A tale of two home school days.

Day 1

Last Wednesday I awoke to my two younger boys giggling and laughing in the living room. They were playing some game that only the two of them understood. I couldn't help but smile. They looked so happy. I woke up the girls and got breakfast taken of. Then we settled down to do our home school work. At one point the three older kids were busy working away, and I was able to get dressed for the day. After I sat on the floor and played games with my three year old. The kids would ask me a question from time to time, but didn't need much one on one attention. I cleaned up the kitchen a bit and did some laundry. We were finished up by lunch time. Our afternoon was free to choose some other activity. We read some books and played games. We laughed often. By the time the older kids got home, everyone was ready to start their chores. I started dinner, and it was ready by the time my husband walked in the door a few hours later. I went to bed that night thinking how lucky I am to spend my day with my beautiful children.

Day 2

Friday, I woke up a bit later than usual. I could feel a headache starting. I could also hear that all four of the little ones had beat me out of bed. Even worse, the TV had been turned on. I wandered into the living room and greeted my children. "Good morning! Time to shut the TV off and get to work." Three glazed over faces stared to the TV. I went in to start breakfast. I asked a second time. "Hey can we shut the TV off and get ready for the day?" No answer. I finished breakfast. When I asked a third time, and saw the same glazed over looks, I shut the TV off. "Get ready *NOW*, we are already getting started late! This was followed by 20 minutes of weeping and wiling because M couldn't find her pencil and A couldn't find his book and "Hey Mom, D wet his pants and needs changed." By the time we got everyone settled and working my head was really beginning to throb. All three kids were asking for help at the same time. The three year old was coloring on the wall. The 7 year old didn't want to do his math. I finally started to divide and conquer. I got the 6 year old working on her work. When she finished I started on the 6th grader. She finished. The third grader was still fighting me. I was trying to get his work done, so the 6th grader made lunch. At 2:30 when the big kids got home, I was *STILL* working with the 7 year old. I looked at my 16 year old daughter and said "Finish this with him. I'm done." I walked back to my room and realized that I had not yet dressed, or brushed my hair, or even brushed my teeth. The nagging headache had turned into a raging migraine. I thought I would lay down for just a quick nap, when the phone rang. It was hubby. He was coming home a little early and was starving. "What's for dinner?" Sigh....

Most days fall somewhere between day 1 and day 2. There is a little sadness, a little frustration, a little joy, a little success. Some days I wonder if I am making a huge mistake. Some days I know I am not.