Three days in

“How’s homeschooling going?” Three days in, and already I’ve been asked this question several times.  My answer: not sure.  

If I remain positive and objective, it would appear we’ve already made progress despite lack of official curriculum.  Atlas is a proficient writer, and enjoys doing it.  He’s spent more time than I ever dreamed of doing math problems and multiplication drills.  A half hour here and a half hour there throughout the day add up quickly.  We’ve read three Roald Dahl (The BFG, Esio Trot and George’s Marvelous Medicine) books that the children adored and several other picture books.

On an emotional level I’m all over the place.  There are moments when I swear there is no a chance I can go on one more minute.  For instance after we left our neighbors house for a coffee/playdate and Zander threw a punching-name calling-pushing-screaming tantrum that went on for nearly 45 minutes after we got home.  Simultaneously, asked Atlas to continue on the math work we’d started prior to leaving and he got sassy.  I’ve never been good at multi-tasking when someone is screaming at me and this was no exception.  I swore I was done right then.  But, the moments when we are all three working at the table on different projects or discussing real ideas or listening to Atlas read his page long “biography” on his brother or reading together for an hour straight on the couch; in these moments I am more sure about the importance and fabulousness of what I am doing than just about anything else in the world.

My need to take each day, moment by moment is eminent.  Breathing and remembering that in a year I will probably laugh at whatever makes me furious now is crucial to homeschool survival. The moments when I can laugh are moments when we all win. 

Here is an example of one of those winning moments I just had:

Atlas was at work at the table picking out another science experiment to complete.  Zander went to the bathroom to fill his water cup to get a drink.  After a few minutes passed I went to check on Zander and found a soaked towel, water sprayed all over the mirror and the sink full.  “I’m doing science experiments.  I put the water up my nose and then I can spit it out.”  

First Homeschool Day

Atlas, writing, writing, writing...

When you are 3, it is a good idea to wear eye protection while watercolor painting.

Writing assignment: Being Beneda

As part of a first writing assignment, Atlas was asked to write a short paragraph for the blog on what being a Beneda means to him. Here is what he wrote:
"Being a Beneda means mostly just fun to me, but if I really think about it, it means a lot more.  My brother Zander is funny and loves me, my dad, or Chad is funny too.  I love him a lot.  Next is my mom, Evy, she means a lot to me, and after that is me Atlas.  I'm 9 years old and I love to play alone or with friends.  We all love eachother very much.  And sometimes we do stuff really fun together like have a rock party or go to a water park and more.  I got my name from Atlas the God.  My 3 year old brother Zander got his name from Alexander the Great.  We are a great family.  Benedas rule!!!"       -Atlas    

                                                     

Finding Rhythm in a Paradigm Shift

Although we worked this weekend on various subjects (Atlas was eager to "start" homeschooling) for several hours a day, today was our first official day home from school.  Drawing on advice from so many other homeschoolers, we started our day with the chore list.  Day 3 of our chore schedule and I'm finding it all to irresistible to constantly remind Atlas to get back on track and do his chores as he slowly maneuvers through them.  It makes me all too aware how proficient I've become at nagging.  How do I break this habit?  This is not how I want to influence him.  I know in the long run it will be easier (and most importantly satisfying, confidence enhancing) for him, and myself if I allow him to go them done on his own without constant nagging or doing parts of them for him.  The same goes for finding rhythm within the studies, perhaps it is not so much what I do or how I teach but instead what I don't do or teach.  I already feel the strong urge to hammer through as much information and make as much progress as possible.  Is that what I am really trying to achieve?  Will getting through more books, worksheets, math lessons, etc, equate learning retention, progress or wisdom?  I don't know.  I do know that the way Chad and I think about school and how we raise our children has evolved over the last several years.  This is our attempt at bringing our thoughts and actions a little closer together.  I look forward to a more rhythmic, organized "smooth and easy" version of today!

Our Blog

We are a family of diverse thought.  We strive to open our minds and experience new things, thoughts and challenges. We do these things together, as a family, and work to support one another through it all. Lately, our journey has led us to the world of homeschooling. This blog will attempt to chronicle our homeschool adventure as mother, student and family through the good, the great and even the ugly moments.