handling it

I still remember the day my husband and I discussed the possibility of homeschooling our kids.

Well, if you think you can handle it... he said.

Of course, I can handle it, went through my brain. I mean, what's to handle?

Silly girl.

Handling it refers to staying relatively calm when:

...your youngest can't solve a page of math problems he could do perfectly well the day before, struggles for a half hour, and then confesses the real reason he's distracted is because the shape of the answer box is different than usual.

...you plan out a great day of exciting information about (insert "new" topic) and do a ton of work getting ready for it, only to have your oldest say (after you're all done) Mom, I already knew all that. I watched a show about it on the History Channel. With Dad.

...you struggle to explain a math concept to your kids in every conceivable way you know how, and Dad walks in, gives the kids an explanation you've already tried, and they get it.

... you try to explain to your youngest that he can't make a teddy bear, an apron, four potholders, a snowman, and a cape out of one yard of Christmas themed fabric...and all the tears in the world will not stretch that fabric to change that reality. I'm. Really. Sorry. Sweetie.

...you have to deal with relatives who a) don't think you're doing enough academics with the kids, but b) want you to drop what you're doing because they need your help during the day. You weren't doing anything anyway...were you?

...and by the way...why don't you answer your phone or email in the morning? Isn't the point of homeschooling that you can be flexible?

...you ask your kids for ideas about what they'd like to learn about next and your eight year old replies You know what I'd like to learn about Mom? The DNA transfer between a rooster and a hen.

...when the class/group/co-op you just joined turns out to be filled with moms who a) make you feel less than because you homeschool differently than them or b) forgot this isn't high school and the popularity contest is over...but you simply have to stay in the class/group/co-op because your kid lives and breathes for their Robotics class.

Ah, yes. Homeschooling. As long as I can handle it.

I think I can handle it...but I'm gonna need more chocolate. :)