Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Positives, Grace, and Advice
I would hate to focus on the negative happenings since my last post, such as chronic temper control problems, horrendous housekeeping, scanty suppers, fend-for-yourself breakfasts and lunches, lousy Latin, and tears because I can't do it all.
It's healthier to focus on the positive, such as:
The biggest positive of all is a little epiphany I had recently. I realized that, like a good Primitive Baptist, I am fully confident in God's grace as it applies to my eternal salvation. I realize my weakness, and I rest in His strength. However, when it comes to raising my children, my actions (frustration, anger, hopelessness, perfectionism, imagining the worst possible outcome for every situation) show that I do not believe God's mercy and grace is sufficient for me in the area of motherhood. I conclude that my kids don't have a chance because of me when I should be thanking the Lord that my kids do have a chance in spite of me. I worry that they will "turn out bad" because of my lack of diligence when I should realize that I have never been chastised to the point that I actually deserved. God has been merciful, so I have to believe that he will continue to be. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Ps. 23:6.
Paul, after asking God to get rid of his thorn in the flesh, wrote that God's reply was, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." II Cor. 12:9. Oh, man, has my weakness been made clear to me in the last year! It has been ugly, but it has been necessary. I believe it has been providential. Never, until now, have I been able to understand why in the world Paul would glory in his infirmities! Only when I acknowledge my infirmity in a humble way can I recognize God's strength that carries me through one more attitude problem, his mercy in, I trust, allowing my children to "turn out okay," and his grace to cover my motherhood sins every day.
Advice to myself: Thank God for his grace. Repent and accept forgiveness. Be thankful for the positives and stop dwelling on the negatives. Realize that God didn't make a mistake when he gave you your particular children (Thanks for that, Mom's Night Out).
It's healthier to focus on the positive, such as:
- 62 days of school completed (it seems silly to count days of homeschool where we learn every day, but we do our best to abide by the law).
- One kid who knows the better part of 12 weeks of CC memory work (Latin is lousy) and another who is close behind.
- Ever-so-slowly improving attitudes.
- An increasing number of friendships here in Oklahoma.
- Two days in a row of reading from our Story of the World book.
- The ability to sit at this computer at 2:58 p.m. and stay awake (!!) along with a few other results of teeny, tiny baby steps toward better health.
The biggest positive of all is a little epiphany I had recently. I realized that, like a good Primitive Baptist, I am fully confident in God's grace as it applies to my eternal salvation. I realize my weakness, and I rest in His strength. However, when it comes to raising my children, my actions (frustration, anger, hopelessness, perfectionism, imagining the worst possible outcome for every situation) show that I do not believe God's mercy and grace is sufficient for me in the area of motherhood. I conclude that my kids don't have a chance because of me when I should be thanking the Lord that my kids do have a chance in spite of me. I worry that they will "turn out bad" because of my lack of diligence when I should realize that I have never been chastised to the point that I actually deserved. God has been merciful, so I have to believe that he will continue to be. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Ps. 23:6.
Paul, after asking God to get rid of his thorn in the flesh, wrote that God's reply was, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." II Cor. 12:9. Oh, man, has my weakness been made clear to me in the last year! It has been ugly, but it has been necessary. I believe it has been providential. Never, until now, have I been able to understand why in the world Paul would glory in his infirmities! Only when I acknowledge my infirmity in a humble way can I recognize God's strength that carries me through one more attitude problem, his mercy in, I trust, allowing my children to "turn out okay," and his grace to cover my motherhood sins every day.
Advice to myself: Thank God for his grace. Repent and accept forgiveness. Be thankful for the positives and stop dwelling on the negatives. Realize that God didn't make a mistake when he gave you your particular children (Thanks for that, Mom's Night Out).
Monday, April 7, 2014
Don't forget the audiobooks.
One of my blog's purposes is to remind me of the "every day" of our homeschool experience. It's amazing the details I forget over the course of a year. Today I want to make sure I remember the hours we've spent in audiobooks.
Why did we learn so much more when we experienced it in a story?
Jim Weiss said (in an interview with Leigh Bortins on the 11/20/2013 edition of Leigh at Lunch) that it is because "Story hits you simultaneously in the head and the heart."
