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alicegunther
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Sitting outside with the children today, it felt like springtime instead of January. While normally it is bitter cold here in the winter, today it felt like 70 degrees.
Musing about springtime got me thinking about January and burnout. This is the time of year we may find ourselves feeling isolated, worn out, behind in our lessons, and generally glum. Our houses aren't back to normal, and we are still trying to absorb so many "things" that may have come to us as gifts.
Can we begin a discussion about Springtime in January? How can we perk up our spirits and battle burnout before it happens? What are some of the ways to inject interest and joy into these bleak midwinter days?
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Love, Alice
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Margaret in MN
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alicegunther wrote:
| This is the time of year we may find ourselves feeling isolated, worn out, behind in our lessons, and generally glum. |
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Amen! Minnesota has been nothing but brown and gray in terms of landscape. You are looking ahead to the Spring, dear Alice, but I would love to have my sparkling, snowy Minnesotan Winter first!
I wholeheartedly agree with the above sentiment, though. What worked for me this morning (after dealing with some depression yesterday) is PRAYER. I did not feel like making my Holy Hour, but I feel like a new woman for having gone!
The writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, St. Teresa Avila and St. John of the Cross were such a blessing--just where my mental dialogue needed to go.
Hope that helps! I'm looking forward to reading other people's ideas!
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Margaret
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Genevieve
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My children are too young to be formally homeschooling but I do suffer from bouts of "burn-outs" regardless of the weather. When it happens, I tend to scale back on my plans, especially planned activities for the kids. For me, planning is best done when I"m energetic and in a good "general" mood. Otherwise, I rely a lot on my very basic routine of housework chores, read-alouds and free form play to dictate our days. Our days are very impromptu and often I would shift the responsibility of filling our days with meaningful activities to the kids. They may not come up as elaborate a plan as I do, but we have had some good fun nevertheless.
I've also tried to do more fun educational activities & forgo the "core" subjects. Again the less planning the better like science kits & open ended art activities.
This week I've taken up writting a letter to everyone on my Christmas card list again. Just a simple note of gratitude of their presence in my life. The kids usually assemble a basket of goodies for the individual like cookies, random pieces of art and sometimes little toy trinkets.
Last but certainly not least, there are pajama days where no one has to change (brushing teeth is a must though. :p) until 4pm. We just spend the day snuggling under the blankets, reading books, tickling, hugging & wrestling with each other.
Hope this helps! I'm looking forward to reading other ideas!
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The Good Within
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Cheryl
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Well, I was in the mood for a small unit study. I've already told my dc that we are doing penguins, Antartica and polar bears next week. Yesterday's weather felt like January in Florida (which I'm not complaining about). I felt like changing the plans. Maybe it's time for Peter Rabbit...
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Cheryl
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marihalojen
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Cheryl wrote:
| Yesterday's weather felt like January in Florida (which I'm not complaining about). I felt like changing the plans. |
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Even January in Florida has been exceptionally warm this year. We haven't even brought out blankets for the berths yet or or had a fire in the chimenea (sp?) by the Tiki Hut or lit our small heater once. Last year we were schooling in our cockpit in the relatively chilly mornings with the isinglass windows down so it was like being in a greenhouse, all toasty warm and bright. This year we are toasty warm and bright without having to amplify the solar heating effect!
I think flexibility is very important. You may have the best plans in the world but if an opportunity suddenly comes along being flexible enough to grab it, whether it is a new exhibit at the museum, a local concert or an interest in quilting by your child, can keep the rut-induced blues away. Just last night my dh came home all excited, he arranged for Marianna and I to take SCUBA lessons! Does this fit into my plans? Not the way they were written. Does this mean we aren't going to pursue this until we have a break? Not on your life! SCUBA here we come! Our Greek studies may end up being more literature based with fewer cute lapbooks, and that will be quite alright.
On a another note, I bought a timer last week. At the end of our schooling in the Fall I found myself harping at Marianna - "Charlotte Mason advocates short lessons - how can you be taking 4 hours on this subject! Hurry up! Speedy Gonzalez! Quickly now!" So with the timer on hand we are going to keep the lessons short. When it rings we'll put the Math book away for the day and go for our Nature Walk instead of pushing the Walks back until it's dark and they never happen.
