Notes from the Laundry Pile

Oct. 12, 2006 - An edited ramble....

I've had several revelations lately....so maybe if I type them out they'll sink in. Kind of like thinking out loud.

I can not compare myself to others. Especially other homeschool moms. I was looking at all the things other HSers are doing with their kids - and I got a bit maudlin.

We do good when we do the 3 R's. but I want the kids to be well rounded! I want them to learn other stuff, too. (So do they) But I have to be careful because those that I would compare myself to - many of them don't have the age groups of kids that I have. And many of them only have 2 kids. That meanst - they don't have teething baby or a two year old that actually fits the two-year-old typecast.

What's funny - I KNOW all this. But sometimes I have to revisit it. Kind of like reading a good book - you just have to re-read it.

My other revelation came from reading "Orgainzed Homeschooler". You know what I figured out?? I am organized! My problem comes from having too much stuff for the little space that I occupy. One thing we do lack, because of me, is the wherewithall to pick up what we get out.

I bounce from thing to thing - like that ball in a sing-along video.

But I really should spend time at night cleaning up after myself.

As usual, I digress.

So I'm going to bed...

And I remember the 3rd thing I wanted to ramble about - but why start a new ramble when I have a perfectly good one sitting right here?

There are just some days you feel like you're being pecked to death by ducks.

When the kids have more needs than I have hands - when there are outside forces pulling for you immediate attention - when there are household chores sitting there mocking you. (I firmly believe there are physical ducks and there are spirit-realm ducks.)

Those are the most important days to praise. I find myself at night, with my head on the pillow, having a "duh" moment - thinking, "I should have stopped to praise!" The lesson of Nebuchadnezzar going crazy - when all God wanted was for Nebbie to praise and say "Heaven Rules!" was a profound one to me. Those duck pecking days are the days I have to stop and say "Heaven Rules! My God Reigns! He is God and there is none like Him - or beside Him!"

Thus ends the editation of my ramble. :-)

My God Reigns in Heaven - There is none like Him!

Bleach Free blessings!

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Comments

Oct. 12, 2006 - Really, my dear

Posted by ThoughtfulMom

You have plenty of time. Your Bigs are only 8 and 6. If you did nothing but the three Rs and reading randomly for the next two years, you'd be fine. If your kids can read and do age-appropriate math and write legibly, they will be ahead of half of the public school kids. And I know you - and your kids - you'll accomplish all kinds of education without really thinking about it just because you like books.

Now, next year, when I'm worrying about not getting anything done wiht #2 because of #3 and #4, remind of me this.

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Oct. 13, 2006 - Been there...

Posted by jugglingpaynes

Check my comic strip next week, I actually wrote a few strips about feeling like everyone else is doing more. I try not to get too caught up in that game. If I did everything I thought would be great for my kids we would all be stressed out. I do have friends with every minute scheduled for something or other and it is very frustrating when all you want is for your kids to have down time with their friends.
It does get easier, by the way. The older kids will be able to help their younger sibs with their work and eventually they will be more independent in doing their own work. I knew a woman with six children when I first started homeschooling and asked her how she did it. She said her only priority was getting them to read, because then they could take care of almost all the other subjects on their own.

As for the cleaning, I recommend Flylady (www.flylady.net) She saved my kids from being sent to school after my third was born.

Take care of yourself! I'll add you to my friends list to check on how you're doing.
Cristina

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Oct. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ApplesofGold

I could have written this-I have felt this way so often! I also compare myself and my kids to others. I beat myself up when I see what HS Moms with more kids than me are able to accomplish-so why can't I manage to get it all done?
Often, I'll get excited about a new program that someone else is using-buy it and start it and then we never get around to finishing it. But, the unfinished curriculum is like a mocker saying "na na na naaaaaa na!-You can't finish me" (think what the gingerbread man said to everyone chasing him)
I have found that I am able to get more done when I make a plan, though. This is the first year I started planning. I just plan 1 week at a time. We're still not getting everything done, but we're getting more done than before. I'm also listing goals for the week besides academics.
It is very frustrating trying to read out loud, too, when a 2 yr old is fussing and carrying on or getting into mischief!
What a revelation that is to me--to praise God and give Him the glory even when days are bad. This is such a blessing to me and I am going to write it at the top of next week's planning page as a reminder to me. THANK YOU. Holly

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Oct. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by appleleaf

Yes, I know all about those spirit-realm ducks that peck. You're so right about simply giving thanks. Amazing that when we're not on our guard and daily life keeps happening, we have to remind ourselves. Thanks for being my reminder today. By the way, I appreciate your up-beat "Laundry Pile" theme. I thought of you when I was in the middle of a huge pile myself and it made it seem less like drudgery and more like fun.
I wanted to drop by to tell you that not only does your Mini-Me look like Emma, they're almost the exact same age too. Emma will turn 8 on November 11th and has the count-down down to 4 weeks. It's such a cute age, but where does the time go?

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Oct. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AngieMama

I can sooo relate to this post. I tend to compare myself to others a lot and, of course, I always come up lacking. I have to remind myself that I am doing the best I can and that this is "the will of God concerning *me*" What works for someone else might not work for me (and vice versa).

And I totally understand about the physical and the spiritual ducks (love the analogy :-)). We've had our share of both. I absolutely agree that praise is the cure. Some times I will stop everything and put on praise music. The kids and I will all sing together. It is amazing what a difference it makes. I firmly believe that praise and worship is a form of prayer and warfare..... and some times I think God just wants to know that we will praise Him in spite of everything that is going on around us.

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Oct. 16, 2006 - So True!

Posted by Wonderland Learning Center

I don't even have teething babies and all that, not anymore but I do remember those sleepless night that transgressed into weeks. But finally "The Tooth" arrived and what a glorious day that was! I too think I don't do enough with my children always afraid we are lagging behind...with all the trips we make tagging our work with us...my mom lives with us, then there is my aunt who is 70+ and doesn't drive who lives 1 hour away, then my father and mother in-laws who are very elderly...so at least twice a week if not more we are on the road...doing our japanese while ridding has been the thing here lately...(what a baffling alphabet some letters have 4 sylables!) Any ways it is hard not wanting to be the best as we feel it is when we are probably at our best in God's eyes. Can't blog on mine lately...can't log-in...and can't seem to get any help from the main guys that run the show here...still trying...didn't know I was so hooked..lol...hang in there ... so very soon your little ones will beall grown up and heading off for parts unknown leaving you at the house to wonder where did the time go ... It's funny when I see a newborn these days after mine are so grown it is hard to imagine them once so small and needy ... cherish this time my dear friend as it is most precious and try to keep in mind you are the best you can be ...afterall you have them at home with you as God intended ... and He will make a way where ther is no way...Jeanne

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About Me

There are four kids here in the laundry pile, often times, playing king of the hill. Which amuses me - because I am the supreme high ruler of this laundry! *Looking around* ... There's also 1 hubby and a cat in here somewhere....