Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Found our groove

We're about 5 1/2 months into our homeschooling adventures. I can say I've learned alot. Yes, I've learned as much if not more than the kids. I've heard that the 1st year of HS can be the hardest. It's the year that you have to figure out what works and what doesn't. Teaching styles. Learning styles. Type of homeschool family that you are (unschooler, relaxed, traditional, etc). Organization. Schedules. Routines. Curriculum. Fitting in extracurricular activities.
On top of all that I've been planning and starting a new cloth diaper business. I've been a little stressed. I'm a VERY laid back person and I took on a lot (it seemed) at one time. The adjustment of HS alone can be stressful. I loved it from day 1 and haven't looked back but I had no idea the toll it would take on me. I began to feel a fatigue that I've only ever experienced when I was pregnant. Not cool! I went to the doctor about the fatigue and was also diagnosed with low Vitamin D.
I really clung to God during those first months. How sweet He always is to let me whine yet not let me give in to it. I don't know how but everyday I made it through. I cling to the Scriptures in general but especially when things "just ain't right." Here's a couple that spoke to my heart and got me through.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Psalm 84:5 and 7 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage... They go from strength to strength.

I love the Hebrew word for strength. It means capability, skill, valor, wealth, warrior, army, troop. It's the same word used for Ruth and the Proverbs 31 woman when they are described as "noble" or "virtuous."

Strength to strength. Day to day. That's exactly how I had to take it.

I feel great now. I still have my days that I'm more tired. If it's possible, I take a nap. I stay on top of the Vitamin D by taking a D supplement as well as a B12. That helps alot. I've also adjusted to the new way of life. I've got a routine that works for us. I've switched curriculum and changed how I teach. I'm so glad I've stuck it out cause I really love where I am. We have definitely found our groove and it's working well.

Now, I'm going to get a cup of coffee and sit down with a Homeschool curriculum catalog. There's a sale!

4 comments:

  1. I'm glad you found out the cause of your low energy & I'm glad you feel better. I have energy issues too but never looked into it.
    I hope you don't mind me asking but I'm trying to learn everything I can about HS. What style teaching did you start off with & how have you changed it that has worked better?
    I don't think I could do unschooling or relaxed. I just wouldn't feel like I'm doing what I should to help my kids. I'm sure I'm more traditional. Except that I'm thinking I'll be using the computer a lot with his learning should I choose HS. (Which after seeing some TX standardized testing results vs. nat'l results - I think I'm leaning more towards HS now. Just very nervous.)

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  2. Hey girlie! Ur my first follower. Yay!

    I started off very traditional. I used A Beka DVD program for my oldest. About 2 months in and I knew DVD's weren't for us. I teach it all now. I am considering Switched on Schoolhouse (CD ROM)for Science for her though. She loves Science and would be very motivated to do it on her own and take some pressure off me. I still use A Beka for Language Arts (though I'm switching when we finish), History (will be switching when finished), Cursive (will be switching), and their Readers. We finished the Science and Health book which I will not be buying the next one from A Beka. For Math, I completely quit A Beka and swithced to Shiller Math which we LOVE. I want to post an "official" review on it real soon.
    For the 4 yr old I use ShillerMath and "Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code" for Phonics. She also sits in on History and Science when she feels like it. Oh, and I do a Bible study with them both together before we start school work.
    A Beka is very traditional. I got it for that reason. I was thinking that if HS didn't work it would be easy to put her back in PS if I stayed traditional. Don't get me wrong, it's a great program. I learned really quickly though that it wasn't for us. The only reason I'm still using it is I paid for it!
    I started off very strict. With a strict schedule. Since I used the DVD's I was mainly a supplement teacher. We weeded out the DVD's completely and have found that I love teaching. I consider us a Relaxed homeschooling family. I do not make a schedule at all. I just write down the goals for the week and we usually meet or surpass them. Anything more than that and I totally stress out! I know that a strict schedule works for some but just not for us. I think everyone should do what works for them as long as the kids are loving learning. Thank God we are finally getting to that point with prayer and lots of tweeking.

    You may be interested in Time4Learning.com if you plan to do more computer based school. Also, check out Alpha Omega's Switched on Schoolhouse.

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  3. Oh, and a great read is Cathy Duffy's Top 100 book. It really helped me sort through learning styles and teaching styles. It also reviews alot of different curriculum. She also has a website.
    grovepublishing.com

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  4. I've checked out Alpha Omega - I swear there was a curriculum I loved the sound of but when I looked the other day I couldn't find it. I'll have to look at the Switched on Schoolhouse one.
    Thanks so much for the info! Keep on sharing!

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