Ordinary Homeschool Days – Monday Morning

It’s Monday morning. I poured my first cup of coffee and checked email, then Facebook. Three different moms were complaining (in a smart and witty way of course) about the painful Monday morning rush to get their kids to school.

I smiled to myself just a little. I don’t mind Mondays at all.

I’m not trying to be excessively happy or annoyingly  chipper.  No one has ever called me chipper.  But, honestly? Monday mornings are luxurious compared to what they were when my kids went to school. I think it’s funny that people assume that my life is more difficult because my kids are home. People assume that homeschooling is grueling torture that only a self-sacrificing, pain-loving mother would choose.

I’m quiet selfish and avoid pain as a rule.

I didn’t even set my alarm last night. How’s that for luxury? I woke up when I was done sleeping (around 7:30). My girls woke up when they were ready and did their own thing. The Adventurer immediately started writing, the Butterfly made herself some breakfast and watched a few episodes of How It’s Made.  The Princess (soon to be 6) slept in.

The typical day for me no longer includes dragging anyone to the bus stop. It doesn’t requires me to wrestle a teen out of bed early. I don’t have homework fights at night. I occasionally have a math argument, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

It’s not always peaceful here, of course. Sometimes it’s loud and terrifying.

So far today (it’s still early) there was reading and writing. There was perfume making. We talked about “perfumery concepts” and how to mix top notes, base notes and heart notes to create a unique fragrance. We talked about where scented oils come from. They sniffed at least 15 different designer perfumes and then created their own from a kit.

Today, I was learning along with them.

When they were done creating, the younger ones went off to check How It’s Made for an episode about making perfume and make-up. The Adventurer went to work on character sketches for her screen play. It’s a short film, a parody of Life of Pi.

And the cats are busy too.

There will be more learning today. And there will be time with friends. I’ll have to cook and clean and do some of the things I dread.

Still, I think I love Mondays.