Homeschooling in Crisis - Lessons Learned

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 and Jeff has the same commute as before with almost the same salary.  Jeff was unemployed for five weeks and we had to pull very little money out of savings.  We feel very blessed and know that it is the Lord who is blessing us.

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!