Making The Switch To Homeschool & What I've Learned

It's almost the middle of December.
I'm sitting here at the table while Ania is doing pattern blocks and I'm here typing away. This is homeschooling in a nutshell. The balance of motherhood, teaching, homemaking and business owning.
Truthfully? It is not easy.

One of the biggest misconceptions people think about being home with your child is that it's a free ride. HA! Like anything in motherhood is free. Sure, I get to be home and people glorify that aspect: HOME. You hold onto that part "you're home though!! you get to stay home!"

*cue tears, actual tears as I'm typing this*

Deep breath in - yes, I get to stay home.
And I love it. I was made for motherhood and I'm an exceptional mother (truly, I am). Staying home though, isn't the easy part. It's the hard part. Take a big 'ol house, filled with 4 people, 2 dogs and a cat. Two of these adults work full time, one is 83 years old and well, I'm not going to be asking him to scrub the floors. Add in extra curricular activities, and by the time my wife is actually able to help me around the house during the week its 7pm and our little is sleeping. It's limited.

So you have this house, with a mom who stays home and the brunt of the responsibility is left on. Add in clutter triggering my anxiety and OCD, I TAKE it upon myself to ensure the house is *somewhat* tidy and clean on a constant basis.

Now adding in homeschool.
It is not for the faint.

Here's what I've learned what works for us

1. Structure - Without it, we don't do anything. Not learning related at least. Which is ok, you don't need to pack your day full of 6-8 hours of CONSTANT LEARNING because, NO, this is not a public school and I am not going to teach or act like a public school. However, if I don't have a daily plan and lesson for the day it spirals down and we just do lots of nothing, fun! but nothing.
2. Curriculum - what you *want* might not be what you need. We started off with Earth Schooling and at first this seemed to be my twin soul for curriculum. I loooveeee everything about Earth School and the concept. But this particular brand did not jive with us and was way below Ania's grade level even for it being the Kinder package. Searching and finding what works for you will feel very overwhelming and costly, because curriculum is expensive. But eventually you'll find your one. We went with Moving Beyond The page. It fits, its a lot of critical thinking, hands on, and its an all inclusive package so you get every subject along with hard copy workbooks and parent manuals. Its pricey, but worth it. I love unschooling, and we practice a lot of that, but we also love lessons (Ania is a learner, she LOVES to learn and needs challenges. Thats why we've gone with a more structured curriculum).
3. Groups - get out there and make some homeschool friends. You want it, you'll need it, and you will then feel less isolated. Parks will be scarce as everyone else is in school. Unless you are going to a specific homeschool meet up, get into groups and make some friends that you can see weekly to keep friendships alive, socialization happening and sanity for everyone. It's scary, walking into groups where you don't know anyone but eventually that will dwindle. 
4. Support - Have support, from your family, from your friends and from your spouse.

I don't want you to shy away from homeschool. It is one of the most amazing things we have ever done. My little is HAPPY. Actually happy, joyous and her anxiety is not a daily concern anymore.

One of my main motivators was her mental health: she was slowly dwindling into a dark space where she was not happy, thriving or bubbly. After removing her from school her light soul has come back. She's who she's always been before she disappeared.

That makes everything worth it. And I would choose to do this all over again.
You see, I would rather exhaust myself daily throwing myself into something I'm not sure I'm ready for than have her suffer another second in a public school that is failing her mental health.

So here's to the mama's doing it all day in and day out.
The ones doing it with ease and grace (just kidding).
The ones who have sacrificed so much to create the best environment and childhood for their littles.

I see you.