Good Morning HomeSchool Friends.
We are now officially entering the period that I call the wind down for wind up. We have made it through the conference season. We have evaluated everything and for the most part made our curriculum decisions. After the conference ths weekend - many of us are just releaved to have the choices that we have made in our "hot little hands."
Now what...
Well, we have wound down the conference and "research" season and are officially in that time crunch to wind up for school starting. How do we handle this? It can be incredibly stressful - because our busy lives haven't stopped; it is merely time to add our school schedule to the table.
I am not the perfect parent, wife or homeschooling mom - but here are some tips that have worked for me:
1. Take a day and share. Share the insights and blessing that you received from the conference. I know I was so incredibly honored to meet so many wonderful families. I was especially honored as I sat in various conferences and workshops to see familr faces. Thank you so much for sharing your time with me.
You may choose to share these blessings with your spouse, your homeschooling friends, or yourself in an encouragment journal. You want to also make sure to share things that excited you with your homeschool students. If you are excited they will be more confident and quite possibly excited too.
2. Have a fun day. Gather your children together and do something fun that all of you can enjoy. It can be building a tree house together, going to White Water, or a movie marathon. We love these at my house. Everyone chooses a movie and a snack. We all agree to snuggle up in our most comfy chairs, our most comfy clothes, and share our snacks and our movies. We usually finish this off by getting dressed and visiting our favorite Greek Pizza house. From there we go and pick out our school supply upgrades.
3. I know that it doesn't seem like that day is anywhere to be found but take a day and PLAN. Plan your rough schedule for your days and weeks; plan your academic goals. In 6 weeks we should be on lesson 19, etc. This is not a chain to hold you prisoner but a compass to help you stay on track. It will guide you so that if things are not clipping along - you know where adjustments need to be made. I find it especially rewarding to plan with a friend. It allows company and encouragment as well as accountability. I usually plan with a friend with whom my daughter is also friends and it is like a treat day for her as well.
4. Start on a sliding scale. I usually do two 1/2 days and 2 full days in my beginning week. It is sometimes hard to go from 0 to 90. This gives me time to make adjustments where needed and the children time to get used to the changing schedule.
5. MOST IMPORTANT: Cover your family, home and school year in prayer. Pray often and without ceasing. We are so blessed to be taking this journey with our Heavenly Father and He deesires to be included - He is already there walking with us.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to realize that every answer will not work for you. We learn by sharing and sometimes the information we get is exactly what the person beside us needed to hear.
Don't hesitate to email me. I lovc talking to you and hearing from you.
