What do you think hinders your work as a homeschooler? Or, what keeps you from doing the job the way you want to do it?
Blessings,
Christine

Right now, my list could be very long!! This school year I have been hindered by selling a house, packing, moving, living in someone else's house, not knowing where our resources are around here, health problems, etc. Pretty long list!

But in a "normal" year (do we have those anymore?) I have felt hindered by various things every year. Schedules that get out of control. Friends who don't respect our school schedule and call during the day. People who ask me to do things for them because "you're home all day so you have time". And now my new challenge, which has nothing to do with moving, is dealing with my now-graduated son on his day off of work. I thought, since he was homeschooled himself, he would understand our need for quiet during the school day, but apparently I thought wrong and he can be our biggest distraction!

Sometimes what hinders me is my own lack of planning or lack of self-control. I don't plan how to fit everything in (school, chores, errands, etc) so when things need to be done, I fall into survival mode trying to keep up. But when I plan and stick to a routine, things go more smoothly. Or I have a plan, but choose not to follow it because I'd rather stay on the computer a little longer, or finish reading my book when I should be helping the girls with school. Then it's my own lack of self-control that gets in the way.

Okay, Christine, so fess up, what hinders you?

I guess what hinders me is myself. My motivation. Been doing this for 10yrs+ and the little distractions of phone calls, grandparents dropping by, discipline issues, etc. I can handle. I do plan during the summer and set up what I call "guidelines" to stay on track with what needs to get done for the year. But I am seeing lots more days and weeks off here and there where I feel 'blah' or unmotivated. I think its because I had to drop my weekly ladies Bible study in Nov, but today I will be joining one (hence the highly motived mood, and posting to a few o my fav sites).

Wow, I am so relieved that I am not the only one
that is hindered by myself and my lack of self-control and motivation. You have encouraged me
soooo much. I am not bad I am normal!!! Thank You Jesus!

Sometimes "tyranny of the urgent" in our work is a hinderance. Sometimes it is my lack of discipline in keeping my priorities right. And sometimes it is discouragement that is a hinderance. The feeling of not accomplishing my goals for my children is a real source of discouragement at the moment. And constantly feeling "behind," that is discouraging.

It seems that we never end up having what I would call a "normal" school year. We seemed plagued by sickness, interruptions, work issues, discipline issues and just plain old-fashioned discouragemnt that leads to giving up instead of persevering.

My temper. Both of my kids have special needs and they require a lot of patience, something I'm not very good at. But I'm really trying and always asking for God's help.

All 3 of us (me and my daughters) are highly distractible. Talk about a mismatch in homeschooling! Somehow we all survive, the work gets done. But the house? Doesn't get clean so easily. Not unless my dh steps in and helps. He really takes his "head of the home" position seriously and is not a workaholic either!

I tell people my kids may be dirty, but they're smart.