Okay Homeschooling Mommas…we need to chat.
Last week a woman was reading some of my blog posts on Layered Soul and felt like I was one of those amazing homeschooling moms that has it all together. I immediately felt sad because have it all together…I do not.
This is a tragedy…when a reader compares blog life to real life.
[Tweet “This is a tragedy…when a reader compares blog life to real life. @lanestacey #imperfectmom”]
Let me share a little secret with you: most homeschool bloggers are sharing the best parts of their homeschool. We share ideas to help things go smoother, the ideas that can help you understand a new curriculum, and creative ways to do things differently. Occasionally along the way, heart issues will be discussed and sometimes the ugly side of things.
I rarely blog about the ugly side of homeschooling because if I blogged about most of my homeschooling mishaps…I fear new homeschooling mommas would run away, scared of even attempting anything close to homeschooling.
Most homeschooling moms find my blog by doing a Google search and most of the time they are searching for posts on how to organize or teach certain subjects. Not very many moms search for homeschooling catastrophes.
When reading just posts on teaching ideas it can be very easy to think a homeschool blogger has it all together. To be honest, we write those posts for SEO with our best ideas. (I know you do not know what SEO is: that is just blogger talk for how to get Google to show our posts in a Google search.)
If you are reading a new-to-you blogger’s website, I suggest checking them out on other social media outlets, where their humanness comes out. Usually this is where they share the day-to-day struggles. I don’t usually write a blog post about the mishaps of life, but I will post on Facebook or Instagram.
Just yesterday, my husband’s rescue inhaler broke, his refill had expired, and I had to find a doctor on a Sunday to write a new prescription. Then while I was at the pharmacy, a picture frame broke at my house, my daughter cut her hand and then called me to say she was probably going to pass out.
[Tweet “my husband’s rescue inhaler broke, his refill had expired, @lanestacey #imperfectmom”]
So now I am talking with my 10 year old on how to take care of his sister and trying to decide if he needs to wake-up his sick father while getting the pharmacy to put a rush on the inhaler. Hello! S.O.S. I am drowning.
Did I mention while frantically driving home my son asks if I can check to see if Amazon carries Sherlock Holmes? Because he does not have that discernment to know that mom might be in crisis mode right now.
Sometimes I even post pictures of snaking out septic tanks…because who writes about >septic tanks. Oh, wait…I did do that.
Okay I even post pictures of piles of papers I need to grade and a mountain of toilet paper rolls because it seems we are always running out of that stuff at my house. No one ever tells me it is the last roll until I return from the store. (Maybe that should be my next blog post…How to get your kids to change the toilet paper roll and inform mom when it is all gone.
If you have just visited a blog and thought “I am a terrible homeschooling mom…I’ll never measure up!” go right now to your bathroom mirror…and repeat…
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14.
[Tweet “”I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; @lanestacey #imperfectmom”]
If you are still not feeling so fearfully and wonderfully made…take a shower. If you are anything like me, it has probably been a few days since your last shower. While the hot water washes the dirt away…Cast all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
Now when you are reading a new homeschooling blog and you start to compare your worst day with the best day of the blog…go read their social media accounts. If they still seem perfect…well then, come on over and read mine. I am prone to crazy stress following me.
Stacey Lane has been homeschooling for over 15 years. Her four vastly different children lead her to the tagline of her blog, “I Teach the Way They Learn.” Stacey has been blogging for 3 years at LayeredSoul.com. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more real life.
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So, my kids aren’t the only ones without the discernment of mom in crisis mode??? We do need to keep in mind that most of what we see is the ‘good stuff’. And we also need to be able to share the ‘real stuff’ at times.
I really appreciate how you pointed directly to scripture to answer that lie we have all listened to “I am a horrible mother – I’ll never measure up”. I just love that. We can give our own words of truth and encouragement, which is good. But to respond the the actual words of God – now that is simply amazing and brings such healing to the heart.
I LOVE this: “If you are reading a new-to-you blogger’s website, I suggest checking them out on other social media outlets, where their humanness comes out. Usually this is where they share the day-to-day struggles.” This is so very true isn’t it?! LOL You want to see the kiddos covered in mud and the piles of dirty dishes, yep, it’s probably on instagram. I just love the little videos of the babies scattering flour or powder all over the house. It is so REAL. Those are the times that memories are made of.