It has been a different and somewhat difficult couple of days. Any time there is a major shift in routine and expectations the result for a time is unsettling.
I can’t say that I have been successful this week at attempting to coordinate my roles of homeschooling mom, college professor, and therapist. However, I am positively encouraged that it will work. It is just going to take time.
Working against us right now is the anxiety that Miss Sam is still experiencing. Whether it remains as fallout from her school experiences or the transition to the new ‘home’ experience is yet to be determined.
For me, it is the conflict between knowing the benefits of remaining in ‘decompression mode’ and the educator within. I could use some suggestions in balancing this. Are you still out there?
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I would suggest a time frame for both of you. Spring break is coming up soon I don’t know when in Florida but both of you take a break until after that with both of you understanding that schooling must begin then. Use the meantime together to plan the work. There is lots of education to be had in learning planning skills. Don’t worry about the curriculum aspect that she may be missing. Home schoolers generally take a lot less time than in school to complete a subject. Also follow the teachable moment, rather than always what the book says one should do. The most important thing you can teach her is how to discover for herself. I used the internet a lot when homeschooling. Give her a research project on something she is really interested in. You can work math, english, history geography etc. into one project.
I absolutely loved homeschooling and I hope you do as well.
You might want to consider one of the homeschooling groups that provide books and curriculum. I used a few different ones, none of which were perfect, but they were good for the math as they provided the sums to do and the answer books and it was precept upon precept and one did not move on until each principle was mastered unlike in school where children have to move on regardless.
English grammar also is a good one to get because it is on the same principle.
On the whole though the homeschooling materials are completely lacking in anything to stimulate imagination so I always had to come up with that myself.
I would love to help you I wish we lived closer but I am only as close as an email. How about Miss Sam, with you overseeing of course, starting her own blog and trying to contact other homeschooling groups, there you are teaching computer skills, english, and all sorts of things.
I am quite excited for you.
I figured you must be really busy this week with all this change. I pray that you will find the balance and resources you need to succeed.
Beat wishes for all you are working at. Sarah
Off Topic: Would love to pursue the topic of my ePortfolio - whether to keep it public or restricted. I’d be really grateful if you could shed some more light on your comments because I want to develop the issue of access into a post. Thanks a lot Sarah
I’m still contemplating homeschooling my teen too. I’m very interested to find out how your and Miss Sam’s experience goes. Good luck with everything!
Hi, It sounds like you are handling many different roles. Remember to take care of yourself. In the midst of being a caregiver to others, we often neglect ourselves. It is important for you to take a breath, do something for you, and then make your plans. Be encouraged.
I’m no expert here, but I’m just guessing … that when we make major life changes … they demand a certain amount of “adjustment time.”
Give yourself the freedom to create a good space of time for that necessary window; and relax. She’s gonna learn … she just is … even if she stayed home and you didn’t teach her, she’d learn, because that’s just how she is!
I have heard many people say it takes at least a year to de-school or decompress your child after public schooling. So please be patient with both of you. I am not suggesting you do nothing for a year mind you. I like the suggestion about using thi stime to plan together and waiting until after spring break to do anything “formal” with her. Great idea!
I would also set reasonable goals that continue to allow you both the first year to adjust. Focus on things she really loves and has an interest in. Do TONS of reading together…aloud! Plan nature walks. Encourage her to explore things she likes and has an interest in; animals, photos, reading, science, math, sports, whatever it may be. Spend lots of time at the library. Find a support group that works for both of you too. Come on by and take a look at my blog…we’ve been homeschooling over 16 years. I pulled our oldest from public school after 5th grade. She is now a college grad w/ two degrees. DD2 is a college sophomore. DD3 is a sophomore in high school.
You can do this!!*S*
awh.
hugs, kathleen
I can’t speak to homeschooling issues because I’ve never done it, but I know quite a few who have done it with magnificent results.
What I am certain of, however, is that you are an incredibly loving, intelligent accomplished woman. You are a college professor who knows how to teach. You are Miss Sam’s mother. Who knows her better or loves her more? So just stop stressing about it. Embrace it. You’ll figure it out! And you will both be fabulous!
I musta missed that post! you’re homeschooling? wow! wTg!! It takes time to get into the swing of things.
hugs and prayers!
I would agree with the above poster who said set a time frame, start working after Easter/Spring break…personally I would go with April 1st as the start date to some school work type stuff. That will give you plenty of research time and her plenty of time to decompress. She may still have a hard time adjusting but she’ll be ok…