This year in homeschooling we decided, that while we have always been big Abeka fans, the videos (which honestly are ever-so boring) were not working for us. After lots of research and reading, and then some more reading, and throwing my hands up in frustration on many occasions, we finally decided to go with Bob Jones DVD system. So far...I couldn't be happier. I have branched out alot more then usual this year - I guess I'm sorta feeling a bit braver - and we are doing somethings "our way"with the subjects. What I have really been aware of is the lack of total overwhelming pressure to "meet the goal". Learning is actually been fun, and yes I know it's only the third week, and it may get more stressful once we've all gotten over the "honeymoon" stage, but the pace of this system feels so much more family friendly.
I guess that's why I felt the need to talk about schedules. For me they are both necessary and important, but I'm learning, as I add to my Homeschooling experience, they also have to be suspend-able for the sake of my sanity (and my kids).
In a perfect world, I would be up by 6:30am, having a cup of coffee with my Bible, calander and notebook on my little patio, (sometime in the near future I will post about that perfect little spot of mine). I would spend time praying and committing my day to the Lord, then shower, dress, kiss my man off to work, and then start a yummy healthy breakfast for my chickies. They would, on que, bounce out of bed. With out being told (as their chore chart dictate) make their beds, get dressed, brush their teeth, and be waiting at the table as I heap their plates with whatever wonderful goodness I have created. Of course, Seth would not wake up until, much, much later after I have the older two well into their school day....
Wishful thinking!!!!!
Too often I stay up much to late at night, enjoying the silence of the house, only to groggily wake up to a kid climbing on top of me, begging for Chocolate Milk, another one building an enormous lego project in his bedroom. Everyone is asking questions as I sleepily tie on my housecoat, and stumble to the coffee maker hoping to at least get it perking before someone needs a diaper change. Everyone is hungry - NOW- and cereal is the quickest easist thing I can think of. Or horrors of horrors, my 7 year old budding chef decides it's the perfect morning to make french toast for everyone. "Please, No", I beg, "can we just save the home ecc class for later, like after 7 cups of coffee later...."
But I have learned, that in a Homeschooling Home, things like finishing a giant lego projects are sometimes more important then starting Math by 8am, and letting my little chef learn about cracking eggs (her absolute favorite thing to do in the kitchen) perfectly into a bowl may trump fixing the bed and getting dressed. Yes, my goal is to get to sleep early, so I can be up before them...but on occasion my time alone at night is just as therapeutic to my frayed nerves as anything else I can do.
So with all due respect....Schedules, you are only for me and my benefit, and I do not march to your drum. I will respect you and use you as a tool, when I see necessary, but I will also cheerfully throw you out the door and not start school till after lunch if I so deem appropriate.
