Tuesday 7 February 2012

Homeschooling mania

Homeschooling this year has been interesting. We started out the year with a bang. Things were going amazing. I mean we did have our ups and downs, but for the most part it was mostly up.
My daughter's attitude had changed. She was happier, more relaxed, less moody and generally all around a much more grounded young lady.
Then December hit.
Since then it has been a roller coaster of emotions. She doesn't want to work. We fight discuss everyday. It has been like pulling teeth to get her to concentrate.
So I decided to take a different approach. I figure if something is not working try something new until it does.
I mean we have had good days. Days when I am like YES this is why I am doing this. However when the bad days out weigh the good days it is time to do something different.
We have been fairly relaxed around here. I am trying to get her to mature so I am taking a step back and letting her make some decisions. I have since realised that maybe I have stepped back in the wrong places. She needs structure and a set routine. I can step back in other areas, like her dance, or her cleaning her room,  both of which will be toughies for me. But in school I need to step WAY UP!!
I should let you know that her program is mostly on line teaching. I actually do very little in terms of the actual teaching and the actual curriculum. However one of the things that I enjoy about homeschooling has now become a bit of a nightmare and that is working at your own speed. I believe both my daughter and I interpreted that as only working a few hours a day and we were both wrong. She might need to work full days to be able to grasp what each subject needs and to understand all that she needs to understand.
I realised today that she has a lot to do by the end of the year. So I had to (out of necessity) set up a time line for her. I went through the calendar and figured out how many weeks were left. I adjusted for when we will be away for dance so that we are not trying to do school as well during that crazy time. I also stopped a couple weeks early so that if need be we have a couple extra weeks at the end.
It will make for some crazy time for a while for her but I am praying that this structure will actually help her in the long run.
This is all so new for all of us, hubby included. It honestly is a bit scary sometimes, but I am still confident that this was the right thing to do.
If anyone has any ideas on how to keep her on task during the day, please, please, PLEASE let me know. :)
For her sanity and for mine.

2 comments:

  1. I think of you often and have wondered how your homeschooling has been!
    My kids are so young, that I don't really have any good advice in this area, but there are lots of good blogs of experienced moms, or maybe you can get in touch with a support group in your area for some good ideas. I'm sure there must be a co-op or group in your area :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Melissa! I do have good friends that home school as well. Also I do read some good blogs that have most definitely helped.
      For the most part it has been decent, I plan on still home schooling next year. So all in all I guess it can't be that bad.
      It helps when I stay right on her tail. LOL
      I hope this year is going good for you guys as well. :)

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