Private "I"

My one-room schoolhouse

Following week one of home schooling, I am in serious need of some alone time. It doesn't have to be in large chunks, but I could really use a bit of private time, alone, to myself, for just me, with no one else, for maybe 45 minutes every afternoon. That would be bliss. People are here. All the time. And they talk. All the time. I love these people, but...I really do need some private time.

During the course of this first week, I've been able to ferret out some other secrets that may help me be successful this year. Here's what I've learned:

• We need a box of kleenex in the school room (not that there's a LOT of crying).


• We need a garbage can in the school room (for all the used kleenexes).


• We probably should have a clock in there somewhere.


• I need to start interviewing possible substitute teachers so I can have my life back once in awhile.


• I will just have to turn a blind eye to Stephanie's consumption of large quantities of cheetos, oreos, juice boxes, and gumballs, since they are extremely useful in occupying her attention.

Actually, things have gone very well this week and I still feel very positive about doing home school. Yes, there has been a teensy bit of crying, quite a lot of kleenex use (for drippy noses), and an unprecedented amount of cheetos in the dining room, but I'm learning to cope.