Why did we choose to experience the stories through audio books instead of movies or dramatized audio versions?
Mr. Weiss nailed it again. "I don't think we are doing our kids any favor to assume that they are unable to love and listen to something unless all the bells and whistles are there."
What if I could not find a book on my kids' levels?
Kids can appreciate (with practice) a much more complicated story than they can read by themselves. To me, the purpose of reading aloud (or audiobooks) is to expose our kids (and ourselves) to material that is beyond their levels. Say one of the boys heard a big, unfamiliar word while he was listening. Next time he heard the word, it was a familiar word. The third time time he heard it, he probably figured out exactly what it meant.
What if my kids would not pay attention to a long story?
I didn't expect them to at first. It took a lot of exposure before they were hooked. I found that a perfect time for exposing the kids to stories was in the car. They were captive! They may not have paid perfect attention, but it was there, and they eventually grew to appreciate them, then request them every time we got into the car.
Wouldn't it have been better if I read them the story myself rather than listening to a recording?
Yes, and I've tried to read to them as much as possible. But when what I read to them is all they got, it was not enough for their listening appetites. It just does not seem feasible for me to sit and read for hours a day. Plus, it's just plain fun to hear a professional read a story.
What books have we listened to?
Most of the memory on my phone is taken up by audio books. The boys each have a cheap mp3 player loaded with audio books. When we go to the library, we usually take away at least one audio book.
Our book selections usually go through phases. Thank goodness our Hank the Cowdog phase has died. It was fun for the first dozen books. Now the phase is Homer Price. Every single night.
Our first audiobooks were the Winnie The Pooh books. Remember about the captive audience? That's what I think of when I remember the Pooh CD's.
Thing1 listened to The Hobbit when he was 5. We should do that again. I think it was the voice of the narrator and the language that captivated him. I know he remembers nothing about it now. Thing2's 4- to 5-year-old favorites were Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy.
Trumpet of the Swan was good because E.B. White read it. I am anxious to listen to him read Charlotte's Web. Anything narrated by the author fascinates me.
The Railway Children was good. It stretched Thing1 when he was about 6.
The whole family listened to Where the Red Fern Grows on a road trip recently. If we didn't all cry, we all almost cried. Everybody was paying attention, captive or not. 101 Dalmations stands out as another great road trip story because of its fun factor for the whole family.
In addition to serving as incredible learning tools that have stretched our minds and imaginations, audiobooks have entertained us together and occupied us separately. They have shortened car rides and made bedtime a little more tolerable. They have been a huge part of our homeschool's "every day."
Why did we learn so much more when we experienced it in a story?
Jim Weiss said (in an interview with Leigh Bortins on the 11/20/2013 edition of Leigh at Lunch) that it is because "Story hits you simultaneously in the head and the heart."
Why did we choose to experience the stories through audio books instead of movies or dramatized audio versions?
Mr. Weiss nailed it again. "I don't think we are doing our kids any favor to assume that they are unable to love and listen to something unless all the bells and whistles are there."
What if I could not find a book on my kids' levels?
Kids can appreciate (with practice) a much more complicated story than they can read by themselves. To me, the purpose of reading aloud (or audiobooks) is to expose our kids (and ourselves) to material that is beyond their levels. Say one of the boys heard a big, unfamiliar word while he was listening. Next time he heard the word, it was a familiar word. The third time time he heard it, he probably figured out exactly what it meant.
What if my kids would not pay attention to a long story?
I didn't expect them to at first. It took a lot of exposure before they were hooked. I found that a perfect time for exposing the kids to stories was in the car. They were captive! They may not have paid perfect attention, but it was there, and they eventually grew to appreciate them, then request them every time we got into the car.
Wouldn't it have been better if I read them the story myself rather than listening to a recording?
Yes, and I've tried to read to them as much as possible. But when what I read to them is all they got, it was not enough for their listening appetites. It just does not seem feasible for me to sit and read for hours a day. Plus, it's just plain fun to hear a professional read a story.
What books have we listened to?
Most of the memory on my phone is taken up by audio books. The boys each have a cheap mp3 player loaded with audio books. When we go to the library, we usually take away at least one audio book.