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
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Rebecca
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I find this time of year to be particularly difficult as well. I am helped by playing some good music in the background while I work around the house. Right now my kitchen is a mess as I am putting away all the Christmas dishes into storage. I am going to light a candle on my counter and put on some happy music while I work. Some of my favorites are Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, traditional Irish music like Solas, even big band will do the trick for me.
I love this thread idea, Alice, and will return to it whenever the "grumpies" set in ! You ladies all have such good ideas to lift my spirits!
Love,
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Paula in MN
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Margaret in MN wrote:
Amen! Minnesota has been nothing but brown and gray in terms of landscape. You are looking ahead to the Spring, dear Alice, but I would love to have my sparkling, snowy Minnesotan Winter first! |
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My sentiments exactly. I think I am farther north than Margaret, so I have a wee bit more snow, but it does not feel like January in Minnesota. The ice isn't even safe enough for fishing!
But I do get the doldrums, and music is my favortie way to get rid of them. That and laughter...have you ever heard Bill Cosby's take on Noah?? Gets me every time...
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Cheryl
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Rebecca wrote:
| Right now my kitchen is a mess as I am putting away all the Christmas dishes into storage. I am going to light a candle on my counter and put on some happy music while I work. |
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So is mine. Today's plans include picking it up and taking down the Christmas tree. I'll probably be listening to the Happy Feet Soundtrack. Lighting a candle sounds like a good idea.
And Jennifer, scuba diving sounds like a great idea for January!
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Cheryl
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Donna
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We're heading out the door to hike to the falls this afternoon. Hiking is not something we can usually do in January so we are taking full advantage.
No cabin fever here this year!
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1floridamom
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I suppose it is the weather, but I imagine we'll all be hitting the blues in February if the cold hits. Normally it seems like we've gone so crazy during Advent getting ready for the not-as-important parts of Christmas that by this time we're ready for a vacation. We tried really hard to keep the flow of preparing slow. It has made a huge difference in our energy to charge forward in this new year.
My dh and I are making plans for the major home repairs, decluttering, and organizing that needs to happen. The kids and I are planning our study focus and activities for the next few months also. My dh and I had already determined that we were going to do Jeff Cavins' The Great Adventure Bible Study (T3 Version). It is a shorter 8-week schedule which will probably take us four or five months to get through.
I'm feeling good right now. We'll see how I'm feeling in a month. 
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alicegunther
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I remember feeling extremely burnt out several years ago. It is so funny to think about now, because, in retrospect, I was being silly. It was January, and my oldest daughter was in kindergarten. We had just had our fourth baby girl, and I was feeling neglectful of my oldest. Our Christmas season had been slightly chaotic after an Advent wreath set a lamp on fire and the Christmas tree toppled over (not once, but twice) breaking several very sentimental ornaments. We all had stomach viruses for New Year's. By the first week of January, the thoughts, "What am I homeschooling? Wouldn't this child be better off in school?" kept plaguing me.
The last straw was when I found a little note she had written to me. It was wrinkled up and left in the garbage--apparently she had decided not to send it. The words were written in inventive spelling, but could be read plainly nonetheless:
Dear Mommy, You seem very busy with the new baby. I'll be under the table if you need me. Love, Agnes.
Is that enough to break your heart?
Just when I was at the end of my rope, Lissa sent me home from a playdate with Karen Andreola's "A Charlotte Mason Companion." Of course, today the book of choice would be Real Learning, but back then the Andreola book was a real springtime for me. I read it cover to cover, remembering my dreams and the beauty that had attracted me to home education in the first place. It was amazing the way such a simple thing could completely snap me out of my funk.
Today, I have a few remedies for burn out:
1. Massive de-cluttering. Clutter is the cause of 95% of my feelings of being overwhelmed. If I can begin my day in a neat house, I always feel good and productive. Post-Christmas clutter is inevitable, and it needs to be rooted out. I hope to do a lot of this today!
