When we moved to Texas we found there were no support groups in close proximity to our new home. So, long story short...I started my own!
We will be having our first Mom 2 Mom night meeting at the end of the month and I would love your input. Our topic will be "So, what do you DO all day? How to homeschool and keep your home without losing your mind". We will discuss the idea of routines versus schedules, look at opportunities to help our homes run more smoothly and visit ways we unknowingly sabotage our own homeschooling efforts.
Bit of background...the majority of the members are first year homeschoolers still trying to find their "groove". What advice would you give on the topic? What do you wish someone had told you when you first started out? What has been your biggest challenge in balancing home and homeschooling and how have you faced that challenge? I would really love your ideas...and your prayers!
We will be having our first Mom 2 Mom night meeting at the end of the month and I would love your input. Our topic will be "So, what do you DO all day? How to homeschool and keep your home without losing your mind". We will discuss the idea of routines versus schedules, look at opportunities to help our homes run more smoothly and visit ways we unknowingly sabotage our own homeschooling efforts.
Bit of background...the majority of the members are first year homeschoolers still trying to find their "groove". What advice would you give on the topic? What do you wish someone had told you when you first started out? What has been your biggest challenge in balancing home and homeschooling and how have you faced that challenge? I would really love your ideas...and your prayers!
Hey Angela! Love the poetic description of the chocolate truffle cakes. They are sinfully delicious aren't they??? Those are hubby's favorites. Valentines Day is approaching isn't it? Who am I kidding,Wednesday is approaching, what more excuse do I need?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm glad you started your own homeschool group. You're such a go getter! Let me think of a little advice I've learned that's been helpful to me. Aha, remember that this is a spiritual battle between God and the Enemy -- when you think you can't do it or Johnny has a lousy attitude or Janie can't read yet and she's in first grade or the baby is crying and there's laundry and crumbs all over the house and you're about to pull a cork out of a bottle of wine with you're teeth and have a good cry...just relax and PRAY! Pray for everything -- EVERYDAY! The devil wants us to feel defeated and take everything personally. If we do what God calls us to do, we cannot fail. Stop thinking that God called you to give your child an academic score that will blow anyone else out of the water. It's much bigger than that. That might happen, but also your child will grow up exposed to the truth and with a family that loves them. They will learn life skills and people skills that far exceed anything regular school can every give. "If God is for us, who can be against us" (Romans something or other -- shame on me. Anyhow, that was something I learned this year that had a profound impact on the way I look at things.
One other thing - balancing home and homeschooling is very difficult with little ones, but it's a season. It won't be forever and it will force you to be creative. It's okay to have one child take a break after math to play with the baby or read to your preschooler so you can work with another child. You can even incorporate itinto their schedule (if you have one). Or at 11:00 one child plays two preschool games and the other plays with the fisher-price farm with the baby so you can get the floor mopped. I would love to say this works fabulously at my house, but it only half works. I'm horrible at scheduling and that is a huge downfall of mine. That's one of my goals for this year. I think everyone would benefit from more structure.
Well, now that I've rambled on for ages here, I'm going to go.
By the way, I LOVED your idea about learning a bible verse a week. It's soooo important. So, thank you for the inpiration, I'm going to do that. You'll have to post about your Mom 2 Mom meeting. I can't wait to hear how it goes! I'll be praying.
Jennifer :)
www.homeschoolblogger.com/JennLovesJesus
P.S. The code I have to enter to leave this comment is "zitbremz", what is that all about??? Ha!Ha!
Ang,
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you for starting a homeschool support group. I know you will be a wonderful source of encouragement for these new homeschooling moms.
This is our 11th year of homeschooling. I am so thankful to the Lord for providing for us in so many ways. When we got to a place where we needed help, curriculum or some other need... He always took care of us and provided.
An experienced homeschooling mom told me early on to not be a slave to our curriculum; but to use it as a tool. Her wisdom has helped me a lot as I have planned for each of our three. I don't feel as if we have to do every single assignment in the book.
Regarding keeping our home. Some weeks I do better than others. I find that if I make sure we have all of our groceries for the week and I don't have to run out a lot; our week goes better. So I try to plan 5 meals each week and have all that I need for those recipes. I like to get dinner started in the morning as I get tired as the day goes on and like to get a quick nap in the afternoon.We try to keep our family room and guest bath cleaned and ready for company in case friends stop by.
I think my favorite aspect of homeschooling has been using God's creation all around us to learn each day. Before homeschooling I didn't notice the intricasies of bugs,flowers, etc. Now I am in awe and it has rubbed off on our children.
hugs,
Julie
I have thoughts but I don't have the time to write them right now. I will try to get back to this.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Shari
Sounds like fun! I wish I could come. I would like to have been told that I didn't need to try and do 6 subjects with my kids and not try to "do school" like the public school. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteGood for you starting that up! How did your first meeting go? I know it will bless people!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you in forming your own support group! We, as homeschooling moms, need to encourage each other and lift one another in prayer faithfully! I belong to a wonderful little group of moms called "Keepers of the Faith" that does just that for me!
ReplyDeleteIf I had one thing to pass on to first year homeschooling moms...it would be to...RELAX! I was way too stressed out from worrying that I wouldn't do enough or that my choices were not right for our daughter.....or that I would fail at teaching her! The list could go on and on...... But honestly....now that I have stepped back and calmed down.... our days are precious!
Thanks for sharing!!
Warmly, Denise C
The support I get from Heart of the Matter is so awesome. There's nothing in my town for me either and I adore my blogging HS friends. I also run an online magazine for Christian girls so that keep sme busy too. Two of my daughters write there. Kudos to you for starting your own co op.
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