I'm not one for New Year resolutions. I always go into the year thinking about the things that I'd like to do better though. This year I have quite the list. I even bothered to write it down. I have no idea whether or not I'll accomplish my goals, but I'm off to a good start I think. I think it helps that I chose to do things that I should already be doing, but may have, for one reason or another, let them slip. It also helps that Brandon and I, without even talking about it, were already on the same page. Gotta love it when it's inspired huh? Makes it that much more worth while.
We're still undecided about what we're going to do. One day it feels right to get out of the Marine Corps and the next day it doesn't. I know we still have a bit of time to decide, but it feels like it's something that needs to be decided YESTERDAY. Please pray that the answer will soon reveal itself so that we can finally have peace.
I have a confession to make. I failed. I gave up. I'm a loser. It started with Spencer. He shut down on me. He wouldn't do anything. He cried about everything. So I asked him, "Spencer, do you miss public school?" He started bawling and said "YESSSSSS!" So I sent him back. I struggled with Stephen and Sebastian, but I wasn't going to give up yet. The fact that they saw homeschooling as a free ride or vacation is a mystery to me. We did work most everyday. Some times we let it slip for something else. Isn't that the beauty of homeschooling? But as each week passed, it became more and more of a struggle to get them to work. I fought internally with leaving the traditional type of educating and leaning more towards the Thomas Jefferson Education theory's or Charlotte Mason ideas and concepts. But I just couldn't take that leap yet. So on we battled. The constant battle and the dread of each day was what got me thinking about sending the other two back to school as well. That and Stephen's CONSTANT picking on his brothers. That alone was enough for me to want to ship him off to Siberia. OH. MY. GOSH. is he relentless. But regardless, I threw in the towel and sent them back to school. My house is once again peaceful. I can't tell you how sad it makes me to know that I'm not up to the challenge. I wish I knew what was wrong with me that I can't seem to handle it.
The holidays were a blur. They passed quickly and uneventfully. I'm hoping to do things differently this year. I'd really like to focus of service for the months of November and December. I would like to find a soup kitchen or something like that to serve in on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think it will help them focus less on themselves and more how some people are going without. That's the plan. Not sure it will work with all the little ones in tow.
Speaking of little ones. Sadie isn't going to be the baby of the family for much longer. Come September number seven is joining our family. Keeping our fingers crossed for another sweet girl. Or maybe even TWO! :)
5 comments:
Letting go of homeschooling should in no way be viewed as "failure"! I really think it works well with certain personality combos and in certain situations. "Failure" would have happened had you failed to realize it wasn't working for you and your kids! In this day and age and country we are fortunate to have options! You are a wonderful mother, a great teacher and a super woman! Congrats regarding the new Bean!
CONGRATULATIONS! Exciting times. So how far along are you?
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, either. I did a short blog entry on that about a year ago (kadrakirsten.blogspot.com). I also blogged a couple of weeks ago on the "strings in the stocking" tradition!
Aaaaah!! Congratulations I am so happy for you guys! I was waiting to hear this news sometime soon! We are catching up to you with us getting number 6 this month. Maybe we will even pass you soon! Hehehe!
Much love--
Janice
I am finding that using technology is my benefit. I found games for the wii, either through the internet or on disc that are right up James' alley. For Jayden I picked up JumpStart learning. I have also found that Jayden is much more willing to do her work if it's in a game or with physical cards she can hold, like rhyming puzzle pieces and flash cards with cubes to count. It's taken me three and a half years to get to this point. It may just be you aren't to the point yet where you have found what will work for your kids. Try some different stuff this summer and see what you can come up with, you never know. I know I'm one that NEVER saw myself as a homeschooler.
Okay, encouragement from a mom with an elementary education degree, who thought about homeschooling her kids, but did not.
It's not a failure to send your kids to public school. There is good and bad about both. With all our moves, it has helped my kids learn the art of making friends, and being able to walk into a classroom full of strangers with confidence. I think it's helped their social self confidence, for sure.
And dont forget, you have every opportunity to supplement teach. You can still go on field trips, still talk about things at home that relate to their school work, still offer plenty of learning opportunities. Just see it as the school helping YOU teach your children a well rounded education, not the other way around.
Congrats on the baby! I cant wait to find out about Sadie's sister(s)!
Judy
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