Anxiety
Anger
Guilt
Crazy
A few years ago I shared my heart with you about my struggles. Many of my struggles feature the words listed above. The comments and emails I received {and still receive} in reference to this post are numerous.
Here’s a couple of comments from readers…
"So glad you posted this. It really helps me to know that I am not the only one who struggles with these things. Also brings to reality that homeschool moms are not the cheerful perfect images you have in you mind to struggle to be like."
"It means a lot to hear about your struggles and to know I’m not alone, especially when it comes to losing patience. I continually have to pray for patience with my very wonderful but extremely active children."
"It’s nice to know that we don’t have to have it all together, and that He is our strength when we are weak. Thanks again for being so transparent. It’s so nice to know we are not alone! "
Notice a trend? The WE ARE NOT ALONE part?
We are not alone in our struggles as moms, for two reasons. First, we struggle together and share many of the same challenges. Also, we are not alone because HE makes us strong when we are weak.
On Instagram this past week I shared a photo of me reading with my two youngest. I think this photo is lovely and this moment was indeed lovely, BUT these moments aren’t the norm. I cherish these rare moments just like you do. The moments that make it all worth it. The moments that make the HARD, the STRESSFUL, the CHAOTIC, the C-R-A-Z-Y worth it.
One mom shared with me her feelings about homeschooling her three young children. She feels like she never gets anything done, and shared what I think we all know… It’s HARD!
I replied to her and so did a few other mommas, here are some of the encouraging words shared…
“…mine are roughly the same ages as yours. 6.5, 4.5, and 23 mo. It’s chaos here a lot of the time, but I keep telling myself its okay, that we do what we can and just enjoy being together. But yeah, some days we don’t get a whole lot of sit down work done!”
“This is our 4th year to school at home. My children are 8, 6, 4, and 22m. We have evolved over the years. The first few were about ME adjusting to this new lifestyle and trying to figure out what the heck I was doing Your oldest is still very young. My advice is enjoy it! Make learning fun through play and read lots of good quality picture books.”
“I have 2 6 year olds, a 2.5 year old and 7 mo. Old. I hear ya, it’s hard and chaotic and sometimes I wonder if I’m doing or getting enough in 😉 then I talk to other homeschool moms who have older ones and they all tell me it’s a season and that I’m doing just fine.”
This was my reply…
“Oh girl!!! It does get easier! Those early years are just so hard. Some days just maintaining even a small amount of sanity is considered a huge success! Those are some young and close together kiddos, I suggest massive amounts of grace for yourself. Keep things simple during these years. Have fun, love those babies, rejoice in the small things, and do not worry about how much you cross off of your homeschool list!!! Praying for you right now!”
I think most if not all of us live in a state of crazy much of the time, yet somehow many of us tend to convince ourselves that we are alone in the crazy.
Rejoice in knowing you are not alone, I am most certainly crazy too! 