Well, we did it. The first week was mostly great. We had a few bumps in the road, but that was expected by me. I'm really glad we did "pretend" school all summer long. I think it set me up for success in the long run. So first, I'll talk about the challenges, and then the triumphs.
I think that the hardest part of homeschooling for me is not in the teaching, but my child coming to grips with having to listen to me ALL of the time. I mean, I should have kids that are obedient and listen to me always, but I don't. And since Dottie in particular has gone to school, it hasn't been such an issue, because she's gone most of the day. However, one of my goals with homeschooling is for Dottie and I to have a better working relationship. We often butt heads. And I don't like it. I don't like feeling like I nag my child most of the time that she's home. So with homeschooling, we're together all of the time, she needs to learn from me, so this bristling relationship is something we must overcome. And I know it's going to take time.
Wednesday, things came to a head. We were doing so well on Monday and Tuesday; she was happy, writing, reading, doing everything. Then I kept the kids up too late on Tuesday (they came with me to Young Women's), so Wednesday morning, I awoke to two out of three children crying. Then, learning was met with opposition every step of the way. Plus I didn't feel good, so my patience was thin. I could whine on and on. The day ended with my children being horrific at my husband's boss's change of command (an Air Force ceremony) that I had to haul them away from.
Today went much better. Dottie didn't have the TV on first thing (I've decided that the days we're doing school, the TV needs to be off completely...it is way too distracting for everyone), and she cooperated. I also worked on being less high-strung. Believe it or not, today we got the most things done.
But the triumphs? I love teaching my children. Really. I love knowing what's going on inside their heads all of the time, and I am learning things as well. It is definitely shaping me into the kind of mother I want to be: one who exhibits patience, is thrilled at her children's successes, truly takes joy in her children, but still remains well-organized and in control of things in her home.
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| Ruby...I'm still working on figuring out what to do with her. Serious learning takes place during her naptime. But the craft door has been decorated with stickers, the pantry has been ravaged of graham crackers, Elliot's block towers are occasionally destroyed. But she has been dancing to Wee Sing and Pretend? How long do you think that will last? |
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| Sweet boy writing his letters. |
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| You can't see this very well, but I'm pretty sure he has better handwriting than me. Mine is the top line, his is the bottom. |
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| I love these geometric pattern blocks. Everyone enjoys them. Except for Ruby the Destroyer. |
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| Zoom in, you can see what Thursday's schedule looked like. We actually stuck to it today. Dottie likes to know what we have planned every minute of the day, so this white board is perfect for her. Plus, it keeps me organized. I have a daily log saved on my computer as well of what we did that day, in case the authorities come a-knocking. |
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| I realized that we have acquired many books since we started homeschooling. Luckily, I had this extra shelf in the garage. Ignore the middle shelf...that's just puzzles. |
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| Those blocks are magic! This is what the kids came downstairs to do this morning instead of turning on the TV. |
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| The curriculum from A Well-Trained Mind demands a lot of writing. Dottie is working on a letter to a friend here. |
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| Elliot drew a picture of his favorite summer activity, I wrote the caption on lined paper, "I loved the garden at the Discovery Center," and he copied what I wrote underneath. |
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| Making silver doubloons to trade with for an activity that goes with the history unit on Charles V and his conquests. |