Homeschool Tip #3 - Avoid Addictions

How do you know if you are addicted to something (or some habit)?
Technically, there are several signs:
1 - Withdrawal symptoms - the patient has physical and mood-related symptoms. There are cravings, bouts of moodiness, bad temper, poor focus, a feeling of being depressed and empty, frustration, anger, bitterness and resentment.
2 - Social and/or recreational sacrifices - some activities are given up because of an addiction to something.

3 - Obsession - an addicted person may spend more and more time and energy focusing on ways of getting hold of their substance, and in some cases how to use it.

4 - Denial - a significant number of people who are addicted are in denial. They are not aware (or refuse to acknowledge) that they have a problem.

5 - Excess consumption - in some addictions, the individual consumes it to excess. 

Now why in the world do I bring up addictions related to homeschooling?  Do I think the pressures cause some to revert to drugs or alcohol?  Well, possibly, although I have yet to come across anyone yet.  But I do know of a significant number of homeschooling Moms with an addiction problem - addicted to electronic communications, that is.  They absolutely cannot go more than 15-30 minutes without checking their phone (see point 5 above - some cannot go more than 5 minutes).  Many cannot plan or implement a lesson without hours and hours on Pinterest.  Many are so tied to facebook that they constantly change their minds about what they are supposed to be doing based on what others have (or have not) posted.  More time is spent on perfecting an Instagram photo than was spent on the art project itself.  

Yes, addiction.  Addiction to data.  Addiction to electronics.  Addiction to wanting the "perfect life".  I've been there, done that.  And as a recovering addict, I can easily see the symptoms in others who have yet to realize that they are either addicted to social media, pinterest, electronic "communication" (I use that word in quotes purposefully), or just the need for instantaneous gratification by posting every move they make to try to get validation of their work.  or worth.  or acceptance.  Believe me when I tell you - it's a sad life with lots of wasted time.  

Why do we blog, post, instagram, tweet?  To get attention.  or validation.  Forgetting all the while that we are never worthy.  But the Creator and Master of the universe loves us anyway.  So much better than 500 "friends" hitting the "Like" button or 2,000 people retweeting our comment.  Enough said.  I have to get back to my recovery meeting.  With my Mentor.  HE is also my role model.  Let's help each other to recover by pointing each other to the One who wrote the code of our lives.  He's always ready to help us over our addictions.  

Homeschool "Tip" #2 - The Comparison Game

“How much time he gains who does not 

look to see what his neighbour 

says or does or thinks,
but only at what he does himself,
to make it just and holy.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations


Once upon a time there were two homeschooling Moms. One was organized, detailed and precise. The other was creative, innovative, and gracious. Organized Mom felt quite superior, "Look how much better my home and yard look than hers." Creative Mom glanced across at her neighbor and thought "Oh, she is so pitiful - her children do not even play with playdough!" Outwardly they smiled and waved, inwardly they both grew in self-righteousness.

But over the days and weeks Creative Mom had one - then two - then three-in-a-row of "those" days. She sighed as she struggled to color code her paints and date order her children's math pages so that she would be more like Organized Mom and spend less time hunting for things. She still smiled and waved across the fence, but inwardly she steamed, "She has it so easy because she is naturally organized and doesn't have to deal with the chaos I have with three little boys!"

On the other side of the fence, Organized Mom was facing her fourth day-in-a-row of "those" days. Baby had spilled not only his own food, but big sister's drink and used the markers to draw on the walls, while oldest sister, almost a teen, whined constantly about being bored. She sighed heavily and said "Oh, my neighbor has it so easy because she always has creative ideas and doesn't freak out with spills like I do."

And every day they smiled and waved across the fence amidst their frustration of comparison.


“Peter must have thought, "Who am I compared to Mr. Faithfulness (John)?" But Jesus clarified the issue. John was responsible for John. Peter was responsible for Peter. And each had only one command to heed: "Follow Me." (John 21:20-22)”
― Charles R. Swindoll