Today’s a big deal for quite a few of my cousins, I won’t name names for law purposes (ha). But for me it’s a normal Monday with half a day of work followed by learning with a first and fourth grader. Honestly, I don’t know how essential workers are teaching their kids and surviving with work. I feel like I’m constantly drowning! So thank you for being essential and kicking ass at the same time at home with your kids.

Before all of this started, I honestly was debating homeschooling my first grader. He was struggling in school and it was truly breaking my heart. He would work so hard and his grades still weren’t good enough. He was frustrated, tired and in tears most nights. I didn’t blame the school, the teacher, or even myself, but I knew that he needed help. His teacher and I had a conversation before Spring Break about how we could both help him more to achieve his reading goals and I was looking forward to it all. I was super optimistic that everything was going to work out. Now, it’s been over a month that I’ve had to teach my little first grader at home and it has been the most draining and rewarding experience! Without a set in stone schedule, he’s been thriving so much! He misses his teacher and friends, but the balance of school life and home life has become a big factor for him. He’s reading better and even excelling in his math, more than he was at school. Of course, all kids learn at different rates, it just took a quarantine to help my muy guapo learn how to pace himself. So even though I can assure you I’m not teacher material, it’s made me so confident in preparing him for the (hopefully!) second grade come August. I can’t thank the teachers that do this on a daily and that have been providing us with all of the resources during these difficult times. If it weren’t for our teacher sending out information and videos, I’d definitely be questioning my lack of first grade knowledge!

Now, enough about first grade, how about those middle school fourth graders? Our school district is different and put my baby (that’s not a baby!) in the middle school before mama was ready. It has definitely been a challenge being in a new school, but it was going smoothly. He was making good grades and after constant bugging, finally learning how to slow down on his work so he wouldn’t make small errors. So how is it that now, he’s completely going backwards! He’s rushed through assignments and putting off school work and it’s driving me nuts! I’d have to say, I’m proud that there haven’t been too many tears shed throughout this time. Is it bad to say I’m ready for summer? Because I could use a vacation. Is that even going to be allowed? Gosh, I sure hope so!

Lastly, my tiny terror. My three-nager is driving me NUTS! He’s my last little and trust me when I say, I’ve done everything against the books. Everything that I did with my other two, it all changed when Lucas Q came in. He’s not potty trained and still co-sleeps. (Insert gasping Karens now) I know that he “needs” to be potty trained and in his own bed. But, I’ve just enjoyed his little long legs kicking me in the back most nights. I enjoy poop diapers. NO KAREN, I DON’T! But I don’t think I’ve ever met a child as stubborn as mine. He is as independent as he wants, talks up a storm and does everything he can to get his way. I’m trying guys, but this quarantine is definitely something to not complain about.

I’ve enjoyed hauling my kids to grocery pickup and late dinners. I’ve enjoyed the slow down of life. The long hair and last minute changes to bed time. Everyone can say that it’s a lot because hell yes it is, but this my friends, is what everyone needed. Even if you don’t know it yet.

Trying to stay sane

xoxo

Sunset