Sing A New Song Homeschool

Nov. 14, 2006 - Contemplations

I sit here, staying up too late again, contemplating the future. Here's the problem--there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. I know, everyone has that problem, but it seems to me as if I have it worse than anyone I know. The truly negative aspect of that is the one thing that has gotten pushed back the past 8 weeks has been school! Last year, it wasn't a bid deal, beacause my oldest was smart enough to get by on what we were doing. This year, it's not working. My oldest is not learning as much as she could be--not a comparison, just a truth. My Kindergartener is in a class setting twice a week and he appears to be the furthest behind in writing. So, I am in a quandry. I am seriously considering public school--not for this year, because I worry about continuity. But for next year, I'm thinking about putting my daughter in the Gifted/Excel full time program and putting my son in 1st frade. But then I have all the reasons why I'm homeschooling floating in my head. I know I need to re-evaluate and re-order my days and my schedule, but I don't have the time to sit down and do that.

Today, I shampooed my carpets (because my daughter, who turns 8 today--I say today because it's 1am--anyway, she's having 10 girls stay the night Friday and our floor is awful--pray for me!) and while I was putting all the stuff back, I noticed at least 15 GREAT books that I have that I've never read. Some of them will be of no use to me soon, as my children will be past the stage that they're useful in. That fact just depressed me. So, I'm not sure what to do.

I don't expect any answers--I know my answers ultimately will come from the Lord--if only I had the time to really talk to Him and to really, really listen! :)

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Comments

Nov. 14, 2006 - No answers

just want you to know that I am praying for you. Specifically, that of all the things in your day, He would help you to carve out time with Him in His Word and know just how important it is to be renewed, strenghtened and loved by Him and that you would allow Him to set your priorities throughout your day. Also, that you would not be anxious, that you would cast your cares upon Him and that you think on what is true.

Because of Him,

Jennifer

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Nov. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Just wondering what it is that is keeping you from schooling? What sorts of things do you have going on? Praying the Lord will give you wisdom as you seek His will for your future.

Blessings,

Angela

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Nov. 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Hey -welcome back! I was wondering if you had abandoned your blog : ) I had a good time catching up with your posts tonight. What a sweet family you have. Have a great weekend : )

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Nov. 22, 2006 - Hang in there!

The truth is that a teacher with a couple dozen children will never KNOW your child as well as you do. You are NOT failing them! You are their mother, and they will learn to read, write, and count as you lovingly pursue a relationship with them. The question is not "how far behind I am" but "did I serve my Lord by loving my children today?" Seek first His kingdom and the rest will follow; His words, not mine.

Blessings,
Keri

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Dec. 22, 2006 - Hang in there!

Oh, it's so worth the many trials to homeschool your kids! I'm 14, and I've been homeschooled all the way through, with a few tiny glimpses at what public school is like. I am so thoroughly glad, that even through the times that I thought I wanted to go to school, my parents wouldn't let me. I've been blessed growing up with my parents at home. I would be a mess of 'friends' and malls and other 'typical teen' stuff right now if I'd gone to 'out-school'. I'm able to talk to adults - I'm a young woman, not a 'kid'.

There can really be tough times, we've been through them, but in the long run, being 'behind' a few weeks is okay. I know a family who had to work at building a new house all fall, and didn't get any homeschool done, and their oldest is in 'grade 11'! Come January, they'll get at it, and if they need to take an 'extra' 6 months for their oldest to finish 'grade 12' when they get there, so be it. :)

Go for it! I'm praying for you, that God would guide you and your family and give you wisdom. God bless you and your family in this endeavor.
Sheila

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Dec. 24, 2006 - Merry Christmas!

I hope you survived that 8 year old birthday sleepover bash!? I'm dropping in on some of my 'friends' listed on the Washington State Blog.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I get distracted by reading materials when I clean house too! We have carpets that desperately need shampooing. I have books and curricula I've never used with our 11 and 14 year old. (We've been formally home schooling 10 years but I was collecting books for the kids when I was preggo with the first one.) Obviously they've outgrown most of those by now.

It seems after a while, often the same book or stories/ideas show up in some thing else we are doing. For the first time this year, I even started selling and giving curricula and children's books away! Other parents loved that but there was a lot we barely ever used. From my own experience I never was exposed to everything in my schooling years either! (Public school and public college.) I read Anne of Green Gables and
all the Little House books as an adult.

Carry on busy, Mom. (You can get a lot done in a shorter amount of time with home schooling.) The Lord bless and guide in the New Year.

Marie
Washington State Home School Nations Blog Coordinator

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Jan. 5, 2007 - A difficult decision

Having followed that path once upon a time, you may just find yourself back in the home teaching arena. It doesn't hurt to take a year off but you will find your children will learn things you'd rather they not learn, they will likely fall behind in some areas too. But you may get the rest you need. Better to take that now and return then to burn out and be of no use to them when they do need you. I don't regret putting my kids in the system for those few months. It showed me how important home teaching is. Reassess why you did it in the first place. Ask yourself if you have accomplished half of what you aimed for. If you have, you are probably still further ahead then had they gone into the system. God bless.

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Jan. 5, 2007 - Just one comment...

I know this post is a couple of months old and where you are today with God I don't know but I know that when we are busiest is when we need to stop and spend one on one time with God, it makes everything else run smoother and so much easier to deal with.

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