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having a REALLY hard time homeschooling
- This topic has 19 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by
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I understand the clutter problem and I would not be able to do as curlywhirly suggests. I believe there is a lot of emotional attachment for some people, including myself. But we are running out of space so I created a list of every cabinet, drawer, & closet to sort through, clean out and organize. I put clothing down twice for myself and dc to do as the seasons change in fall and spring. My goal is to get through the list in a year by doing 2 per week, taking a break on holidays. I don’t feel so overwhelmed with this do-able schedule. Also taking photos can be helpful for preserving a memory and letting go of the item.
As for the extra cleaning help, only you know if it will be more helpful than not – if it is an issue of laziness? But I also think it is important for our children to learn to get help when they NEED it. I would certainly have some clear goals and rules laid out if you do get the extra help. And let it be known that it is short-term (set a date) and the reasons for the help – moving in a direction of no longer needing the cleaning help.
Have you ever heard of the FlyLady? She this motivational-speaker-type person who uses baby steps, working for only 15 minutes at a time (using a timer), and other practical principles. She very into routines (aka habits), and I think her motivating methods to organizing the house (and life) are in step with Charlotte Mason’s way of approaching education. I know when I was pregnant and in that first trimester of total exhaustion and morning sickness, I was relieved to know that if I gave 15 minutes of concentrated effort it would make such a difference to my home, and then I could rest a little easier.
Here are my random thoughts after reading this thread.
First, I would also have a problem with the suggestion to box things up and then just get rid of them if you don’t open them. In six months. I know it has worked for other people, but I could not do it. It might help you to feel more comfortable with house keeping help, though, if you could remove the clutter temporarily. Have your kids help pack things out of the way and then bring back one box at a time to sort through as you are able
Then, as I was thinking about the housekeeper idea, someone suggested a math tutor. What if you found a housekeeper who was willing to act as a “Home Economics ” tutor? They could help clean up, but along the way teach your children what to do to take over eventually. It would have to be the right person, and someone who knew up front that they would be working themselves out of a job, but it could be really good for you and the kids.
I almost wish my kids were older so I could try it. I even have a friend who cleans houses who would be perfect for the job.
Anyway, just throwing out another idea.
Joanne
Art, as this is a homeschooling forum, I wonder: how else may we help you with your school schedule and plans? Do you want to post them or do you have more specific questions regarding getting school done for your children? The house cleaning and the clutter will always be there to some extent and you do need to manage it, but you can’t stop your children from growing up and you can’t get back lost time. So I think your top priorities should be to get school done (finding out how/what that looks like for each child based on your health condition) and habit training. If the extra housecleaning worker helps you to get those done, do it. If I am missunderstanding your piorities, please correct me. I think all of us has given suggestions or otherwise random thoughts in an effort to help you because we care about you successfully teaching your children whatever is in God’s will for them to learn. Please let us know how we may be of further help. Blessings.
Thank you, Wings2fly, for asking how you can help with the school aspect. I think that is the top priority right now. So we’ve made some decisions in the last few days. I signed my 10 yr old son up for Time4Learning. I’m not giong to have him do it all the time, but at least it’s something I can tell him to do and it will be interesting to him most of the time. That’s going fine so far.
The other thing we did was order Calvert for our 12 yr old daughter. She’s the one craving order and “school”. I’ve used Calvert a couple times before with my oldest, and he did really well the 2 years we used it. As I look back at those times, I needed something to help, and I let myself be happy with it. I think she will feel successful. The lesson manuals at this age are written to the student. I can still answer questions, but I think she can handle it.
I think I’m realizing that I may have a little depression working on me because of all the stressors going on around here. It’s the “effort of decision” that has been getting to me lately. I can’t seem to plan and I don’t know what to have them do in the moment either. Charlotte Mason was a genius.
I’ve been looking at my monthly plans that I used with my adult son in high school. High school is the very easiest to plan for I think. My 9th grader just has to read certain things and write certain things and do her Apologia Science, etc. Also, she loves the idea of using her brother’s plans.
I do have to help everyone quite extensively with math since they struggle with that, but I don’t have to decide everything. I think these things with help me. Also, I’m thinking I need to talk to a therapist a little bit. It’ll be good.
Thanks everyone.
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