Still Learning Lessons

Oh My GOODNESS!! What a week+, we have had! It seems like Team Drennan is taking care of their issues within the span of a couple of months. At least that is what I am telling myself. LOL My favorite saying lately is, "A girl can dream, can't she!!" 

Anyway, school is getting done but not as quickly as I had planned. Honestly, our schedule had been so disrupted that I only plan ONE (1) day at a time now.  Yep! That's right. The visions of weeks of lesson planned are no longer dancing in my head. I am now a realist plus, I was really wearing out my eraser and figured this was a much better use of my time and energy to just stop the madness.

Friday week, our AC went out and it took them until Tues morning to get it working. Right after that resolved itself (or was repaired), the septic system took a dive so there was that issue to deal with. (No description needed!) Fortunately, the Lord blessed us and the repairs to both systems were minor in the scheme of things and didn't cost near as much as we expected. Factor in the fact that, Kiddo had his bi-annual cleaning AND I had to make an emergency trip to the eye doctor because my new contacts didn't agree with me AND Kiddo had a follow up appointment with his asthma/allergy doctor AND our Crystal Springs Preserve monthly trip fell on this week AND Awana started at our church AND swim practice times kept changing AND Kiddo had to put in a 2 mile run before he ran his first cross country meet this past Saturday.  WHEW!! I'm exhausted just writing all of that! 

Nevertheless, school was done and lessons were learned. Some of it was purely doing math in the car by me quizzing him and going over history lessons by having him re-tell me stories and "clarify" things I couldn't exactly remember. He loves to think he's smarter than me! To be honest, many times he is and I am blown away by the amount he retains. I kick myself every time he does this, because half the time I am not even sure he is paying attention and then BAM!!, he shows me that he was paying attention! 

To be fair, with the exception of the household issues and doctors' appointments, the rest was pretty fun! I am thankful that I have allowed us the grace and simmered down and not stressed.....well not as much as I used to.... about getting everything on MY list done. 

Kiddo impressed me and showed so much fortitude with his first cross country meet this past Saturday. We got up at O'dark Thirty to be at the event by 630am. He ran at 9 against Middle school JV and V kids from all over the state.  He did great!! He finished and had a huge smile on his face when he saw his Grandma, cousins, Mom, Dad and his coach on the sidelines cheering him on! I was (am still am) very proud of him. This after only ONE (1) month of training. This from a kid that for all intents and purposes is perfectly happy sitting on the couch playing video games. He showed me that it's okay to push him because he will rise to the challenge. Not only will he rise but he actually likes it. Not to mention the fact, that seeing his confidence increase along with his physical endurance brings tears to this momma's eyes.

So, as a family we have persevered and pray that we get a break for a little while. But at least we know that "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us." (emphasis mine - Phillipians 4:13). 

I also have been reminded that Kiddo is capable of so much more than he lets on that he can do. I am going to try and challenge him more with my expectations of his work and the things we do at our humble learning environment.  

That's it kiddies -- that's how this momma homeschools this week!! (Again, just taking it a day at a time and trying to be FLEXIBLE!)

Do I have any hair left?

We are in the thick of the homeschool process and we are ramped up and should be ready to go. Life, however, continues to throw kinks in my plans.

Kiddo really enjoyed his first day at his STEM class on Thursday so that was a "no plan" day for me. I had planned to get some work done on Friday but instead lessons plans were shifted again. (See! That eraser is already getting a workout!! )We've had some health issues at our little abode the last couple of months. Thanks to great insurance and wonderful doctors that want to find out what is wrong with Hubby, scheduling his needs has taken top priority. 

Friday, Kiddo and I changed our writing assignment to list making then combined that with a lesson in economics by visiting our local store to pick up items that we needed for the weekend to help the Principal feel better.  Real-life math lessons came into play with calculating if we were getting the best value when looking at sizes and brands. Later, we continued the science and math aspect of our day with cooking. We were able to utilize measurements, cause effect and time management.  I feel better being able to rationalize it that way!

We did get a little "book learning" in during the day but it was limited and we were really distracted with all that we had going on. 

Monday came and Kiddo went off to a friend's for the day so I could tend to the Principal and take him to some doctor's appointments. I sent Kiddo off with some work that was to be completed. Once he came home, he advised me he only completed one page because he thought it was just busy work!!

Well, that didn't sit too well with me. Kiddo learned a hard lesson today because not only did he have to do yesterday's work that he incorrectly deemed as "busy work" but he also had a full load of work today as well. 

Fortunately, all looks well with the Principal but I discussed with Kiddo today that at almost 11 years old, he is expected to work independently at times. I explained how we work as a team but I can't be there all the time to make sure he gets his work done. 

I know it was a little extreme to have him do everything today and we missed our weekly park day with our homeschool group as a result. I must admit, I didn't intentionally miss park day -- I truly forgot about it because I neglected to put in on my planning calendar. YIKES! I need those park days just as much as he does.  

He did get a lesson in Civics today as we voted in our local Primary! I am glad that he is interested in the democratic process. So, I am putting this one in the "WIN" column for today.

He and I agreed that he will be more focused on getting his work done and  he realized that the more he goofs off, the more work he will have to do in the end. He is going to start using a daily checklist that we created together to make sure he gets his work done. We agreed that there will be days that we don't do it all and are not expected to do it all but at least by looking at the chart, he knows to check to make sure.

At this point, I am just trying to get both of us back in the routine of doing school but allowing flexibility to take scheduled, as well as unscheduled, breaks. 

He and I differ on our views of education. I loved school and would have devoted my life to being a professional student if I could have found a way to make a decent living at it. LOL  He, on the other hand, is very laid back and doesn't see the need to "dig deep" and go beyond what is expected. 

