Mid-May.  IOWA testing done; results in and submitted to the state.  Hybrid program wrapping up.  Some math to finish; a bit of writing to work on. We would chip away at it, bit by bit, until late June.  Then, vacation.

Except I woke up one morning and was done.  All my desire to teach my children was gone, replaced by a serious case of school bus envy.

A lot of things have been happening since I started this blog in February.  They’re all good things – they just take time.  I have three new writing opportunities and a blog growing faster than I anticipated.  In September, I start teaching a high school literature and composition class forty-five minutes from my home.  I have a full schedule of tutoring students in place for the fall.  I’m also leading two monthly clubs for my homeschool group, banking professional development hours to renew my state teaching license,  keeping my house clean, feeding my family, teaching a first and fourth grader, and mommying an active toddler.    

Some of the saints could bilocate.  This was, I imagine, an incredibly handy skill.  

I am not a saint.  

What I am is a mother who has taken on great responsibilities for the sake of my children and family.  When I think about the alternative (which we lived, for one gut-wrenching year), I know that the choices I have made are worth letting that school bus pass by.

Yes, I am always on.  

But so are kids in a classroom, eight hours a day, five days a week.

Yes, I am easily overwhelmed.

But so are young children who spend three times as much time as they should doing homework, after an entire day at school.

Yes, I like time to myself.

But so do the children who spend most of their day with 29 other classmates.

Yes, I worry about academic progress (maybe I’m not enough?).

But so do the children in schools, pressured by testing and benchmarks.

I am an adult. I know how to cope with the pressures of adult life (Date night! Prayer time! Wine!). If I sent my children to school, they would be held to unreasonable standards of conformity under the guise of creating a quality educational environment.

Children don’t cope like adults do. They are more likely to act out  – and end up in trouble for it.

At this point you’re probably thinking, Isn’t this blog post supposed to be about schedules? Routines? I appreciate your honesty, girl, but I gots stuff to do. Schedules to make.

You’re right. It is supposed to be about schedules and routines. And when I thought about what to write initially, I couldn’t think of anything else to say that wouldn’t overlap or just repeat what all the other awesome ladies in the hop have already stated so eloquently.

But what I could do is tell you my truth. I could share my experience. I could tell you that no matter how much you’ve got on your plate, or how crazy-go-nuts your planner looks, you are still doing the right thing for your family. You are creating an environment and routine that works for your children, allowing them to be who they are and learn the best way they know how.

Lastly, I could leave you with this advice. No matter how crazy it looks on paper, no matter how daunting it seems at first, you will find a groove. It might need to change once or twice (or who am I kidding – a hundred times), but you will fall into a rhythm all your own, almost without even trying. And if that school bus drives by looking mighty tempting but you know in your heart this life is for you, give it a wave and a goodbye and a hearty fare-thee-well.

Then go inside, hug your children, and get on with your crazy, beautiful day.

 This post is part of Homeschool Blogging Network August Blog hop – Schedules and Routines.  Check out the other posts below:

7 Reasons Why Your Homeschool Schedule Doesn’t Work – Monique at Living Life and Learning

The Ultimate List of Free Quality Homeschool Planners– Schooling a Monkey

When Your Home school Plan Collapses-KT Brison at Lit Mama Homeschool

Homeschooling Bullet Journal– Stephanie Rose at Little Blog in the Country

Homeschool Planning When You Have To Work– Amy Lanham / Life as Lanhams

Our Homeschool Schedule & Rotations – Faith Filled Parenting

Homeschool Planning 101:  First, Answer 2 Qs – Diane Lockman (The Classical Scholar)

What does your homeschool schedule look like? – Betsy at Family Style Schooling

Our 2016-17 Homeschooling Schedule & Curriculum – Jenny at Faith and Good Works

Creating a Homeschool & Work at Home Schedule That Works- Jody Smith/Simply Southern Sunshine

Finding Perfect Homeschool Planner for YOU  – Tauna at Proverbial Homemaker

Homeschool Planning When Traveling – Stacy at Three Busy Bees

How We Balance Homeschooling and Working At The Same Time – Tatiana at The Musings of Mum