I've noticed that since homeschooling my Kindergartner (which is in general going amazing...)...I have less patience with him. I generally consider myself pretty patient - so it's not like I'm flying off the handle or anything...I control it just fine...I just don't FEEL as patient. It doesn't surprise me...I'm with him more and don't have the 'me time' in the mornings (my 1 year old naps from 9:30 - 12:30, my 4 year old is in school till 11:30, and my 8 year old is in school for the full school day). Any suggestions?
Thanks for the responses so far! The reason we are homeschooling him in Kindergarten...He was in a regular public school...a good one too :). But - he had struggled with a lot of anxiety since starting school...he was really struggling with aggression in the unstructured parts of the day (recess...free play...)...worries about people staring at him during class...worries he's forgetting something...missed something...etc. It was turning into a vicious cycle...he was so overwhelmed he couldn't focus and was needing extra help...which made him feel more overwhelmed and self conscious. We did work with his teacher and the school counselor...but after a lot of research, thought, prayer...you name it...we really felt that at this point...it would be better to pull him out. It has actually been a REALLY good thing. I could go on and on about the things I was worried about - but it just 'felt' right. It's building up his confidence again in his ability to 'learn'...we are involving him in other social situations that are allowing him to work on his social skills...without the overwhelming-ness (is that even a word?) of school. He does see a therapist that has does play therapy/art therapy/etc...and that has been good. He has no idea why he goes...just that he gets to go and have fun painting and playing :). Anyway...hope that explanation helps!
One of the things we have found with homeschooling over the last 14 years is that it gives us lots of time to work on our weaknesses and sins. Theirs and ours. It is normal. Keep working through it. People tell me I am *so* patient. I just laugh to myself because I know the truth. I'm just as selfish as the next person. I have just had intensive training for the last 20 years of raising children/homeschooling. :)
Does your "me" time have to be in the morning?
Being more flexible would be helpful in your situation.
Find a "me" time schedule that fits your lifestyle.
I don't have my Saturday morning me time any longer but I do manage to get some different kind of me time in during the week. I have to be flexible otherwise I would break.
I suggest finding ways to be apart from him so that you have some time to yourself. Could you exchange time with another home school mom?
Why are you home schooling just the kindergartner? Maybe it would be best if he also went to school.
That is awesome that your 1 yo takes such a long nap. Perhaps you could get your kindergartner playing by himself for part of that time so that you could have a break.
Can you catch 30 minutes of "me" time before you start school? Maybe you could do school from 10:00 - 12:00 and have 30 minutes of "me" time before school time.
The great thing about homeschooling, is you can cater your schedule to needs. It sounds like you NEED time to yourself. Implement an hour or so of quiet time. Your son can read education books, do workbooks, or something in your curriculum he can do himself. Use that time to relax for yourself!