Our book selections usually go through phases. Thank goodness our Hank the Cowdog phase has died. It was fun for the first dozen books. Now the phase is Homer Price. Every single night.
Our first audiobooks were the Winnie The Pooh books. Remember about the captive audience? That's what I think of when I remember the Pooh CD's.
Thing1 listened to The Hobbit when he was 5. We should do that again. I think it was the voice of the narrator and the language that captivated him. I know he remembers nothing about it now. Thing2's 4- to 5-year-old favorites were Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy.
Trumpet of the Swan was good because E.B. White read it. I am anxious to listen to him read Charlotte's Web. Anything narrated by the author fascinates me.
The Railway Children was good. It stretched Thing1 when he was about 6.
The whole family listened to Where the Red Fern Grows on a road trip recently. If we didn't all cry, we all almost cried. Everybody was paying attention, captive or not. 101 Dalmations stands out as another great road trip story because of its fun factor for the whole family.
In addition to serving as incredible learning tools that have stretched our minds and imaginations, audiobooks have entertained us together and occupied us separately. They have shortened car rides and made bedtime a little more tolerable. They have been a huge part of our homeschool's "every day."
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Typical Monday
Warning: This post is a potentially boring play-by-play of my day. Read at your own discretion.
I forgot to set the alarm on Sunday night and woke up at 7:30 Monday morning. Oops.
I took the trash to the curb, hauled wood for the fire, made coffee, and woke up the boys.
I made a goal chart for Thing1's week because I forgot to do it yesterday. Oops again.
Thing2 and I did his lessons (phonics, math, and handwriting) while I ate breakfast and drank coffee. He felt like a rebel since he didn't have to eat, dress, and brush teeth first. I should have taken a picture. He was wearing underwear and my fuzzy blue robe with the sleeves rolled up.
I woke up Thing1 again.
The boys ate, dressed, and brushed teeth. I put off my shower because I didn't wake up early enough. I dressed and put my hair in a ponytail. Mercifully, I am not including pictures at this point.
I did some long-procrastinated, due-today computer jobs while the boys bundled up and played in the snow one last time before it melted.
When I realized I had not written a blog post in a month, I decided to document an actual sample day for two reasons. First, I am feeling frustrated with never getting my chores done. Second, I want to be able to look at it in a few years and remember. Maybe one day in the future, when I look back at this post and remember the simplicity of our life "back then," I will laugh at how anxious and scatterbrained I was and smile in contentment about how serene and organized I have become. Or I will compare what used to be hectic with what is hectic now and sigh in resignation as I realize that I am what I am. Either way, I will thank God for the blessings that keep me busy.
At 10:20, I finally got started on some chores.
At 10:45, My trusty Home Routines app (very useful for $4.99) reminded me that I had not done hair and makeup. Plus, I remembered how lazy I sounded when I had to blog that I had not taken a shower yet. So I took a shower. Still no makeup or fixed hair, but at least I was clean.
11:07 and the boys were still outside. I checked on them again. (I banged a pan with a wooden spoon. They waved and hollered, "We're okay.") They have been busy building a fort in the brush. Snow just makes it more fun.
I fixed lunch - leftover spaghetti and salad - and started eating. While I was eating, at 11:30, the boys came in and piled up an entire load of dirty, wet laundry. It took awhile to undress, warm up, and make hot chocolate.
I resumed my lunch while we did memory work. The memory work prize was dessert - one bite for every correct answer. Sometimes it's hard to get started:
At 12:45, we started rest time. Thing1 took his work to his room (getting a late start on his goal chart). Thing2 played Lincoln Logs in the den. I took my Bible to my room and read like I should have done this morning. There's another penalty for waking up late. What else does Mom do during rest time? It is a mystery.
At 1:45 the rest time timer ended, and I did hair and makeup. After this point, unexpected company or Facetime calls were welcome.
I stoked the fire and vacuumed the kitchen and mud room. Not on my afternoon routine list, but necessary.
I discovered that Thing1 finished all his independent work except for math during rest time. That is highly unusual. I corrected his work.
At 2:30, I worked on this post and printed out Thing1's writing worksheets...Something else I was supposed to have done yesterday. Oops again.