2. Great literature and old favorites. Every January, we re-read "Winter Holiday" by Arthur Ransome. This year, though, I may wait until there is actually some snow on the ground. Last night, we picked up "Milly-Molly-Mandy," and Agnes began reading it aloud to all of us. The sweet innocence of that book is enough to lift the spirits.
3. First Fridays and First Saturdays. Our New Year's resolution is to observe these faithfully. We managed to get to Mass both Friday and Saturday of this weekend, and I am feeling very rejuvenated.
4. Smiling and cheerful talking. I am the type of person who does a lot of smiling, quite honestly, but do I always remember to do so for my children? Why do I smile at every person at church, but walk around my own house with a frown because a few socks were left on the floor? When I remember to smile and share good cheer with my children, it trickles down to an amazing degree.
I am loving all these responses. Please keep them up!
I will need to look into Bill Cosby as Noah, Paula. Oh, and thanks for the reminder about the timer, Jennifer. Things just seem to hum with a timer.
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Love, Alice
mother of seven!
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KellyinPA
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Although we are waiting/hoping/praying for snow I think that the unseasonably warm weather has helped combat "cabin fever" around here. The days go much better when little boys can spend time outside!
That said, my mid-year inspiration and motivation has been uplifted by many of you. We are ready to get back into our regular scheduled schooling tomorrow after a month long Advent/Christmas break. The ideas for different units as well as book suggestions and not to be forgotten craft ideas make learing fun for me and my children. I love having something new to look forward to, Christmas might be behind us but Valentine's Day, St.Patrick's Day, Easter and much more are ahead.
Looking forward to a "new springtime"
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Kelly
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1floridamom
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alicegunther wrote:
| 4. Smiling and cheerful talking. I am the type of person who does a lot of smiling, quite honestly, but do I always remember to do so for my children? Why do I smile at every person at church, but walk around my own house with a frown because a few socks were left on the floor? When I remember to smile and share good cheer with my children, it trickles down to an amazing degree. |
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Isn't this the truth?! Someone (???) mentioned that they were reading Fr. Lovasik's Hidden Power of Kindness. It definitely sounded like a book I wanted to share with my kids. Now that I've flipped through it, I know that I'm the one who needs it the most. I have already finished The Temperament God Gave You which is also helping me to see what I am working with to be a better model for my kids. Silly me, I thought I could just tell them to do what I wanted, and they would do it. 
I'm thinking that it might also be a good time to look over Charlotte Mason's words. Since the kids she taught weren't hers, I've sometimes thought about her attitude like, "Easy for you so say." Now I am beginning to realize that she was more able to remove the emotion that we deal with with our children, and it might be a good thing to review.
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Monica in FL
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momwise
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Springtime...that's a good idea Alice! 
I'm just hoping to get out of bed tomorrow. Since moving 2 years ago and having a baby 1 mo. later, then the miscarriage last month and plunging right into Advent (we really barely did anything for Advent), then time off school for Christmas I am feeling more behind than ever. Being responsible for 2 high schoolers this year feels like such a burden all of a sudden. We have so much to overcome and I am so behind in my planning for them.
I'm going to glean as much information from this thread as I can!! We are praising God for the snow we have (20+10+6in.) and we expect more on Thur but it is going to get *cold* later this week.
alicegunther wrote:
| What are some of the ways to inject interest and joy into these bleak midwinter days? |
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Please include any ideas for teens if you can. I need stuff that I can use for credits. We are pathetic at nature studies unless someone else guides us. None of my clan wants to venture outside when it's cold and I'm allergic to cold air 
I do plan to increase Rosaries and Mass and one resolution is to pray together every single morning.
Sorry, I'm not very encouraging to anyone today.
Aha!! I did just have a thought... Who had the blog with the little indoor gardens?? Alice C? There, that's one idea but I still need help.
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momwise
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Here are those darling gardens
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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julia s.
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I'll add in going to confession. I went this weekend and feel so much happier. I think after holiday confession is probably very beneficial after all that closeness with other people - iykwim .
I'll agree with Alic that a good attitude helps tremendously. Today at church I was starting to get annoyed and started to make my family tense when I looked at my friend and her family two rows ahead of me. She arrived a little late and it was obvious she and her family had a harried morning, but they were sharing a small private joke between them and something about the warmth between them shamed me into behaving better. The whole day went better because I let my anger go.
