Hey, Homeschool Mom, I want to talk to you for a minute, about you. Usually, we talk about your kids, your homeschool, all those things that are taking up your entire life. But those things aren’t all of you.
Let’s talk about you.
Before you had kids, you were a person. A student. A rebel. A hottie. You were a lot of things and did a lot of things. Right now though, you are a homeschool mom. Which is either the coolest or the lamest version of “Mom” you can be. “Homeschool Dad” sounds like Hipster Crocodile Dundee. He’s cool and free and doesn’t follow anyone’s rules. “Homeschool Mom” sounds like denim jumpers, boring book clubs, and minivans. And even though you might not have ANY of those things, it can be overwhelming to have this label slapped on you. You feel you have to define this new role and find friends who also homeschool.
Even if homeschooling is your dream come true, some days it just sucks. This is a HARD job. Educating mini versions of yourself and your spouse is exciting when they love your lesson plan. And miserable when they don’t.
But that isn’t what I want to tell you.
What I want to remind you of is this. This won’t last forever. You will be your own person again. You might not remember her. She might have gone out for coffee while you were in the middle of nursing, changing diapers and so sleep deprived you forgot her name. But as your kids get older, it is important you find her again. Try taking yourself for coffee. Read books that you love (and that don’t have anything to do with educating your child). Try new crafts or learn a new instrument.
Once your children aren’t babies, you can take some time each day to spend on developing yourself. Don’t waste it all on social media. Take some of it to do what you are passionate about. Write something. Draw something. Design your dream home. Do things that feed your soul.
Adulthood is long.
This time you spend homeschooling isn’t going to take your whole life. Try to be sure that you use this time to take care of yourself. As sad and wonderful as it is, those kids will grow up. Then you will be stuck with yourself. Try to remember to be someone you want to hang out with.
About the Author
Laura Sowdon, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, writer, speaker, educator and creator of the Five Senses Literature Lessons homeschool curriculum. She has worked as an occupational therapist with children in public and private schools, as well as private practice. Laura has taught and managed homeschool co-ops as well as homeschooling her own three children. Laura is dedicated to the idea of educating children at a pace that aligns with brain and physical development milestones and respects neurodiversity in all its forms.