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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 10:24am | IP Logged
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We have had a VERY busy summer.
Many guests, travels, vacations, eating out, messed up bedtimes, etc. We had (what I thought was) one last trip, an 8 1/2 hour drive one way, last weekend. The "fun" started with dh, who was in London having to meet us there because of work(had a meeting he needed to stay for)-I drove 2, 4-5 hour days alone(wasn't supposed too)--it was fine except the 4 year old-arg-she just can't entertain herself and ds was tired of doing it!! Once we got there it was wonderful to be with my Grandma and all my cousins from all over and family. I was in some ways looking forward to getting home, resting my kids this week, getting some home stuff done, prepare for coop, and starting serious school next week. Well, we have gotten an invite to my in-laws-a four hour drive away. Next week. For 4 days. Because of a football game. I am just beside myself. I REALLY need a break. I was so looking forward to getting everyone back into routine and habits and normalcy. DD is just toast and NEEDS some structure--and sleep. I am weary dealing with her and just keeping her pacified. And I just have so much to DO!
This is one of the first times I have thought-gosh, I wish my kids were in school. What an awesome excuse! We homeschool because of the flexibility but I think it is getting ridiculous. How do you say no? To family. We don't live near family and we usually say yes to family every time. Oh, and my parents will be visiting for a few weeks at the end of September. See, it is getting ridiculous 
We have been really relaxed the past 2 years due to our move. This year I was going to do a curriculum and realized it was just structure and discipline I needed. So, I decided to be more disciplined. I see ds falling behind and it is making me look like a bad teacher. I really need a span of at least 4 weeks to develop the school habit but "things" keep getting in the way.
Anyhow, just needed to get it off my chest to those who have probably been there done that.....to commplain to schooling friends would be pretty bad 
THanks for listening...off to get ready for more chaos..
Anne
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Maryan
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 11:04am | IP Logged
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Anne,
We do a lot of traveling too! I hear you! We're traveling this weekend, and so I put off our school start just to recover!! It's great to be with family, but it does break routine and take a while for the littles to get back into the groove.
But I have definitely said no to family travels BECAUSE of what we have going on with our schooling at home. My family understands that.
When we do travel, we do take books and books on tapes -- education in the car works as well!!
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 11:09am | IP Logged
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Oh wow! I'm so glad you posted this. I can relate!
We all love the freedom of flexibility of homeschooling, but yes, it can get out of control sometimes. Sometimes it's family expectation/demand (which I have a hard time saying no to, esp. since my parents are getting up there in age), then there's hubby's travel for work, which we like because of the break in monotony; and then there's karate which is 8 1/2 hours away (thankfully dd-16 will be getting her black belt next month so it will be a LOOOONG time before we travel back there).....
I said "break in monotony" but right now I could really use some monotony.
Everytime I get into a nice groove where schooling/housekeeping/outside activities are flowing smoothly, SOMETHING suddenly happens and we're thrown off the schedule again. The past few years, it's moves, traveling, sicknesses, etc., etc.
But I guess that's just life. I'm soooo glad we found real learning and everyone here. I can't imagine trying to live the life we live with a boxed curriculum.
 I don't know if that helped any, I guess I was just venting too .
We're leaving again this weekend -- for 10 days. Sigh... so I have to go do laundry and get started on the packing....
ETA: Yes, carschooling! We do that too! 
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stef
mom to five
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MarieC
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 11:14am | IP Logged
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First of all, you have my sympathy. I did a family thing last week that had me quite around the bend for a time!
mom2mpr wrote:
| Well, we have gotten an invite to my in-laws-a four hour drive away. Next week. For 4 days. Because of a football game. |
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Do you have to go?
mom2mpr wrote:
This is one of the first times I have thought-gosh, I wish my kids were in school. What an awesome excuse! We homeschool because of the flexibility but I think it is getting ridiculous. |
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You do have kids in school. I, too, enjoy the flexibility but too much time away from the books can be pretty detrimental. (I'm all for relaxed learning and making a lesson out of anything, but sometimes math pages or a grammar book just need to be done, kwim?). Would the grandparents understand?
mom2mpr wrote:
| How do you say no? To family. We don't live near family and we usually say yes to family every time. Oh, and my parents will be visiting for a few weeks at the end of September. See, it is getting ridiculous |
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Well, if you usually say yes it seems like you probably have a "pass" coming to you. No one can do everything every time. We all have our limits. Be honest, let your family know how important school is and that you have to get off on the right foot.
I will keep you in my prayers. I, too, have a hard time saying no but I've found that when I do, the sky doesn't come crashing down like I fear it will! Whatever fallout I can imagine is far worse than anything that comes to pass. And the peace I gain from the more relaxed time is far greater than I ever imagine.
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Marie
mom to 6
dds-98, 00, 02 and 09 & dss-03 and 06
Out in the Orchard
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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We do listen to books and try to do some carschooling while away and also while traveling around home--it is 30 minutes to dance, church, etc. But we need to work on math and grammar and things like that.
I probably do have a "pass" coming--but it is dh's family and that gets a little "hairy" So, I will try to impress upon him that I am done, and really need to stay home and get life in order, but he thrives on chaos and just doesn't understand--and any opportunity to see his family he jumps--and I do kid care, there are no cousins their age. So, while I will make my needs and wishes known, I will most likely have to go. I could say no to my family without much problem but like Steph mentioned, when my parents come I drop everything since they are getting older and have health problems--and they do travel to us--which I know will stop in a few years as they age more.
Thanks everyone for listening and making me feel better. I am hoping October might be my month to get life in order before the holidays Keep me in your prayers-that THIS will be the LAST trip for awhile
Anne
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Leonie
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 5:14pm | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
ETA: Yes, carschooling! We do that too! |
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Sometimes, I think that is the only schoolwork we get done all week - the stuff that happens in the car!
Reading their religion book, working on memory work, writing, drawing.....
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Topic: May I vent?
