Say No To Stress

Last year I was told by my daughter that our school was too serious.  "We just don't have enough fun anymore."  Don't get me wrong, I notice it but at the time I just ignored it.  I guess I really didn't see it until summer was over.  It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized summer was over and when we should have been doing fun things, making memories.  Instead, I was working on a project for a volunteer organization.  I often spent night and day on this project.  I should have taken my daughter to activities at the local library or other free activities over the summer.  My priority should have been my family, not this other organization.

I should have listened closer when she said "Mom, you look stressed" because she wasn't the only one who noticed it.  It should have been a wake-up call, but for some reason it wasn't.  Is it bad when your child of 11 years old says you look "stressed"?  I think so.

Unfortunately sometimes all I can see is what "needs" to get done (e.g. laundry, dishes, sweeping, making agendas, typing minutes).  A blog I read said it perfectly.  "Each day you juggle more tasks than a CEO."  So this year I have vowed to change things and at this time, it seems *fingers crossed* to be working.

Each year (or at least it feels like it) our daughter's learning style changes and I feel like we are starting from ground zero.  Things that worked last year don't work this year and quite honestly I get frustrated.  What I need to do is remember to relax.  Take things one day at a time.

I need to remember how rewarding it is to see my little girl learn to read.  Finally understand long division.  Really get how circuits work.  Build things with her own two hands.  I get to see those things personally and not just have her bring the project home.  I get to see the things that interest her and not things that are sometimes forced on public school children.  Don't get me wrong, I support the public school system but our system down here...just doesn't work.

So this year, we have joined a few homeschool groups.  I had been looking for something to break up the monotony.  Something to give us both a break and really get us out of the house.  Not only that but I have made our school week four days instead of five.  It allows us to have more fun.  Watch a movie.  Read a book.  Or just...

on top of that she now gets her "field trip Friday."  (I think that is a Magic School Bus quote, but I'll have to ask her.)

So no matter how frustrating my day may be or how discouraged I may get, what matters to me is that homeschooling is rewarding for not only myself but for my child.  I need to remember to continue to make it rewarding.  Relax a little.  Take things slower.  Have fun.  There is no "deadline."  And occasionally put nothing on my to-do list!