So, at the end of last week I was bemoaning the fact that I had not had any sort of extended time alone for a while, for a few weeks in fact. This is not at all healthy for an introvert like me. I need time alone, like I need the air I breathe. Without it I feel like I am drowning, suffocating. I exclaimed to the children that I felt homeschooling was like wading through tar. I needed help to be alone. My family know me of old. They know I am a better everything (Mummy, daughter, wife, friend) if I have time alone at frequent intervals. They also know how I get every single year around this time. It’s funny because I hadn’t seen it coming. We started school a bit later this year and it still feels mid January. Today though is the first day of February, traditionally the time I march the children to the local school and insist that they enroll them (actually I only did this once when they were four).
C turned to me, and said cheerfully, ‘Don’t worry Mummy, you’ll be fine in 29 days time. February’s coming up, remember?’
I’m beginning to think I could use my body as a calendar. It is very accurate!
We have two more weeks of school this term as it is a very short one on account of the early Easter. Then a week off and another very short four week term. Then a four week break at Easter. And I can’t wait. It’ll be March then April, full of the joys which the spring season inevitably brings.
So right now? Well, right now I am going to keep on, keeping on. I have home school goals (mainly finishing unfinished work) which I want to reach by Easter. I am excited about Easter because we will all be sitting down for a discussion about the direction each child wishes their education to take. For now though, I will be making sure we all get outside everyday; that I spend adequate time alone each day; I will be filling my family and myself with the healthiest of foods, and I will be celebrating life with my family and friends at every given opportunity. And I will, absolutely, meet all those homeschooling goals and finish what I began last term. This alone will help me make me feel like I have achieved something, and that always helps one feel better.
And just in case you would like to wallow (or in deed revel) in my February blooos, do feel free to take a peak at some of the previous years posts:
2013: The homeschool blahs
2014: A day in the life
2015: A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Really, I am not a good person to have around in February 😉
This is the only year that I haven’t felt that way, probably because we’ve had such a mild winter. That being said, I do schedule a week off school in Feb or, if that isn’t possible, I try to do something different for a week to give us all some homeschool fresh air.
Roll on, spring!
I did that last year and in fact I think we went away in February or March. I remember saying that we must do it again this year. Unfortunately it is not financially viable. I shall just have to plan it in my head!
Do you think that the lack of sunlight is a factor?
Yes I do. I walk in early evening, which in Spring, Summer, Autumn is light but winter is dark. Trying to motivate myself outside in the cold, dark and wet weather is tough 🙁
Only 28 more days until March! This is my first English February for 2 years – last year we spent the entire month in sunny Andalucia. I’m determined to enjoy the snowdrops and daffodils. 🙂
Our daffs are already dying down and we’re not even a few days into February. I feel like the world has gone nuts. It is all very confusing 😀
I’m usually not all that good to be around at February, this year we got an early warming spell, and it was gloriously sunny yesterday. That made me happy.
I’m glad this year is a bit better for you. I’m sure you feel you need some sunshine after all the illness your family has had over the past few weeks 🙁
Aww. Sorry you are having the blues again, Claire. Wish I could bring you over so you could enjoy our beautiful February sunshine. Just think, March will be here before you know it and all will be right again. Saying a special prayer for you, my friend. Hugs and hugs.:))
Thank you Donna, as always, for your unfailing support 🙂