I am a homeschool mom and I have some confessions to make.
We just finished our school year, put away all the books and CDs, drop-kicked our science lessons, and had ice cream for breakfast to celebrate. (It’s a yearly tradition the boys don’t let me forget about for some reason.)
Oh look. Here are the boys at the beginning of this school year –
so full of hopes and dreams and eager to do Algebra.
In other words, they were bummed that summer break was over.
Last week I made a face at all our reference books as I put them back on the shelf as if to say, “I don’t want to see you for a very long time. I’m sick of you. Gather dust you…you big huge book full of words.” (Do I know how to give out insults or do I know how to give out insults?)
I no longer care if any of the pencils in our house are sharpened. I don’t know where any notebooks are, nor am I concerned with how many blank pages remain in them. No one has to give me a report at lunchtime on how much school work they still need to finish up for the day. Instead of saying, “Whose turn is it to do math at the computer?” I will say, “You guys want me to pull the van out of the driveway so you can shoot hoops?”
These are some of the emotions I feel about our impending summer break:
But really. I love homeschooling.
It certainly isn’t for everyone, but as for me, I love pretty much everything about homeschooling. It is the rocking-est thing that I get to spend this much time with my kids. We seriously get to do some of the coolest activities, go to the most amazing places, and get to know some of the most incredible people. I love the homeschooling life!!! I even love the actual learning part.
But when we can put the books away and just be? Oh it is so nice and wonderful.
Also? I love summer better than all the seasons. You all know this about me. I love heat and sunshine and I am so over cold, cloudy winter weather. I’m ready to enjoy being outside, soak up Vitamin D, swim, grill, garden, oh and you know what else?
I’m excited to take my kids to the library.
See, this is where I start to sound silly. (Because the selfies. Those weren’t silly.)
I like going to the library more in the summertime than I do during the school year. When we go during the school year, we usually go with a purpose and we need to hurry back home to study and learn. But when we go to the library during the summer we browse the shelves, linger over “just for fun” books, take our time, and check out all the books that look remotely interesting. There’s just something about the library in the summertime.
So there you have it. This mom loves to homeschool. But I also love summer break so much that I am busting out in dance moves (selfies not included).
Whether you are a homeschool mom or a public/private school mom – what are some of your emotions about summer break? Leave a comment to describe, and by all means do feel free to send me an emotion selfie. (I’m serious. laura @ heavenlyhomemakers.com)
Debbie says
This summer is special – my youngest is home from college for the last time – she will be a senior this fall. Next summer she is getting married! So, just for this summer I am going to relish being a Mom!
Joanna S. says
We homeschool and we only have 5 school days left!!!!! Your post perfectly describes my response to the end of the school year. We put the school stuff away so far we have to hunt to get it out the next year. And yet we (mostly “I” – because kids are required to dislike school on principle alone) love homeschooling….most days.
Beth says
I homeschooled my two kids, one graduated in 2012, the other last year, and I have to say that your post made me miss homeschooling! It was awesome and wonderful to spend all that time with my kids! And I agree the breaks were even better!! I still love hanging out with my kids too, we have a great relationship that I think homeschooling made stronger. Keep up the good work, the pay off rocks!!
Kelly says
Is it wrong to be terribly jealous that you are finished with school for the year? I homeschool my daughter and we managed to get SO behind that I am hoping to be finished in July. She is just finishing 8th grade and the last two years have been more of a struggle to balance everything. I don’t even want to think about beginning high school next year….
Kari Coppinger says
20 more days of public school and then I feel like I have my homeschool time. More time for scripture reading and memorization, more time to cook together and learn how to use a knife (need to go back and find that video you promoted), more time for the library and other outings, pajama days where we don’t get dressed, etc., etc., etc.
I love how God gives us seasons. We’d burn right out if it were always school or always summer.
I also love your selfies. Maybe I’ll send you one of how I feel on June 3rd. :-)
lyss says
I love summer break. Two more weeks of school!!! My kids go to our private school at our church. I love breaks because they are home. I am not like some moms who long for school to start again to be rid of their kids. I like being home, and my kids being home. Summer is always too short. Partly because we have so many church activities thru June, I feel like summer break is really only July and August. And then it’s too hot to be outside much. lol. I look forward to fall because of the weather, not because the kids go back to school! : )
K Ann Guinn says
My guys are finishing first year of college (this is the last week, but he’s living at home with us, anyway), and eleventh grade on June 16th.(! You “southerners” are lucky right now, but I guess we make up for it when our kids don’t start again until the beginning of September!
We love our breaks; even more so when I was a teacher’s aide (as we all got them together). My guys don’t hate school, but do enjoy the absence of school stress when they are off!
We love spending time with our guys, and consider them good friends at this point in life, except for the few times when we work towards our “mean parent award”…..which I guess means we’re doing something right. ;)