To update my last post......I changed our schedule and started school at 8am instead of 9am and it made a huge difference!  I woke my kids up at 7am and that gave them an hour to eat, dress, lie around, and be ready for school by 8:00.   They worked steadily and were finished by noon!    If this continues to work, we will have so much more free time to pursue individual interests (and other responsibilities).   I really liked the feeling of having accomplished what's needed - school wise - and the afternoon free of guilt (for not having school that still needed to be accomplished. )

My oldest son has been trying to convince me that a relaxed schedule is what homeschooling is all about.  I was really torn between the structured person I am and the call of relaxed scheduling.   As I thought on this and talked it over with my husband, I realized that we can have both!  We can be structured in our book work and relaxed in our individual pursuits.  That way - we have the best of both.

I actually sensed a feeling of accomplishment in my older son as he realized how much he could get done in a few hours of concentrated effort. 

They say a habit takes 21 days to form (who is "they"?) so we're going to do this for at least a month and see what we can get done. 

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Posted by troush

Thanks for your encouragement, and commenting on my blog. So, I thought I'd return the favor. I'm very much for a strict schedule myself. Don't always follow it, but it does help. We don't start until 8:30 usually, but as my little guys are only 3 1/2 years old, I need that 1/2 hour to clean the kitchen and brush teeth and those types of things. Maybe next year we'll get that 8:00 jump on things.

Hope all goes well for you.

School 4 Us

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Posted by homeskoolmom

Just popped by to thank you for your comment on my blog about single parents. You mentioned a couple of things that I had not thought of. I too didn't (and still don't) have a proper perspective on what a 2 parent home should look like... maybe that's my problem sometimes when I don't get it... I'll have to think on that.
God bless,
Christine

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Posted by thoughtsandprayers

thank you so much for these last two posts. This is exactly what we're (I'm) struggling with. They were very encouraging:) (especially when I'm feeling so overwhelmed)

God bless you!
Bree
www.myheartwillrejoice.blogspot.com

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Posted by Christin

How is it going for you so far? It sounds like an awesome plan! I hope it's working. :)

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Posted by wdworkman

You've inspired me. - This is our Spring Break week, but I'm going to try a "School starts at 9!" campaign on Monday. (My 9th grader is usually just getting up at 10:00.)

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