Dear Homeschooler, I have no patience

Throw back picture to when my monsters were littler

Dear Homeschooler,
I have watched homeschoolers from afar and honestly, it never appealed to me. As much as I love my own children, being with them all day everyday isn’t good for any of us. I am not what you call a patient person. I am happy that they get to go to school all day long with terrific and patient teachers. Teachers that love to answer their thousand questions, and explain things over and over again. I am just not cut out to do that. During the summer I have to find extra activities to keep us all busy. During the lockdown EVERYTHING is cancelled. We have nowhere to go and nothing to do besides the school work assigned by the school. I think we all might kill each other. I wish I was more patient, but I’m just not. Do you have any help for someone like me?
Signed,
Monster Mommy (at least that is how I feel sometimes)

Ripping off the mask, none of us are as we appear. 

Dear Monster Mommy,
I 100% totally understand! Can you believe that I am not a patient person either? There is an assumption that everyone that homeschools has a plethora of natural patience just woven in every fiber of their being. Truthfully, I have cried many o’ tears over my lack of patience. I have said it before, and I will say it again, homeschooling takes the very worst of yourself and shoves it in your face on a daily basis. I have wished that my kids could skip off to school and spend their days with lovely teachers that never raise their voice and always answer kindly.

Just for the record, I don’t think you are a monster. I think you might just be way more normal than you currently realize. Ether 12:27 is our scripture of the year. I am sure you are probably familiar with it. “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

This scripture has given me so much peace and comfort as I struggle on the daily with having more patience. Honestly this time will probably be a time for you to face your weaknesses whatever they may be. If you are doing it right, you will probably spend a lot more time on your knees than you have in the past. You might have to put yourself in timeout multiple times a day. But I promise that as you seek the gift of patience and ask the spirit to be with you, you will gain the strength that you need. The scripture says that His grace is sufficient.

We know that grace is the enabling power of the atonement. None of us can do it without that power we receive from our Savior. HIS grace is sufficent--we aren't. It is in our lack that we seek to become whole by partnering with Christ. Make this a daily habit, and hourly habit, an every minute habit to ask for His grace, and you will see miracles.

And when you mess up, because as humans, that is how we learn, remember that earth life is forgiveness school. You and your children are learning the most important lessons there are. We are in this together sister! You are not alone.

Much love,
Homeschooler