Sometimes you just have to give up!
Accepting failure is never easy, but there are times when there is no choice but to wave the white flag of surrender and admit defeat. When you’re licked, you’re licked.
And I have definitely been defeated. The homeschooling mess is here to stay and there is nothing I can do about it, so I’m learning to accept it. And that’s okay.
Books and pencils, maps and math manipulatives, while beautiful in that scholarly, doing-what-I’m-supposed-to-be-doing-for-the-good-of-my-children sort of way, have never been my idea of charming decor. I don’t particularly like looking at spiral notebooks, random paperbacks, and binder spines. I don’t see anything particularly pretty about flashcards, pencil boxes, and Play-Doh containers.
I’ve done everything in my power to try to beautify it. Or to hide it! Neither has worked.
I searched for the perfect cabinet to contain it all. One with doors! But I never found it.
I accepted the inevitability of open shelving, but I wanted a certain size to fit in a certain place. I couldn’t find that either.
Then I decided I would use pretty containers like baskets or wooden bins. But…yikes! I could have ordered a custom-built cabinet for what some of those were going to cost me!
In the end, with a painful grimace I broke down and purchased stackable plastic cubbies.
Plastic…ugh. To my thinking, plastic containers should be hidden in my cupboards or under my children’s beds. I. Hate. Plastic. Furniture. Sometimes, however, necessity begs for compromise.
Sigh. So I couldn’t make the homeschooling stuff pretty. Okay, I could still work for inconspicuous.
Yeah, well that hasn’t worked out either. My cubbies still couldn’t contain everything, so I consoled myself by purchasing a couple of tolerably attractive baskets to corral the overflow. All they’ve done is take up more floor space. And my “inconspicuous” spot for the stacked cubbies has never been inconspicuous at all. It’s been very much visible and very much in the way and I have never, ever been satisfied with it.
So just the other day, in the midst of FINALLY filing away everything from the school year we just completed, I reorganized and relocated it all. It’s still in my kitchen, since that’s where we seem to school most often, but now the homeschooling stuff is FRONT and CENTER! There’s no concealing it and there was no effort put into beautifying it either.
Because I am a homeschooling mom. I have embraced that fact with my whole heart and soul and I am pouring myself into educating and loving my children. Unfortunately, some homeschool mess goes along with that. But if a little mess and less-than-ideal decor are a natural part of the package, then I need to learn to embrace that as well!
It’s not pretty per se, but I’m nevertheless proudly displaying random books and pencils and homeschooling odds and ends for all to see. No more hiding it or trying in vain to dress it up. Just like a seamstress’s sewing machine and notions or an avid hunter’s gun cabinet and gear, the mess is a part of whom I am.
And you know what? I’m learning to like it!
I'm sure you will find something to contain it all. Probably when you least expect it too. For now, at least it looks neat and tidy. 🙂
Maybe someday! Until then, I'm learning to be content with it!
So glad you stopped by! 🙂
Same here what to do with it all…And cabinets with doors are hard to come by and expensive. I find when folks drop by..they seem to be interested in looking at all the books and material…So it must not be as bad as it seems 😉
I'm sure my "homeschool mess" looks much worse to ME than it does to anybody else! Sometimes it just means being willing to accept reality and be content with it. One thing's for sure–it's mess with an important purpose, so it's a mess I ought to value! 😉
it's all about acceptance, giggle. It's easy access too. Thank you for sharing at the hop xo
For me, it's been about learning that everything can't be perfect. And that's okay! And thank you sooo much for the opportunity to share!
O I remember those days. 🙂 I bought each of my girls (3) a plastic bin thing to put under their bed and like you said it didn't all fit. lol! Believe me though, I miss those days now that mine are all grown. Learn to love the little messes because once the kids are gone you wish you could relive those days. Cherish every moment! God Bless! 🙂
I know you're right and so I'm doing my best to keep my priorities in place! The messes don't really matter. Actually, they're evidence of God's incredible blessings on us!
Hey there! Here from the Blog Hop! Just wanted to let you know I'm following you via GFC! Hope you'll get a chance to check me out!
Blog url
http://www.croppedstories.blogspot.com
So nice to "meet" you! Thanks for stopping by! I'll be sure to return the favor! 🙂
Stopping over from The Better Mom – your post made me smile this morning. Keeping our books and supplies handy and in plain sight works best for us, too. If it's behind closed doors, or if you have to open a door to put it away, it won't happen.
Homeschooling is part of our life, our lifestyle, so is the 'mess' that goes with it.
FWIW, I like your cubbies! Happy Schooling 🙂
Thank you sooo much! You're making me feel a little bit better about my mess. 🙂 It's definitely a mess for a worthy cause!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great post! It's so true too. I can never keep the house picked up real well with all the books, paper, pencils, and other things homeschool related laying around. It's a never ending battle, but I'm okay with that. I'd rather have my kids here at home. Stopping by from Titus 2 Tuesday link up.
I have to confess, my house is NEVER really as clean and organized as I'd like for it to be, but I try to remember they'll be plenty of time for all of that later. Like you, I'd rather focus on what matters most FIRST!
So glad you came by today!
You're not the only one embracing the mess! Thanks for sharing.
It's comforting to know I'm not alone! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by!
Love this! I have learned to let a lot go over the past 4 years of homeschooling. Embracing the mess is a good way to put it 🙂
Learning to "let it go" has been a BIG challenge for me, but it's been worth it!
Thank you so much for dropping by!
I love it when I go to other homeschoolers' homes and I see the "mess". It means children live a full life and are learning learning learning and have so much to do! Life is messy, and its okay. 🙂
Amy – http://thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
I have to agree! I think there's some truth to what they say–a perfectly kept house is a sign of a misspent life!
Planning to visit Hmmmschoolingmom soon! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in!
As a 17 year homeschooling veteran, I often had to remind myself that my house could never compare to some of my friends' houses, because ours was LIVED IN 24/7. I could have a neat house, but I'd be missing the best parts of my life — my children! Believe it or not, one day your home will stay neat and you'll wish for a little more mess. (Just a little, though 🙂
I remind myself of that often, Lori! Someday my house will be nice and clean and quiet and I'll be wishing for some of the noise and chaos and mess. It's evidence of such blessing! 🙂
You had me at, "Homeschool Mess". I school in the dinning and the living room – need I say more? There's always some kind of project or craft somewhere and with 6 kids, well, let's just say I'm not expecting much change until my baby (who's only 8 months) finishes homeschool 🙂 Happy Homeschooling!
It's a mess, but one with good purpose! I suppose we'll both just have to learn to deal with it the best we can because it's not going anywhere anytime soon! 🙂