Jan. 3, 2006 - Happy New Year!! (now- can I take a nap?)
Well it's new year and life goes on as it always does.
I have gotten back into my routine of rising by 5:00AM. I truly enjoy the quiet and time reading the bible and praying. Yesterday I exercised with the FIRM, and today after my quiet time and before breakfast I napped on the couch ~SHHHHHH!~ I could not keep my eyes open! I do only plan to exercise MWF leaving the other days for me to catch up on projects or whatever.
I'm trying to have dicipline in my schedule and I'll admit, it's a bit annoying. You know the whole discipline thing and the fact that I must have it. ~sigh~ I actually cook breakfast most days. You must understand- I thought cooking breakfast 1-2 times a month was good previously. I was NOT a breakfast person. One of the biggest things I don't like about it is that it messes up my kitchen! I try to have it all clean the night before, dishes done, counters wiped,etc. I'm working on training my children to help me do the clean up. They know how to do everything already, but we are working on everyone working togther right after meals and getting it done. I find I'm much more relaxed not that I insist on their help. I keep telling them that work is first, play is a priviledge. It's not like they have no free time, they just want it all. :)
Right now I'm dealing with the 2 littles having opposite naps. Ok, in reality the baby takes a nap and the 3yo stays on his bed...most of the time. It's not like he actually sleeps but once in a blue moon. I still make him rest thought. Yep, I learned with my olders to not allow rest time to disappear. For a while the littles had napped at the same time or close enough so I could lay down with the baby and rest myself. I nurse the baby to sleep and thoroughly enjoy the snuggling. Now the baby wakes just as the 3yo goes down. I have been waking the baby for breakfast so we are all at the table while dh reads a chapter of the bible. The baby would really rather be sleeping, probably because the little stinker has not been knocking out until much later than mom and dad would like. So we are working on tweaking and I'm trying to figure out where and how exactly to go about it. ~think~think~think~
Oh- and did I mention that I am ready for a nap?
We resumed schooling yesterday-the 2nd. The children are using Switched On Schoolhouse for math and science and mom is loving it, especially since dad is overseeing it. :) I definately follow the 'norm' of language/reading/vocabulary being my strengths. I find tha tthe longer I school the more I lean towards the Charlotte Mason method, or rather what I understand her method to be. I've only read part of one of her books, but have read a lot about her methodology,etc. My issue is in trying to come up with a solutin for our family that 'gels' with the more relaxed approach as well as the fact that I want my children to be well armed educationally should they want to go to college. I think the balance is their interest. I supply whatever I can in line with their interests making sure the basics- math, spelling,reading and writing/composition are adequately addressed. I figure that there will come a time when their interests guide them toward their future. I will facilitate in any way possible, but I dont intend to push them, though I will support them. Well, that's my hope anyways. I know from my own experience that a child can be self-directed in terms of education. I still have plenty *I* want to do.
The first thing is..... to take a nap. :)
Comments
Jan. 4, 2006 - Hi!
Posted by MamaBugs
stop by and say hi!
Jan. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Risa
I am totally laughing with you about the nap thing! I've been really working hard at getting up early and spending a good chunk of time with the Lord before heading to the gym - but I can't hardly keep my eyes open for school!! I just got ahold of some Barley powder stuff, so I'm hoping that will give me a boost. I just keep thinking, "If this is supposed to be life from here on out, how am I going to function?" So glad to know I'm not the only one. ;)
Jan. 7, 2006 - Hi mamabugs-
Posted by CityCricket
Jan. 7, 2006 - Hi Risa :)
Posted by CityCricket
What's the benefit of barley powder????? I've gotta know!
Jan. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Risa
Of course it tastes like the smell of a needs-to-be-mucked horse stall, but I think I must be wierd because I like it. :~)