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<\/p>\nWell, maybe not a total failure, but the start of the school year just brings up SO much more then academics! And we’ve been at this 16 years! Those of you just starting out, give yourselves a pat on the back even if things aren’t going as well as you had hoped.<\/p>\n
First off, the start of every year reminds me that schooling all three youngest together, isn’t always the easiest thing. I use the same\u00a0curriculum\u00a0for all three because it does keep some things simpler, and since Elsa was born in 1998 and the twins were born in 1999, technically they are only one school year apart. Plus, our curriculum is mostly unit study types, so this works out very well.<\/p>\n
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However, for those subjects we are NOT doing unit study style, math being the major one… well… let’s just say I can’t imagine a teacher trying to do this properly with THIRTY students.<\/p>\n
I’m one mother, having a hard time juggling how to handle this, with just three.<\/p>\n
One child wants to whip right through the math curriculum, and I HATE to say no.
\nThe other child ‘could’ whip right through it, but can’t be bothered.
\nYet another child, although she’s smart as a whip in just about every other area of schooling, can’t seem to grasp math concepts.<\/p>\n
She’s like her mother that way.<\/p>\n
Oh I can get math, but<\/strong> math concepts as taught in workbooks…<\/em> forgetaboutit.<\/p>\n Ugh.<\/p>\n What to do, what to do?<\/em>\u00a0Do I let the one child whiz through? Which of course means… a change in our schooling. Already. We haven’t even been at this a full week yet.<\/p>\n *sigh*<\/p>\n I know it’s the best thing to do though. To try and do it any other way, would simply be futile.<\/p>\n This is my most favorite, and least favorite, part of homeschooling.<\/p>\n The fact that I can design our schooling in such a way that works best for each child. However, the reality in that is always more work, and more time, for mom. I don’t mind taking the time, or doing the work, it’s just difficult when time is in such short supply right now.<\/p>\n Which, brings me to the other area in which I’m feeling like a failure.<\/p>\n Parenting.<\/em><\/p>\n Since my husband left, it’s been like a downhilll slide or an uphill battle, constantly.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The problem is not the children either, it’s ME! And I HATE admitting that.<\/p>\n I’ve been such a huge grump. I’m trying hard not to be, and I do ok, but it shouldn’t be such a struggle to put a smile on my face. I know the only reason why it is such a struggle, is because I’ve allowed my attitude to get stinky.<\/p>\n I really need to stop that. Like RIGHT NOW!<\/p>\n These kids deserve so much more then an overtired, grumpy mother.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, maybe not a total failure, but the start of the school year just brings up SO much more then academics! And we’ve been at this 16 years! Those of you just starting out, give yourselves a pat on the back even if things aren’t going as well as you had hoped. First off, the […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/homesteademporium.smugmug.com\/photos\/i-4V28gb5\/0\/L\/i-4V28gb5-L.jpg\")
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\nIf I do, should I push the other a little harder to whiz through along with her since I know she can?
\nDo I throw away the other child’s book since it’s obviously not working for her, and go with a more hands on approach for her math?
\nI know that “I”<\/em> learn very well with the hands on approach, if she’s so much like me when it comes to math, I think this may be the best approach.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/homesteademporium.smugmug.com\/photos\/i-QNGcNJM\/0\/L\/i-QNGcNJM-L.jpg\")
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