Renewal
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A few weeks ago, one of the ladies on our IRL homeschool group email loop (did you get all that?) asked the question, “Now that decisions for the next school year is upon us, what changes, if any, are you going to make for the new school year?”
My honest reply? I’m not even thinking about next year; I’m just trying to make it through this year!
We’ve been at this homeschooling thing for 8 years now and there are definitely ebbs and flows. This time last year, I was excitedly looking forward to this year. I was browsing through curriculum that looked so crisp, new, and exciting compared to what we were doing at the time.
At least last year, though, I was realistic enough to laugh at myself a bit. I even posted on Twitter something to the effect of, “Isn’t it funny how the curriculum that we’re so excited about now will be the stuff we’re tired of looking at by this time next year?” And, of course, I said it in 40 characters or less.
So, please — please — tell me I’m not the only one who’s had a severe case of burnout this year? And, if I am the only one, I can at least rest assured that you all have experienced it or will experience it at some point in your homeschooling years. Don’t get me wrong; I love homeschooling and wouldn’t trade it for anything and, to be honest, all the the burnout hasn’t been directly related to our actual home or school.
So, all that being said, is anyone else so excited that spring is here? We had a gorgeous day last Saturday, in the seventies, and another one yesterday. It was glorious! Those two beautiful days, along with the opportunity to clean my house and catch up on school stuff left me finally feeling lighter, more in control (which, of course is all an illusion anyway, since I know Who is really in control), recharged, and more energized than I’ve felt in a long time.
I’ve felt so bogged down and over-committed lately, like I just couldn’t keep my head above water. I’ve felt (and I bet you do, too) that I’ve done nothing but review posts forever…but, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! My review commitment with the TOS Homeschool Crew is almost over and, while I love doing reviews and will continue to do them, they will be much fewer and far between. (I heard you, yeah, you, saying “Thank goodness!” and, girlfriend — unless you’re one of my two homeschool dad readers — I’m right there with you!)
I’ve felt like our homeschool’s theme much of this year has been “let’s get through this week.” I’ve felt like I’ve spent hardly any time with my kids that hasn’t been school-related or driving here and there. I’ve felt like we’ve been burning the candle at both ends. I’ve felt disconnected with my friends, both online and in real life.
Then, came those two beautiful days and a chance to catch up and grab a breath of air. And sunshine. And, Spring Break is in sight. And, I have tons more energy because I’m working out and losing weight. And, I feel good! I feel optimistic again.
I’m ready to get back some of my personal hobbies, like drawing (there’s one drawing, in particular, that I have in mind to do — I’ll post it if I get it done anytime in the near future). I’m ready to get back to planning and doing fun things in our homeschool. I’m ready to get back to blogging about fun, exciting stuff…hopefully, that fun exciting stuff that we’ll doing in our homeschool. I’m ready to get back to our nature studies. I’m ready to reconnect with my family and friends.
So, what about you? Has anyone else been in a funk after this seemingly endless winter? What are you looking forward to doing as the weather improves? What hobbies do you enjoy that perhaps you’ve been neglecting?
What kind of posts have you been missing here (because I need some inspiration)? What questions do you have for us Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers? I feel like I’ve been in a hole for awhile and I want to reconnect. Talk to me. (Please?)
photo by credit d sharon pruitt on flickr
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
"Isn't it funny how the curriculum that we're so excited about now will be the stuff we're tired of looking at by this time next year?"
Such a sad reality!
I am already planning next year but only because I am so tired of this year! I am trying to hold back on ordering anything because I know all too well the truth in your quote above! I don't want to be sick of next year before it even gets here! 🙂
I can totally related to burning the candle at both ends! March has been a blurr at our house- I am ready to slow it down again…
YAHOO for Spring!
I am not even thinking about next year. I never can think of upcoming curriculum this early. I need a month of no school to analayze how the year went, and any changes we need to make. That time away helps me to feel refreshed and ready to tackle a new year.
Sadly, I'm not there yet on feeling refreshed. 🙂 I'm just trying to finish and hopefully finish strong.
I've felt a bit overwhelmed this year, but I think it's just in trying to figure out all the newness of suddenly doing 8th grade in addition to my existing plans of 3rd grade. It's all good, and I've remained hopeful, but yet, I do feel a bit revitalized, and definitely looking forward to spring break!
I've been posting about much of the same stuff on my blog, so I laughed out loud when I read yours. Not at your circumstances, of course, but the fact that neither of us is alone! I've been panicking for a few reasons lately but have altered my plans and now feel better. A bit. 🙂
Since you asked…I always enjoy reading articles about homeschooling an older child. My daughter is in 7th now. Articles about putting together courses for high school, anything like that would be great.
Samantha
I really felt that way at the end of last year since we were always playing catch up. This year , I have broken it down into 3 terms with a month break in between. This gives us time to catch up if we need to and get a break to recharge. I am also on looking at one term at a time although I do have a long range plan in action.
It's not you! It's Spring Fever!
Too true!
this has been one of those years where each week has been a 'lets just get through this' week.
I had very high hopes for this year, and some of them have worked, but others are getting close to the burn pile out back.
Some days I just hold on to the hope of there is always next year!
I've been in a funk and I can't really blame the weather here. It was 78 yesterday and 92 on St.Paddy's Day. We're full into spring. There's so much about my personal life that might change before the new school year starts…I'm even afraid to stockpile curriculum that I *might* have to pack and move. I'm not just ready for spring…I'm ready for SUMMER.
Oh I know what you mean! I've been the same way the last few weeks, never quite enough hours in the day!
And I signed up for the review Crew, and got to the next phase or whatever. Then I had to email them and say, "Never mind! I barely have time to do all I want to do with our school, let alone review new products." They were very understanding. 🙂
I'm scrapping the curriculum with been with for 7 years now and doing something brand new next year. And, for the rest of this year, I'm going with a more Charlotte Mason approach, because *I'm* done with our classical curriculum. We went out to the park every day it was warm last week. Every day. We're done with being cooped up inside. Today, my 6 yr old asked if he could go play in the rain. The temps were in the 50s, so I said yes.
In summary, I think we are all glad spring is here!
Yes! You put into words exactly how I've been feeling. There's been a lot of "let's just get through this."
I've been overwhelmed with all the ups and down wondering if my brothers-in-law are going to move in (which if you missed the post-they are, yay!), co-op, co-op committee (this is my final semester thank goodness) and spring fever.
Now that I think I know what next year will look like, I'm slowly emerging from my funk.
I don't know how you kept up and organized with all those reviews. There were a LOT that you used for quite a while, what a commitment. But you pulled it off flawlessly.
I appreciate it, I can't wait to get the art curriculum!
I am definitely getting spring fever here! I am lucky that we have finished up most everything planned for the year and are taking a bit of a spring break. That sure helps!!
Good luck =0)
Kris you are definitely not alone! I've been feeling the same way for the last little while…totally overworked, overwhelmed and over my head.
I'm looking forward to a break from reviews. This year has been a mixed blessing. I've enjoyed trying/using a lot of the new products, but it's been stressful too and really slowed down our progress.
Having said all of that, spring is here! The added sunshine and the opportunity to work in my flowerbeds seems to have improved my outlook a bit.
Don't EVEN get me started on how far behind I am on scrapbooking!
This has been by far the worst of my 6 yrs schooling. I'm ready for spring and summer…but the work being prduced by my high schooler is not! Whew, don't even get me started on how bad of an adjustment to high school has been….for both of us!!!!
I've been in a funk lately too. I seriously need a way to fix my life, I think. It just seems like it's not flowing quite the way I want and I think a lot of it is my own problem.