It's official. The mid-winter blues have finally affected my blogging. Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know. The weather hasn't been so horrible...just cold. We got a rare glimpse of warm weather last week and it was lovely. Made me want spring to come even sooner. I know, I know, it's coming.
Still, it feels like nothing is going on. I have a case of the humdrums all over the place. Don't know what to cook, don't want to clean up, dragging my feet (BIG TIME) to do school with the boys, hardly whip out my camera lately. Just dull! I feel like I want to rearrange the whole house just to bring some new life to the place.
Today I am deathly ill with a head cold. Rand was home and cleaned up the whole house. He is sick of my "humdrums", I'm sure! :)
I've been struggling with homeschooling majorly. I don't have a lot of "support" in this area so that makes it especially hard. (I have got to find a group or something) Homeschooling is a decision I make and then have to re-make and re-make as we go through the struggles of the year. I'll admit, sometimes I do not want to do it. Sometimes I think Brendan would have more fun at school. Sometimes I think I would have more fun if he were at school.
A couple weeks ago Brendan got in trouble at Sunday school for talking. He actually got kicked out of his class!! I know he is not a behavior problem or anything like that. I know that he LOVES Sunday school and being with the kids in his class, and learning, etc. He is so excited he has trouble NOT talking. It triggered a real battle inside me though as to whether or not we are doing the right thing by homeschooling. I was feeling burnt out anyway. So Rand and I started talking about it, and what our options would be for him next year entering first grade. We talked about all the pros, like more free time for me, one on one with Wyatt, less stress if we have another baby (I'm not pregnant....don't freak out), etc, etc. Then I start looking into the whole thing, and all the reasons I decided to homeschool start coming at me from every side (even from people who aren't homeschooling). And all my "pros" for sending him off to public school get solved in another way. There is something I LOVE about homeschooling. It is hard, I'll admit, but worth it in so many way. SO MANY!
Anyway, I didn't mean to start going off about homeschooling. I rarely do that here. It's just been on my mind so much lately. So, instead of decide anything crazy in the middle of boring February, I decided to spiff up the school area a bit. I cleaned up the toys, organized some of my things a little better, propped up my gigantic chalkboard, and then painted a huge tree on the wall. The tree was totally random and just happened. I didn't actually paint on the wall....that would have been foolish. I have this huge role of white paper that I taped up and painted away. I had no idea what would come of it. I cut it out and taped it back up and I think I like it. The kids love it and have already made a squirrel nest for the tree and a purple plum. It's starting to feel more springy already. I think I will hang some blooms from that tree and some new green leaves. My humdrums will be gone in no time!
8 comments:
Trust me when I say you will have up days and down days when it comes to Homeschooling....and doubting yourself is part of that as well. It stinks. Just remember parents are the best teachers. You can give them so much more then sitting in a classroom all day long. Also I was just thinking about it, have you checked into the homeschooling laws in PA? If I remember right they are one of the most strict states for homeschooling but like I said if I remember it right... Another thing I dont know if you use yahoo or msn but you can search out groups in your area for things like that too. Just an idea.
So true.
Yes. PA has strict homeschooling requirements starting at age 8. I looked at them and they don't seem so bad. You have to provide proof of what they are learning, that they are "on track", a portfolio of all sorts of things including field trips and other stuff. Annoying at most, but I figure the whole country is probably going in this direction anyway!
I just searched out groups today. Found a Yahoo group and then another support group at a church nearby. I need to talk to some homeschool moms before I explode! Luckily there is one other mom at our church and that has been a blessing.
Oh thats not so bad about the laws, its just checking track it sounds like. Thats what I found for me was to find more homeschooling moms too. I was pretty surprised by the number of homeschooling families here in Coeur d'Alene. It all takes time.
If you are feeling the ups and downs of homeschooling just remember you are normal. Every good parent questions every decision they make for their children! Sending A. off to public school is something I question too ... but I figure we can take it one year at a time, and change if we need to. And I honestly at this point don't feel cut out for (or passionate about) homeschooling my kids, but I know it is great for MANY families. My best friend homeschools and it is awesome for them. I agree that if you find a group it will be so much better and easier. Hang in there. It doesn't help that it is the dead of winter and you are living in a new area ...
I think that you should send the little man to school unless you are goint to take him fishing everyday as a field trip. Oh I like that idea, I am going to get my wife to work and I will homeschool the kids and everyday will be a study of fish habits, fishing techniques, and cooking of fish. Man this is brilliant, I should write a textbook. Hang in there, spring is coming.
Uncle Bubba
Ummm, as Uncle Bubba's wife. I veto his idea. :)
Kaylee - I know several moms toward Wayne who homeschool. Do you want me to give you their names and numbers/emails? Let me know. Hope you are starting to feel a bit better too.
Kaylee,
just a note of encouragement: I am constantly amazed by all the you do for your boys, homeschooling being one of them:) You are such an awesome mom who is continually coming up with creative things for them to do. I can't imagine a better teacher than you! maybe I can send Jake up there as a "boarding home school" ;P I'll keep this in my prayers for you. love you!!
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