I read a few pages of Castle Diary to Thing2.
Thing1 took a play break, then I helped him with writing, spelling, and history for an hour and a half.
Every day around 5:00 I have to make the daily decision of whether to get supper on the table or do some afternoon chores that, once again, have not been accomplished. Today, as usual, I chose supper. Therefore, the clean laundry pile grew even higher, and I did not get any gold stars on my afternoon chore list.
We ate and wasted some time until about 6:00.
Thing2 got ready for his basketball game and practiced dribbling and passing in the kitchen for a few minutes before we left for his 7:00 game. No dishes were broken. By the way, 7:00 is too late to start a 4 and 5-year-old basketball game.
Thing2 hustled during his game, so we skated (almost literally-the parking lot was slick) to Starbucks to celebrate.
When we got home, we read. The Husband read The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, Thing1 read a library book about Vikings, and Thing2 read Berenstein Bears to me.
The Husband put the boys to bed at 9:00, I finished addressing Christmas cards at 10:00, and then I finished this post. Throw in a few mess cleanups, phone calls, washer to dryer switches, etc., and that pretty much sums up the day.
Most days, I feel frustrated about never getting all of my daily chores done, much less weekly or monthly chores. However, after reading this post, I feel satisfied that we get some important things done every day even if the house looks like barbarians live here and even if I never get gold stars on my routine app.
I forgot to set the alarm on Sunday night and woke up at 7:30 Monday morning. Oops.
I took the trash to the curb, hauled wood for the fire, made coffee, and woke up the boys.
I made a goal chart for Thing1's week because I forgot to do it yesterday. Oops again.
Thing2 and I did his lessons (phonics, math, and handwriting) while I ate breakfast and drank coffee. He felt like a rebel since he didn't have to eat, dress, and brush teeth first. I should have taken a picture. He was wearing underwear and my fuzzy blue robe with the sleeves rolled up.
I woke up Thing1 again.
The boys ate, dressed, and brushed teeth. I put off my shower because I didn't wake up early enough. I dressed and put my hair in a ponytail. Mercifully, I am not including pictures at this point.
I did some long-procrastinated, due-today computer jobs while the boys bundled up and played in the snow one last time before it melted.
When I realized I had not written a blog post in a month, I decided to document an actual sample day for two reasons. First, I am feeling frustrated with never getting my chores done. Second, I want to be able to look at it in a few years and remember. Maybe one day in the future, when I look back at this post and remember the simplicity of our life "back then," I will laugh at how anxious and scatterbrained I was and smile in contentment about how serene and organized I have become. Or I will compare what used to be hectic with what is hectic now and sigh in resignation as I realize that I am what I am. Either way, I will thank God for the blessings that keep me busy.
At 10:20, I finally got started on some chores.
11:07 and the boys were still outside. I checked on them again. (I banged a pan with a wooden spoon. They waved and hollered, "We're okay.") They have been busy building a fort in the brush. Snow just makes it more fun.
I fixed lunch - leftover spaghetti and salad - and started eating. While I was eating, at 11:30, the boys came in and piled up an entire load of dirty, wet laundry. It took awhile to undress, warm up, and make hot chocolate.
I resumed my lunch while we did memory work. The memory work prize was dessert - one bite for every correct answer. Sometimes it's hard to get started:
At 12:45, we started rest time. Thing1 took his work to his room (getting a late start on his goal chart). Thing2 played Lincoln Logs in the den. I took my Bible to my room and read like I should have done this morning. There's another penalty for waking up late. What else does Mom do during rest time? It is a mystery.
At 1:45 the rest time timer ended, and I did hair and makeup. After this point, unexpected company or Facetime calls were welcome.
I stoked the fire and vacuumed the kitchen and mud room. Not on my afternoon routine list, but necessary.
I discovered that Thing1 finished all his independent work except for math during rest time. That is highly unusual. I corrected his work.
At 2:30, I worked on this post and printed out Thing1's writing worksheets...Something else I was supposed to have done yesterday. Oops again.
I read a few pages of Castle Diary to Thing2.
Thing1 took a play break, then I helped him with writing, spelling, and history for an hour and a half.
