How to Homeschool?

I think that sometimes as homeschool families people feel that you have it all together. Well, I am about to break that myth. My life is hardly put together. I fall apart at the seams, I get frustrated and angry, I even at times raise my voice. My kids make huge messes (especially as we are trying to walk out the door), they yell, are rude and sometimes I see absolutely no fruit in their lives. I get discouraged, feel alone, and wonder how to get it all done.

Then I snap out of my pity party, pray to God for his grace and help and away I go.

I struggle with trying to make learning fun. I want my days to be full of laughter and fun, but then it doesn't turn out that way and I feel like a failure.

Right now we are going through that struggle right now. SOS is a great learning tool. As a matter of fact I am quite amazed at my children's curriculum and how there is so much potential to really master thier subjects.

Do I believe that homeschooling should be fun, not all the time. My reasoning behind that is as adults, life isn't alway fun. My children must make the choice to learn and be joyful. There are many character qualities to be gained from overcoming something difficult and then succeeding at it. Life is full of suprises, but what is important to me is the heart at which they are to handle their suprises. I don't want grumbling and mumbling spirits, but one of joy and thankfulness.

Homeschooling isn't everyone's calling, I do believe that the Lord has us at different places to show His glory to everyone. But if you have been called it is truly one of the most rewarding and difficult tasks given to a daddy and mommy. I love it and wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's.

I don't have all the answers and I don't think that is a bad thing. But I do serve a God is who is awesome and all powerful, who is never too busy to hear me (but it is my job to cry out to Him), who works all things out for my good, and loves me so much.

God bless.

School

Well, we took an unusually long break from school while I revamped. The big switch was going to the computers. The kids are using Switched On Schoolhouse. They absolutely LOVE it! I believe that learning should be fun. It sparks curiosity, interest, and desire to keep on learning. It has been fun, but not without the trouble also. We had one computer that needed cleaning up, and in the midst of it all realized that our Mac would not be compatible without a lot of other software, so we bought a new computer. But now that most of the kinks are out, we are able to enjoy.

We completely changed our schedule and chores to allow more flexibility to our time. M, W, F are our main school times, that is 7 subjects on the computer and 2 workbooks to go through. Along with that, piano and chores. T, Th we made more of our fun/project times. So we do P.E and more character work on those days and sewing, baking, and Hunter has more building time in there. It has been nice. It gets everyone excited for something, which is awesome.

I love being able to homeschool because it allows me to revamp when needed and make sure everyone is getting what they need. But most of all, it helps me keep on track.

I am learning that as time goes, the most important thing in being a parent, is sacrificing your wants. There will be plenty of time for me, but to invest my time in them, while they are still here. Teaching them, loving them, growing them all for Christ. It is an amazing calling and one that I am learning takes a lot of effort on my part, but most of all a lot of my time spent on my knees. I am so thankful.

I pray that all of you are doing well. Sorry for no pictures as I still can't find my cord. I am ripping out carpet tomorrow and putting in wood floors. Perhaps I will find my cord so that I can post some pics. It should be interesting. :)

We have been so busy! School is a long day, so long to the days of napping when the baby goes down. That time is now filled with working on school things, taking care of added chores, cleaning up, working on the business, or anything else that needs my attention.

Home is now bustling with structured chaos, whereas before it was just chaos. The kids are adjusting really well to everything and really loving their new school books.

I am really enjoying our new busyness and even now enjoying more than ever being a mom. I am so on fire for God and all that He has done for us and wanting to shout it out from the rooftops.

We do have our challenges though, like the never ending arguing... That seems to be a tough one to get over, and then we have a willful 2 year old who demands so much attention I am surprised that I can get anything else done. But in the end I know who she will be like and the much needed training and discipline will work out in the end.

Life is what it is, it is easy to fall into a poor me state, but when I focus on the Lord and what He has called me to do, I all of a sudden feel a little lighter in my step, a little more joyful, and life is easier to take. But somedays it is literally one hour at a time. :)

Life isn't much right now, but I feel God working and that is always a joy, to know that I am being pruned and trimmed for His glory. Because isn't that what I was created for?

Crazy School Daze!!

I am literally in a daze right now. I don't think I have every been so busy before in my life. We start school around 9am and don't get done till about 3pm or even 4pm because of how long some of the work takes to get done.

Whew! I am thankful to iron out a few bumps in the school work and our schedule. And just be able to be home and a mama. I love it. Even when I compalin I still love it! Though this school year has been extremely busy. A kindergardner, second grader, and a fourth grader, along with that a tenacious 2 year old and a beautiful 10 week old. Life is good, full of smiles and laughs, for the most part.

So if I seem a little dispondent you will know why!

School Daze

Many mom's are so excited as the school year is fastly approaching. Many mom's are out school supply shopping, clothes and shoe shopping, and making sure that all is in order before the big yellow bus greets their little one on the corner.

Well, for us homeschool mom's it is a little different. Most of our time is spent planning and preparing, then getting organized and finally the first day arrives, but not with an empty house, but with a full house, of children excited at their new books and supplies.

We haven't been homeschooling long (for about 4 years) but it has been chocked full of lessons and things that make my life easier. So in this post I will share what works for us.

Lesson Plan Notebook:
Each year when the new school year starts I type out what I would like each child to accomplish each day. I never date it because if we don't have school on that day, it throws us off, so I just say Day 1, Day 2, etc. We have a 4 day school schedule, leaving Friday to catch up, P.E. or just to clean up and hang out. This notebook is organized by child's subject and I just cross off each day that is done. Moving on to the next. It makes life very easy for me.

Early First Day of School:
I now have the first day of school a week early! We discuss what is planned, go through the lessons, and what is excpected. That way when the real first day of school begins, they already know what to expect. I will also take pictures and have a special breakfast (usually donuts and hot chocolate.)

Spiral:
Any books that are soft bound but aren't 3 hole punched or spiral bound I head to Kinko's and have them spiral bind them. It makes turning pages easier and allows for pages not to be ripped out of books as easily.

All Year School:
Sounds crazy, but with my summer being crazier, this will be the last year we don't have some school during the summer. It is hot in Arizona anyway, so when they are done with one book we will just move on to the other books with a 2 week break in between. That way I am sane and there is a little more organization in my life. (And I like that.)

Our Curriculum:
Christian Liberty Press
Rod and Staff
Easy Grammar
Math U See
Apologia Science
Christ Centered Curriculum


Hope this helps anyone else who is interested, I know I really love reading about how others get school together.

God bless....