Homeschooling through grief

This is a difficult topic.  Grief is like a worm, or a virus.  You never know what button will cause it to rear its ugly head.  You are fine one minute, the next having a melt down because you are taking one of the last Tylenol from the bottle your mom bought for you when she worked at the hospital (of course the employees can buy those huge bottles for just about $2).  For those who may not know, my mom died of lung cancer this past July.

I don't think all grief is equal.  If the loss were a child, or a spouse, I think it would be a whole lot worse.  I had an entire year to "prepare" for the passing of my mom.  Whatever that means.
And still, I felt like I was walking through a fog.  I desperately wanted my kids to feel some stability, but at the same time allow them to see that it is ok to mourn, and go through a grieving period.  We don't have to be super moms and do it all perfect all the time.  Homeschooling gave us the freedom to have a really lousy year. We made up for it with some double lessons later.  But it gave all of us the chance to grieve and have the down time needed, and just to be around one another was a comfort.

My mom had a gambling problem, and so did the man she was married to, so they never had any money.  I have nothing of hers to remember her by.  I have a very few things she gifted me with (her love language); the pan she used to bring over some treat- "just keep it", the cookie press she loaned me- "you will use it more than I will", some really nice pampered chef place mats, napkins, napkin rings and table runner.  I think she must have won a few thousand that time.

I don't exactly know what to tell someone else going through a loss.  It is hard.  You feel alone.  Others let you down, either by not doing what they said they would, or not doing what you think they should.  They don't know what to say, they say the wrong thing, or nothing (maybe worse!)

Love on your kids.  It helps.  Try and stick to some amount of routine, it helps them and you.  Don't push to hard at school.  There will be time later.  Spend the emotional time bonding with them through the worst of it- they will be strengthened by it. Try and have some fun with them.  Maybe take a break from the real school and do a non fussy unit or just read some good books. You just might be surprised at what good therapy good books can be.  And cheap!  The Lord will supply you will all your needs, if you can trust to lean on Him.  Sounds cliche, but having been through a bit of it myself, I feel that I can say that.