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I've decided to go ahead and change things a little. I just don't feel as though they get enough Science, spelling & history with FIAR. So, I'm now doing Bob Jones & A Beka for those subjects, but also FIAR. It's been very difficult for me to piece the curriculum together. I was speaking with a "seasoned homeschooler" and she said she uses the curriculums like BJ and A Beka and then builds on it depending on the child's interest. She said that was the easiest way for her to be assured that they were getting all the needed to do and then helping the children to enjoy the areas of interest. So I think that's what I want to do next year, but I need to stat saving $$ for it. The curriculum is more expensive than FIAR... School has been great these past weeks. We've learned about Japan, New England, Mining communities, ... they even made their own quilts. Ok, the quilts were small enough for a stuffed animal, but they were pretty excited about it. Levi sewed his whole quilt front, but James & Beth needed my help. It was a little too complicated to remember not to loop the thread. Levi is doing well with his work. He is such a swift learner. He really seems to enjoy it. James is doing well, but I need to keep after him. He gets so discouraged, so easily and then gets very upset with himself. So I have to balance encouragment with gentle nudging. It's interesting. and then there is Beth who wants to be doing everything the boys are doing, but isn't quite there yet. She's learning to read, but gets it all mixed up sometimes. Her persistence is wearing, but she sure enjoys trying to learn what the boys are learning. And then there's Samuel. Matt often calls him "trouble". I told him he's not trouble, he's just curious and learning a lot. He really is learning a lot. Just in the past few days he has learned about 6 new works. (He's 16 months old) And not only that, he puts them together like a 24 month old should. He said "eat cake" last night when he wanted some cake. He's a brilliant little boy who has such a love for music. He really amazes me sometimes. I attribute his happy-go-lucky, brilliant mind to attachment parenting & extended nursing. When Beth was 18 months old I was introduced to attachment parenting and gentle discipline. Before that I was always taught that the parents were in complete control and you had to "beat the will" out of the child. You leave them to cry if it's bed time and they won't sleep. You spank at everything that may be wrong or "a sin" and you teach them that you are in control and they have no choices or opinions in the matter. James was a very violent and angry 3 year old, which is what made me seek out different parenting techniques. I stumbled upon this whole AP/GD lifestyle . I started listening to his feelings instead of dismissing them. I started letting my children have a voice instead of being the "one in charge at all times." I started giving them options, letting them learn to make decisions for themselves. I started babywearing Beth at 18 months and she loved it. I loved it! It was neat to see how much she learned just by riding around w/ me while I cooked or went for walks. When Samuel was born it was just natural to throw him in my sling and school the kids, clean or cook. I'm not perfect at it and I can tell you honestly some days it's much easier to try to control every situation that arises from what clothes they wear to what they'll be playing with. Obviously there are some situations when they are allowed to dislike it, but they still have to do it. Granted, they are kids and misbehave like kids, but I've seen big changes in them. They are happy children who aren't afraid to come to us and talk about anything that is on their minds. They aren't afraid to tell me if they've done something wrong or if they are feeling sad, hurt, lonely or scared. They don't lie and if they start to, they stop and tell the truth. They often think about their actions and how they will affect other people (tho they still have a ways to go in this area. LOL) I don't know how I got on that schpeel.... I've been thinking a lot about child-rearing lately. Some days I feel like the worst mother in the world and I'm always trying to better myself when it comes to my family. They really are my life. |
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Posted by Vegiemama