Enjoy More, Endure Less

There was a time I’d become so frustrated with the monotony of how I viewed “motherhood” with my four littles (cleaning messes, wiping bums, making meals) that my prayers craved “something more” to fulfill my days. The revelation to homeschool was not the answer I expected and it felt like an ice-bath on a winter’s day. I’d so looked forward to sending the kids on the school bus and fantasized about having a clean house, a few hours of quiet time, and the recognition of a career.

{Painted thrift store frame, She quote}

This second year of homeschooling is smoothing out and bringing me to the realization that teaching my kids can be that “thing” that fulfills my day. Sure, I still wish for a clean house, quiet time, and a little recognition for a job well done. But spending that time with my kids reading, writing, observing, exploring, and discovering new skills and subjects has been a blessing and (most days) I’m loving the opportunity for this time together. Interestingly, this “lightbulb moment” came during a study of rocks.

Rocks–super exciting, right?

We’re studying Earth Science this year, and honestly, I began the rock unit mentally dragging as I viewed the childhood rock fascination from a frustrated mama’s perspective of endlessly emptying gravel-filled pockets on laundry day. The paradigm shift came somewhere along the Pinterest project search, and the picture Encyclopedia reading when I realized how much I’m learning right along with them. And suddenly we’re going on a field trip and I’m fascinated with collecting rocks too!

Experiences like this are humbly reinforcing to me that this homeschooling journey isn’t just about getting the workbooks done. And motherhood isn’t just about surviving through the day–it’s about the time we’re spending together and the relationships we’re building.

(More on these ” rockin’ ” rock activities to come!)