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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 5:49pm | IP Logged
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I have been looking at how we home school and I have come to realize that I need to mix things up a bit and enjoy it more! I have sunk into a funk of strict regiment. Now, this comes from having one child who needs that, and from having a newborn. i've been in get-it-done mode and the JOY and PEACE is missing. That misses the point. 
How do you bring JOY and PEACE into the privilege (that's how I see it for us) of homeschooling?
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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roomintheheart
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 6:24pm | IP Logged
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*sigh* I can't wait to see these answers. At the beginning of this school year (fall for us), I decided I was going to be more "fun." I came to realize, I am not a fun mom. Dh is the fun one, and I just have to deal with being the get-it-done parent.
On the bright side, I did switch up a couple things to make the kids' classes a little less routine--so hopefully they are having more fun anyway.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 6:41pm | IP Logged
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I'll think on this and get back to you later. Quickly and off the cuff...
PEACE:
Get the house in order. Declutter. Make one space especially pretty and functional.
Revisit routines. Drop what isn't working now.
Character formation. Pick something doable and objective to improve, like table manners, being quiet indoors, smiling.
JOY:
Baseball. Watch it. Lots of it. (Well, you asked!)
Listen to classical music during the day, fun music during afternoon/early evening, classical late at night.
Master a new recipe: French Bread Pizza, Nachos, Wings
SCHOOL CONTENT:
Sort out the skill building workbooks (like math facts, keep doing) from the knowledge building workbooks (like religion, history) and consider building knowledge in different ways.
Allow for room to focus on favorite content & materials.
Stack the least favorite stuff first thing in the morning. Bang through it. Use later activities as a reward for getting stuff done.
Gotta run!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Aagot
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 6:45pm | IP Logged
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All ears here. I just don't have the energy to be fun and it makes me feel like I am doing all the learning/work if I focus on making what they have to do, fun. So please, someone who has this all figured out let us in on the secret.
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Aagot
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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Oops, cross posting. Good ideas, Angie
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
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I'm not really the fun parent, either.
Sometimes, I can add a spark by orienting towards a reward--and occasionally relinquishing the full requirements. For instance, on Fat Tuesday, dh was coming home late, and we had plans for banana splits (for dinner  ) and Magic Schoolbus. I told them once they got their toy room/bedroom/bathroom clean, we could have them. It took FOREVER, and in the end, because I knew they really had been at it, I told them to come on down even though they weren't quite done. It wasn't really about school (well, Magic Schoolbus counts as school  ), but that experience was a recent reminder that it can be really nice to be "fun"--just so long as I don't let it go to my head 
In this thread about recovering from PPD, we talked about those stressful times when we have felt checked out and how to reconnect. I made this comment and others agreed about the importance of reading aloud:
CrunchyMom wrote:
| I have to say that the one activity that stands out to me as being an indicator of how checked out I am, as well as doing the most to reconnect, is reading aloud. Saying yes to a story or starting a chapter book as a family has a very mystical power, ime. You bond emotionally and usually physically, and they get to hear your voice in a positive way even after a day full of admonitions, requests, and reminders. |
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We've been reading the Bantry Bay series by Hilda Van Stockum. Her books (we particularly like the Mitchells series) really are joy filled! We laugh out loud together! I'm not sure that the choice of book is particularly vital to this, there are so many great ones out there, but the activity makes all the difference in the atmosphere of our home.
Another shot in the arm recently was getting the Home Art Studio dvds we discussed here. I'm terrible at doing art projects, but it is something my kids really enjoy, and one in particular thrives on it. The instructor on the dvd IS really fun , and honestly, my boys have that experience "with" me, even if I'm not actively the one engaging them. Does that make sense? I'm not sure if there are other subjects or programs with which this would work, but "outsourcing" the fun has proven helpful for us and made for a more joyful week.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 8:47pm | IP Logged
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Jenn Sal wrote:
How do you bring JOY and PEACE into the privilege (that's how I see it for us) of homeschooling? |
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You're right, Jenn. It is a privilege! And joy and peace are absolutely possible in home education. I'll even go out on a limb and say that they are possible in every season of home education - and with every challenge. Call me an optimist - I really believe that joy is a choice in home education (and all of life), and that I can choose to be joyful...even amidst really tough moments!! (And I have faced a few really hard, dark moments - both in life and home education). And peace is the fruit that comes from doing ones best today, surrendering the rest, trusting where God has placed me/my family and what He's asking of us, and resolving to work hard again tomorrow. So, if I choose to be joyful because my vocation IS one of joy, if I challenge myself to grow every day (in virtue, in understanding, in knowing my children and meeting their needs, in exercising self-discipline and doing my duty, in taking time for leisure), then I can expect peace to be a fruit of that.
