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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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I have been homeschooling since they were born. Ds is going into 5th grade and I am beside myself with nervousness.
Is it because he took the Iowa test this week and I am worried I am going to fail him? Or have already?
Is it because I know he is behind in math and I am feeling intense pressure to catch him up? And he dislikes this whole idea.
Is it because I know he will go to school in the next few years?
Is it because dd starts kindergarten next year and needs me ALL the time and I feel pressure to have her start reading?
Is it because I long for the easy years, the one's where really, you just enjoy being together and trying to learn.
Is it because dh isn't totally sold on homeschooling and I think
I am going to be in trouble if the kids mess up?
Is it because we aren't having fun anymore? And I can't take yet another break?
Is it because I have no idea what to do with a 10 year old boy?
Is it because of all the issues coming down the pike, the birds and the bee's, culture, TV, movies, music... my little guy is growing up?
Is it because he is attracted to the world and all it's stuff?
Just curious if anyone else has gone through this. I never thought I would be this far in homeschooling my children. I just want to enjoy my last years with him home but, I am nervous
Anne
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Courtney
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 7:57am | IP Logged
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I can relate, Anne. What is it about age 10? I have a 10 yr old dd and I've seen alot of changes this year! I keep praying for discernment and guidance. I'll keep you in my prayers, too!
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Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94 
Mom to Candace 10/97 ,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 8:30am | IP Logged
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I think I would be nervous if I had all of those thoughts running through my head, too!
Try to focus on one day at a time. Spend your energy on your relationship with God, your children, and your dh. And remember that the rest is just details.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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marianne
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
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I have a 10yo boy and things are going better than ever. Maybe you could look at the positives:
-more independent
-more responsible
-more motivated to learn
-more fun to be around because of a more developed personality
-not experiencing peer pressure b/c you're homeschooling, which is going to make half of your worries automatically less of a problem!
-never a dull moment because of all the changes that they go through - my son has grown one full inch in the past six weeks and gained 2 pounds. Plus he needs a haircut, so he looks so much taller all of a sudden! It's fun to watch them grow and change.
Enjoy your son and pray about your concerns.
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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Wow, Marianne, that sounds great! My dear son, who is 11, has had a complete personality change this year and for the worse! I JUST got out of the difficult years with my now 13 year old son and was looking forward to a breather, when BAM!, my 11 year old decided to make waves. It is so painful to have to go through too, since like Anne was saying, you want to just let them have fun, or learn at their own pace etc., but if I LET him do what he wanted to do all day, he would just doodle and ride his bike.
So, I have had to increase the heat and make him accountable for his school work and since I have noticed a weakness in the writing area with the boys, probably due to too heavy of a reliance on workbooks over the years, I have had to increase the writing with all the boys too. So, they have definately disliked that, but like Anne said, not her exact words, but I am their only teacher and it does make you nervous when it is all on you, and I am the only one who can correct this deficiency.
Like you were saying Anne, it used to be fun, and then I stopped having fun. Lately, I have had to deal with a lot of discipline issues that keep rearing their heads. I wondered why this was happening! For starters, I think we all need summer! Also, I think I have been upping the amount of work I am requiring of them, rather than the usual workbook fair etc., and they are starting to stress about it. Strange thing is, I have really been enjoying this whole teaching thing!!!! I am thinking of all sorts of creative things for them to do, side projects for them to do to research Famous Americans to make a Famous Americans book. (Got that from their history book. I hope to have them write a paragraph on numerous folks with their pic. at the bottom and then I will but it all in a book for them once they are finished. ) But, anyway, my point is, I think I am changing the way they are used to doing things, but it is a neccesary change, and they are just having adjustment problems to the new workload.
Anyway, I think the journey can become less "fun" the older they get and we start to feel the pressure of outside judgements (tests they may have to take etc.) and we realize it is all on us. Persevere!!! God has and will give you the grace for your journey. I just got through lecturing my 11 year old and he is busily working while I take a mental break, and I wondered where all these thoughts were coming from!!! I was making sense! I figured it must have been the Holy Spirit and I just continue to beg for His help. So, hang in there. What worked when you had younger kids will need to be adjusted. Also, your Kindergartener should not take too much of your time as far as schooling goes. It only takes a little bit of your time, but then you have to figure out what they can be occupied with while you are working with the olders. (arts and crafts are GREAT!!!!!!!!!)
But, kids back from feeding the vacationing neighbor's dog, so must get back to school! Just try to add some spice into your school day, plan in breaks when needed, and try to be at peace with yourself. Sometimes we want an out or an escape and we really just need to re-focus and have confidence in our ability!! (I am preaching to myself here!!
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 16 2008 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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Thank you for the good advice, everyone.
Theresa, you can always make me smile. All those thoughts aren't going through at the same time Just trying to figure out what is making me so crazy--and that is the summary of my brainstorming.
I'll try to take one day at a time....
After baseball last night, I am pretty convinced I will continue to homeschool for next year. I saw a lot, learned a lot and am amazed at the stuff that really happens in the schools and people put up with it.
Anne
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Why am I nervous?
