| Author | |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 9:13am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I've posted here before, but mostly lurk.
I currently have five children, ages 9 to 9 months.
Since June, our baby has been hospitalized for a kidney infection and we found out she has kidney reflux, our three year old has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and our six year old is currently recovering from a kidney infection herself. We suspect she has kidney reflux also and now she will require testing.
I had our fifth child in the massive back to back blizzards and was unable to get home for five days after being discharged from the hospital. I was also in that same hospital for a month on bedrest due to preterm labor. I also had my fifth c-section.
I have horrible PPD, which is better now, so I had to suffer through that.
Over the summer, I enrolled my oldest three in public school because the thought of homeschooling made me want to cry. Then, on the day of the open house up at the school, I pulled them out. I just couldn't do it.
This is my fifth year of homeschooling, and every year I struggle with depression. Being home all day, with no adults to talk to, has always made homeschooling hard. But, for the sake of my kids, I've always just plugged along.
I have tried curriculum after curriculum, and I have to point out that I am not a very creative person. Arts and crafts are not things I'm good at.
I hardly have time to get a decent dinner on the table, and when we do eat dinner, we don't all sit down together. My husband works late a lot. Laundry is through the roof on a daily basis, and it's all I can do to keep the house from exploding from being messy.
I can't help but be envious of those who send their kids to school and have quiet in their homes. Who have time to clean up once their kids have gone to school, and can sit down and actually, maybe, have time to pray.
And prayer. It's been non exsistant. I'm a secular Carmelite, so the one thing I'm supposed to be doing is praying, but I don't. I try to get to Mass as often as possible (which is Sunday's and maybe one day during the week) and I have a weekly holy hour.
There is no balance or order here and I just don't even know where to start or what to do.
Any advice or help would be great. I'm really at a loss.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JaysFamily
Forum Pro
Joined: March 30 2010
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 241
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 9:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have no advice, but wanted to send some hugs  and prayers your way. I'm sorry your family is going through so much right now.
__________________
In Christ,
Jaysfamily
wife to Jay
mother to DS(5)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 10:11am | IP Logged
|
|
|
You are certainly dealing with many difficult issues at the same time. I can empathize with your wish to have time to pray and restore order in your home (my husband works late, too, so I know how you feel about dinner and cleaning).
I often tell people that homeschooling is something each family must not only discern for itself but also review on a regular basis. There's no shame in choosing the best path for your entire family, whether it's public school, home education or something else. You and your husband are best equipped to determine this.
I'll add my prayers to Jaysfamily's - especially for your peace of mind as you consider all of your options, and for the health of your children.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 10:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would second what Nancy says. Every family does have to determine what is best for their family. Sometimes there are seasons when homeschooling is not the best option. I never think of any education decision as all or nothing. It can be year to year based on the current situation and needs. I will be praying for you.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 10:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you all very much.
I have always thought that homeschooling is what I was called to do. But we struggle everyday.
My son who has autism has in home therapy as well as in school therapy. I have only so much time to get some school work in with three children before he comes home. Once he is home, between him and my nine month old, school is very hard to finish up. I feel we are just getting the work done for the sake of getting it done, and there really isn't a lot of learning going on.
I've done schedules before, but they don't seem to work, because something always happens to mess it up, then I'm back to square one.
I admit I will feel like a huge idiot for enrolling my kids, taking them out, then enrolling them again. I swear the people at the school are going to think I'm nuts.
How do families with multiple children and multiple needs do it? Am I just missing something?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amyable
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3798
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 10:45am | IP Logged
|
|
|
(ETA: I posted this while you wrote yours, so I missed what you said in your 2nd post)
Thirding what Nancy says, but I will throw this in there: I have felt like you on many occasions for many similar reasons. But after I sat down and really thought about what that change would be like, I realized I would just be trading one set of difficulties for another. My kids were more like the ages of your when I was more seriously considering this - and so if I sent the two oldest away every day I'd still have 3 (the hardest 3!) at home, the ones who need watching/playing with will have just lost their playmates, plus the whole "waiting at the bus stop in the freezing rain with a sick infant" or "herding the whole family into the car to drop at Catholic school every.single.day" thing. My kids' issues make school difficult also (allergies, LDs, hearing loss, etc)
Then homework! My acquaintances whose kids are in school are spending as much time helping with homework K-3 as I am doing homeschool for the similar ages! So it boiled down to me really trying to simplify things at home - possessions, meals, activities, etc. It's helped, but was and is a process, a long one.
