tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581913724905405055.post1479880403369789990..comments2024-03-21T19:59:30.711-07:00Comments on Trust and Obey: Dealing With Homeschool BURNOUT! Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581913724905405055.post-77241229147720414552014-07-28T18:39:28.041-07:002014-07-28T18:39:28.041-07:00Oh, such good reminders!! Yes, it's amazing ho...Oh, such good reminders!! Yes, it's amazing how the "keeping up" mentality persists even as all else changes! The homeschool community now is very different from what it was 30 years ago, but that part is very much the same - possibly more, due to blogs, Facebook, and all other manner of social media!<br /><br />Right now I'm trying to work on "one thing at a time" - but goodness, it's hard when I see 50 things that need work! <br /><br />(Such as the toddler having a tantrum at my feet while I work. Back to the parenting gig....)<br /><br />:)Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301075330910381544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581913724905405055.post-40444923713692356382014-07-28T18:35:37.168-07:002014-07-28T18:35:37.168-07:00Melanie Young is my favorite-favorite-favorite hom...Melanie Young is my favorite-favorite-favorite homeschool convention speaker, and I have heard her tell the same story! I've kept it in my mind ever since, even though I am a bit weak on remembering it. I didn't remember hearing that fish stick punch line, so I'll have to keep that in mind. "Think fish sticks!!"<br /><br />Another thing that I heard her say (which shocked me at the time) was, "Your sanity is worth more than a tree." This was in reference to the fact that it's OKAY to use paper plates in times of stress, strain, etc. Basically the fish stick line restated! Do what it takes to keep your sanity! That's been another mantra of mine. "My sanity is worth more than a tree... or organic whole wheat sprouted bread... or an all-organic garden..." etc. <br /><br />I also heard (or read) Todd Wilson say something along the lines of "If you see another mom shining where you are a flop, it's guaranteed that you shine in another area where she is a flop." Sometimes it's easy to tear one's hair out over some other homeschool mom's perfect life (as seen on a blog) when we just don't see the rough edges. We all tend to put our best foot forward, I think! <br /><br />Thanks for the good points. I do need to get the quest for perfection mentality out of my head - or else I definitely won't make it out alive (or sane)! :)Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301075330910381544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581913724905405055.post-48725415193232142972014-07-24T06:26:23.681-07:002014-07-24T06:26:23.681-07:00Being a second generation home schooler, I can tel...Being a second generation home schooler, I can tell you this "keeping up" has been going on from the beginning. From the curriculum, to keeping the home, to "you name it" and yes, it does overwhelm a person. I am thankful to be able recognize it and stay away from it! <br />This year I will have a 5th grader, 3rd grader and a preschooler - so my 7th year of homeschooling. To keep things simple, yet cover the needed courses (makes it easier when I submit my end of school year portfolio to the State), I have chosen to use what some call a "box curriculum" Meaning all from one company, a whole grade set. We use Abeka Book and I think it is a really good curriculum. <br />For me, seeing the 170 lessons divided up into what needs to be done each day is a blessing. The kids see the work and for the most part are motivated to get done. Most days it's done by noon and that still leaves half a day to get to other household duties. No, I don't get to everything, but that's ok! <br /><br />I have found that if I want to try something new (you mentioned canning, cooking from scratch, etc) I only do one thing at a time. Once that has smoothly fit into daily life, then I add new things. <br /><br />My mom has said many times "If God would have told me back when I starting home schooling (K, 2nd and 3rd grader in 1983) that I would do it all through high school and then collage courses at home, I would have said NO WAY! But because God only gave small amounts at a time, I was able to take a deep breath and say 'ok, I can do this'" Penn and Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997470280387144765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581913724905405055.post-9469330642708008812014-07-24T06:00:48.485-07:002014-07-24T06:00:48.485-07:00You wrote:
"I don't know how it's don...You wrote:<br />"I don't know how it's done, but some homeschool moms out there truly seem to do everything. And I do mean everything. All food made from scratch, fun crafts every day, non-stop field trips, running a small farm on the side, crafting projects for fun, keeping a pristine house, teaching every subject under the sun, etc."<br /><br />I don't think this is really true. It seems true, but I don't think it is. One of my favorite thoughts from the author of The Encyclopedia of Country Living is that though she's written a book about everything from beekeeping to soapmaking to homebuilding to unassisted childbirth off the grid to what to do with too much squash she didn't actually ever do it all at once. She had seasons when she learned about each thing. And as one season ended a new season began. I think that's true of most of us (like Ecclesiastes 3). I've had crafty seasons, make-everything-from-scratch seasons, gardening seasons, keeping perfect house seasons, teaching homeschool co-op seasons, and others, but they don't overlap very much. <br /><br />And I got to hear Melanie Young (co-author of Raising Real Men) speak at a homeschool convention once. She was such a delight. I've never forgotten what she said about priorities. She told the story of an acquaintance who worked so hard at organic gardening and making everything from scratch that she quit homeschooling her children because she didn't have time for both. (Obviously we don't know any other backstory about this mom, so perhaps she had very good reasons for her zealous organic gardening. Perhaps her family has health concerns that we cannot understand. I am in no way standing as judge against this mother, only trying to make Melanie's point as she did). Melanie went on to say that if she has to choose between nourishing her children's bodies with organic food and nourishing their spirits with the word of God taught at home then she'll open up that box of fish sticks with pleasure and no guilt.<br /><br />I've held the memory of that story in my heart ever since. It has helped me decide what matters most over and over again. You're a smart lady to be figuring this out now. Your prioritizing will be a blessing to your family!Aflyonmyhomeschoolwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746892667170459729noreply@blogger.com