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Post by mountaingirl on Sept 6, 2007 22:02:07 GMT -5
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
I just quit working my job on the 10th of August to be a SAHM for the first time in my life. This came all of a sudden to us. We also decided that since I am now staying home that I should be home schooling which all of this is really what we have been praying for.
I have 3 children: 9, 4, and 2.
Our state requires 875 hours a year. I know to take things slowly and not worry about the hours that we will be able to make them up as we go along.
I have literally made myself ill this week by worrying about things. Last night I decided that I needed to start listening to my husband (funny how that works) and stop trying to get everything perfect and that we will find a routine. This morning was the first morning that I wasn't ill and life did go a lot smoother.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.
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Post by countrymomof4 on Sept 7, 2007 12:54:13 GMT -5
Homeschooling is hard I have 4 children-teenager to a toddler I feel alittle overwhelmed at times. At times like this I just pray- I give everyone a coloring sheet and I take a 10 minute prayer time with the Lord and as simple as this sounds it does wonders for the rest of our school day! Don't worry about much just take it slow and just find your way! Pray for guidence and it will come. The Lord is good. Oh a routine helps too! LOL Blessings- know that you are doing the right thing. Elizabeth
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Post by cindylu on Sept 7, 2007 18:51:11 GMT -5
The beautiful thing about all those hours is that almost anything can be counted as learning ans schooling time. Learning how vacuum and doing the dishes can be logged as learing how to run a home. Watching something educational on tv can counted toward schooling, science, phonics. When the engine went out on our car, changing the engine out was automotive class. LOL When our moma goats had their babies last spring, it was animal husbandry and science. Everything around you can be a learning experience. All those hours don't have to be one on one teaching for each child. I have three children I homeschool and I know how it can be. A good schedule is a good place to start on organizing your day. If I didn't have one all the children would be all over the place and nothing would get done. I schedule chore time, school time, tv time, bath time, and even when dinner is and when the dishes get done. Sometimes when Dad is home we can't always follow it but when he is not we try to stay on it. He really appreciates the organization and it saves on my sanity. If you need any help with homeschooling curriculum or anything else, I could help you if you want. Just take couple of weeks to figure things out, there is no hurry to get them started in school. You have all summer if you need. Things have a funny way of working out. Peace and God bless, Lucinda
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Sept 10, 2007 22:32:06 GMT -5
Dear Overwhelmed,
I remember the first year we began our homeschooling adverture ... I will certainly keep you in my prayers. Our first year homeschooling we taught only the academic basics - math, reading, phonics, spelling. Once we got our routine/schedules frimly rooted in place we began adding extras like history, science, art, music, etc., one subject at a time. Today we are successfully homeschooling our three youngest (17,8,5) and wouldn't have it any other way. Look to the Lord for wisdom with regard on what is the best method for teaching each child. (We have two who learn best through the traditional methods and one who excells with a classical approach). On the tough days, I send the children outside for 15 minutes, take a short break and remember why we chose to home educate our children - so that they may know the Lord and His plan for their lives and eagerly answer "yes" to His call. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 Congratulations on your new adventure! ... tb
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Post by mountaingirl on Sept 10, 2007 23:19:16 GMT -5
I thank everyone for their support and prayers.
I was up very late last night organizing my thoughts, books, and files. I have to say it definitely paid off. Things went a lot smoother today and we were much more productive. I also love the fact that I don't have to spend late hours tonight preparing the rest of this week's lessons. I took care of that last night.
Tonight I am able to enjoy my husband and actually get a little bit more house work done.
I do have to say that right now my 9 year old does need a lot of one on one teaching. She loves to just sit and day dream her way through life. She had this problem in school and it is worse at home. I have cracked down on the dicipline and given her strict time frames for getting the work done.
Now if I can just keep my 2 year old occupied.
Lucinda, what cirrculium do you use?
I have been taking the math off of the Old Fashioned Education website (Hillbilly Houswife). I have a grammar book and workbook from my college days. My daughter love biographies so I am using those for reading and history. My husband will be working with her on Science and we are both teaching the bible.
We don't have any money because we weren't prepared for me to quit my job when I had to. Our income has been cut in half.
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Post by cindylu on Sept 11, 2007 1:25:22 GMT -5
I use various sources that I have found. We can not afford a purchased curriculm so I have, over the years picked up textbooks from second hand stores for different subjects and different grade levels. When the kids were younger I used those thick books you find at any bookstore or at Wal-mart that covers all the subjects and made up worksheets for them if they needed extra help in a particular subject. (that was before internet acess)
This year I am using part Old Fashioned Education and part regular textbooks. My youngest is using the reading, spelling, and wordmastery in OFE. She loves the idea that other children over a hundred years ago was learning the same things that she is. (She is a romatic at heart. LOL)
The Old Fashioned Education curriculm has a users group and is a place where you can post a question or any information that you would want to share. It is a great place to gleam information. I just love it. I have used it myself and have found that the response from the people theres is just wonderful and very helpful.
You sound like you are doing a great job. I hope I have helped you and can help in the future. If you have any more question feel free to ask. You are in my prayers.
Take care and God Bless, Lucinda
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