The feelings of being out of balance are beginning to fade as autumn approaches.Our daily home learning has started and while the planning and one on one time with the children takes a lot of time, I am still getting into a nice routine.
I would love to do more creative learning activities with the children but I have had to let go of that as a daily goal as I have five levels to facilitate this year plus a two year old.
My hope is that with their free time, they will engage in product, creative, self-directed pursuits.
Nolan and Thomas (our 14 and 16 year olds) spend a lot of their free time playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. They write music as well and hope to perform soon. They are glad to be learning at home and realize that it affords them the opportunity to practice for a couple of hours a day.Warm wishes,
Tonya
It's great to get back to some sort of a routine isn't it? We're back to school too and even though my days are busier it feels good to have some structure again. Have a wonderful year of learning together!
ReplyDeleteWow I think I can relate to your feeling on imbalance. I am a little anxious as I am getting my kiddos ready for school. It seemed as the summer went on we loss more and more structure. While we don't need too much structure during summer, I have found out (the hard way) that we need some. It looks like you all are going to have a wonderful year! Thanks for sharing! Be well, Angela
ReplyDeleteI understand when you write about this new season bringing with it a rhythm. I am finding that groove too. It truly is lovely having the children home learning, I agree! : ) Your banner certainly looks like the beginnings of fall in New England! : ) Lots of love to you and your family Tonya xoxo
ReplyDeleteDear Tonya, I know just what you mean about the unbalanced feel of summer giving way to a more rhythmic fall~ we find it to be important as cold weather approaches, and we are inside so much more!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great day~ your children look so sweet sitting at the table. All your children are beautiful, from 16 all the way down to 2!
Perhaps sometime we'll get a chance to meet up in person.
<3
Melanie
We are trying to find ours too. School starts and things always are a little crazy at first but fall is soon and that makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteI found that when balance was needed, we got creative with counting certain daily chores as schooling, example: baking and canning was counted as Home Ec. and Math, building a chicken tractor or making gifts for holidays, was Shop, as well as Math, cleaning the house and grocery shopping, time was counted for Economics, Math, Life Skills and for when younger, Spelling for helping make the grocery list. Sometimes it's easy to get stuck in the book routine, but "Life Skills" are valuable as well.
ReplyDeleteI miss home schooling, in fact Cortney and I started a Bible study together because we both missed the time spent together reading and learning.
Blessings to you and yours,
Kelle
I feel so similar as you do, with rhythm creeping back in as the blazing heat subsides. I have tomorrow through Friday blocked off for home school planning, and although I feel a little overwhelmed at the moment, I also feel such a sense of excitement at the coming year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so ready for normalcy too. I have a 4 year old, almost 3 year old and 14 month old...just found out we are expecting baby number 4. I'm trying to incooperate learning time everyday but notice it is getting harder now to find time to do individual learning with my oldest two...even just simple things like colors and puzzles. they both love it though and so do i...I am nervous about how this will play out when they get older.
ReplyDeleteI love homeschooling my daughters!! They are 13 and 16... and they wouldn't have it any other way..they love being homeschooled!!!
ReplyDeleteRenee
We are looking forward to getting back into our routine as well. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be back into a regular schedule isn't it? I do remember the days of homeschooling with little ones around. Often, all I felt like I got done was a bit of reading to them. God always did the rest though, and I now have 2 college graduates that homeschooled through high school. God is good.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia