Well, it’s that time of year again.  And here in Ontario as the days grow shorter, the nights grow colder (and longer) and winter descends like that ugly, old gray blanket you keep in the trunk of the car for emergencies.  Many experience the ‘winter blues’ this time of year.  Tis the Seasonal Affective Disorder.  This is a very real condition that I myself have struggled with since moving to a northern climate many years ago.  It is known more commonly as SAD.  Talk about a label nobody wants to be stuck with.  I mean, seriously sad?  Are you kidding me?  Couldn’t anyone come up with a more creative and certainly less depressing handle than that?  What about SDHD, Sunshine Deficit Hypo-activity Disorder?  Ah well, whatever works.

Home educators, often stay at home moms (SAHMs), parents and/or caregivers,  are certainly not immune to this all too common malady.  In fact, it might even exacerbate the issue since we spend so much time indoors, not having to go outside because, “Baby, it’s cold outside!”  So a couple years ago I invested in a Happy Light as a means of grabbing a few extra UVs of artificial sunshine.  P.S. For those considering this option for yourself, let me say that it actually does help.  I found mine at Costco for less than $75.  Worth every penny.  Definitely not a cure-all, but coupled with vitamin D drops and very occasional light exercise… Okay, a walk around the block; I simply walk around the block and it only takes me about 15 minutes.  And that’s all I can bear because I can’t stand being cold!  I am a complete freeze-baby.  So I mostly hibernate all winter.

My point is this: I am a homemaking, homeschooling, stay-at-home mom who dislikes winter, can’t stand the cold and dreads the short dark days of winter that seem. so. long.

BUT I find my hope in Jesus who is the Light of the world!

Thankfully, apart from feeling noticeably more tired than I do during the ‘sunny season’, the ‘dark season’ this year has been pretty manageable for me, so far.  It’s more like the winter snooze than the winter blues *yawn*.  Ever feel tired of feeling tired?  I know I do, pretty much all winter long, so I’m with ya!

But it is also not uncommon for home schooling parents to get tired of teaching.  Trying to be your children’s source of all knowledge is exhausting (and impossible BTW).  So quit teaching.  Let the Holy Spirit do that.  He’s better at it than you and I anyway!  And don’t let being rundown get you down.  Rest in His grace.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…  Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”                    – Isaiah 40:29, 31a

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”                             –Galatians 6:9.    

My advice?  Remain stalwart in your studies, bold in your beliefs and creative in your approach.  Let kids be kids!  Live life together.  Enjoy each other’s company.  Communicate… and create… and experience… and contribute… and respond… and rejoice… and… this is called living.  It is also called learning.

And this living and learning is what we call a Living Education.

© Una-Melina // Worthy Books & Things, 2012.