It's been one of those days in which I try to remember what it was like when he went to school for the entire day. All I can remember is, how much I missed him! I realize that even on these rough days, I am still called to travel this homeschool journey. That's what I hold onto when I start getting frustrated with him. It's the little things that get me through.

That's how this momma homeschools and today it is all about transparency.

Rough start

We started back to "work"on Monday after almost a month off from school. Well, I took the month off but the kiddo did continue to do some of his independent work until the 15th of Dec. But now we are back and let me tell you that it is H-A-R-D!!!

My attitude has a lot to do with it. I was totally out of the loop and not wanting to teach or get back to work. My kiddo matched my attitude huff for huff. So, let me tell you that this has not been a good week for us. I have also noticed that G's stuttering has been especially bad this week. I feel totally responsible and feel it may be due to the pressure cooker we have been in the last couple of days.

Last night, I finally told hubby how I felt. This morning I let the kiddo know that things had to change. I apologized for my behavior and asked the kiddo for his help. I explained how he and I "feed off" of each other in regards to attitude. He and I agreed that we both need some adjustments.

We started this morning much different than the 1st 3 days of this week. We prayed and then cuddled for 15 minutes.We missed out on the cuddle time this week since I just wanted to get our school work. Boy, that was something he and I both needed.  Anyway, after our prayer, we discussed our day and how we wanted it to go. I explained all that we needed to do today and asked for his input.

He and I then went and got dressed before we started our day. (Something we hadn't done all this week). Then we had some breakfast over which I read some of our Bible books so we could get started but also be relaxed. Next, we finished the rest of our Bible work. Then I gave the kiddo a break and he and Dad shot some hoops for about 10 minutes. That made such a difference.

For our lessons today, I had planned some DVDs to wind down our current study of France. Kiddo and I both enjoyed them as they were low key and a review of what we had already learned.  Next we moved to math, in which we paused our Teaching Textbooks study to remind ourselves of math basics. So, this week and possibly next, is math fact refresher week for addition, subtraction and multiplication.  We started a new DVD today called Time Tales!! It seems to be working for him!! I am hoping to build his confidence up with multiplication before moving forward with his normal math lessons. I may even have a day each week where we just do math refreshers vs moving forward with new lessons.

As our day continues, we will mark off items on our list but take the occasional break for a few minutes of outdoor play and/or cuddles!

Lots to do but a lot less stressful for us both.  But, I have learned not to take such a long break and am even considering the possibility of schooling year round. This year round process would of course include short breaks and vacations. But we have time to make that decision. I am just glad that today is better than yesterday!!

I hope your week goes smoothly too.

Seriously - Rough Week!!!

To be honest, our 4th week of school is underway and I have caught myself looking longingly out the window when I hear the school bus pull up at the corner of the street. That is my attitude this week. I have been reflecting on my whole decision to homeschool along with trying to decide if I am doing G more harm than good.

It's been a hard week (yes, it's only Tuesday night). G seems to push back or balk at everything I ask him to do (even the stuff he likes to do). I feel like I am spinning my wheels and I feel extremely frustrated. Not helping the cause is when I catch myself looking at the photos and status updates on Facebook posted by those happy-go-lucky mommies with kids in school that are going to Bible studies, having breakfast/lunch with friends and getting a much coveted pedi-cure.

Hubby (aka the Principal) happened to overhear one of the school interactions between G and me yesterday.  Hubs waited to talk with me later in day and he commented that he could tell I was frustrated with G. I told him that I was just overwhelmed and didn't know how to handle all the push back and whining about school work.  This very day, "Principal" happened to be in the school room (aka dining room table) and he saw how G was acting. He looked at me and all I said was, "now you know why I am frustrated."

Honestly, I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the entire process. G spent two years in public school and I am sorely tempted to take him back, except for the fact that I don't think he would benefit from the experience. I fear he would be labeled, spend too much time in the office and/or fall behind because of his lack of motivation.

I began to reflect tonight while I was in the shower. I thought about how G acts in general even when school isn't involved. I realized that the last couple of months (even before school work began) he has been pushing back on everything. The push back has been even more severe when he doesn't get his way.

I reminded myself that I am a person who loves learning and reading that is trying to teach a kid that could care less about anything not related to video games, computers, Star Wars or swimming. I have talked with several other people lately who have commented that they too have children who feel that they "know it all"and no longer need anyone else to give them direction or explanations. These kiddos are not teens -- they are between 8 and 10 years old. So, maybe it's a phase!! LORD- I hope so.

Hubs and I have decided to take away the things that are dearest to G when the push back and attitude rear their ugly heads. We feel that we must stop the behavior by acting now. By my giving up on homeschooling, it gives him too much power. Besides, I brought my son home to have more influence on him and to have more time as a family.

To date, G has no TV or electronics for the next 2 days.  The benefit has began already because as a result he and the Principal have been reading books to each other since dinner.  So, he is learning and reading after all!! Plus, Hubs is in the mix and helping take some of the pressure off me.

I have learned that I need to evaluate our entire dynamic and not just focus on the school portion. By stepping back and looking at our family, I was able to see that it wasn't just the school work, it's the attitude and strong will of a very normal 8 year old boy.  I also learned that I need to ask for help from Hubs and not let myself get so frustrated and get to the point where I start letting those voices of self-doubt get a foot hold in my head.

It's been a rough week and I am hoping it gets better. I am praying G and I can meet on better terms in the morning. I pray that my heart and attitude are guarded against negativity. I also pray that G will be motivated to do as we ask without push back and that he is blessed by our time together.

I may need to go out for some "me" time and pick up some new PJs!!