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Becky Parker
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 10:00am | IP Logged
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I love the quote above by Amyable!  It is so me in an "ideal world". I go to the websites and read about the cute Gnumber Gnomes and the beautiful Waldorf Main Lesson books. I think about how I can incorporate all this into my little homeschool. But, I get overwhelmed with the housework, the errands, the whiney kids and I'm back to our same old "get the work done so we can play" mentality. (Both me and the kids, even though I try to hide it.) 
How do you wonderful, awe-inspiring ladies find the time? I wanted to do the "Gnumber Gnombes" for my ds, who would absolutely love learning that way, but I just don't know when I would find the time to make those cute little gnomes! (And, while I hate to admit it, I am severly craft challenged!) 
So, I'm wondering if this all requires that attitude that I have tried so hard to foster here, but have failed. That attitude that says learning is life and school happens all the time. Maybe it's because I was a teacher and when I pulled my oldest out of school and started homeschooling, I spent the first couple of years in "teacher mode" (school happens from 8:00 to 2:00 with an hour for lunch/recess, then I'm done.) Now we all seem to have that mentality, and no matter what I do I can't seem to shake it, from me or the kids.
Has anyone overcome this sort of mentality? What does it take? Should I just hang it up and go back to the way we're learning? Sigh.
I guess I'm just having a little pity-party here. Feel free to tell me to just "get over it"! 
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Cindy Mac
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 12:31pm | IP Logged
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Becky -
For someone who enjoys crafting in general, I just didn't have it in me to make my own gnomes. I ended up getting some Pocket Gnomes. It cost more than it would have to make them myself, but I knew if we were going to use the Gnomes and Gnumbers that I had to bite the bullet and just get them. Don't know if that will help you at all, but my kids really enjoy using their gnomes and learning math now.
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Cindy - wife to Chris, mommy to my 4 sons!
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folklaur
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 1:17pm | IP Logged
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the gnomes were really very easy to make. really.
and i hope you get good replies to your questions - i need those answers too!
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Amanda
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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When I come across an idea or approach I love, even though I *want* to throw away all my previous plans, buy a ton of stuff, and immerse our whole family in the new method, I *try* to just incorporate one thing, usually on the fly.
For example, you love main lesson books. Get a sketchbook at the grocery store (or one for each dc), and the next time you think of it, hand them out along with the Crayolas (put down the Mercurious catalog, and step away from the computer! Don't let the fact that you don't have beeswax, rectangular crayons keep you from pursuing this with the small amount of time and energy you have at your disposal). Suggest that they draw a picture and write a few words about whatever the topic was. Encourage them to color in the whole background.
For the gnomes, you really don't have to make or own little gnomes. Tell the basic story (or print it off the Net and read it) at bedtime sometime. Viola--cuteness and added comprehension, with no crafting skills necessary.
If you don't already have a nature table, that's easy. Next time you go for a walk, have the kids put the treasures they find on a particular shelf--doesn't matter if you haven't cleared it off. Most things will fit on the edge along with the books.
Do you see what I'm saying? Is it helpful at all?
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St. Margaret Clitherow Homeschool
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Sarah M
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
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Amanda wrote:
| When I come across an idea or approach I love, even though I *want* to throw away all my previous plans, buy a ton of stuff, and immerse our whole family in the new method, I *try* to just incorporate one thing, usually on the fly. |
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Excellent advice, Amanda!
Amanda wrote:
For example, you love main lesson books. Get a sketchbook at the grocery store (or one for each dc), and the next time you think of it, hand them out along with the Crayolas (put down the Mercurious catalog, and step away from the computer! Don't let the fact that you don't have beeswax, rectangular crayons keep you from pursuing this with the small amount of time and energy you have at your disposal). Suggest that they draw a picture and write a few words about whatever the topic was. Encourage them to color in the whole background. |
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We are Waldorf-influenced in our home, and I must say this is such good advice. Really, following a waldorf curriculum, even a free one like Serendipity, can get quite expensive if you feel the need to purchase everything recommended. I'm in a *use what ya have* mentality right now, as we are tightening the belt on our family budget. So don't feel the need to break the bank. As Elizabeth posted just today over at Serendipity, approaching learning from a waldorf perspective means focusing on *relationship*.
We use crayolas and construction paper and even (gasp) craft foam on occasion when we get crafty. We have a lot of this on our shelves from our pre-Waldorf days and we use it. Truthfully, my kids like play-dough much more than beeswax, although we do pull out the wax from time to time.
Just go easy on yourself. It's so easy to compare our homes with all the glorious things posted in the Catholic homeschooling blogosphere. I think focusing on the *heart* behind OM, Serendiptiy, etc, will bring much benefit into your homeschool.
Blessings!
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Jenny
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 2:42pm | IP Logged
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Ooo, Becky I think I so understand. I love thinking about how much my children and I will gain and learn from (fill in the blank). Then I get nervous and back out and go back to the familiar, what we started with, what seems to show immediate results. I tell them to read pages xxx and answer the questions at the end. Dull, boring...predictable and presentable.
I took a huge leap of faith the beginning of the year and ditched our history textbook. We started using Serendipity's Along the American History Trail. The learing that is now taking place in our home!!! The kids can't wait to tell dad about our reading from The Captain's Dog each evening, they can answer those pesky questions friends and family ask about their schooling, really! Someone recently heard we were studying Lewis and Clark. He asked them who was the red head? All 3 girls immediately were able to tell him! (I had no idea ) Apparently we had read it or they had read it...
So, here's what I am doing: my comfort zone is the get it done mentality when it comes to grammar and math. I do not feel confident in my abilities to teach them, help them or manage a busy house full of littles all at the same time. We use Seton for English and Math U See for math. The rest I glean or follow from all the wonderful ideas here, at Serendipity and by looking over what other homeschools are doing at about the same time. (I do the last just to have a starting point, you know?)
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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amyable
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 7:06pm | IP Logged
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As you know, I have nothing to add.  Just wanted to say thanks for the quote - I feel famous.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: May 23 2009 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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Yesterday I wrote my post then turned off the computer. While I was going about my day I was thinking about how I could use what I have and try to incorporate some of the beauty and creativity that I want into what I am already doing. I could get some math stories from the library (or as Amanda mentioned above, simply print the Gnomes and Gnumbers stories) and my ds would be thrilled. Of course, he wouldn't have the gnomes to manipulate, but I could get the gems or sticks etc. easy enough. Then I sat down with my ds's science book for next year and as I went through it I added little sticky note ideas that I could do. Things like "nature hike: squirrels" and "Main lesson book": write about the squirrel's habitat, sketch the squirrel, etc. I had decided that I needed to use what I had because I can't afford the money or time to go all out with Waldorf or gnomes, or whatever.
THEN, I read this wonderful post of Kim's. The first five sentences said what I've been thinking in a nutshell.
Then, I came back here and read the wonderfully encouraging posts above. And the common sense approaches and tips. And the reminder that this is more than the methods and materials - It's about the "heart" as Sarah mentions.
Okay, so I can do this!
I think I have to let go of my "all or nothing" thinking and do what i can. I think that "all or nothing" attitude is so stifling for me in so many areas of my life. Cleaning/decorating my house is another example. I long for the beauty that I see in other peoples homes, but if I can't do it all (I mean like, tear down and rebuild!) I decide I can't do anything. Sigh. But, I'm working on it.
Thank you again for your helpful posts. I was feeling quite discouraged. Now I'm actually excited about some new ideas to incorporate for next year. I'm going to look into the history now! I think I'll be planning all summer. Which, to me, is part of the fun!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Oakmeadowy, Waldorf loving, Serendipitous
