Homeschool is Funner: Can we fast-forward?
Shhh! It’s a rare peaceful moment; nobody move!
I’ve enjoyed the introverted homeschoolers posts at Simple Homeschool because all this chaos and noise with two extra kids is making me c-r-a-z-y. Seriously, some days I am NOT dealing well with it. And as of this week, we have baby Riley EVERY day for the whole school day, rather than just two shorter days each week; she is a sweetie but she does add more chaos and more noise. This too shall pass, and I’ll look back one day and feel like this time of life has flown by. Trying my best to savor it all — but sometimes, y’all, that’s a little harder than others.
Almost ironically, though, I’m itching to jump ahead a few months to our next homeschool year, when I’ll have a preschooler and a first grader in the home education mix. Our current schedule is not at all working for me, and there are so many habits and daily schedule issues that could be so much better without Scout and Jem off at preschool and kindergarten. I hope and pray by then we’ll have worked out more of the kinks in this new life, and will have had the summer to relax, de-school, and spend more time getting to know each other.
Homeschool: It’s funner.
I’m sneakily planting homeschool-is-funner-than-public-school ideas in Scout’s little head. Mwahaha! (And yes, I know “funner” isn’t a word!) After having such a hard time getting Lindsey on board with homeschool, I’m starting early! Thankfully, I’ll only have one year to overcome, rather than the eight years Lindsey was in school before she joined the family. She still hasn’t [re] learned to like learning, but she does finally see many of the benefits of homeschooling.
In one conversation this week, Scout told me she is really excited about getting to “do homeschool.” She asked a few questions, and told me, “You’ve really got to teach me to read. All I know how to read is some sight words!” Got it covered, my dear.
As I’ve been planning, I have been looking back over Kathryn’s kindergarten and first grade years to refresh my memory on what we did and didn’t like, and what I’d do differently. I’m delighted to find that I did NOT get rid of our Little Hearts for His Glory curriculum in one of my clean-out sprees. I will not follow it as strictly as I did back then, in my very first year of homeschooling, but we enjoyed it and I believe it will be just enough to do with Scout next year — tweaking, of course, to take out a few unexciting things and add back in some fabulous Ambleside Online literaturey goodness.
And FINALLY we have more springlike weather! We’ve been taking advantage of it whenever possible, playing with bubbles, going to the playground, taking wagon rides… I’d love to get back in a habit of an after-dinner walk.
Howdy, Robins!
It seems our robins are back this spring! I noticed the male bringing nest materials, and when I told Kathryn, she moved her schoolwork to the chair by the back door so she could keep an eye on things. WonderDog watched, too.
Jem in particular is fascinated with the robins’ nest, and keeps checking to see if there is a bird working or sitting on it. It’s fun to have the littles already already interested in a little back porch nature study. Ken took them to a nearby playground last weekend and they ended up dissecting pine cones and talking about them. They’re already homeschooling and they don’t even know it!
Next week, we’ll be off for spring break — and I’ll be getting ready to head to the Titus 2:1 Conference! Are you going? I’m looking forward to meeting more blogland friends in real life, and photographing the conference in progress!
Visit these homeschool link-ups:
– Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
– Weekly Wrap-Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
– No Fear Homeschool High School at The Daisy Head
– Collage Friday at Home Grown Learners
– Family Friday at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Jamie, can I share something with you? I envy you getting to do the younger years again with Scout and Jem. Those were such magical years in our home. We read so many Five in a Row books and just loved learning. I have no doubt you “have it covered” like you said — you’re such a great mom. I can also relate to the noise driving you NUTS. I am sure you will be utilizing a lot of Tricia’s suggestions and helpful habits in the coming weeks and months. Hugs to you, and don’t let the pollen get the… Read more »
Yes, I loved those years with Kathryn. Sad that I missed them with Lindsey. We still have a lot to work out in regards to plain ol’ life right now, but I am very much looking forward to the fun of the early years of homeschool!
It looks like you’re settling into a “new normal.” 🙂
Such sweetness! Can’t wait to see you next week!
Yay! Why did I think you weren’t going? I’m even more excited now!
The noise can definitely be overwhelming and just too much stimulation sometimes. But you have a great attitude! Love being able to sneak in those homeschooling moments disguised as fun. Have a great weekend!
It’s great to see that you’re getting to do the younger years ago. What an incredible mix of different ages you have. The new school year promises to be really fun with the new mix. I look forward to reading more. 🙂
As an introverted homeschool mom of seven, I can totally relate to the challenges of constant noise and little people everywhere. I’ve heard it said that motherhood is made up of long days and short years, and I’ve found it to be so. But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade the time spent with my children for all the peace and quiet in the world.
You’re doing a wonderful job, Jamie–I love reading your story!