And I second the decluttering and having a clean house.
I also just bough St. Faustina's dairy and am looking forward to reading it in my spare time.
The hardest part is when I start to feel behind, especially when my friends' school aged children start telling me all they are doing -- bleh! Telling me to take it easy doesn't exactly help then. I wouldn't mind some advice to ward off those times.
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julia s.
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One more thing, getting flower catalogues in the mail and planning spring gardens is a nice pick me upper.
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JuliaT
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Thank you, Alice, for this thread. I have enjoyed reading it. Life has been very stressful for me, lately. I have been implementing a few things to help alleviate that overwhelming feeling.
1)Spending time with God first thing in the morning has helped a great deal in calming my heart and setting it on the right track for the oncoming day. Also, I have started journaling. I have tried this many times before but I didn't have very good results. This time, however, it is clicking.
2)Before I begin preparations for supper, I have a bubble bath. I have two books that I am reading at the same time. I read a few pages from each book during my bath. I feel very relaxed and ready to handle supper and the 'putting to bed' marathon. The children know that unless there is blood, they are not to bother me. So far, this is working.
3)Candles are very soothing to me. I love how the house smells when there are candles burning. My favourite scent right now is Chocolate Truffles. Also, listening to beautiful music also revives my spirit. Right now, my favourite is the self-entitled CD of Andrea Bocelli. That CD is so beautiful that it brings me to tears (happy tears) everytime I listen to it.
4)The last thing that I have done has to do with school. I changed our schedule. I changed around when we do the subjects and in some cases how we do the subjects. I read somewhere last week that CM changed her school schedules every term. She said change was good for the children. We start back to school tomorrow and I am very excited about the changes.
5)Okay, this is really the last thing. I have decided to study the Imprssionists for Picture Study this year. We will be starting with Mary Cassatt, then moving on to Degas and then Monet. I love the paintings of the Impressionists. They are very 'springtime-ish' to me. I think it is important when you are on the brink of burn-out or when you are wading in its depths, is to fill your day with beauty. Art, music and candles do this for me.
Blessings,
Julia
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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Bridget
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I guess one of the blessings of being sick for so long over Christmas is that we are all eager to get back on track with our schooling.
We just got a decent snow fall so the kids will easily get out to play. That makes a big difference in our days.
When I take the Christmas tree down I always like to splurge on fresh flowers if I can afford it. It freshens up the room and helps keep it from looking forlorn without the tree.
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saintanneshs
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Great thread Alice!! Thank you! Winter blues always seem to hit me, too, and I'm definitely trying to ward them off before they arrive this year. I love to "think spring" but I'd think I'd love to see some snow even more.
With only two weeks to go to our due date, I'm just trying to keep busy, wondering if this baby will EVER get here...I'd already had all of my others by this time (in the pregnancy)!!
Today we're taking the tree down and beginning our FIAR week of "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. I figure if I can't see snow, we'll get in the mood anyway! Right now the dough for our Elephant Ears is rising (Elephant Ears are a snowy day treat I grew up with and my boys have been begging for them since Jan. 1!) We'll have hot cocoa and do our lessons with a candle on the schoolroom table to brighten our spirits. Since today is our 1st official day "back-to-school" since the Christmas holidays, I think we'll do our rosary CD together to start the new year off right...Maybe grow a snowman with our crystal growing kit, maybe cut snowflakes to decorate the schoolroom...sing Jingle Bells with our musical instruments...do a short exercise video together (who knows, maybe it will start something )... a little math and some poetry copywork...and I love the idea of using a timer! We're going to start that TODAY! Then it's lunch and naptime/quiet time for the kids. It might be too cold to go out and splash around in the huge puddles today, but without a new baby to keep me inside, we might just do it anyway and finish up the afternoon with hot bubble baths for all (another wintertime favorite)... Then it's soup for dinner and early bedtimes 'cause I'm pooped by 7pm these days !!
BTW, I packed a spring catalog in my suitcase to take with me to the hospital, so I can browse and dream about our summer garden... so I guess I'm just as eager for flowers as I am for snow.
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Kristine
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: A New Springtime