All that being said - that was MY family - you definitely have to look at your own circumstances, which we cannot know fully (just like Nancy said  ) Feel free to PM me for more hugs and prayers if you need them, or just someone to bounce ideas off of. Hey, if I live close, I'll come over and catch you up on laundry. It's better than doing my own. 
__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
VanessaVH
Forum Pro
Joined: July 26 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 224
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 11:03am | IP Logged
|
|
|
((((((((((((Hugs & Prayers))))))))))
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mamasue
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 09 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 139
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 11:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hugs!!!!
Sometimes life just feels sooo overwhelming!
I would also consider the homework part of public school! I don't know how parents get the homework done, get their kids to soccer practice, music lessons and scouts... Doesn't seem possible to me!
As for art/ crafty things- abekas art books are excellent for a non crafty mom! Kids can pretty much do it themselves!
Can you just get down to the basics now?
Reading, writing, math and religion??
After a few weeks of getting back to the basics you could add extras:
Then slowly add in history through audio or library books? Most libraries even have story of the world on cd.
Science doesn't have to involve complicated experiments.
Check out A bird book from the library and have the kids identify any birds they see outside while playing.
Collect fallen leaves and identify them
Read a book about reptiles
grow bean plants in a clear plastic cup
I doubt my decision to homeshool every week. But whenever I feel myself despairing I ask God to show me if it is his will for our family to homeschool. Sure enough he will find a way to remind me every time...
Good luck with your decision making! I never thought that my childrens education would be so complicated! May God bless you and your family no matter what you decide!
Suzette
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 11:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
amyable wrote:
(ETA: I posted this while you wrote yours, so I missed what you said in your 2nd post)
Thirding what Nancy says, but I will throw this in there: I have felt like you on many occasions for many similar reasons. But after I sat down and really thought about what that change would be like, I realized I would just be trading one set of difficulties for another. My kids were more like the ages of your when I was more seriously considering this - and so if I sent the two oldest away every day I'd still have 3 (the hardest 3!) at home, the ones who need watching/playing with will have just lost their playmates, plus the whole "waiting at the bus stop in the freezing rain with a sick infant" or "herding the whole family into the car to drop at Catholic school every.single.day" thing. My kids' issues make school difficult also (allergies, LDs, hearing loss, etc)
Then homework! My acquaintances whose kids are in school are spending as much time helping with homework K-3 as I am doing homeschool for the similar ages! So it boiled down to me really trying to simplify things at home - possessions, meals, activities, etc. It's helped, but was and is a process, a long one.
All that being said - that was MY family - you definitely have to look at your own circumstances, which we cannot know fully (just like Nancy said ) Feel free to PM me for more hugs and prayers if you need them, or just someone to bounce ideas off of. Hey, if I live close, I'll come over and catch you up on laundry. It's better than doing my own.
|
|
|
Thanks for the invite to do my laundry.  I live on the east coast..close?
I have thought a lot about the homework aspect...that our days will be longer. I wouldn't want that, neccesarily.
But for instance, today: I cannot be a part of anything that my son who has autism does at school. For IEP meetings I have to move heaven and earth for someone to watch my other kids so I can attend. They offer for me to come in and visit and watch David, or any parties they have...I cannot participate, and it breaks my heart. I've never been able to even see his new classroom! This is my child who needs me the most, but because I have other children at home during the day (and esp school hours), I sort of have to send him off and not be a big part of his therapy.
I'm not able to spend a lot of one on one time with the baby. Doctors appointments are awful because...once again, I have all of my kids with me.
The grocery store, the pharmacy, etc. It really starts to wear on you after awhile...not being able to do something simple like pick up a prescription without being a spectacle and having people ask "why aren't they in school?"
I'm burned out, and just don't know if I have the strength to keep doing this. Maybe a change is what we need.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mamasue
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 09 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 139
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 11:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Forgot to mention- do your kids help out with laundry?
