Confessions of an Extroverted Homeschool Mom

Is it just me, or are there like THOUSANDS of blog posts about introverts who homeschool? 

I’m not complaining. I imagine it is very hard to be an extreme introvert while homeschooling.  The kids are always around.  You have to find groups for them to socialize in.  It can be tough.  I love reading Simple Homeschool’s blog.  The founder of Simple Homeschool is an introvert.  She has written multiple posts about  homeschooling as an introvert.  Last December, she even put together an Introvert’s Mom’s Advent Calendar with little activities for introverts to do each day in order to recharge themselves.  I hear it was very popular. 

First of all, this is not a blog to roast introverts. Introverts are some of my favorite people.  I’m married to an EXTREME Introvert.  My college roommate is an introvert.  My roommate from overseas is an introvert.  I like them.  They let me talk.  Usually.

Also,  homeschooling is difficult.  Whether you have blonde hair or brown, like coffee or tea, roll toilet paper over or under, teach classically or unschool, have an extroverted or introverted personality… homeschooling is difficult.

Since Extroverted-Homeschooling-Blogger-Moms seem to be in the minority, I am going to step up today and be their voice. (This is totally a self-nomination.)

I’m not really that outgoing.  I don’t have a gazillion friends (but you can read here about some of my closest friendships.) I’m not the life of the party.  But I am an extrovert. 

The word extrovert comes from the Latin extro (outside) and vertere (to turn).  Extroverts turn to the outside for motivation and recharging. Introverts turn inside.

Every once in a while someone hears that I'm an extrovert, AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE ME. 

 

Evidence that I am an Extrovert:

Exhibit A

I was 2 years old.  My mom was incredibly sick with the flu.  She put the tv on for me and tried to take a nap on the couch.  What she got was a toddler staring her straight in the face pleading, “Don’t leave me, Mommy!”

Exhibit B

If I was sick in high school, I would sometimes stay home by myself while my parents went to work.  As soon as my mom came home I would follow her around the house for hours, even though I felt bad. I just needed the company.

Exhibit C

In college, every time my roommate left to take a shower, I would leave our dorm room and find someone else to talk to.



I’ve calmed down a little in my old age. Things are quieter here in the country.  I can’t just walk ten feet to the next door neighbor’s house to borrow a cup of sugar.  Now I have to walk through a cornfield or jump on the golf cart for a farm fresh egg.  Did I mention my husband is an EXTREME introvert?  I can’t full on extrovert him when he comes home from work. He needs time to sit in his little cocoon and process the day. The point is… I’m calmer.  Usually.

But there are some reasons why an extremely extroverted personality can make homeschooling challenging.



Mini Me and I are suffering from Cabin Fever

1. Extreme extroverts are easily distracted. 

 I spend too much time scrolling facebook on my phone when I’m waiting for my kids to finish assignments.  I just want to know what's going on in the world.  If you text me during the school day, I will probably answer you.  If you call me, I may just answer the phone.  I sometimes live in a fantasy world- I’m pretty sure I live in Stars Hollow with the Gilmore Girls.  I still have a crush on Calvin O'Keefe, and I can make myself cry thinking about Matthew Cuthbert.  Any time I see an injustice in the world, it reminds me of my loathing for Professor Umbridge.  Anyway, if I’ve been reading before school starts, it is super hard for me to want to get started with our school day.  I also have a difficult time staying on task when there are so many characters living in my head.  Let me be clear, book characters are not a great substitute for real live people spending time with me, but they help.  (It’s kinda like switching from sugar to stevia in my coffee… not quite the same, but it’ll do.)

2. The feeling of loneliness is my nearly constant companion. 

I’m rarely by myself, but I feel like I’m alone.   I love my children, but they do not fulfill my need of people.  I’m sure that other extroverts may feel differently than I do, but I have fairly specific needs that have to be met before I feel like I’m not alone: I need to be with an adult who is genuinely happy spend quality time with me.  I spend my day trudging through school subjects that my children may or may not want to study.  This is not what I would call quality extrovert time. 

3. It is easy for me to be depressed when I feel alone. 

It is hard to be a good teacher when I’m depressed.  Do you see the cycle here?

There are also a lot of great extroverted attributes that make homeschooling easier for me.

1. When I get that feeling of loneliness, it reminds me to draw back to God. 

James 4:8 says, "Come near to God, and He will come near to you."  I have found that to be true in my life.  And when I spend time with my heavenly Father, I am a better teacher.  A better person.  A better friend.  Please don’t get me wrong- Introverts are great at this, too.  It is much easier for them to just “Be still and know He is God.” I’m just explaining how God gets my attention.

2. I live for community days! 

We are part of Classical Conversations, which meets at a church once a week.  I’ve been subbing in the morning for Foundations and tutoring Essentials in the afternoon.  I tell you what… when we get home we are all exhausted.  But I feel more alive than I have all week. 

Our Essentials Class is learning how to write a Bibliography

3.  The need for community also drives me to open my home for tutoring and classes. 

My absolute favorite class I teach is Shakespeare Camp.  I love having people in my home.

Devotions at the Cross during Shakespeare Camp

What To Do If You Are An Extroverted Homeschooling Mom

1. Draw near to God.  He's the only one who can fill the void of loneliness you may feel.

2.   Put your kids in classes.  Stay and have some coffee with the other adults. Go to the library.  Go on Field Trips! Have school at McDonald's or Starbucks one day.  GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

 

 

3. Join an adult Bible study or a class.  I just joined a dance aerobics class.  It's great fun!

4. Have playdates!

5. Be sensitive to your children’s personalities.  I have two extroverts and one introvert.  They need different things. 

6.  Be sensitive to your Introverted friends. They love you.  Just differently.

Four of my attendants are introverts.  They love me. I tell them so all the time. :)

Any other Extroverted Homeschool Moms in the House?!