The Chaos of Being the Teacher and Dr. Mom

The Chaos of Being the Teacher and Dr. MomJaune

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Homeschool Teacher

Let's talk about the wild ride of being a homeschool mom of three, therapist, analyst, and bearer of several other hats. If I had a penny for every role I play in a day, I could buy a small island and hide there.

Every day, I don my teacher hat and dive into the chaos of educating my kids. It's not just about teaching them; it's about figuring out how to teach each of them. Do they understand the lessons? Am I too strict or too lenient? Are they bored, or am I moving too fast? Do they need a break, a nap, or a small vacation to the Bahamas? And when a concept is "done," is it really done, or are they just nodding or saying "yes" to get me to stop talking?

As a homeschool mother, I've come to see that I'm constantly switching hats between being a mom and a teacher. It's a delicate dance of knowing when to praise, encourage, be firm, push for more, or give a pep talk. Sometimes whether they fully grasp the "pep talk" is less critical than the love and positivity I shower on them in that moment.

Learning Types

Jacki

I discovered that Jacki has an exceptional memory. Whatever explanation I first gave her tended to stick—for better or worse. If I happened to explain something incorrectly, it was like trying to convince a cat that it actually enjoys baths—it just wouldn't wash. Moreover, Jacki insisted on understanding "why it mattered" before committing any concept to memory. I couldn't just toss information at her and hope it stuck; she needed to see the point behind it all.

Once I managed to connect the dots for her, it was like tattooing knowledge onto her brain. On top of that, Jacki thrived on challenges and expanding her understanding. Sometimes, I'd switch roles and let her play teacher while I acted as the clueless student. To solidify her understanding, she'd even tutor her friends and peers on the same subjects.

One of my biggest challenges with Jacki is her epic level of frustration when a new concept just doesn't click for her. Take the infamous box-and-whisker plots, for example. She hit a wall and suddenly turned into her own worst critic, waving the white flag like it was a national defeat day. In these moments, my role morphs into part cheerleader, part problem-solving guru. I've learned that boosting her self-esteem and equipping her with effective strategies are key. Once I break down a concept, I arm her with steps that make future battles with similar problems a bit less daunting, whether she's tackling them solo or with backup.

I've also discovered that relying solely on YouTube tutorials doesn't always cut it. It turns out a little extra reading material goes a long way. As for life lessons, Jacki seems to thrive on real-life examples. That means she's in on adult conversations—not the scandalous kind, but the nitty-gritty talks about everything from business to household dynamics. Now, I know some old-school psychologists might raise an eyebrow at this approach, but seeing firsthand how people react and communicate has been invaluable for Jacki. Sure, there have been a few hiccups along the way, but the maturity she's gained and the confidence she exudes in navigating these situations speak volumes.

In a nutshell, kids like Jacki often benefit from seeing life in action. It's not just about textbook explanations; it's about watching real people tackle real challenges. And hey, if you're still skeptical, just ask Jacki—she's got a knack for asking the kind of insightful questions that keep us all on our toes.

Artsy

Among my three children, Artsy stands out as the most unpredictable learner. Sometimes she appears completely focused and seems to grasp what I'm teaching her. However, if I change up the approach, it becomes clear she's just memorized a pat

tern and doesn't fully grasp the concept. On the bright side, Artsy was an early reader, but understanding the content has been a different story. Due to her limited intraverbal skills, figuring out what she truly comprehends can be tricky. Yet, when I present concepts to her in multiple ways, I start to feel more confident that she's making progress.

For instance, we've tackled addition using Montessori beads, the Soroban method (which involves counting on fingers), ten frames, snap cubes, and various manipulatives. No exaggeration—we cycle through all these methods. While I can't definitively say which one is the best just yet, using manipulatives cubes with small twist containers, focusing on adding and subtracting cubes from them, seems to really click with her. Moreover, teaching her to use her fingers with the Soroban method for mental math is promising; after all, she can count up to 99 using her fingers!

To highlight Artsy's intellect, I would like to introduce Artsy-Moto, the ultimate problem-solving Swiss Army knife of skills. When it comes to door locks, we thought we had her cornered by installing them just out of reach. But Artsy laughs in the face of height differences. If she needs a chair or box to reach those locks, she'll ninja her way to them faster than you can say "secure." And if there's no makeshift ladder in sight, she's not above using a broom to finesse her escape.

We even tried throwing every lock imaginable at our back door—three different types—thinking we could finally contain her. But Artsy? She's like a lock whisperer, unlocking them all with the grace of a pro. Our attempts at security have turned into a game of "catch me if you can."

And let's not forget, Artsy's doing all this with a limited vocabulary. Imagine what she could accomplish with a full grasp of the English language!

Sonny

My most ingenious child is a wizard with patterns, racing through tasks like a turbo-charged rocket. And let's not forget, he's also the reigning champion of rebellion in our household—always keeping me on my toes! What really lights up his world when it comes to schoolwork is the sweet allure of rewards. Whether it's scoring extra screen

time on his cherished tablet or adding another prized train to his collection, he's all about the incentives.

I used to be firmly against the whole reward system thing. My old-school mindset was simple: you learn because you have to, end of story. But lately, I've had an epiphany—it's not just about necessity; it's about fostering that inner spark of motivation. Expecting kids to grasp the importance of learning without a little carrot dangling in front of them... eh, well let's just say I've learned my lesson there!

As they grow and navigate life's twists and turns, I continue to redefine my role as their teacher, discovering what truly matters: equipping them with the skills they need to close the gap. And let me tell you, keeping their sharp-minded dynamo engaged and eager to learn is a rollercoaster ride I wouldn't trade for the world. At times my children make learning look easy, but behind every effortless triumph, there's a proud parent cheering them on because I know their struggles—and mine too!

In Conclusion

In the whirlwind of roles I juggle daily as a homeschool mom to three uniquely talented children, each day brings its own challenges and triumphs. From navigating Jacki's thirst for understanding and Artsy's unpredictable learning style to embracing Sonny's penchant for patterns and rebellion, I've come to realize that homeschooling is not just about imparting knowledge but about adapting and evolving alongside them. It's about finding unconventional ways to teach, celebrating their victories, and lifting them up through their struggles. As I continue to redefine my role as their teacher, I am reminded that the journey of learning is as much theirs as it is mine—a journey filled with surprises, growth, and endless love.