My kids are expected to take care of their laundry starting at age 7.
On their laundry day I also have them do a load of towels.
They wash, dry, fold and put away!
A laundry schedule changed my life!! (never thought I would say that lol)
M- hubby's laundry, diapers
Tu-9 yr old does his plus any towels
W- my laundry plus 1 yr old and 2 yr olds laundry
Th- 3 yr old and 5 yr olds laundry, diapers
F- 7 yr old does his plus any towels
Sat- make up/ towels/ sheets
Sun- none
So I only do laundry on m, wed, thurs and sometimes sat!
Meal planning will help tremendously! It's hard to get started but it makes it so much easier when you know what you are making!
Perhaps a 2 week plan would be good! Gives some variety. Evry Friday is pizza and movie night here and Tuesday is taco night which makes it easy because When doing meal planning I can automatically fill in Friday and Tuesday.
Keep the menu hung up to remind yourself (and hubby and kids) what is for dinner
chores? A nine and seven yr old can help a great deal with that.
In the morning they have to have their rooms clean and beds made before they come out of their room.
Lunch time- each child is assigned a room and is responsible for tidying them before lunch. Nine year old can also Clean up the bathroom: wipe sink and toilet seat, clean off floor in bathroom
after lunch one cleans and wipes off table, the other sweeps under and around table. Switch for after dinner.
Before bed time do another tidying of the same rooms.
There will be toys on the floor Between tidy times but having two set tidying times will be so much less stressful than asking then to pick up toys all day long!
Mom- you decide on one thing to clean each day- cabinets, mop floors, bathtub, refrigerator. Only one!
Older kids can empty dishwasher, maybe even fill it?
It may be difficult to implement but once it becomes habit it will help soo much
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My kids do some chores. Similar to what you have above. I have my oldest fold the laundry sometimes and have the younger ones put their own clothes away. I would be terrified to let them actually do the laundry. I'm afraid they would do a horrible job!
My oldest does the dishes sometimes when I ask her, but she's been developing a real attitude lately. I don't know what it is. She's almost ten, and whenever I ask her to do something, she gets huffy about it and mumbles "Yes ma'am" under her breath. Everyday I have to tell her to watch her attitude, to no avail.
She'll also do the dishes for me sometimes too, but my husband didn't like how she was doing it (not precleaning well enough) and will do it himself..or I'll end up doing it.
I've done just Math, Religion and the basics before, but it didn't really seem to help much. When I was on bedrest last year we had to skim back a lot. I just hate always being in "catch up" mode. It's always in the back of my head that we are "behind" and that is a cause of major aniexty. Right now we have only done a little bit of school on Monday and nothing else this week due to my six year old being sick (and now myself). I worry about my six year old not getting a proper education because she struggles with reading and writing and math, and there is no way she's going to be ready for some of the second grade stuff my current second grader is doing. I feel as though I'm not giving her what she needs.
I do pray about this, but feel I'm not getting a clear answer.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
anitamarie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 15 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 819
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Having done both school-school and homeschool, I can second what Amy said about it being just a different set of difficulties. I say that all the time to people. You have to choose what set of challenges you are capable of meeting. When my older kids were in school and I had a baby and/or toddler, my house still wasn't as clean as I'd like it, laundry still piled up, and I had no help. And we had lots of homework to deal with. I have a neighbor whose kids go to school and she has someone who comes in and does all the stuff she doesn't have time for.
No matter what school option we choose, the parenting part of life, especially with a lot of young children, is challenging.
Maybe you and your dh can sit down and hash out your reasons for homeschooling and your reasons for not, pray over it and let God lead you where he will. Either way, you will make sacrifices, you will feel better about life making the sacrifices He intends for you. He's calling on you to make many right now, especially.
As hard as this gets, I know in my heart that this is what He intends for our family for right now, which makes the unbearable more bearable.
God bless you.
Anita
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks Anita.
My husband very much wants the kids to be homeschooled. As do I. It's just the day to day, and the constant struggles, the feeling that they will never end and that if one more big thing happens, you're just going to crack.
