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dsauclair
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 10:50am | IP Logged
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Will you share what happens to your school schedule when you have long-term guests? My in-laws seem to have a routine now of visiting every other month for 2 weeks at a time. I am also expecting my own parents this fall and they'll be staying with us for 3 months. (In other years, we are overseas with my parents for 3 months at a time too).
Just for your info, I am a new homeschooler with a 5 y.o. starting this fall, and a 3 y.o. who will be "participating" with us. I've prepared my parents to participate this fall with regular Filipino read-alouds. They are very excited about doing that, especially my mother who writes stories and poems in the vernacular. She has even prepared new material for the children. 
I know my children are young enough that having our visitors read to them is 'school' enough. So do I bring the guests along when the children want to follow a rabbit trail, do a project, play in the mud... Just wondering how it works in your household.
Thanks for your input.
Diane
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 11:30pm | IP Logged
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I will be interested to see what others say. I was going to ask this very same thing!
We have my parents visit every few months for a week or so and we do no school. I have figured developing the relationships is the priority. We do school year round because of these, and other, breaks. My ds will be a 3rd grader in the fall and this is starting to worry me for some reason. It isn't only the visit, but that we have "reentry" for a few days after they leave. The kids are tired, sad my parents have left, and trying to get back to the routine is hard. For some reason third grade feels important to me and I don't want ds to get "behind." We also go away some weekends and have other guests and add in the reentry and I wonder how much we really are getting done.
Anne
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Katie
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| Posted: June 25 2006 at 7:58am | IP Logged
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Diane,
It really depends on the guests. My parents love to get involved. My step-mum was a primary school teacher and has the patience of the saint, and she's happiest digging in teh dirt or making crafts or drawing endlessly. The children all know that Grandpa is a good bet when you want a book read to you! Other guests are just more hands-off.
When they come and stay for an extended period (more than a week), I go to a reduced schedule, squeezing in the 3R's when I can. Usually if we have visitors we are off exploring and seeing the sights, so that in itself is educational. If we have visitors for a month or more (it happens here), I try and keep to our schedule as much as I can, but take "vacation days".
With the children your ages, I would definitely just let it flow, follow your children's lead, and let those grandparents have fun. I think it will be a wonderful time, and that the "education" will happen without the kids even knowing it! I'm not sure how much seatwork your 5yo does, but mine rarely do any at that age, so there is no schedule to drop.
I hope the visit goes well!
__________________
Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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dsauclair
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| Posted: June 26 2006 at 9:30am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the input, Katie. I discussed this with my husband and he gave me more specific advice about his family--what I could say to his parents, how they can be involved, and how much I can insist on my schedule. School is only an hour in the morning for now, and the kids are into 'playing school' so they do love the writing exercises.
Because I didn't grow up in the US, my sensibilities are different, and what's instinctive to me sometimes does not work here. For example, in my culture, it would be unthinkable to let your guests explore on their own! 
That's why I love listening in to the exchanges here. It grounds me in this culture and teaches me the nuances of relationships. Thanks again!
Diane
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Katie
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| Posted: June 26 2006 at 9:33am | IP Logged
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Well Diane, now I want to be nosey and ask where you are from! I grew up in Wales and even though Brits and Americans share many things, we are a study in cultural differences. After almost 12 years of marriage, I still don't always "get it"!! 
Glad you worked out a plan. 
__________________
Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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dsauclair
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| Posted: June 26 2006 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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I love it when people ask! I am Filipino and have been married for 10 years to an American who's a quarter French, a quarter Italian, a quarter Lebanese, and everything else! We have enough culture in our famly right now to have personal connections in our history lessons.
I agree about not 'getting it.' I almost always need to ask explicitly in order to know how to act! But it's been fun, and life outside of your home country is always an adventure.
And we're off to another one... (kiddies dragging me out the door on this rainy day!)
Diane
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Long-term guests and THE schedule
