Well, I’ve recently passed the one-month mark on this year’s homeschooling adventure, and let me tell you it was a doozey.

Over the course of the month, one of my curriculum choices for the year ended up being a big miss. Our family endured a paralyzing stomach flu that had me bed bound for three days. An out-of-town family member visited. A freelance project came due. Supplemental classes and sports started. Co-op began. Two of my children had birthdays, and we hosted one combo birthday party. It was a bit much. Needless-to-say, I’m still recovering.

Like many homeschooling moms, I am an overachiever. I don’t say that proudly. The truth is my limitations often escape me until I’m two steps shy of dropping from exhaustion. I erroneously believe that if I just organize my time better, I’ll be able to do it all. I can’t say I have this all figured out, because I don’t. But I have been reminded of a few truths during this difficult time. Maybe you can relate.

Everyone Needs a Mentor

I’m convinced more than ever that everyone needs a mentor. When I realized that the curriculum I had chosen wasn’t working, I shot an email to my dear friend and mentor and poured out my heart to her about my concerns and frustrations. She responded quickly. “I have too many thoughts to put down in an email. Let’s talk at our next get-together.” Over a cup of steamy chai tea, she confirmed my suspicion that the curriculum was, indeed, wrong for us. Her support and insight calmed me and helped me choose a new, more successful direction for my daughter.

Sometimes Tried and True is Better than the Latest and Greatest

The curriculum that I replaced was not untested. It had received rave reviews from parents and experts. But it wasn’t right for us. My daughter needed something simpler, and I needed something more systematic. This wasn’t a worthless stumble; it was a lesson for me. In the future, I’ll know better the kind of curriculum my daughter (and I) need.

Life Happens

When something like a stomach flu hits, it’s best to embrace the situation for what it is—a passing obstacle. It’s easy to get frustrated or concerned because the school schedule is off, but the truth is: Life happens. After a day or so of letting the flu upset my educational apple cart, I finally let my frustration go. I reminded myself that the flu would pass and we would catch up on our work.

Fellow Homeschoolers Understand

In the midst of this trying month, I was at the end of myself. I was frustrated, tired and overcommitted. Naively, I thought I was the only one. I shared my frustration with fellow homeschoolers. Some were close friends. Some were new acquaintances. All understood. As I confessed that I’d made my daughter cry over her math work and shared my doubts about being a good home educator, I was met with understanding, compassion and even humor. I realized that I was not alone. My feelings and doubts are shared at some point by every homeschooler. Only by being honest and open could I receive the encouragement I needed.

Supportive Spouses are Godsends

I actually became so tired that simple decisions eluded me. “Ask your dad,” became a favorite phrase. When I finally told my husband how I was really doing, he spoke the truth to me in love. He told me that I was being too hard on myself, holding my expectations too high and couldn’t do everything on my to-do list. He even offered to go over my schedule with me to help me realistically determine what I could accomplish.

I’m constantly surprised by the journey of homeschooling. Yes, I am educating my children, but I am learning as much or more than them. I’m learning that “slow and steady really does win the race.” I’m learning that I need others—family, friends and the Holy Spirit—to achieve the goal, and I’m learning the power and necessity of grace. Maybe one day I’ll have it all figured out, but for now, I’m content just to keep learning. After all, homeschooling really is an adventure.

Photo: Juggling Act by imagaday