I'm not sure what set of difficulties I would prefer. On the one hand, if they went to school, I would have the mornings four days a week with just the baby and I. My three year old gets home at noon from therapy. He doesn't have school on Thursdays. He'd be home all day.
The days he's home are so, so difficult, because of his disability. I spend most of my time keeping him from having a meltdown and destroying stuff. Same with when school is out or there is vacation. He didn't have school on Monday, so we didn't get much done then. Next week he doesn't have school at all for Thanksgiving break, so I just have no idea how I'm going to work with any of the kids. So I feel that "not following public school system schedule" can't really apply to us because I have to sort of follow their schedule. When my son is in school, we get more done.
Trying to find time with my husband is impossible too, it seems. He works long hours, and when he comes home, he can hardly think. He helps by taking the little ones and putting them to bed, and spending time with the older ones. After that, trying to talk to him is out the window. He's usually passing out as I am.
I feel as though all these different options I try don't work. Like I'm going in circles. Does that make any sense?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LLMom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 19 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 995
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. If mom isn't healthy, it is hard to juggle all of the demands. Have you been to the doctor about the depression? It helps to get exercise, enough sleep, good food, time alone, etc. I would try to focus on the house, establishing new habits with yourself and the children so that you can get the house clean, clothes folded, and good food on the table. Once those are established, add the school in. Lucky for you, they are all relatively young so it wouldn't hurt to not have focused school time for a bit. They can still read, do some computer games, educational movies, etc. during their down time while you try to pull it together. I think it is possible but take care of mom first and the rest will follow.
__________________
Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just to reiterate what was said above..
How is your difficulties going to change if you send the oldest kids away?
Be very careful that you aren't putting your kids into school and then dealing with that AS WELL AS everything that is making you want to do it anyway.
And don't forget in addition to the homework.. you'll have the same sort of invites to come to the school and help out.. and will they be doing fundraisers? And you'll still have your baby and 3 yr old not allowing for that.
You're in a hard place right now and it'll be hard whether your kids are in school or not.
The 9 almost 10 will still have an attitude and in my observation.. it could get worse if she's in school where it's reinforced by the other 9 and 10 yr olds there.
The 6 yr old may struggle even more if put in school.. where she'd be taken out of class for special classes and expected to keep up on other work (like spelling) even if she can't read well yet. Or all the written work even if she can't write well yet. And she's only 6. She has lots of time to improve and "get it". Just because she's at a different point than another child doesn't mean that she won't get it.
Long hours make it very hard to spend time with your dh and that won't change by using public schools. Does he work where you can send text messages or emails? It's not perfect but it may allow you that "talking time" before you're falling asleep.
I have a friend with an autistic son and she's found that it works to send him to school.. because they have a program that is really good for him and gives everyone time to do work while he's out of the house.
So I'm certainly not saying don't use the school at all.. and I'm not even saying you should keep homeschooling if it's overburdening you.. I just noticed some things that you've pointed out that school won't fix.. and you need to look at this without the idea that sending kids to school will fix everything. It would be lovely if that would happen of course.. but so often it just trades one set of difficulties for another. With the ages and number of kids plus additional difficulties.. it's just hard.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
jhigdon wrote:
| I feel as though all these different options I try don't work. Like I'm going in circles. Does that make any sense? |
|
|
Absolutely! I call it "chasing my tail" and I HATE it  . This is truly a cross...to try sooooooo hard and yet feel sooooooooooo much...failure  .
I pray that you can find some relief . Here are a few ways that have brought me relief when life is especially difficult...
WAKING TO GOD AND Personal Care
Say a morning offering and rosary AS SOON AS I WAKE.
Get my morning personal care routine DOWN FLAT! When my children were young, I had it down to 15 minutes. I had (and still do!) a list of EXACTLY what I needed to do and how long it took (Brush teeth 2 minutes, wash face, 2 minutes, eat morning snack, 1 minute etc.)
Exercise (with or without children) for 15 minutes each day. check out TTapp.
If you can stack these together, GREAT! If not, break it up into 15 minute intervals. All of this takes LESS THAN AN HOUR, once you get in the swing of it. Once done, you can reasonably say to yourself "Self, if nothing else goes as I would like today, I have done my best to put God first and to take care of myself in order to take care of others."