Fun is not a goal of mine in home education. I do not put that pressure on myself at all. That's not to say that we don't have *fun* - we do sometimes! But I don't think of it as forming any kind of guide or direction for anything I may put in our path for the day, or anything we choose to do. It is often something we experience together - fun - as a result of our daily experiences. Are all days fun? Nope. And I don't think they need to be. Just like I don't think my kids need a dessert after every meal. But we enjoy it if it happens, and in our day, we shoot for something altogether different that has resulted in days that consistently - through every season (and I've had some doozies!) - bring joy and peace.
My goal is RICH. And because anything that is rich can also be very filling, and too much can be excessive, I also aim for plenty of MARGIN in the day.
RICH
When I think of rich, I think of things that are very satisfying, plentiful, abundant, maybe even complex and diverse. And that's what I'm shooting for in our daily choices - whether that's reading or experience. And because choices are rich and concentrated, I don't need to go overboard planning or executing - they tend to stand on their own.
:: Take a look at your daily offerings - what do you have going on that is rich? Are you avoiding something (a lot) that you might consider rich because it doesn't *fit* with someone else's (or even your self-imposed) idea of what you "should be doing" for this to be a "real school day"??? Let that go and refocus on rich. Give yourself permission to seek the treasures.
:: Do you feel like you've been checking boxes in some areas? Can you add something simple, or even substitute to accomplish the same goal, but do so in a way that is very satisfying and adds a layer of richness?
:: What kind of reading have you been doing? Can you add a delightful book as a read aloud? Practice your best voices. Give your absolute best in reading this book aloud. Let it become an EXPERIENCE when you all sit down.
:: How many workbooks do you have and rely on regularly? A lot of busywork? Some kids really enjoy the cut-and-dry straightforward approach of a workbook, so I don't want to knock it too hard, but it isn't rich. See if you can organize your day to get any workbook work done early and quickly, and then end with the rich stuff. Leave them thinking about Horatio Hornblower, or Anne of Green Gables...not..."add a capital in every place in these sentences that needs a capital letter".
:: Take a look at how your day is structured? Does it make sense? Sometimes, we all have to *just do* some work. Chores come to mind here. Along with certain subjects. Some kids don't have a preference for certain subjects. Can you do something very simple - like adjust the layout of your day so that the *have-to-do-this* kind of things are followed by an opportunity that has more potential for enjoyment?
:: How much time are you spending on challenging areas? Slogging through and dragging out a challenging subject to an excessive degree on a daily basis is one way to short circuit joy and peace instantly. Yes - still plug away at the challenging subject/book! But, do consider spending 5 minutes ONLY on it for the next two weeks. How refreshing! "Yep, it's that subject you really dislike, honey, but we're going to do our best on it for the next five minutes and then close the book and move on." And mean it. Really do it. Just for the next couple of weeks. Then after two weeks, maybe just spend 10 minutes on that thing/subject that is so tough.
:: What is everyone reading? Is it rich? Would you consider it exciting and engaging? Do they? Perhaps just swapping out a couple of titles can add some freshness to days?
:: Music and silence in the home. Be considerate about choices here and add some beautiful music to your day. Classical can be refreshing at some points during the day, and sometimes something bouncy and lively fits just right (chore time?). Just be careful and don't over-do it. There should always be room for silence in the day, too! And kids should learn how to be silent, and how to respect a silent environment. Because sometimes we moms NEED a little silence!! Even if you only start out by working on 60 seconds of silence at a time...start small and build that habit.
MARGIN
Here's where I often see the "fun" happening all of its own accord with no prompting or planning from me. When I say margin, I mean leaving plenty of room in the day for kids to just *be*. And this goes for me, too. Leisure time. So, while we have the rich parts of our day with reading and experiences that are super satisfying, they also tend to inspire ideas...and these ideas are often acted upon in the corners of the day - the parts of the day that I haven't orchestrated, mapped out, or planned - the margins.
