Back to (Home)School

Yesterday was our family’s back to homeschooling day, which is quite different from other families who send their kids to school.  But, I think the kinds of goings-on in our household are different even from the typical homeschooler’s routines. 

There is no typical day.  Chaos reigns.  Schedules change on a dime.  And “expect the unexpected” is our motto.

So how did our first day go?  Well, to start, we aren’t morning people.  None of us.  So school started at approximately 12 p.m., after we were bright-eyed and well-fed. 

All of my kids participate in a DVD program, where their classes are on DVDs.  This is the first year I decided to have all of them (2nd, 6th and 12th grades) do the videos, figuring it would help me when I needed to run errands or go on one of my many doctor’s visits.

And I was right. Monday afternoon, my doctor called and asked if I could come in at 2:30 yesterday.  I said yes and forgot to write it on my calendar.

I was convinced my appointment, which was 45 minutes away down the Dulles Toll Road, and down a part of the beltway, was actually at 3:30. 

As I was supervising my children’s studies, it suddenly occurred to me that I might be wrong about the time since I didn’t write it down.  If I don’t write things down, I cannot trust what my brain tells me.

I quickly called my doctor’s office at 2 p.m. and was reminded that my appointment was at 2:30.  As I started to get ready to go, the doorbell rang. UPS. With our dog's ashes.  Ashes that were supposed to be gently hand-delivered to us and signed for, but instead left coldly on our doorstep.  Thank God we were home to pick them up right away.

Our beloved beagle passed away a little over a week ago and we've all been dreading the sound of the doorbell, knowing that one day, it was going to be her ashes.  This was the WORST time imaginable for them to arrive, but typical of how things go in our house.

I hugged the wooden box to my heart and said a quick goodbye to our doggie. I had no time to grieve, which was probably a good thing.

I pushed the pain deep inside, settled my youngest two with their videos, papers and assignments, told my 17-year-old what they needed from her, and rushed out the door sans makeup.  I NEVER go out sans make-up.

At every stoplight, I applied each bit of make-up.  First stoplight - foundation and powder.  Second stoplight – eyeliner and mascara. Third stoplight – lipstick.  I managed to get all the necessary beautifiers on before arriving at the doctor's office....15 minutes late.

After my appointment, I drove home in the early rush-hour traffic, just missing being able to drive in the HOV lane. I got home in time to finish up the subjects that needed my attention and graded papers after dinner.

While I love that my kids are focused enough, and independent enough, to work so hard when I’m not there, it makes me wonder about my worth as a homeschooling mom.  I mean, if they can complete the majority of their work when I’m not even there, what does that say about me?

I know I’ll quickly be reminded as soon as they struggle with a subject, need handwriting help, or have to be told why math matters. 

It is just the first day after all.  Ask me again in three months how needed I am and I’ll probably be begging you to rescue me and take me away to a deserted island where I never have to look at one more spelling test again!