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Encouragement for those homeschooling with illness or difficulty
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After reading another thread on the board, I realized there must be other Moms here who daily face the struggles of illness. Perhaps their own, perhaps physical limitations which prevent them doing a lot, or going outdoors. Perhaps a child has difficulties than limit your activities and schooling, due to hours spend in therapy or appointments. I wanted to encourage you. You are not alone. There are others of us here, and I hope we can support each other.
You know, I think often, especially us Moms who homeschool with illnesses or other difficulties (whether ours or a child’s) almost need “permission” to let go a little and to really believe that less is more. I think we beat ourselves up about all that we are not doing, can’t do, especially when it appears that others are doing and achieving so much. Then that unnecessary guilt sets in. Yet, if we do what the Lord has called us to do, we are doing what is right. If we seek Him first and do His will for our homeschool, peace follows. We are in the right place. I know this is not easy, and something I have to practice daily. He knows our situation and will not ask us to do more than we’re able. The worlds standard does not matter, it is His standard we live by and for.
Lately, I have realised that in my family, because I am ill so often that we just cover the basics at times, with LOTS of read alouds. But my children need some change in routine. Because I feel we’re behind, there is a temptation to NOT take a break, or change routine, but to just keep slogging. Just one day of change, or one different activity can give an injection of energy in everyone. Because I do not have much energy and struggle to do fun things like hiking and beach walks, I feel inadequate at times.
But there are small things that we can do. And our attitude matters a lot. For example, yesterday I gave my children a printed blank game board. It was not related to anything we are learning. They had to design a game. I thought it would fall flat, (things had got that bad around here) but they embraced it, decorated their boards, found their own play pieces and made up rules, although I never told them to. They actually came up with some really cute games, which we then played. It took an hour, and I think it was worth the “academics” lost.
May God bless you where you are on your homeschool journey.
Regards,
Lindy
Thank you for sharing your heart and encouraging me. I am in the planning stages and my oldest is almost 9 but with delays. It’s so hard to view what a typical 9yo should be doing. I already push her to accomplish daily life skills (like getting dressed without putting everything on backwards and inside out). So when I see the gap of where she is and where she “could” be makes me over plan. And then I set those expectations which, of course, she doesn’t meet them. So, this year I am really trying to teach to her. It’s challenging when my 7.5yo is ready for more yet my oldest won’t cooperate. Sigh. Anyway, it’s nice to know we’re not alone but, boy, is it lonely sometimes.
Thank you for the encouraging words. I also have a struggling child. She is now 12yo, and for the past 3 years I have searched and searched for ways to help her academically, what curriculum to try, etc. In those three years, she has made some progress, but is still way behind, according to the world’s standards. I have finally come to peace with the fact that she probably will not excel academically in certain areas, no matter how hard I try to push her. And that pushing has caused much grief and frustration over the years, so she does not look forward to doing school. We are actually starting our new year today. My focus is going to be on purity and training my daughter to grow up to be a godly young lady who wants to please the Lord. I will teach her the academics, but have purposed to not become impatient and frustrated when things don’t move along like I hope they would. I have a positive feeling about this year. God’s plan for each family/child is different. If we follow the path He has laid out for us, we will succeed in teaching our children what they need. Off to start school!:)
Thanks so much for this post…….I have had two kids in vision therapy. One this year and one last year. That weekly appointment got old fast. I know that other moms have appointments for other things 2 or 3 times a week! We have had other learning difficulties as well. I also have several health issues.
Having these challenges does make you rely on Him so much the more! I think that the hardest part is when other homeschooling families don’t really understand why you are struggling so much. We have had several dear friends who have served us in many ways, but there are others who just tend to think that we are lazy. I guess it is hard to know what others are experiencing unless you have lived it your self. So, thanks again for your post!
I keep reminding myself that instilling a love of learning truly is the most important education – primarily learning about our Heavenly Father and His Word.
I am not facing the struggles that so many of your are facing, but my heart goes out to you. And Albanyaloe, I have a strong feeling that your kids will remember and play with their board games for years to come. You made a wonderful choice, even if just for an hour, that was merciful to all of you and FUN!
psreitmom, that is so beautiful. I love that your goals for your daughter have more to do with her character and serving and pleasing the Lord, than acedemics. That is inspiring.
Great idea to have them create their own board game! I’ll have to have mine try it.
We are all unique and special. I love the encouragement and enthusiasm you ladies bring to this forum.
I’m so glad I found this post. I have been dealing with extreme fatigue for quite a while now. Nothing seems to help; I’ve cut out sugar, I’ve changed my diet, I started exercising more, I’ve been drinking plenty of water, I get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Still, when I wake up in the morning (often way later than the rest of the family) I feel like I’ve been hit by a train and like I can still sleep for several more hours.
I’ve been to a doctor about it and he insisted that if I lost about 20 pounds I’d feel better, the problem is that I have TRIED to lose these 20 pounds! I’ve exercised, counted calories, pushed myself to work harder and the only thing that happens is that I lose about 5 pounds that I gain back quickly with no alteration in my exercising and dieting. I don’t understand it but I’m beginning to see I may have a hormonal imbalance likely due to hypothyroidism. I can’t figure anything else out and I’m going back to the doctor to try to get a diagnosis.I feel more tired than I did when I had newborns and I have 4 kids! Some days I feel like I’m doing a disservice to them by having them here instead of somewhere where they could “really learn” and not have such hodge podge days because I’m so incredibly tired all of the time. It makes me sad so I definitely need some encouragement from those who are going through it too. There is not a lot of encouragement in the homeschool circles I’ve been in, it seems like homeschool moms are the most competitive people I know and are always trying to do more and more to outdo the next homeschool family. Or maybe I just feel that way because relatively speaking we do so little, there is no way to “keep up” and it makes me feel SO guilty and like we’re not doing this whole homeschool thing right!
The guilt adds to my fatigue – ugh!
So I haven’t signed on in a week or so, have just been busy. And today’s been a discouraging day, and I signed on and this was the first thing I saw – thank you. It’s an old post, but I’m so glad it resurfaced. I especially agree with the guilt part – I worry so much some times that I’m not getting enough done with my children. I feel the pressure to do more, but this was a wonderful reassurance. Both of our children have “issues”, our son has Sensory Processing Disorder with Tourette Syndrome, which has certainly presented it’s problems over the years, though thankfully he’s come leaps and bounds. Our daughter presents the most challenges these days and has ASD as well as significant health issues. Doctors are now in talk about an ostomy surgery later this year, and we have another dental surgery next month. I’ve really had to learn how to let go over the last year – largely of my ideals. We’ve had to move to what’s easiest to get done, not necessarily what we wanted, but I’m learning that it’s okay. This is just a season and some day, hopefully it’ll get easier.
@demeddlemon
I have had similar issues for the past two years and have learned that I have adrenal fatigue. Your symptoms are very similar to what I deal with. If you google adrenal fatigue, you will find that your adrenals are the workhorse for everything else. Most doctors dismiss adrenal fatigue and treat your thyroid, hormones, etc. instead of finding out if it’s your adrenals. I hope this helps. 🙂
Julie
Oh, this is such a great and encouraging post! I have 6 kiddos and my 7 was diagnosed with Autism. It has been a long, long journey these last few years! As I see her younger sister pass her up in school and family tell me to put her in school! It’s easy to get discouraged, but we press on and do what we know is best! We are smack dab in the middle of the GAPS diet right now as a family to help our ASD child! It has helped her so much already and we are still in the intro phase! But there are seasons where it is long and hard! I think remembering I am not alone helps so much and that’s why posts like this are so awesome! Thanks so much!
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