:: Take a look at your days. Are they a bit overstructured such that there is no opportunity for that margin to exist? It could mean very prayerfully considering how your day flows, and how many outside the home things are going on. Try to vigorously protect some daily down time!
:: How about your lesson plans? What do they look like? Do you have a lot of superfluous material/subjects/assignments in there? Could you consider removing a little? Can you brainstorm ways to be really efficient about the work you do? (Rich)
:: Do you have a simple system to keep order in the home? It's hard to relax in spaces that are disordered, untidy, and don't invite exploration. Brutally remove any clutter that may have accumulated, and restore some order to your spaces! If needed, do it one room at a time starting with the room you live in MOST! Get out the clutter, order the rest, and then come up with a simple system that involves the kids in maintaining that order! It's their space, too, and they should share the responsibility for maintaining it.
:: Invite creativity. Set up little centers or zones in your home that promote open-ended exploration or leisure. This might look like a game shelf, an art center, a book basket for you, or a knitting basket. What are your/your kids' passions? Try to set up a modest little area that invites going deeper (rich) in that passion or interest. Nothing extravagant or crazy here - seriously! And you can set up a little creativity center in a day just by gathering the things you already have and setting them up together, in a way that is inviting.
:: Don't think that because you're a busy mom of many that leisure can't be found or enjoyed in the margins of your day. Poppycock! ALL moms - all people - need leisure time. Even if it's just 15 minutes a day, I claim it for myself. Set up a favorite chair, allow yourself to indulge in the purchase of a new coffee flavor or box of tea at the grocery store, set a table near your chair along with your baskets of books or other favorite materials. Enjoy a little tea break BY YOURSELF, enjoying a little quiet afternoon prayer, a couple of pages in a book, a little knitting, something quiet!
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So, I try to set myself up for success by choosing books and experiences that are rich. I intentionally leave plenty of room in the day to move around those rich books and ideas with freedom. I'm content with doing my absolute best within whatever season God is calling us within (and that sometimes means being gentle, relaxing what I'd normally do, and being content with what is appropriate at a given time! No super-heroes here!). And I can choose to be joyful with my best efforts, and peace is the result.
I know that answer may seem a little abstract, and although I suppose it is so intentionally, I hope you don't think my intention was to belittle or oversimplify. I wanted to brainstorm a group of ideas that are malleable enough so that the ideas are there and ready to wrap themselves around the more individual and unique parts of your own day!
Many prayers as you work to claim joy and peace, Jenn!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: Feb 14 2013 at 9:31pm | IP Logged
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So many refreshing ideas! Some I implement now, some I used to, and some I should. This is why I came here to be reminded.
This has been a very challenging year for me with time and management of my home. I've let a few Things slip, but my attitude is one that I need to put in check! Jen, I whole-heartedly agree that my personal attitude will reflect the joy. I need a re-boot and I am starting here, with this post AND a cup of really good tea. 
I also want to do some things that I have never done before that seem so obvious. Like, pack a book bag and do some of those not so fave subjects at the library or at a park. Sometimes, just busting through
those tough subjects, even just for 5 minutes , can be made "fun" just if things are changed up just a bit.
Charts....they have not worked well in the past. But, my kids are older now and I'm wanting to bring out a chore chart to help. But here I go again with the question...WHAT CHART!?!
Like Angie said, I need to drop what isn't working. It's re-group time!
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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JodieLyn
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With so many kids here and a fairly small house, while the jobs take time because of working in "crowded" conditions.. there are just not that many jobs. I took a small bulletin board and put it in the hallway near the bedrooms.. then I printed out each of the older kids names and 2 each of the groupings I decided on for the major parts of the house.. Kitchen including dishes, living room and office area, bathroom and laundry. Then I hung them up with push pins.. the rest of the space has gotten special church things.. like the religious we're praying for, a flyer about the Year of Faith, a "Guide to Confession".. and then I can change it up but they can check the board for who is doing what each week. I change it Sunday night or Monday morning.
It's simple enough that I get it done.. and that works better than anything more complicated.
I don't have a space for a special nook for myself.. but these winter mornings, if I get up before most of the kids, I take my laptop and sit with either tea or hot chocolate in my chair next to the wood stove. Nice place to start my morning and I'm also more inclined to get up and get the day started because I'm out in the main part of the house instead of hiding in my bedroom (where the laptop tends to live)
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education
Topic: Joyful and peaceful homeschooling