Judy,
Thank you. And love that: long days and short years. That says it perfectly.
I’m also an introvert and find that there comes a point in the day when I have hit my limit and have to send the kids outside to play or into another room to read or play quickly (which sometimes doesn’t last for more than a few seconds before an argument breaks out!) so I can relate to what you’re saying. I agree with Mary though. I loved teaching the younger years and sometimes even have thoughts of starting again someday just to get to do those years again. You have such great years ahead because homeschool is “funner”! I… Read more »
Sharla,
Maybe we’ll get to meet at another conference sometime soon!?! 😉
Homeschooling IS funner! ;). Before we told my 2nd grade daughter we were going to home school I did a week long unit study and lapbook–she loved it.
I can completely relate as a fellow introvert. I feel like the Grinch: oh, the noise, noise, noise, noise! My prayers are with all of you as you continue to adjust. Somehow I know you’ll do wonderfully. Scout and Jem are fortunate.
Heidi,
Thank you — and yes, the noise! Love the way you handled getting your daughter excited about homeschooling before telling her you’d be doing so!
This has been one of my more favourite posts of yours. Ever since those two new little people came into your home it seems so natural and fits. I realize it is overwhelming. Not to compare but we adopted two dogs a few months ago after moving just a couple months before that, and it has all really threw me for a loop and still does most days. I love the comment ” I’m sneakily planting homeschool-is-funner-than-public-school ideas in Scout’s little head. Mwahaha! ” And may I add your dog looks lovely. Have a glorious time at the conference. Wish… Read more »
Mo,
She is a rather lovely dog. And so good with the kids. Husband and I have said with as much as they pester her, we’d have eaten their little faces off if we were a dog; thankfully WonderDog is a better dog than we would be. 😉
Sorry you can’t make it to the conference but I do hope you’ll be able to go to one of these soon!
I may get my daughter to come over and read your blog. She is trying to decide whether to join us for homeschooling or remain in the public system. I went and talked to her teacher and arranged a day for her to stay home and give it a try. She is leaning towards joining us but there is a good friendship that she is afraid of losing.
Chris,
If that’s her biggest concern, perhaps you could help her be very intentional about getting together with this friend once a week for a while. And of course if there are any outside activities in your area she will likely make a few new friends to add to the mix, but they don’t have to replace this special friend.
It’s definitely that time of the year when I start to think about next year, too:) Although I am majorly ready for a spring break right now! …I loved the picture of your littles at the park learning in such an organic way.
Dropping by via Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers~have a wonderful weekend!
Your post made me smile. I am enjoying my little guy – I’m not pushing him to second grade next year. We’re going to savor first. We sat and discussed that this week. I’m savoring it – and pulling in big bro and sister – it needs to be enjoyed and savored.
And – I’m smiling because I get to meet you – finally!
I really love the younger years! I have one going into preschool and then one into kindergarten…..the other two boys are older, in 3rd and 4th. But I’m already giddy about getting supplies for next year. I think we might do year round this year, due to being due 🙂 in September!
Adding little ones to the (homeschooling) mix can be fun yet overwhelming. We adopted 2 kids from Uganda in 2010 S and M. Plus there is my 2 biological children B and J. S was 4 when we adopted her and will be 7 in July. She is in 1st grade. M was 6 at the time of adoption and is now 9. She is in 3rd grade. B is my oldest. She is 14 turning 15 in May. She is in 9th grade. J is my only son. He is 13 and in 7th grade.
I think you have many busy, noisy, messy days ahead as you add these two cuties to your homeschool mix, but I have no doubt it will a beautiful experience for you all!
Prayers for you and that you’ll have little peaceful moments of quiet throughout those busy days.
Blessings!
Hi Jamie! It has been a super, super long time that I’ve posted at your blog! Like at least a year- and more!! But, I’ve kept up from time to time and recently added your blog back to my feeder. What I’ve loved most about reading is your adoption story and the process. My husband and I have felt the urge to adopt from our state’s foster care for some time now. However, we wanted to try first for another *by birth* baby our ours. We took some extreme measures to see if that would happen for us, including a… Read more »
I love the waging picture. Takes me back to walks with my parents with me and my sister in a wagon. Thanks for sharing your journey with the little ones. Have a great spring break. Blessings!
It’s supposed to say wagon picture…..sometimes I do not like auto-correct. ;0)
Your work at brainwashing, er ‘educating’ your children on the ‘funner’ aspects of homeschooling made me giggle. I remember my mom, way back in the day, always pointing out the public school and kids trapped in their desks, every time we’d be heading out for a field trip… I also remember telling a friend who was new to homeschooling (we were around 6th grade) that she was lucky to be homeschooling in junior high because you didn’t have to take group showers… Yes, my mom did a great job pointing out the benefits of hs-ing!