These Pants Don't Fit

I have been homeschooling for almost four years now and I've just begun to figure some things out. The biggest discovery I've made just this week is that trying to homeschool the way a blog or a website or a book or even a friend tells you to is like trying to wear the wrong size pants. I wish I could wear jeans two sizes smaller than I do and in theory, I would look fabulous in them. But, the harder I try to fit into them the more it hurts and I end up feeling frustrated and like I failed. Not to mention that I look ridiculous.

This is true of my past approach to home schooling. I don't blame the books or blogs, I take full responsibility. I am a Shiny Object Homeschooler. I commit to one curriculum and I love it and hug it and name it George, until....Oooh, that's pretty. I see another curriculum that looks even better and I convince myself that my kids will surely miss out if I don't immediately incorporate it into our classroom, until....Ooooh, that's pretty...You get the idea.

I'm done with that. I didn't start homeschooling so that someone else could tell me what to do. Quite the opposite. I love homeschooling because I get to choose, be flexible, take the time I want, keep what works, can what doesn't, take a day off to lounge in our PJ's and watch movies and eat popcorn and call it extracurricular. I love that! Why would I let someone tell me I was wrong or try to fit my totally unique, awesome kids into their one size fits all education?

So, I'm trying to be more aware of what works for us and relax and enjoy these precious years. I also plan to share more of what we discover works for us in the hopes it might help someone else too. I felt so lost when I first started and wished there had been more realistic, practical tips. But, please, if you try one of our methods and it doesn't work for you, CAN IT - without guilt or hesitation.

Here are a couple of things that work for us:

Our filing trays - one for each girl. Oh, and that's my pocket Peyton - a birthday present.

5 in 5

5 in 5 is our filing method. We all hate to file and so we don't. We are organized to the point that each child has their own tray to put all their filing in for a later time. But, we began to notice that later time never came. So, we always have a few minutes each day where one child is waiting to start a lesson while the other finishes. During this time now, the waiting child will grab 5 things from their cubby and file what they can in 5 minutes. This is working beautifully for us: our filing doesn't pile up, we don't stop between every subject to file and no one complains because it's only 5 things and 5 minutes.

Our folders - organized by subject and color.

Reading After Lunch

We try to get all of our school done in the morning before we break for lunch. This is especially true for my youngest child as once she stops, she's done. But, if I'm honest, this doesn't usually happen. There are inevitably one or two things we don't get to and must finish in the afternoon. However, if I try to take my children from the freedom of lunch right back into the classroom to go back at it, we all get frustrated. So, each day after lunch they get their pillows or paper and art supplies and they relax or draw while I read one chapter from each of the two books we read together. This takes us about 30-40 minutes and afterward they are calm and happy and ready to finish the day. This one change to our schedule, implemented after my youngest gave up naps, has made a huge impact on all of our sanity. We're not sane mind you, but we're not getting crazier anymore.

Our current after lunch reading. We're finishing the Laura series and although we've

read Harry Potter before, we have so much fun reading it as a family we're going through the

series again.

From My Home to Yurt(s)

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. We are making some big decisions about our future and although there is a relief in knowing that we (Erik & I) are headed in the same direction, there is also a bit of angst that comes with such discussion. There is the angst of not knowing how we'll get from here to there. There is the angst of not knowing if our dreams are God's will for our future. And then there is the worst frustration of all - the Veruca Salt variety, i.e. : I want it and I want it now!!

So, no, that it is not a mispelling in today's title. One of our mutual dreams, it turns out, is to live on a large piece of land in a yurt. What is a yurt, you may be asking? Though generally classified as a tent, a yurt is much stronger and weathertight. Yurts are a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring and a framed door. It sounds really primitive I know, but Google them and take a look at the pictures - they are beautiful. But it's the whole lifestyle we equate with living in a yurt that appeals most to us. Ridding ourselves of things, living off-grid, focusing on what's really important. A real back to basics. I know I'm so corny. The girls and I are reading the Little House book series right now and I get such a longing in my heart as we read about their simple way of life.

So, for the time being we are trying to creat that simple life right here in suburbia. Emma, Jill and I are officially starting to prepare our garden this week. As a family we have made a committment to spend more time in nature and have even committed to hiking every weekend. Eventually, we'd like to get back into mountain biking. Although Erik will have to go it alone for awhile as we are still working on getting the training wheels of Jill's bike. (Do they make training wheels for mountain bikes??...doubtful....) I wanted a chicken coop for the backyard as well, but Erik said a very firm NO! He's got to draw the line somewhere I suppose. So, our small changes are a start and it does feel good to be working toward a common family goal. (But, there's still that little voice deep inside sreaming I want it now!!!)

PS This discussion was prompted because it is our anniversary today. 12 years!!!! At least if our dreams are crazy, we still have the same crazy dreams after more than a decade together.

In His Service,