Because my blog is where I dump my brain (so I can forget things which would work better if I remember that I was dumping things here that I later need to come back to and actually DO) I write down here my ideal – my goals, hopes, dreams, what I wish I could manage. (See ideal here.)

Sometimes I forget on my school blog to include this disclaimer and thus people think that this blog is an actual representation of some idealized homeschool life. HAHAHAHA! If you’ve been in our home then you know the reality but for those of you who’ve not yet ventured into our place (though y’all are welcome) then let me give you the reality. I realized I wanted to record this for the kids’ sake mostly, though reassuring other homeschool moms that blog does NOT equal reality is a side benefit. I don’t know if knowing the truth will make you more or less inclined to be my friend but hopefully you’ll like me more for it. 🙂

Reality – I spend way, way, way too much time on the laptop. I get distracted IMing my husband (we’re working on that, I’m the problem – not him) and I get sidetracked by blogs (I’m now trying to ONLY read blogs on weekends) and I get on to find a recipe and end up browsing other recipes and then it’s just all downhill. And on my bad days I absolutely let the internet take me from reality while I stick on a movie for the kids and tell them Mommy’s in TIME OUT. I’m working on this.

I believe the internet/laptop is a tool that can be wielded for good or evil and I’m working to use it for good. It’s a daily struggle.

I let my own aversions prevent me from being enthusiastic about some subjects (like math and grammar) and I’m working on that. My attitude influences how my children respond to new materials or reviewing old and I fear my avoidance is contagious. Which means we can go weeks without doing some things – yes, WEEKS in which I use every excuse under the sun to justify why I’ve not touched a math book. I know children need some consistency (and some spontaneity) and I’m really working to (a) approach all subjects with enthusiasm or at least a neutral attitude and (b) be more consistent. (Thus my plethora of schedules and lists. Which I ambitiously make and then fail to follow through on…)

But over the years each new schedule and list has helped me refine what my goals are. Each time I try something new I retain some of the old and some of the new and eventually I WILL get into a rhythm that works well for us. Each new assessment helps me better refine what works for our family and what does not work.

That’s why I LOVE talking to other homeschoolers (or pretty much anyone who has or works with school age kids) because I learn something new from every single one. There’s always some new trick or book or idea I can try and I love the inspiration I glean from others.

So, what works for us at this point with schooling 3 kids (8.5, 7, and 5 years old) and keeping two little ones busy (3.5 years and 21 months) with a new baby on the way?

– We school year round with more lesson time in winter & summer. We have lighter therapy/activity schedules then and the weather is too cold/hot to be outside as much. In the nice weather months we want as much unstructured outside play time as possible, plus we’re busy with speech, swimming, horseback riding, scouts, PE, etc.

– We strive for some formal lessons 5x a week year round except for vacation weeks but in reality we do lessons 2 to 3 days a week sometimes and other times (bedrest, first trimester, postpartum) we don’t do “lessons” at all. (We still do writing and reading and learning, we just don’t focus on the textbook lessons.) Since we only have to do 180 “school” days a year I know we’re meeting that and then some.

– We consider math and language our core subjects, everything else is extra. We know as the kids get older we’ll NEED to focus more on the science and history and fine arts but for now (all kids 8 years and under, grammar stage) we are just fine making sure they get a strong reading, writing & mathematics foundation.

– I’m trying to give us credit for all those lessons that don’t feel like “school” to me but are really lessons: taking care of a new baby, spending hours playing outside, reading novels, park days, time with friends, cooking, typing skills, listening to music, playing music, making art, library trips. I’m still fighting against the notion that if a textbook isn’t involved that it’s not “school” but that’s not the point. We are learning every single day, even if they are not doing structured textbook math & language lessons. Related to this…

– We’re trying to create a learning environment in our home. We don’t have broadcast tv so the only shows they can watch are what we own or check out from the library and we try (when I’m not on bedrest/postpartum) to limit the tv time. We love the educational shows we’re finding though, especially the science stuff. It does convey materials in ways a textbook cannot. We limit computer and game time and do educational websites (I know, I’m a hypocrite re: computer time.) We also try to do library trips at least once a week and explore the nonfiction books. We are careful about the toys/gifts the kids have – we want stuff that encourages imagination and creativity. (We also like if it’s sturdy, educational, encourages group play, etc, etc.) The goal is that anything the kids pick up to play with around here will be teaching them something – whether it’s an overtly science related activity or something that motivates cooperation and imagination like the dollhouse or sharing clay to make sculptures. That way on the days I’m not up for lessons I know they are not just rotting their brains. 😀

– In large part because of the Charlotte Mason readings/group I really believe that we need to assess what our values are and how we feel children learn. I believe playing outside for hours IS a crucial learning experience and I count that as schooling. (Read more re: Charlotte Mason here.) Ditto spending time learning to get along with our siblings, attending events for children with differing abilities/special needs, volunteering, taking care of a new baby. I want our kids to have a strong academic foundation but more importantly I want them to (a) love and serve others and (b) love to learn.

More later… 🙂