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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 11:43am | IP Logged
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I was just rereading "Ten ways to simplify homeschooling" by Colette Longo, which I like to do periodically.
This time number 5 really caught my attention:
"Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can each day. Children grow intellectually like they grow physically: in spurts."
Let him do the best he can each day
That jumps out at me.
Thinking over the past school year, I can see many times when I was frustrated with my children, thinking: Argh! I *know* you can do better than this!
You know those kinds of days... when your 7 yo claims to have no idea what a nickel looks like or how much it's worth... when there is crying for no apparent reason over math (again)... when copy work is all of a sudden too long....
It occurs to me now that it is most likely on those days that my dc probably were doing the best they could at the moment. On that day, at that time, for whatever reason, they were giving all they could.
And all I could say was: you can do better! Come on!!
Sheesh... seems like I can't even allow my kids to have a bad day.
I must go back to the lighten up/relax/most adults do easily recognize a nickel drawing board. Again.
Ever been there?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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pumpkinmom
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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YES!!
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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Christine
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 2:08pm | IP Logged
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Thank you, Melinda. As we head into the summer with some children who have not finished their lessons for the year and a new baby with whom I just want to be cuddling, I needed to read this.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 2:18pm | IP Logged
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I'll have to check that book out.
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Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 2:53pm | IP Logged
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mommy4ever wrote:
| I'll have to check that book out. |
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It is actually a short piece she wrote, not a book. I wish it were a book, though... all full of good wisdom like that. Of course, then it would be "nonsimplified" 
Ten Ways to Simplify Homeschooling
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Claire F
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Oh I love this so much! Thank you for sharing!
I really appreciated #2: "Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other subjects boldly, independently and confidently."
This is so true and as I plan for next school year, I really needed to hear this. It is a great reminder of what I need to be focused on in planning and as we embark on another year of learning.
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Claire
Mom to DS 12/04, DS 5/07, DD 8/09
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 3:52pm | IP Logged
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 to ALL moms of littles and young children! Wish we'd heard Ten Ways to Simplify Homeschooling in our early years! Such wisdom!!!!
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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misswallo
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 4:57pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for reminding me of this short article, I had forgotten all about it. I printed this out two years ago and have it in my three ring binder I use for planning, I think it's great as well. I'll have to reread a couple more times this summer before we start up again.
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Missy-married in 1997 dd(99) dd(01) dd(04) dd(06) ds(09) and ds(12)
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Chris V
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| Posted: June 09 2012 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
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Ah yes, I take out this little gem every so often when my world crumbles a bit from life's overwhelming every-day happenings.
You are not alone, Melinda! After having my twins in December, I have been ever so mindful of how moods fluctuate within the new family dynamic. When my 7 yr old just isn't up for it, I shrug my shoulders and suggest we make some popcorn and curl up with some books!
I figure the best thing I can do with my girls is to make sure that our relationships are nurtured ... There are seasons for buckling down, and seasons to let it go. (.... This serves as my daily affirmation to tell myself that what I'm doing is perfect for our family and to listen to my heart on this  )
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Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11) 
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Doing the best each day
