Question regarding recent topic: over-scheduling

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  • January 22, 2014 at 1:03 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    What is the difference in “spreading the feast” and over-scheduling?  Is it mostly the difference between books, ideas, CM subjects that we try to implement in our homes, etc., and activities, co-ops, outside-the-home classes, sports, etc.??

    When I read about overscheduling ourselves, or our dc, of course I don’t always feel that is best, and can agree.  But, when I read about giving our dc opportunities to be exposed to great ideas, even if they come from people outside the home, I can agree with that, too. 

    Anyone want to take a shot at defining the two? 

    I loved Bookworm’s description of what to allow our dc to explore/experience (and I don’t want to misquote her) but I don’t know how that would look without feeling we were overscheduling?  Know what I mean?

    I know what we like to do but I definitely know that for some it would be way too much.  I also know that that greatly depends on the family, amount of children, funds, etc.

    Anyhow, I guess I’m just wondering what your thoughts are on the matter.

    January 22, 2014 at 2:42 am
    butterflylake
    Participant

    I like to continue the ‘spreading the feast’ food analogy. Over-scheduling is like over-eating. When we go to a buffet we like to eat a variety of foods, perhaps seconds of our favourites, but too much leaves us feeling like a rest is needed, and regretful of our choices (lack of self-control). Over-scheduling tends to drain us rather than fill us, and wishing we had scheduled/prioritized differently.

    I don’t think it is the difference between the at home school and the outside the home activities. At certain times of the year we have more outside the home activities, so we plan our school accordingly, and adjust when the activities change. For example, right now we have activities on Wednesday mornings and evenings, so we don’t have school on Wednesday, and do just 4 day weeks. During the summer months, we’ll have a different activity on Wednesday mornings (an artist study/workshop), I’ll add some more school work to the day, and we’ll be at 5 days a week for about 3 months.

    You are right that it all depends on the family. I think everyone experiences times when they truly thought they were spreading the feast well, only to find they did overdo it.

    January 22, 2014 at 2:47 am
    bethanna
    Participant

    I’m interested in other’s replies. We don’t have many out & about activities, but I overplan our schoolwork. Completing everything each day/week can be stressful or just impossible.

    January 22, 2014 at 2:56 am
    ruth
    Participant

    I was thinking on this when I had first read Sonya’s post as well.  When we first started with SCM it felt like we were doing so much and craming a lot in.  Recently while looking into self-teaching I found the Robinson Curriculum.  I liked the simple 3 subject aproach (4 for us with religion added).  We have been doing that for the last 6 months.  I think I may have just needed to step back a bit.  I was still coming back to SCM and after a while on RC was able to add in some more of the “feast” without feeling overwhelmed or that we where craming stuff in.  I now feel confident and content in our school days and not overwhelmed with a nice bounty before my children.  I think for me it was a matter of getting my day more structured, which the RC provided.  Once I got that down, adding in a few more things didn’t seem like such a burden. 

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