Every day around 5:00 I have to make the daily decision of whether to get supper on the table or do some afternoon chores that, once again, have not been accomplished. Today, as usual, I chose supper. Therefore, the clean laundry pile grew even higher, and I did not get any gold stars on my afternoon chore list.
We ate and wasted some time until about 6:00.
Thing2 got ready for his basketball game and practiced dribbling and passing in the kitchen for a few minutes before we left for his 7:00 game. No dishes were broken. By the way, 7:00 is too late to start a 4 and 5-year-old basketball game.
Thing2 hustled during his game, so we skated (almost literally-the parking lot was slick) to Starbucks to celebrate.
When we got home, we read. The Husband read The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, Thing1 read a library book about Vikings, and Thing2 read Berenstein Bears to me.
The Husband put the boys to bed at 9:00, I finished addressing Christmas cards at 10:00, and then I finished this post. Throw in a few mess cleanups, phone calls, washer to dryer switches, etc., and that pretty much sums up the day.
Most days, I feel frustrated about never getting all of my daily chores done, much less weekly or monthly chores. However, after reading this post, I feel satisfied that we get some important things done every day even if the house looks like barbarians live here and even if I never get gold stars on my routine app.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
I see it has been a month since I posted last.
The living of life trumps the documenting of it.
Ideally, when we start our new school year, I will do more documenting.
During our one-week break from summer activities, Thing2 has a stomach bug. I feel sorry for him, but I can't help but be thankful it happened this week. I am tempted to call it miraculous.
Bless his heart...and stomach.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
It was a golden day.
The day was not perfect. In fact, it had a rocky start, middle part, and end, which is why some of us lost our dessert, screen, and drink (other than water) privileges. The golden-ness could possibly be attributed to the lack of those privileges, but that is another conversation.
The day was unusually good because we got through the rough parts instead of dwelling in them.
I will admit that we often spend most of our time in the rough parts. Trudging through hip-deep mud. Suffocating until Dad comes home to pull us out. The truth is that there is usually a dry path next to the mud should we choose to use it.
I wish I knew the formula that caused the boys to play together for hours without my intervention on this golden day. I actually had a quiet house to work in. I mopped the bathroom floor, for goodness' sake! I read two chapters of a book! Unbelievable. I can only figure that it was a special, rare gift.
Unfortunately, golden days do not come in pairs. But I hope I can use the memory of this one to help me step around the mud pit instead of wallowing in it tomorrow.
The day was unusually good because we got through the rough parts instead of dwelling in them.
I will admit that we often spend most of our time in the rough parts. Trudging through hip-deep mud. Suffocating until Dad comes home to pull us out. The truth is that there is usually a dry path next to the mud should we choose to use it.
I wish I knew the formula that caused the boys to play together for hours without my intervention on this golden day. I actually had a quiet house to work in. I mopped the bathroom floor, for goodness' sake! I read two chapters of a book! Unbelievable. I can only figure that it was a special, rare gift.
Unfortunately, golden days do not come in pairs. But I hope I can use the memory of this one to help me step around the mud pit instead of wallowing in it tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Rules, Fun Reading, and Summer
We have a house rule about what we call fun reading. It only happens before bedtime and on car rides. In case you think this is harsh, here is why: If we did not have this rule, one or two smaller members of our family would never see the sunlight. Okay, that is not true. But the trampoline would be used more for a reading couch than for bouncing. I will clarify that I am not talking about all reading, only reading for pure entertainment.
In light of the rule, I have been thinking about this summer when our formal studies have slowed down. I need some kind of summer reading list. Right now, during the school year, there is plenty of history and science-related reading to do during the day. I just have to have books on the appropriate subjects available.
Here is what I want to think about for summertime:
Again, I am not making a list because I want control. (Or do I? Muahahahaha!) It is because I already know which books these same members of the family will choose for fun reading. (Is there an end to The Boxcar Children?) These smaller family members genuinely enjoy reading books from my lists, but they would not choose them on their own without the rule.
Here is where I ask for help. Please leave me any suggestions that come to mind! Thing1 is a 7-year-old avid reader, and Thing2 will be a 5-year-old beginning reader mostly interested in read-aloud material. I can't wait for suggestions! Closer to summertime, I will post the list.
