From Life’s Lemons to Learning: My Hilarious Homeschooling Journey!
Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected surprises our way, doesn’t it? One moment, I was enjoying my morning iced tea, and the next, I was diving headfirst into the delightful chaos of homeschooling! When life handed me a basket of lemons, I decided to transform them into a vibrant adventure filled with creativity, learning, and a sprinkle of humor. Who knew that math could lead to kitchen experiments or that history could involve a dramatic reenactment featuring action figures? So, grab your favorite snack and join me as I share my hilarious journey through the wonderful world of homeschooling—where every day is a new chance to turn challenges into cherished memories!
Turning Lemons into Learning: How the Pandemic Helped Working Moms Discover Homeschooling!
Now, let’s talk about the great “homeschooling” debate that took over social media back then. There was quite the uproar among veteran homeschooling parents about people calling what happened during the pandemic “homeschooling.”
So, what was all the fuss about? Let me spill the tea: seasoned homeschool parents are like expert lemonade makers, skillfully mixing the perfect blend of ingredients with dedication and a dash of creativity. They juggle multiple tasks like squeezing out distractions, adding just the right amount of zest to lessons, and tending to each child’s unique flavor so they can all shine. Personally, I wasn’t too concerned about the debate, but I couldn’t help but notice the buzz on social media. Instead of diving into the chaos, I chose to see the silver lining—thanks to the pandemic, people caught a glimpse of the challenges and triumphs of homeschooling, and maybe even gained a newfound respect for those who do it full-time.
Think about it: if your child logged into virtual school a few times a week, you were technically a part-time teacher. BUT (and my mom always said I had a big “BUT” in every conversation), you didn’t have to whip up an entire curriculum or grade mountains of homework.
Can you imagine taking on that extra responsibility on top of your already jam-packed schedule? It’s like trying to host a lemonade stand while balancing a basket of lemons, mixing flavors, and juggling cups—all while keeping a smile on your face. Balancing homeschooling, a full-time job, and the rest of life’s craziness is like attempting to juggle flaming lemons while riding a unicycle—impressive and slightly terrifying! But somehow, moms manage to keep everything afloat, crafting their own sweet blends of life, even in the toughest conditions.
Our Leap from Public School to Homeschool: A Recipe for Learning
Before I dive into future posts that might have you questioning where my loyalty lies, let me share how I arrived at the decision to homeschool my kids. You deserve to know the backstory!
First off, I attended public high school and absolutely loved it! I’m not one of those homeschooling moms who thinks public school is like a bitter lemon in a fruit basket, painting a grim picture of education. My kids have experienced public school, Christian school, and now, homeschooling. I personally loved the Christian school, but committing to it long-term felt as realistic as trying to grow a tropical lemon tree in the Arctic!
For starters, with five kids, the cost of Christian school became like an avalanche of lemons—relentless and overwhelming. No amount of budgeting could keep up with that sour reality!
Mixing Up the Perfect Homeschool Recipe for Thriving Learners!”
Then there’s the fact that one of my children has a learning disability. Christian schools, as wonderful as they can be, didn’t have the resources to support his needs. It was like trying to cultivate a delicate lemon tree in soil that just wouldn’t nourish it. Without the right support, my son wouldn’t thrive.
So, we decided to send our kids to public school, where my son could get the help he needed to flourish. Just like in a fruit orchard, every tree needs its own special care to grow strong. I wanted to ensure that each of my children had what they needed to blossom.
In the end, homeschooling became the perfect solution—a mix of DIY lemonade stands and tailored education. But don’t worry, I’m still a fan of public school! It’s all about finding the right environment for each child to truly shine.
Lemonade Stand or Classroom: The Teacher Juggling Act
Before I continue, I have to be honest: expecting a teacher to manage classroom behavior while teaching is like trying to make perfect lemonade while juggling lemons and swatting flies. And let’s not forget the challenge of meeting every child’s unique needs! Teachers, I salute you for tackling classrooms that sometimes feel more crowded than a summer festival lemonade stand!
Being a teacher is one job most moms would gladly pass on, and the pandemic made that obvious. As schools closed, moms everywhere eagerly anticipated sending their little ones back to class—not just for a breather, but because teaching algebra and deciphering Common Core felt like trying to make lemonade without a recipe!
Can you imagine how your child’s teacher feels at the end of a school day? I bet she’s counting down the seconds until the kids are on the bus like it’s the countdown to a refreshing summer party. Teachers are overwhelmed, plain and simple!
And here’s a little secret: teachers don’t get to decide whether your child gets special services or an IEP. So, the next time you see your child’s teacher, give them a big smile and maybe a coffee or a cookie. They’re doing an amazing job in a situation that often feels like trying to squeeze juice from a mountain of lemons during a heatwave!
Homeschooling: The Journey That Found Us
So, public school didn’t work for us either. Why not? It felt like an ongoing battle just to squeeze the right services into place! I even paid a private learning psychologist for a complete assessment, which cost me a couple of thousand dollars—talk about a pricey lemonade! If you’re interested, I can share all the juicy details in a future post.
In layman’s terms, this evaluation was fantastic! It provided a much clearer picture compared to those quick computer evaluations at the doctor’s office or school. The report came with suggestions on how my son could thrive in his academic endeavors, which I eagerly handed over to the school. I was hoping at least one teacher would take a moment to read it and help address my child’s needs. But when that didn’t happen, I scheduled a meeting to discuss an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
That day, the principal told me my child had to fail something before he could get an IEP. That was the moment I realized—oh, no way! I wasn’t going to let him go through that! Despite years of paying for tutoring, the school wasn’t willing to offer my son any extra help. Waiting for him to fail was not going to be our recipe for success. This was unacceptable, and that’s when homeschooling officially became our choice.