MORNING to Serve Children
I would streamline home education, which would mean daily math, picture books, and fine-motor skills (handwriting, drawing, coloring.) 10-20 minutes each, tops. Then we would watch ed. show/movies, listen to classical music, go outside to play and call it nature study. No crafts here  - too stressful on this craft-impaired mom.
AFTERNOON to tend to Home
Say the Angelus at lunch.
From here I would chip away at my highest priorities, ie: the things that bothered me the most. For example, I can handle the house being crazy out of order (when I have to) but I REALLY can't take my bedroom chaotic.
I would streamline food, eating healthy, simple meals.
EVENING for Husband
FIND time for your dh. Brainstorm. Can you meet on the phone daily to discuss family management and cheer each other? Can you give him love notes or little gifts? When he comes home, Can you wear something pretty (even fresh lipgloss and perfume can do in a pinch) and greet him with a big smile and hug?Can you get the children to bed early (bribery is fine) and serve him his favorite beverage and listen to his concerns?
Do an examination of conscience and Act of Contrition at bedtime. No matter what else happens, I (practice) TRUST that this is enough.
REWARDS
I would reward myself. I am no longer above giving myself little treats, such as a nice cup of tea, a yummy piece of dark chocolate, a power nap, a brisk walk around the house, a few minutes of talk radio, a visit at 4Real, a phone call to a friend, a song or two of a favoriet CD, a glass of beer or wine at night. Rarely all in the same day .
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oops... and here I went and forgot one of the most important things I wanted to share.
A priest kindly pointed out to me that while it would be nice to be able to have time and quiet to do nothing but pray.. that at this time of my life I may not have that luxury.. but that doesn't mean don't pray.. it means that you pray while you're washing dishes or folding laundry or pulling weeds or shoveling snow or driving the car.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow..these are great responses!
JodieLyn, my husband works at a facility where he cannot bring a phone it. I am able to talk to him very briefly at work some days, but nothing where we can "really" talk about stuff. Trying to find time with him is really one of the biggest hurdles here. I feel that a lot of my stress comes from not being able to talk to him about a lot of stuff. Then feeling the burden of having to figure it out all on my own.
Angie, I am not above giving myself treats too!
The one thing I do for myself is I'm a runner. I run three times a week, and try to work out at least four times a week total. The gym really is a life saver for me. My kids can get out of the house and play there, and I get some me time. It's hard financially to find the money for it, but it's crucial. I haven't been able to go for a few days, so perhaps that's why I'm feeling a bit looney.
I've been thinking this afternoon, and been thinking a lot about the chapter on Burnout in Real Learning. I read it years ago, and feel as though I'm still in the same burnout mode I was when I read it a few years go.
I think I'm going to take the rest of the week off and make time to make a chore list, a small yet simple schedule, and do a two week menu plan. Then do a little bit of school next Monday and Tuesday, even though my son will be home, and then take off the rest of the week for the holidays.
I always feel like I have to be doing school all the time. I forget that public school teachers take days off. So should I!
Also, for my prayer life, as a Carmelite, I am supposed to do the Morning and Evening Vespers, and the Night Prayers if I can, an examination, and half an hour of contemplative prayer. I need to work this into my schedule as well.
This is key.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
And it really made me think about what would happen if I sent them to school..my son who receives therapy always comes home with flyers for fundraisers, things going on at school, etc. I always say no because he's there for services (and school), but because he's there for preschool, I don't feel obligated. If all my kids were there, it would make it hard to participate because of my smaller two kids at home. I hadn't thought of that.
The attitude from my oldest is throwing me for a loop. Hormones? Picking up on the stress from me? It's gotten worse. Even a talking to from Dad didn't seem to help too much.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: Nov 17 2010 at 1:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JodieLyn wrote:
Oops... and here I went and forgot one of the most important things I wanted to share.
A priest kindly pointed out to me that while it would be nice to be able to have time and quiet to do nothing but pray.. that at this time of my life I may not have that luxury.. but that doesn't mean don't pray.. it means that you pray while you're washing dishes or folding laundry or pulling weeds or shoveling snow or driving the car. |
|
|
So true!!!!!!!!!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Considering quitting homeschooling
