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kristinannie
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
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We started homeschooling the first week of June. We did three weeks and then took this week off so DS5 could go to karate camp. I was planning on doing three more weeks and then we are going to a family reunion at the beach for a week. I am going to my parents' house (about 4 hours from here) for the weekend. My mom just offered to watch the two older kids next week for "Grandma camp." I asked her if she would consider doing it another time (like next month or Sept) and she said she would, but she sounded really disappointed. I know the kids will have a blast, but I am really nervous to take 2 weeks in a row off without school when we are literally just starting to get into a groove. I know that homeschooling is supposed to give you flexibility which we plan to take full advantage of. This was just a little last minute and I had a lot planned for this coming week (I have purchased supplies, went to the library, etc).
I would love to hear your advice! Thanks and God bless!
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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jawgee
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 8:49pm | IP Logged
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I would send them to "Grandma Camp". Part of HS is making memories. What a beautiful memory they'll have. You'll have plenty of time to "catch up" on what they missed that week.
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Monica
C (12/2001), N (11/2005), M (5/2008), J (8/2009) and three angels
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 8:57pm | IP Logged
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This IS a tough one! Yes - two weeks in a row will set you back a bit, but really not much more than having already taken one week off. One week is enough to disrupt the routine enough so that you'll have to take some time to get back in your groove...not a lot of time mind you, but it will require a little bit of time to get back into the routine. AND...your oldest is 5, so really, you're not going to lose too much ground.
If it were me...I'd probably take her up on it and start brainstorming some things that I could really ROCK on and get done without having the two older kids --
ORGANIZATION PROJECTS
SHOPPING PROJECTS
SPRUCE UP/REVAMP YOUR BOOKLISTS
HIT A BUNCH OF FUN THRIFT/USED BOOK STORES (how delicious!!)
ORGANIZE YOUR BOOKSHELVES
BUY A LABELMAKER AND LABEL EVERYTHING IN SIGHT
COOK A TON OF MEALS AND FREEZE THEM FOR *THOSE DAYS*...that will come!
ETC!!
Of course, you might decide that it's just too much...and that is TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE...and you could just explain to your mom that you've just started with school, already have plans in place, and really don't want to disrupt the routine that much. And that's fine, too!!
Now...if I had bigger kids...the kind that are REALLY helping out and taking on some heavy duty routine around the home....I'm confessing that I'm totally greedy with their time!! They help me way too much, especially with the littles! I mean I do let them out of the house occasionally  but, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE...when they're gone I REALLY miss them!
I am absolutely NO help! I guess for me the bottom line is - do you have some big projects you could really rock and roll on if you didn't have so much *help*?? Projects that you might have been putting off a bit, or you wanted to tackle in the winter, or next summer...that kind of thing? If yes - call Grandma RIGHT NOW!! 
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Jen Mackintosh
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guitarnan
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
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I would, too. Grandparents aren't around forever, and your children are old enough to remember "Grandma Camp" with much happiness. You can use the extra time to plan, prep craft materials (believe it or not, Advent will pop up long before you're really ready!), learn about feast days or saints you might want to mention during the school year...
...and tuck that sweet baby into bed and enjoy some "date night" time with your dh.
ETA: Where in WV are you? WV is so much fun in the summer - so many birds to observe, rocks to skip, etc. We lived in Pendleton Co. for two years...and came home diehard Morgantown fans!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mrsgranola
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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This caught my eye...
I absolutely would take her up on it! Especially since yours are still quite young... they will still be learning a great deal! This is one of the best reasons to homeschool... take the opportunity to be with the grandparents and learn from their wisdom while you can. There will come a day that you will be oh so happy that you did.
There will days when my children were younger that we would drop our "plans" now and them and just go spend some time with my mom or go bring a meal to a funeral lunch at our church, take a friend up on a park meeting, etc. We still do the funeral lunches whenever we can (best way for children to learn about helping those who are grieving and being available to talk to them) and we aren't very strict schedulers. There are seasons our homeschooling, for sure...
I hope and pray my younger children will have as much time with my parents as my older ones have...
JoAnna in NC
Mom to 7 now (17.5 yo down to 4 weeks old)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 23 2011 at 11:34pm | IP Logged
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Oh I'd send them to Grandma.. but then a schedule and I mesh like oil and water anyway so I'd be quite quick to toss it to the wayside for another day. 
Truely though, your children are so very young and need very little formal school at all.. you'll get the routine down again later.
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Mimip
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| Posted: June 24 2011 at 7:40am | IP Logged
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Kristin,
IMHO, I would drop them off with gusto and go do some things from Jen's list. Spending time with Grandma and Grandpa is a HUGE thing in our lives because we have lost family recently. Actually when my grandfather died in December, my Mom, his daughter commented on the amount of time that my children were able to spend with him because of homeschooling.
And remember, enjoy the freedom while they are young. I believe that you WILL get to an age, as they become older, when two weeks off REALLY might be too much.
Such a hard decision, I'll be praying for you 
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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kristinannie
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| Posted: June 24 2011 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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Well, my kids are going this week. My mom actually called to apologize for pressuring me. I think my main problem was that it was so last minute and I had plans. Plus, I honestly need awhile to get myself ready for leaving my kids for a week! She was willing to reschedule it for next month, but this will be easier since we will be there this weekend anyway. Plus, my mom has rheumatoid arthritis and you never know when she'll get a flare-up! Thanks for your support. I know the kids are going to have so much fun and, hopefully, I will get a lot of things done around the house. It is harder when I just have the baby though because the big kids keep him entertained!!!!
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: June 24 2011 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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I was also going to say that you should let the kids go to your mother's. But I am really impressed that you and your mother can discuss things like this - that you are both willing to compromise and accept one another's viewpoints. Your relationship is blessed.
Peace,
Nancy
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cornomama4
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| Posted: June 25 2011 at 8:15pm | IP Logged
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Sounds like you made a grea choice!
Your oldest is 5, right. May I humbly suggest that you read a book or 2 by Raymond Moore, specifically http://www.amazon.com/Successful-Homeschool-Family-Handbook/ dp/0785281754 and
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Late-Than-Early-Education/dp/08 83490498/ref=pd_sim_b_2
You sound so full of plans, ideas and dedication to HSing, but your kids are so young. You shouldn't be stressing about sticking to a schedule or "getting behind" right now. So much learning will happen just by talking, doing, loving and living :) Of course this is just my opinion, but relaxing a bit has served both my children and our family well over the years. You might consider exploring this option and unfetter yourself from externally imposed "shoulds". Again, IMHO. 
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: What would you do?