In light of the rule, I have been thinking about this summer when our formal studies have slowed down. I need some kind of summer reading list. Right now, during the school year, there is plenty of history and science-related reading to do during the day. I just have to have books on the appropriate subjects available.
Here is what I want to think about for summertime:
- Books on subjects that piqued the kids' interest during the school year.
- Books on subjects that are interesting but that we have not gotten to yet in "school."
- More challenging fiction.
Again, I am not making a list because I want control. (Or do I? Muahahahaha!) It is because I already know which books these same members of the family will choose for fun reading. (Is there an end to The Boxcar Children?) These smaller family members genuinely enjoy reading books from my lists, but they would not choose them on their own without the rule.
Here is where I ask for help. Please leave me any suggestions that come to mind! Thing1 is a 7-year-old avid reader, and Thing2 will be a 5-year-old beginning reader mostly interested in read-aloud material. I can't wait for suggestions! Closer to summertime, I will post the list.
Monday, January 28, 2013
New
One month into the new year, and every day I have done something new. This is a year of new.
Second month of my "new year," here I come!
- Located and visited an excellent Aldi in my new nearest-big-town. Highlight of my month.
- Ate at a local cafe that seems to be the place where everybody knows everybody in my new little town.
- Visited two churches I had never been to before.
- Started a new workout plan. It's a killer.
- The boys ate at a buffet for the first time. Highlight of their month.
- Got new shoes to run on my new road.
- Visited a nature center and bought bird field guides for my new state.
- Got a new iPhone so I could have more reliable internet in my new house.
- Made several new friends, many of which are homeschoolers.
- Went on a date with The Husband while the kids stayed with a new babysitter.
- Started a new spelling program (Spelling Power. Love it.) in a new semester of 1st grade.
- Got new library cards.
- Made appointments with a new doctor and a new orthodontist.
"New" will probably be my theme for the rest of this year, and "new" usually is not my forte. However, I have actually enjoyed most of these new experiences so far. His grace is sufficient.
Second month of my "new year," here I come!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Home is still sweet.
Is home still as sweet when it moves 254 miles?
So far, it looks promising! I hope to know the answer for sure very soon. Right now, I am still buried in boxes and slightly overwhelmed with being a foreigner at home.
Here are the facts:
So far, it looks promising! I hope to know the answer for sure very soon. Right now, I am still buried in boxes and slightly overwhelmed with being a foreigner at home.
Here are the facts:
- 65 is the new 55. (Miles per hour.)
- U-turns are scary but necessary around here.
- The mover/packer said, "I packed a lot of books."
- Today (four days after arrival) I experienced my first 20 minutes of silence with the boys in the house. Upon investigation, I discovered that they had unpacked the first box of books.
- I can't get a library card without a current driver's license or a bill from my residence, of which I have none. Yet.
- I have gone backwards considerably in Internet service...I hope this blog post uploads before midnight.
- Our vehicles must pass inspections before we can acquire local tags. I hope ours pass.
- I wanted to shout for joy when I found out that I don't have to take a test to get a new driver's license.
- Equal parts baking soda and Borax plus a few pinches of ground cloves works like magic to deodorize old carpet.
- An advantage to not knowing anyone nearby is that we are able to focus on our family without many distractions. However, I doubt this will be the case for long because we have already met several very nice locals and have promises to be introduced to more.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Stop before you get frustrated with him.
1. Take a deep breath. Don't forget to let it out. Brew a cup of green tea while you're breathing.
2. Explain the process. He has never done this before, and he cannot read your mind.
a. Speak simply. Too many words make simple instructions confusing.
b. Speak slowly. Your calmness is contagious.
c. Demonstrate. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Repeat these steps tomorrow. And the next day.
2. Explain the process. He has never done this before, and he cannot read your mind.
a. Speak simply. Too many words make simple instructions confusing.
b. Speak slowly. Your calmness is contagious.
c. Demonstrate. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Repeat these steps tomorrow. And the next day.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Mom Learns About Schedules
It is fun to research and dream about everything I want my homeschool to be. But no matter how much money I spend or how many great ideas I have, there must be a practical plan for the application of these marvelous intentions.
