Today’s guest post is by Aurie from Our Good Family
Fresh Start
The concept of a new year has always been a little bit frightening and overwhelming for me. I don’t adapt well to change, and I worry about what will come and how things will change.
January will be the fourth month in our homeschool journey….and let me tell you, I have had to start fresh over and over again.
I started strong in September with a detailed list of what we would work on each day/ week/month. Yep – that lasted about 2 weeks before I gave up on that idea.
Next I decided that instead of working on letters/numbers/history/science/reading we should just concentrate on letters, numbers and reading. At this point I should mention that Sophie is 3 years old. Can you say over-achiever??
This didn’t work either. I was working myself into a tizzy, wondering what was wrong with me and should I really be homeschooling and why on earth I thought this was a good idea since I couldn’t inspire my own daughter to be interested in learning.
I turned to some homeschool blogs for inspiration, and felt smaller and smaller in the homeschool world. I was ready to give in and send Sophie to preschool in the fall of 2012. I was ready to put all the books and materials I purchased on eBay. I almost emailed the girls that I work with over at Growing Your Homechool to resign. After all, how can I write for a homeschool blog if I can’t homeschool my own child?
The morning before I left for the Relevant Conference Sophie wandered into the kitchen where I was washing dishes. She had a piece of paper and some crayons that she sat down to color with. After a few minutes she exclaimed “Mommy! Look at this!” My beautiful daughter had printed an “S”, “O” and a “P”.
After praising her efforts and watching her draw a picture of some trains, she ran off happily to play in the living room. I sat down and cried. She really WAS getting school. She was listening, and learning and moving along right as she should be. It was ME that needed to step back and relax.
Fresh start? Yes, please!!
I’m really looking forward to a new year – I’ve learned that I can’t control everything, that I need to listen and take my cues from my child. I’ve learned that it’s okay to start over. I’ve learned that I’m not alone in my homeschool journey, and that it’s not about me.
Bring it on January! I’m ready!
Aurie Good is a pastor’s wife, a “retired” youth minister, a foster momma, and quite possibly the most relaxed mom that you’ll ever meet! She is married to her best friend and considers the simple life they have created absolute bliss. She is a new homeschooling momma to her oldest, Sophie (4) with Isabelle (2) close behind. She blogs at Our Good Life {http://ourgoodfamily.org}
I very much had to smile when reading this! I’ve been homeschooling my 4yo since birth (I used those milestone charts as the basis for our first curriculum) and totally get where you are coming from! I had our first month planned out to a T last year – we did good for a week or so, and then realized it was taking about a week to get through 1 day of plans. (Plus I had to keep mixing things up to accommodate my daughter’s rebellions of the day – against worksheets, reading practice, math drills, coloring, etc. etc.)
We’re much more laid back this year, and I am constantly amazed at how much we are learning, though the list of stuff I wish we were learning is growing as well. I keep reminding myself we’ve got years to get through it.
What a wonderful lesson to learn! And believe me, you’ll RElearn it over and over. LOL Trust in the Lord, who trusts YOU with your children. xoxo
The next time you get discouraged, Aurie, come back and read your own wise words here. These are wonderful lessons that you will rehearse over and over. I have lost track of how many “fresh starts” I have had over the last 14 years, but God is faithful to lead us on every time. Be encouraged! This is a normal first year! You can do this!
so glad I’m not alone!
Kelly