Not Selfishness, Self disapline and Self preservation....

For so long I have tried to create an apnosphere for my children to be able to learn and grown in. To no "unschool," but to allow them to learn at their own pace. However after 11 years of homeschooling I don't have it all together yet. This last week I was trying to figure out why I hated homeschooling so much. I was so burned out. I realized I had allowed the children to gradually take control over the schooling time! YIKES! I had forgotten that it is very important for me to take care of me so that I can take of them. I figured that they didn't want to get their school done then they don't get to play. If all they want to do it sit at the table and stare into space till the work is finally complete then fine....the problem with this is my job as teacher NEVER ended and my other duties as wife and mother never began. So I prayed, talked to another homeschooling mom (who by the way had no suggestions, but just listened - this was great because it allowed me to process aloud and not feel like a lunitic) and came up with this discovery. I had allowed my children to control and manipulate my time. Thus I was always finding ways to escape them!
Here is the solution I have come up with and so far it is working. Each child (depending on their load) is given a very reasonable time to be done with school by. During their personal school hours they are welcome to ask me for all the help they need. HOWEVER, when their school hours are done for the day, I am no longer available. They now will have to get their dad or someone else to help them. Also, if this is not something they can do and they do not complete their work they will either sit at the table with their hands folded with nothing to do or do extra chores for me. They do not get free time. Also the work that was incomplete from the day before carries onto the next day and they are required to complete it as well as the current day's work. Last, if this continues to carry on they will have to work on the weekend to complete their school. All activities will be off limits until work is complete. So far, everyone is done by their specified time. Funny how all fun removed can be such a motivator for them as well as a help for me to get things done!