My Portrait of Home Schooling

I know, I know......it's a home school post. Sorry, I can't help myself.

Last weekend was the Chattanooga Curriculum Fair, and that means there were a ton of newbie home schoolers. Now, I have been to the Chattanooga fair many, many times. I have also attended fairs in Atlanta. While the Atlanta fairs are better, more organized and have far better speakers the Chattanooga event does has a large number of vendors and many resources to get the newbie home schoolers started.

Typically a newbie will be super motivated to teach at least 8 full subjects to their little ones and to plan attending a co-op of some sort. Let's not forget the music and art lessons and maybe some dance or gymnastics to boot.

While this is a super idea in a parent's head, I can promise that this sort of schedule will only lead to one thing. Burnout!

Burnout is a big deal too, because burnout tends to make one think they can't home school or that they are not patient enough or they are too inadequate. Burnout stinks, big time!

Today I want to share with you newbies what home schooling typically looks like over here. Now, keep in mind that everyone does things differently, hence the absolute beauty of home schooling. At any rate, here are some images for you to store away in your mind so that you might feel LESS compelled to speed your way down the road to burnout.

When you start the day out it's okay if the kids and yourself do not crawl out of bed at the crack of dawn, really. Sometimes it's nice to lay in bed together and read books or maybe everyone would rather run outside to help gather acorns and cool leaves first thing in the morning. On a cold winter day, math is always more fun if everyone is still in Pj's and sipping hot chocolate (don't forget the mini marshmallows).

You don't need desks, either. There are a multitude of places to get some school work done such as the kitchen table, the big family room recliner or even the front porch.

What about that perfectly perfect schedule you spent hours charting so that everyone can move from subject to subject with ease? I can promise that life as a home schooler ,especially with many children, does need a schedule but it is better to follow a "rough" schedule. Be flexible. Disasters happen, lessons get interrupted, and diapers often need changing. Don't sweat it.

Then there is the calender full of activities and extra lessons such as karate and music. Pick one and let the others go. What good is home schooling if you are NEVER home? I once watched a family with 3 kids working on their math in the waiting room at the dentist office. Seriously, if you MUST do math in the waiting room before getting your teeth cleaned then you are either waaaaay too inflexible or not home enough to get the work done. I promise your kids will be fine if they do not get to participate in every activity that pops up.
 The activity that demands the most attention would be dinner. Please be home together for dinner, I promise you will be happy you did.

You really do not have to sit and do busy work 5 days a week, either. Often we use Fridays as a day to go outside and learn or we might use that day for a fun outing. Be creative and remember that you are a home schooler. You do NOT have to follow the public school schedule in your area. One year we actually took off from Thanksgiving until the New Year so that we would have days to watch movies, bake cookies and complete crafts for the holidays. Take control of your calender!

What if a little one wakes up sick or extra cranky? What if EVERYONE is feeling extra cranky and weepy? I usually throw the schedule for the day out and we spend time outside or playing in rooms. I see no point in making a house full of cranky, ill kids worse by sitting them down to mess with school. A good dinner and early bedtime will do wonders for those bad moods too, allowing the next day to be much better.

Home schooling is not simply a chore that must be completed for a few hours a day, rather it is a life style. It requires parents to make decisions that are completely centered around family life. It's sometimes tiring and other times exhilarating. It is how you live your life everyday, how you learn everyday. It's also learning not to compare yourself or your children to others or to the public system.

It's finding your own way, spending valuable time with your kids, and watching them learn...one day at a time.
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Oh my Lucy is starting to bag up! This means that her udders are getting filled with milk and that labor will be soon. Hopefully within a week we will have a little calf.
I have been busy getting everything in her paddock cleaned up and ready. Tomorrow I will pull the milker out and make sure it's nice a clean and ready to go too.

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There is about 1 week left in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Mom's of Large Families contest. I would really appreciate you hopping over to give me a vote. I am at the number 10 spot! Thanks!

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I have been super busy finishing up a quilt this week and trying to start a crochet afghan because you know I do not have enough projects to juggle:-) I will post a picture of the quilt as soon as I finish the top!

Until then, how does home schooling look at your house?

Valentine's Day Gifts

Although Valentine's Day has never been a very big deal over here, I found myself one day drooling over all of the lovely projects on the web.
Before I show you the latest ones I crafted I will admit that I made one for myself as well as others.

It was a make one for her, make one for myself kind of craftiness:-)

 First up is the Valentine Hand Warmer. I found inspiration for this project from Wild Olive
.

 You need to make a set of two. Fill them with rice and lavender. Heat them for 20 seconds in the microwave. Throw them in your coat pockets and keep those hands toasty for about 20 minutes.
I used a super soft flannel.

 Next up is the Tea Wallet. I really loved these when I saw them on Handmade Therapy.

I was able to make 4 wallets from 2 fat quarters. I really, really enjoyed making these too. They were super easy. Go check out the tutorial.

 

Now that spring weather has shown itself I must tend to some honey bees tomorrow. It will be 65 and sunny! Of course cold weather is sure to come back, so one must take full advantage when it is nice.
Tomorrow I will place pollen patties on my hives to help trick the queen into thinking it's time to start laying eggs again like crazy. I want an early build up of brood this spring.

Of course after tomorrow's chores who knows what other goodies I might find to sew.

What will you be crafting for Valentine's Day?

Have a terrific Monday!

Handmade Holidays: A Gift Your Kids Can Make

As the mom of seven, we have made our fair share of gifts over the last many years. There is one gift, however, that the kids ALWAYS make. They always make one to keep and one to give, which is why I stock up at the start of school sales like a mad woman.

This week I will focus on gifts your kids can make since hand made gifts are always the best and it's never too late to instill the tradition of making gifts for family and friends.

Fleece Covered Composition Book

First you need some fleece, a composition style notebook and some tacky glue.

Now, cut your material to fit the book like a cover. You can use a rotary cutter or just uses scissors, it does not have to be totally exact as you will trim a bit more after it's glued.

Now your child can squeeze the glue all over one side of the book.  Be sure they get some on the corners.

Now the material for that side can be placed down on the glue and smoothed out. Flip the book over and do the other side.

Once the glue dries a bit I will often need to trim a wee bit more fabric from the edges. The kids sometimes pull and tug when they are smoothing it out and it stretches. No biggie.

My girls like to make a front pocket too so we will cut a square out and they glue it to the front.

 

Can you tell my girls are transitioning from little kid to bigger kid? Usually we place crayons in the pocket but this year they wanted a few ink pens as well.

Now here are several easy gifts finished!....and the kids have the satisfaction of making it themselves!
I promise these gifts are keepers!

More to come later this week!

Have an awesome week!