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Kathryn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 11:08am | IP Logged
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I know there has to be some old posts that address this and while "information is knowledge", too much information is overload, overkill and overwhelming!   
As I plan for 3 kiddos now, I find my brain shifting from this, that, and the other. I focus on one subject for one child and then start looking and sifting thru all the various programs and the pros and cons and I'm frozen into making a decision thinking something might be better or maybe it's not going to be a good fit or maybe it'll be too hard/too easy, maybe it won't really fit what we need.
As I continue to look at my shelves that have raipdly grown in the 4 years with all sorts of books and ideas I thought would work, I'm trying to make use of some of what I have and purge the rest.
My goal was to be DONE with their curriculum choices this week and then start working on plans and schedules. What are a few, short, easy tips to help me move forward. Oh, and well, I'm kind of this way about everything in life...not just my children's academics.
PS: I do have the poster board idea going that Mackfam suggested a long time ago and it does help but not when I keep adding to it and/or erasing what I *thought* were completed ideas for a particular subject.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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asplendidtime
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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I can really relate. But is it okay for you to do some "formally", keep good resources and let dc enjoy them as they like to when the stuff you've planned? (for us formal is in the morning -afternoons they need things to think about and enjoy, I need to rest).  I try to focus in on priorities, core things we can't let go of.
You sound like you might be like me, I tend to be an all-or-nothing perfectionist. So I have to constantly catch myself at this. So I try to employ the principal of fragments from the gospels, of The Lord feeding the five thousand. He fed them from a little boys lunch, he took a very small thing and multiplied it. Then afterwards he said to gather up the fragments lest they be lost.
I try to look at my time in my days like this, there's only so much I can humanly do. But I want to do everything! So priorities must be my focus. I also don't have to be involved in everything they do, it's ok to let them go down their own bunny trails. Some things will only ever get done if I can agree to do just a few moments here and there, otherwise I will never have the whole day/afternoon to make it happen. 15 min in my garden each day, or every other day, quickly adds up to an hour. It's a lot better than days passing by because I don't have the hour I think I need..... Soon weeds are growing and I will need several hours. So this works with time with kids too, I've discovered. Time spent reading, holding a hand, listening, etc.... Can be snipped and carved out a few minutes at a time, all of the time. Gathered together these fragments make something much bigger and better.... And with eyes of faith, I think The Lord works his good with our little offerings.
When decisions and details threaten to overwhelm, I step back. Go play with the kids, or watch them play. And purposefully ignore the strain for a bit. Then I pray, and ask my dh to remind me what our priorities are. Then I let the other stuff go and consider either we can take 15min per week on this, or they can have the stuff to enjoy in free time.
Ultimately if I have to make a decision and it's down to two things, and I have prayed talked to dh, etc..... We just choose something, and then rest in the decision. We can always try the other one next year.
Sorry scattered thoughts. Hope you get some good answers. 
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Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
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Mary 14,
Tim 13,
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Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 12:12pm | IP Logged
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One of the things that I find helps me is a "possibilities list" because then if I see something that looks good, I have somewhere to write it down without needing to get it *right now*.
And sometimes I just have to tell myself to "stop". That I won't know how well this thing that looks good fits unless I give it a try so rather than guessing and trying to find "the best" I remind myself that what I have picked is *good* and if it needs tweaking we can do that AFTER we've had a chance to use it.
And sometimes I just can't even research more... I have a math program that works.. so I just don't look for something even if there's something that might be better.. what we have is good. So I make the decision to not check out this or that new math thing that someone else likes. Now that's not for everything.. hey a new website that makes multiplication tables fun.. sure.. a story book that makes math come alive.. songs to sing to memorize facts... but those are little extras that I can add on if and only if I keep my main program somewhat static rather than spending more in search of perfection.. and since every program is designed by humans it's a fruitless search.
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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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Martha
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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yes. btdt.
Here is what works for me:
If it works, keep doing it. Make sure I have a clear reason and goal for changing things. Once in a while, just because? Sure. Every subject or every year? Wellll. *Maybe* not a good idea. Fun though it is to contemplate. It's not so much fun when it doesn't work out and I'm stuck with it for a year. (I know some people can afford to ditch and buy something else when that happens, but usually I can't. I try hard to use what I planned to use.)
Use what I have. If I have it, it should be used. If I have it and I haven't been using it, for whatever reason, then maybe it's time to sell it or give it away. This year, I've gotten rid of a LOT of stuff. Like three shelves. Some of it was great stuff too. It just wasn't great for me or my kids. Which lessens the guilt for the few items I am trying to buy. I'm reorganizing every shelf and computer and idevice. What's on them and is it usefull or just a distraction?
Keep notes for FUTURE ideas and keep them aside for the FUTURE. I have a general vague idea of what I want to do for the next several years. If I see something related to those ideas? I note it down. (bookmark it, pin it, write it in a spiral, add to amazon wishlist - whatever works for you) But the important thing is this doesn't distract me from NOW. I'm only actively planning and buying for NOW.
Once I have my list of what I want for each subject for each child, I start planning with that list. Maybe once I start I'll see that something is too much or too little and I'' adjust my list. My curriculua list has been on my blog for months, but I've modified it dozens of times. Adding books, changing science, or history. But I'm refining it, not expanding it.
Make priorities. It may change from year to year or from child to child. I have one that really has all her work art based, which does not even remotely come naturally to me. But it's her personal need. She can't cope without art in her day. Another son needs intensive time with me for reading progress. Whatever your priority for the year/child is, make sure it's reflected in what you are putting on that board.
