before, thank goodness our neighbours don’t have children or I would probably be dealing with that too!
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