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A butterfly will flutter by
It's lovely colors catch your eye
Let it go, let it go
A heart may sigh as it goes by
and you may catch it if you try
Let it go, let it go
It has but a few days to see the world
It is so short a time since it's wings unfurled
Give it a chance to flutter and dance
A few happy hours to sip at the flowers.
A butterfly will flutter by
It's lovely colors catch your eye
Let it go, let it go
Anonymous
I can't believe it's been since April since I last blogged, but then again, I can't seem to remember what I did even yesterday, so the passage of time shouldn't surprise. It happened to me, though...yes, it did. The dreaded "B" word in the world of homeschooling..."burnout". I was burning out between having one too many hands in one too many jars. So, I stopped blogging, I stopped needlefelting, I stopped going online and reading all those hundreds of group messages in the quest to be the best "me" I could be for my beloved girls. I even took a break from homeschooling - ack! Yup, indeed...
There are so many supermoms in this community; just amazing moms who inspire others and unite us all in the common goal of raising our children as best we can. But sometimes, we moms need to make sure we are caring for ourselves, as well, along the way. We have to forgive ourselves our mistakes and accept the things that come our way that we can not control and strive to continue to be true to ourselves.
I wanted to thank those inspirational mommies out there who emailed me or tried to contact me to make sure we were doing OK. You know who you are ;) and your caring words brought tears to my eyes. You knew I needed a 'pick me up' and you brought it. Thank you.
Right now, I'm mending my broken wings and feeling them strengthen and that desire returning to share our educational lives on this blog. Maybe I'll even get around to posting all the other fun educational elements we wove into our 2nd grade year that I never got around to sharing, but if I don't, know that I just don't have the time right now. I am excited about Grade 3 and know that my workload will be significantly easier thanks to Jenn at Our Little Nature Nest, who continues to blow me away with her creative energies and natural gift for organic teaching with her beautiful daughter.
Until then, I will enjoy the fruits of mine as this much needed lazy summer unfolds like the wings of a newly hatched butterfly...
Jen, thank you for your honesty and being willing to share your vulnerability. I don't think we homeschooling mamas talk enough about how hard this job is, and it's such a huge learning curve - especially doing Waldorf - so demanding on our energy and time and SOULS. We live and breathe it (well, I do LOL). The on-line community is amazing, very supportive, but it doesn't give you time, it doesn't give you a break, it doesn't step in and take over when you just can't go on anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think I'd be surprised if anyone could homeschool this way without ever feeling burnt out. I'm starting to think that the key is to feel it coming and step back straight away and take it down a few notches, keep lowering my expectations and have more realistic goals about what is possible in a week/month/year. And I've started purposely using form drawing as my "I need a break" main lesson!
I hope you feel rested now. I hope you know how much everyone values all the work that you did do, but that nobody expects it, and everyone understands that being with your girls is all that matters.
You're doing a great job. Your girls are very blessed to have you as their mom.
Jenn
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling so much better after a few months. I have often been so inspired and amazed by the learning you have shared with your girls. This path is intense and we are all striving to do our very best for our children. I really hear you. Sending you much affection and goodness, your girls are blessed to have such a mama!
so know the feeling! Thank you for being real and for coming back as well!
ReplyDelete