Homeschool Mother's Journal 30 April

In my life this week…
We did absolutely nothing... okay, well not nothing... but it sure feels like nothing.  I managed to get everyone to help with chores this week.  So often I try to do it all on my own, but It Ends Now!!!   I have drawn a line in the sand and it is not going to be blown away by the next big blow.

We also helped set up my ds2's PCYC for a gymnastics comp.  That accounted for an hour's worth of exercise.  Another line in the sand... my weight loss goals.

Well, I guess maybe there has been a lot going on this last week but it has been all in my head, so to speak.

In our homeschool this week…
No school this week.  I decided 3 days crammed into the end of a week was just a pain.  I still need to finalise some Preschool Activities but just about all set to go for next term.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We went to ds2's first gymnastics comp and he did really well.  He got 3rd for 5 out of 6 events and 3rd over all.   I am very proud of him.

Some friends of my mum dropped in today on their way home from a long trip to Tasmania.  They took a cuddle for Grandma and a photo or two of my garden.

My favorite thing this week was…
I managed to take baby and a CD of my favourite music out for a long drive while dh cooked dinner.  It was so nice to be able to just have quiet (well, sort of, the stereo was up loud) and be able to complete a thought.  I came home much refreshed.

What’s working/not working for us…
I am not sure yet if anything for this coming term is working or not, but overall I am very impressed with the Sonlight Core that my eldest is doing.  He pulls some of the books off the shelf to re-read just for fun and that can not be a bad thing.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am realising that I really don't like how unschooling works in my family.  My dh and I watch too much television to ban the kids entirely without feeling like hypocrites.  If I let my children lead their learning they watch way too much junk and it is Not Good.

I like structure myself and I am determined (yet another line in the sand) to make sure it works this term.  My 2 middle children will do well with me being in charge.  The toddler will learn to go with the flow as I learn how to keep him busy.  Now... the 12 year old Aspie could be fun.  But I do not need to fight him.  I can walk away after telling him what is needed and he will soon learn there are consequences.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
These were 2 of the songs on my CD for my long drive.  Both worthy of singing loudly and off key to in my opinion.  lol   The first was one of my favourites in my senior year.  Oops, showing my age!  And the second was from the album I had to play to get ds2 to sleep.  I had buns of steel dancing to this every night for about 6 months.  Kids!!  The others liked gentle rocking or even just being laid down to go to sleep on their own.  Go figure!

 

Whenever, wherever by Shakira

Best wishes

Jen