Enter the schedule.
At first, I blamed our new schedules for our rough first week of school, but I am now convinced that it would have been much worse without them. Schedules are funny things. They are easy to make and hard to keep. An effective schedule liberates, but an ineffective one enslaves.
I learned something about schedules this year. I learned to schedule priorities in honest, practical time slots. This plan allows time for the important (Bible reading, reading lessons, etc.) and the urgent (emergency showers, leaky honey bears, etc.).
Don't Schedule Optional.
My schedule need not include everything I would like to get done on an ideal day. When it does, I am set up for failure, enslaved by a schedule that is only doable on the best days. (I know this by experience.) However, the schedule should include the most important things that I must get done. My most successful schedules allow me, at the end of the worst day, to be satisfied that my highest priorities were accomplished even if I accomplished nothing else. It requires me to think carefully about a potential activity vying for a scarce time slot to determine how important it is. If it does not make the cut, I am free to do it if I have time, but I am not allowed to feel guilty if I do not. Liberty!
30 Minutes.
The best way I know to ensure that only the priorities are scheduled is to use larger time increments. On paper, I give myself more time than I should need. Unforeseen events will occur. Obviously. I cannot see into the future. I want enough slack in the schedule so that when Thing2 comes in with a one-inch-thick layer of mud on himself and his clothing requiring an unforeseen shower and a heavy-duty load of laundry (read: urgent), I do not feel hopelessly "off schedule." If three 10-minute time slots have elapsed, I might never get back on track. However, if one 30-minute slot that contained one priority has passed, I can move on without much anxiety.
It seems more of a cycle than a two-step process. The only way to fit my life into 30-minute time slots, for there are not very many of those in a day, is to schedule only the highest priorities. The only way I will get the priorities accomplished is if the schedule is not cluttered with optional activities.
More schedule-related topics I am contemplating:
Why schedule?
What about routines?
Where does optional fit in?
I am very curious about what my friends' schedules and routines look like. Write a post and leave a link in the comments!
Enter the schedule.
Schedules on the First Day
At first, I blamed our new schedules for our rough first week of school, but I am now convinced that it would have been much worse without them. Schedules are funny things. They are easy to make and hard to keep. An effective schedule liberates, but an ineffective one enslaves.
I learned something about schedules this year. I learned to schedule priorities in honest, practical time slots. This plan allows time for the important (Bible reading, reading lessons, etc.) and the urgent (emergency showers, leaky honey bears, etc.).
Don't Schedule Optional.
My schedule need not include everything I would like to get done on an ideal day. When it does, I am set up for failure, enslaved by a schedule that is only doable on the best days. (I know this by experience.) However, the schedule should include the most important things that I must get done. My most successful schedules allow me, at the end of the worst day, to be satisfied that my highest priorities were accomplished even if I accomplished nothing else. It requires me to think carefully about a potential activity vying for a scarce time slot to determine how important it is. If it does not make the cut, I am free to do it if I have time, but I am not allowed to feel guilty if I do not. Liberty!
30 Minutes.
The best way I know to ensure that only the priorities are scheduled is to use larger time increments. On paper, I give myself more time than I should need. Unforeseen events will occur. Obviously. I cannot see into the future. I want enough slack in the schedule so that when Thing2 comes in with a one-inch-thick layer of mud on himself and his clothing requiring an unforeseen shower and a heavy-duty load of laundry (read: urgent), I do not feel hopelessly "off schedule." If three 10-minute time slots have elapsed, I might never get back on track. However, if one 30-minute slot that contained one priority has passed, I can move on without much anxiety.
It seems more of a cycle than a two-step process. The only way to fit my life into 30-minute time slots, for there are not very many of those in a day, is to schedule only the highest priorities. The only way I will get the priorities accomplished is if the schedule is not cluttered with optional activities.
More schedule-related topics I am contemplating:
Why schedule?
What about routines?
Where does optional fit in?
I am very curious about what my friends' schedules and routines look like. Write a post and leave a link in the comments!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Chicago on Rest Time
While listening to Pandora during rest time, I heard an all-too-familiar Chicago song in a brand new way.
