First of all, let me say to all you who stopped by and left the sweetest, most encouraging words last week, THANK YOU. I’ve gone back and re-read all your encouragement several times throughout the week – it’s meant so much to me. If I could squeeze each and every one of you, I would. Thanks, so much, from the bottom of my heart.
Last week’s check-in turned out to be the start of a week-long pit-stop for me.
With some carefully-worded guidance from my sweet, enduring husband (who knows full-well just how ugly my pregnancy listening filter can make any words, no matter how kind), I decided to all but cut myself off from the web, and focus on the most pressing issue at hand: our homeschool curriculum.
Thankfully, after two months of tears, tripping down the wrong paths, pulling out our hair, etc., I think we’ve finally got it figured out. The week has been spent diving into this new curriculum, and I’m seeing all the signs that we’ve found one that works: the boys are happy and willing to do their work, sweetZ’s tickled to have her mommy-time back, and I’ve got a couple spare hours a day I can devote to writing/blogging/WANA-ing. This coming week will really be the true test for all that, since I didn’t write a sentence – blogging or otherwise – last week. Instead, I snuggled with my girl, napped when I was tired, and had fun helping my boys along. I’ll add back in my writing responsibilities this week, and see how it goes.
Even though last week was less-than-stellar, goal wise (with the exception of the wholesome brekkie thing, and the reading thing), I’m satisfied. Some problems, if you don’t stop everything to fix them, will grow into something wholly crippling. This was one of those problems. Any homeschooling parent lives with a constant nagging shadow following them around – the fear of somehow failing their kids in a way that will cripple their chances at becoming a successful adult. It’s a powerful fear, one that will bring me to my knees faster than just about anything. Last week was one of those weeks, but I’m finally feeling that burden beginning to lift. Phew.
Hoping your week went well, sweet friendlies! Sorry I’ve not been to any of your blogs over the past week, but I’ll get back into the swing of blog reading in the coming days. Much love to you all!
Myndi Shafer 
Yea, Myndi!
Nothing keeps your snarky voice down–at least on the internet, where you have that handy-dandy delete key.
SO glad you took your week to regroup, read, and take care of the important things. I can only imagine the pressure a mom puts on herself when she chooses to home school.
I’ll send L.A. Freeland over. She’s one of my writing buddies who also juggles homeschooling with family with blogging with writing with cooking with…
YOU get the picture. I’m a slug by comparison to you two. BE HAPPY!
The ultimate goal is balance. *hugs* Congrats on finding it. We have all been there, trust me on that one. Much respect for finding your way through and know that you are never alone. Peace, friend, enjoy the new freedom of mind.
Have a great week, Myndi 🙂
Sounds like to me you did a fantastic job with your goals. Nobody ever said you had to focus on every single goal every single week. er, did they? I sure hope not! I’m a miserable failure if so. You accomplished one huge goal that had been nagging at you. That is a success in my book. Job well done I say!
You have your priorities set, and that is a good thing. Kids and family do come first. And at this time in your life, resting and napping are very important. You’ll get back into the swing of things now that you don’t have important issues weighing you down. I’m so glad to see you put yourself first! You set a great example for the rest of us.
My kids have been, and always will be, at the top of any priority list. I don’t care if they’re forty, they’re more important than writing. So I applaud your goals…especially as a home school mom (you, not me…I never had the discipline to do that). So good job on your goal list, Myndi! Sorry I wasn’t one who encouraged you last week but I was so sick with a virus for about ten days, I didn’t visit many blogs either. 😦
I think it’s wonderful that you took some time and got things organized and back on track. It’s hard to move forward otherwise. An investment on YOU is always a good bet. Take care of you and your family first always!
Hi, Myndi. I’m glad you’ve solved the homeschooling issue. You have so much going on in your life right now, and you are accomplishing so much. You’re an inspiration.
Here’s to an excellent week ahead!
Sounds like you took care of the most important goal this week, which is taking care of yourself and family needs. You will bounce back into the writing/blog visiting at your own pace. Have a great week ahead!
I admire you for stepping back and regrouping. It’s vital and so many people don’t do this. Your family is blessed!!
Hi Myndi, I completely understand your schedule. We home schooled our boys and it is a job, but oh how worth every second spent with them. And they grew up to be awesome young men that we and everyone adores. So your spot on with this my dear. Oh we got flack but it worked out great. Now you are in your third trimester right? I hit the wall at that time. You’re doing the right thing by taking the time to rest and care for yourself and that new baby your incubating! 🙂 You’re doing great! Hang in there. That little sucker is going to pop out before you know it.
Goals are fine, Myndi, but priorities are another thing, and you certainly have your priorities in the right places. I applaud your decisions and cheer your successes. Rock on, Little Mamma.
I agree with you, Myndi. Always family first. If they ar happy, you’re happy, and then you can accomplish so much more.
And besides, you’ll never get those childhood moments back. Someday, you’ll look back and you won’t have any regrets.
You go, Mom! 🙂
*waving hiiiiiiiiiiiii**
Missed you (oh, and your link on the Linky Tools has gone kapowie for some reason, I had to come find you myself.
I’m so proud of you that you disconnected. I have a hard time with that, for all the same reasons as most of us (the dreaded SHOULD word being toward the top of the list).
Hey, message me in Twitter and tell me when your due date is, OK?!
You so did the right thing girl. So proud of you. The kids and hubby should always come first. Kick me and remind me of that from time to time, won’t you? Just kidding. So glad you think you have found your balance. I hope it is true. Never feel bad if you find you need more time at any point down the line. ❤