From Odd Lemon to Homeschooling Insider: Finding My Place in the Lemonade Stand of Family!
When it came to family acceptance, my transition to homeschooling was surprisingly smooth. In my in-law family, I was already the odd lemon out because all of my sisters-in-law were seasoned homeschoolers while my kids were still in public school. So, when I finally joined the homeschooling club, I felt like I was the one trying to catch up on all the best lemonade recipes!
At first, I wasn’t thrilled when homeschooling picked our family. I worried my kids’ education would turn sour, like a batch of lemonade left out in the sun. But to my surprise, I ended up loving it! I even started teaching at a homeschool co-op in another state—something I never saw coming!
Seeing my kids’ faces light up when they succeeded and watching their eyes widen during science experiments was pure magic. Those moments felt like I’d stumbled upon the secret recipe for parenting success. I’m immensely grateful that homeschooling decided to squeeze its way into our family’s life!
The best part? My struggling reader started picking out books for us to read during the school year. Who knew homeschooling could turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm? Plus, I loved having the freedom to choose what they learned and read. Yes, that included books that are now on the banned book list. We ended up reading more books together at home than they would have ever tackled in school, and that’s not even up for debate!
In the end, homeschooling turned out to be a wild and wonderful adventure, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you embrace the unexpected and find joy in the journey—like discovering that sometimes the best lemonade comes from the lemons life throws at you!
Pandemic Adventures: How a Lockdown Laid the Groundwork for Homeschooling
Let’s be honest: back in the day, homeschooling families were often seen as the “quirky” ones in the neighborhood. Admit it, in the 1970s, if you knew a family that homeschooled, you might have raised an eyebrow or two. You probably thought, “Those kids are going to grow up without knowing how to talk to people.” But hold your judgment—I’ll save debunking that myth for another post.
Fast forward to the pandemic era, and suddenly the world turned upside down. Working moms everywhere found themselves thrust into the role of teacher, principal, and lunch lady all at once. It was like being drafted into the homeschooling league without a playbook. And you know what? You absolutely rocked it!
As someone who has homeschooled my kids while working full-time, I know exactly how stressful it can be to juggle Zoom meetings with snack time and math lessons. But let’s face it, the pandemic gave many working mothers a newfound respect for those of us who chose to stay home and educate our children before it was the cool thing to do. I was fortunate that the pandemic didn’t impact me with my own children, but the position I held in my career afforded me to help with my grandchildren.
“From Lemon Faces to Lemonade Makers: How the Pandemic Turned My Coworkers into Homeschooling Champs!”
Before COVID, I had coworkers who would look at me like I had three heads when I told them I homeschooled. “I could never do that,” they’d say, eyes wide with disbelief. But after the pandemic hit, those same coworkers came to me with a newfound appreciation. “I don’t know how you do it,” they’d say. I’d just smile and tell them, “Well, guess what? You’re doing it too!”
So here’s to all the moms out there who became instant teachers, technology troubleshooters, and champions of their kids’ education. You embraced the chaos, rolled with the punches, and proved that moms can do anything. Pandemic or not, you’re amazing!
Would You Homeschool Again?
Would I do it all over again? YES! Whether or not you homeschool your children is a personal choice. So, did the pandemic give you a crash course in homeschooling? Did you find yourself making snap judgments about it? Don’t be ashamed to admit it—I was right there with you until the late 1990s. But hey, I’m just glad you joined us on the homeschooling roller coaster, even if only for a year!
If I had to pick one of the best things that resulted from the pandemic, it would have to be education. The time in nation’s history, when homeschooling chose your family. Now, before you click away thinking I’m about to praise your child’s viral pandemic education—hold on, that’s not it.
What I mean is that you, as a parent, got an unexpected education on a topic you might not have fully understood: homeschooling. Suddenly, you discovered that educating a child at home requires a level of commitment, perseverance, and patience akin to growing a prize-winning bonsai tree. Wouldn’t you agree?
Let’s face it, homeschooling isn’t for the faint of heart. After the year when homeschooling chose you, it may have left you wondering who’s crazy enough to choose it. Spoiler alert: It’s about being brave, bold, and maybe a little bonkers in the best way possible. It takes a sound mind and a lot of coffee to homeschool.
Kudos to the moms who opted to educate their kids at home even after schools reopened. Many found they could homeschool effectively, turning what was once a necessity into a choice.
So, why did we “choose” homeschooling? I like to think it chose us. We had a need, and homeschooling met that need. Simple as that!
Do You Need Homeschooling Support?
If you have any questions about homeschooling or are on the fence about whether to dive into the wild world of educating your kids at home, feel free to reach out on our Facebook Group or fill out the contact form on the blog. I’m here to answer any burning questions you have about homeschooling (but sorry, I can’t help with figuring out why your child’s math book always goes missing at the worst possible moment)!
Ultimately, your child’s education is your decision—your choice to make. Isn’t that liberating? Whether you choose public school, charter school, Christian school, or homeschooling, it’s your call. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever keeps you sane) and make the choice that feels right for your family. You’ve got this!
Join the conversation! Head over to our Facebook Group, and let’s chat about all things education. Your questions, insights, and stories are always welcome. Let’s make this journey together!