It made me laugh.
It made me laugh.
Everybody needs a little time awaySo, so true. Thank goodness for rest time.
I heard her say,
from each other.
Even [brothers] need a holiday
Far away
from each other.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Preview
I am planning a lengthy post soon. Very soon, I hope. For now, I'll present Exhibit A as a clue to what I'm planning.
Yep. That's my laundry.
Embarrassing.
In my defense, this was on an unusually bad day.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Trade Good for Best.
Satan's most successful tactic is to use good things to distract me from the best things.
Shared with The Better Mom link up.
Shared with The Better Mom link up.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Hey.
We're still alive. Maybe I flatter myself in thinking anyone wondered...
We are just surviving here right now.
And planning a 5K, remodeling my laundry room (no washer or dryer for over a week), keeping nieces and nephews, doing school, getting ready for a Co-op Spring program, having lovely lunches with my visiting brother, and starting t-ball practice.
I may be a little overwhelmed, but I'm not drowning. When the boys were babies, I might have felt like I was drowning. I believe that the difference is rest. The privilege of sleeping through the night is a miracle cure for hopelessness.
Besides, who could be anything but thrilled to spend a day with these cherub faces?
I'll be back later. These cherubs take up a lot of time.
We are just surviving here right now.
And planning a 5K, remodeling my laundry room (no washer or dryer for over a week), keeping nieces and nephews, doing school, getting ready for a Co-op Spring program, having lovely lunches with my visiting brother, and starting t-ball practice.
I may be a little overwhelmed, but I'm not drowning. When the boys were babies, I might have felt like I was drowning. I believe that the difference is rest. The privilege of sleeping through the night is a miracle cure for hopelessness.
Besides, who could be anything but thrilled to spend a day with these cherub faces?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Superlatives
"I used to think I had to do everything three weeks ahead of time. Now I realize that most things can be done last minute."
Funniest: Thing2 watching his first Jerry Lewis movie.
Sweetest (Don't pronounce the R's for the most accurate effect.):
"Dear Lord, Thank you for this day. Please help us to be good at the park because I love this park, and when we come here, it cheers me. In Christ's name, Amen."
Best thing I've heard on the radio lately (Building 429):
All I know is I am not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world, and give me Jesus.
Thing is not where I belong.
To download song
Most satisfied feeling: The boys riding their bikes after six months of flat tires. Three days after their dad banned the Gator and 4-wheeler until they proved they could ride their bikes, they were zipping around like pros. Hmm. Also satisfying is that I got some mild exercise walking alongside Thing2. Thing1 was way too fast for us, though. I predict that the speed factor will be what motivates Thing2 to lose the training wheels.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's to striking a delicate balance between making special memories
and stressing out over being Supermom.
Here is peanut butter toast with syrup (standard) with a heart imprint from a cookie cutter (special).
Here are two happy boys. Turns out toast with a heart imprint tastes better.
What about those Pinterest Valentines? Nah. That would be too much like Supermom. We opted for the half-price, store-bought ones leftover from last year instead (standard).
Supermom does not live here, but I think the kids are happy.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Muddy Four-Wheelers
I intentionally chose decent jeans and a decent top this morning instead of ratty clothes even though I didn't plan to go anywhere. I made a conscious effort to defrump.
Then they asked me if they could ride 4-wheelers.
None of my usual excuses worked.
I pulled on the Muck boots, and I didn't regret saying yes even after my decent jeans were speckled with mud. Their happy, dirty faces were thanks enough.
There's something about mud, wheels, and speed that, when encountered all together, raise a boy's spirits immensely. And when the boys' spirits are raised, so are Mama's.
Then they asked me if they could ride 4-wheelers.
None of my usual excuses worked.
- It was a nice day.
- It would be getting colder and rainy later.
- I was not too busy.
- I hadn't ridden with them in a long time.
- The Husband plans to be doing school work every evening this week.
I pulled on the Muck boots, and I didn't regret saying yes even after my decent jeans were speckled with mud. Their happy, dirty faces were thanks enough.
There's something about mud, wheels, and speed that, when encountered all together, raise a boy's spirits immensely. And when the boys' spirits are raised, so are Mama's.
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