Starting Off Slowly

I decided to start a new blog. I like changing things around often, and often get bored with the same ol,' same ol.'  When I was a kid, cleaning my room took hours, if not the entire day, because I would completely rearrange my room while cleaning. I still often do that in my own house, now.  I just can't leave well enough alone.

When trying to come up with a name for my blog, I found myself with writer's block. I wanted something catchy (in case I ever actually attempt to do this professionally), and yet something meaningful to myself.  After thinking for a while, I decided to look where all answers can be found, Google.  Most of the references were for business blogs, but one site said to think of things you like, then subject matter, then try to marry the two.  Well, I like Disney, but I plan to mostly blog about my experiences as a working homeschooling family, and Disney doesn't fit the bill.  And when I tried to come up with a schooling-themed name, well, let's just say there are no new ideas under the sun.

Finally, I thought about my love for turtles, and kicked that idea around for a while.  "Chasing Turtles" was my first thought, but it's the name of a band, although a small one.  "Running with Turtles" sounded funny, but didn't flow with my (un)planned topics.  Again, off to Google, where I found the quote by Bill Copeland: "Try to be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell."  That described what I want perfectly!  We'll be schooling from the comfort of our own shell, sometimes sticking our necks out, and sometimes pulling them back under cover.  Of course, I'll be discussing "us," not so much "me," so I changed it to "our shell," and voilá, my blog is named!

A shell made of shells!

I'm a first time homeschooler, with my oldest beginning kindergarten in just over a week. I went to the same private school for 14 years, then to a public university for six more; so I have never experienced homeschooling.  My husband was homeschooled for the last three years of high school, but it was quite a while ago, a lot of self-schooling, and not kindergarten. I also work a full 40 hours a week, from home, but not for myself, and on the clock, which means we'll be held to a stricter routine, and my husband may have to help out some days.  Both of these things mean I'll be starting off slowly, mostly from scratch.

I have had little success finding blogs, pins, or any other "helps" for that matter, written from a working AND homeschooling mom's perspective. Most homeschooling moms seem to be stay-at-home moms, and those that do work, work from home in a setting where they set their own schedule.  I daresay, I'm not the only one in my boat, though.

Having said that, if you choose to follow my blog, you may find insight and you may find grief.  I taught in a classroom for eight years, so I know it won't all be easy peasy. I also know there will be days when I'll question my decision, if not my sanity.  However, I'm not a negative person by nature, so expect lots more insight than grief.

So there you have it, a blog from a work-while-stay-at-home mom.  See you in a week for the first day of school.

I promise, there will still be Disney references.