Right now my current issue is nonschool related and more parenting related and my younger ones testing us but it's getting better. In a way I am glad to have them home because I could see my son having a bad teacher relationship with his behavior and possibly my youngest who likes her way and not way.
What is also good about being done early we can do fun stuff in the afternoons. We have painted and I am making a lapbook about dinos with the kids, eventhe oldest would like to make one for fun.
In that past we'd still be doing school until 3PM. It has also helped that I get up early to workout, read a bit of the bible and just have the me time. Hubby and I talked and he says it's due to me getting up early but I think maybe reading the bible has helped too because I got up early before and still had long stressful days. Don't know whose right but all I know this new routine is working and I hope it continues.
I couldn't believe how much more quickly we got done with school. With currently doing 3 and 1/2 programs right now (and no extras), we are still done by 1:10 (lunchtime) or shortly after lunch each day. It makes a HUGE difference in our start and end times and also equips me to feel great about MY day. While most educators that I've known from my early days of teaching (20 years ago) are in major burnout and dragging themselves to teach each day, I still feel hope for the future and contentment in my days instead. I pray the same will be true for you!