I have been absent of late. As a family we have faced a new
crisis. On August 1st my husband was told that the company buying his
company was not going to keep the Biostatistics department and that his last
day would be August 3rd. So all my plans of homeschooling through the
summer have fallen by the way as we emptied Jeff's office and he came home to
look for a new job. I have heard people talk about homeschooling through
a crisis, but minus having a baby I have never really done it. Now I
have! Some people say to keep homeschooling some say to just stop until
the crisis passes. I'm not sure I have a specific choice, but I have
definitely learned a few lessons along the way.
First, we did keep at least putzing away
at schooling. We had no idea how long Jeff would be out of work so the
thought of stopping all school was a little too scary especially with a high
schooler. Putzing for us usually means math, reading and some writing,
but everything else drops out until things get back to normal. I did lose
all my summer plans which was ok.
Second, I can't share office/work space
with my husband. I have been married to this man for 25 years and we have
shared everything, but he and I cannot work in the same space! He seems
to know this instinctively. He has never wanted to work from home and on
the rare days that he does he is miserable. He just gets more done at
work. I, on the other hand, being a mom and having very little control
over my life am more flexible and go with the flow of events. You know if
you homeschool how this is. Mom's who homeschool recognize that even the
best laid plans can be blown apart in the matter of minutes with a sick child or broken
appliances or whatever else decides to blow up today. My sweet husband
does not know how to "go with the flow"!!!
Third, I learned that even in trial the
Lord holds us in the palm of His hand. Jeff ended up with three job
offers in less than a month. One of the recruiters he worked with told
him that this is unheard of - if you are lucky you get 1 job offer in the first
six weeks of unemployment. We were able to stay in North Carolina
Fourth, things eventually get back to
normal. We are back to normal school days, except of course that both
boys have colds and my 97yo grandmother is dying so I am making multiple trips
to see her. OK - maybe there is no such thing as normal! :) But
learning continues anyway even when things are less than ideal. I am so
grateful to be able to homeschool my children. I am grateful that they
see that life isn't perfect and doesn't revolve around them. I am
grateful to watch them pick up the ball and work where needed and comfort where
needed and then on their own study and work even when things aren't ideal.
They are amazing people and I am so grateful to be their mother and to
spend so much time with them. Even on my most tired days there is no
other way I would have it!