I'm thinking this is clear as mud. Sorry.
I do get it though. I'm in the midst of planning for next year when I'm thoroughly burnt out. There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing. Things are turning out well for the us. I'm just wanting a sabatical that I'm not likely to get! LOL I'm coping by ruthlessly evaluating what I have and what I'm planning on using.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 12:53pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn,
I think I'd go back to the beginning to restart this and refresh a little if you're feeling overwhelmed.
What is your primary home education philosophy? What is your family's home education HOW?? Because that will dictate, to a large extent, the "WHAT" of the books and things you may choose. If you identify this honestly, I bet you could look through your list and remove a few post-it possibilities right away with this guideline in mind. This is (at least some of the time) how folks over-spend on home ed purchases, or end up with useless items on their shelf. Identifying this "HOW" is a big part of being a good steward of your own time and your family resources!
If it's working, don't fix it. I'm with Jodie on this one. If something works, it will be a waste of my time to look around. Look at your shelves. Think about last year. Is there something you can identify that worked? If yes--> go to your planning grid and REMOVE everything else from that subject.
Consider... If you have a lot of "programs" and individual "curriculum" choices as possibilities then that would be overwhelming!! Consider books more...and curriculum less. It's less expensive, connects subjects across the board so that there is context everywhere, is easier to plan, and far easier to execute!
Staying focused...
Kathryn wrote:
| I find my brain shifting from this, that, and the other. |
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This is just an area that you may have to really work on discipline. It helps me to identify a concrete area I want to focus on...so I might say to myself, "Today, I am going to work on "x" student's lesson plans." Now that I've identified what I want to do, when I start to veer over (in my thoughts, or on the shelves) to another student's stuff, I give myself permission to either put an idea on a post-it for later, or drop a book possibility into a stack, but then I re-focus! So give yourself permission to be fluid as you work, but also remind yourself to focus on one task at a time.
Think in terms of little, bite-size goals and rewards to follow. It really helps me to have a goal and a self-set deadline with a reward at the end...so something like, "I'm going to build a booklist for "x" student today, and when I'm done I'll reward myself with a glass of wine and 30 minutes of HGTV."...or something else silly like that!
Hope there's something here to help you jump start your planning, Kathryn! Good luck! 
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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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JodieLyn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 1:58pm | IP Logged
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Good chocolate is also a good reward  It doesn't take much of good chocolate to be satisfied. I just got one the other day.. Ghirardelli Cabernet Matinee (dark chocolate with hints of blackberry and grape).
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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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Bethany
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 2:24pm | IP Logged
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I don't have any advice, just a lot of empathy! I'm an all or nothing perfectionist also which leads to a lot of nothing lately This year I may be drastic since we could be moving. I'm working on my simplified booklist for the year and when I'm done I may pack up every book I own. Then I may just have to implement a blog hiatus. If I only had a few resources available and stuck to what I plan no matter how simplified or meager, I think we could accomplish more. I would certainly be more at peace.
Now I just have to come up with my plan .
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Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
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Kathryn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
What is your primary home education philosophy? What is your family's home education HOW?? Because that will dictate, to a large extent, the "WHAT" of the books and things you may choose. If you identify this honestly, I bet you could look through your list and remove a few post-it possibilities right away with this guideline in mind. This is (at least some of the time) how folks over-spend on home ed purchases, or end up with useless items on their shelf. Identifying this "HOW" is a big part of being a good steward of your own time and your family resources! |
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This may be the hardest. Although I've been drawn to a CM style of homeschooling since we started I've never truly implemented it. I was a public school workbook gal and loved it , my 2 DDs seem to love it and so it's been "easy" that way. DS struggles so much with learning in so many areas that nothing seems to be a good fit. So, that's the problem is that I'm drawn to the CM method and those books etc. but then I'm drawn to what works for the girls and really seems easier for me since I give so much time to DS and then I go back/forth for DS. Ex: He used LOG this year from CHC and it was ok, he did ok with the workbookiness (is that a word? ) of it but really, not sure how fruitful it was so I start looking at Winston Grammar again and then I think well, with all his other struggles should grammar even be on our radar???
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Kathryn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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Oops...hit enter too soon. Another example, in regards to DD 14, I asked a couple weeks ago about the geography for 9th grade/high school. The responses and book choices are great and what I would want but then isn't this easy, concise one size fits all workbook/textbook and I'm conflicted.
So this is a biggie. I've never reconciled what I really want as a homeschool ideology with the real, in the trenches, day-to-day living in our home.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 4:12pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn, using workbooks isn't a "lesser" option. It can be a very good option that gets the kids what they need and frees up your time for other things.
And you may not have a set overreaching this is the way we teach every subject ideology.
So for instance I've always considered myself rather eclectic and take what I like from different styles. I'm happy with math with workbooks that take a nice orderly approach to learning math with little effort from me in making it happen.. but I LOVE doing history from stories and biographies and reference books and movies and songs and stuff so that history is really the story of what has come before and not lists of dates and names that you won't remember later and probably wont' use again in your life.
So it's ok to pick and choose. And it's even ok to pick and choose from year to year.. so maybe this year you want to do geography with a workbook.. and then next year when your child has learned more you can more easily use some books and following things like Lewis and Clark for geography. So what you pick this year doesn't have to be forever and ever and more than one style can complement others.
So maybe your ideology is actually some CM mixed in with workbooks and ready to go curriculum. It is ok to do that.
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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 : Living Learning
Topic: Stopping the overwhelming choices...
