Lessons and Laundry

Wow. It feels like forever since I last posted. Life has been in a bit of a crazy state this past month. Lessons, laundry, dance lessons, bible studies, Awana, etc., etc.... So, speaking of laundry, that brings me to this weeks' topic for the blog cruise. How do YOU handle the daily responsibilities around the house while homeschooling? Handle them? I'm not sure that I am. As I type, there are piles of school materials scattered throughout the kitchen. The mail that I just brought in is on the kitchen table. The dining room table is dusty, and dog toys are littered here and there. The bathrooms could use a wipedown, and I'm almost positive that there really is a floor in the hobby room- I just haven't seen it in a while. And please! Do not ask me about dinner. I still have a doctor's appointment to get my oldest to, and then there's the promise I made to my youngest to go to Claire's for some earrings, and, oh yes, there's the endless pile of laundry waiting downstairs. I need a nap. Is it possible to balance both? Honestly? Well, it helps that in our family, my husband is a children first, school first kind of guy. The clutter doesn't bother him. In fact, I am the one who struggles with wanting the house to look a certain way, everything in its place and all of that, and usually I end up being the number one cause of my own stress! In truth, if you homeschool, you are going to have some stuff laying around. It's going to happen with everyone in the house together everyday. So, while we're not dirty, you know, the dishes are clean, the kids are clean, we do tend to have a house that looks very lived in. I am however, finding it a little easier as the kids get older, that they are increasing in their ability to pitch in with more of those chores. And you know what? They enjoy helping-mostly. I guess that in my opinion, while we should strive to keep general order in the house as we teach our children, we need to relax and not get so wrapped up in checking off your to do list, that we make our homes unpleasant and rigid. I'm speaking mostly to myself as I say to you, Make your home a place where your family and friends want to be!