Really struggling to get everything done

[deltagal]

Hello all,

Just a bit of rambling here on my part that might offer one of many perspectives. We are in our 3rd year of HOD. It continues to be a blessing. However, the idea of getting it all done by noon or 1 has long since been tossed out. It is doable. It can happen, but in our household it simply doesn't happen enough that I can claim it. My 10 year old and my 7 year old always finish all their work. It's important to them. They are highly motivated and it just comes together. My oldest 2 don't always finish all their work in a day, but they get it all done over the course of about 6.5 days versus 4. They work hard. They do great work. They are leaning ALOT. But I have other things I need them to do which includes simply enjoying our life together as a family, helping with the household, helping neighbors, going to the gym in the morning with their dad, taking care of their younger sisters on days that I work, and so on. And many of these things are in a sense like adding extra things to the curriculum - they just add time. And so, I am currently in a season where I focus on making progress. As long as everyone is moving forward - learning, enjoying the journey, growing in their skills - I am thankful . I also like to take the time to do everything in the guide. I have found the complete package, so worth the time and effort. True. We're not able to complete a guide in 9 months, but usually we can finish it in a year or so. At times in the past this has been frustrating to me. Today, I am thankful. Thankful for HOD, for its rich well though out plan, for the tremendous insight on this board, for the opportunity to homeschool and for this precious time I have with my children. I pray every day that God will give me the wisdom to always enjoy the journey. Blessings to you as you seek that place in your homeschool journey that will give peace.

[tbarr12]

Florence - thank you for your post - it adds a good perspective. I think part of what prompted my post last week was that we were in our 2nd week of sick kids, and were getting so "behind", in my view. My husband kept reminding me that, if they went to public school, they'd be missing school anyway! So that was making me even more stressed, knowing we're taking a spring break and having to quit a week early this year due to traveling. I need to be less of a box-checker, which is my nature, and enjoy the journey more, as you said, so I'm going to reread your post and give that perspective more consideration. All of these posts have been very helpful. Thanks again.

[deltagal]

Florence - thank you for your post - it adds a good perspective. I think part of what prompted my post last week was that we were in our 2nd week of sick kids, and were getting so "behind", in my view. My husband kept reminding me that, if they went to public school, they'd be missing school anyway! So that was making me even more stressed, knowing we're taking a spring break and having to quit a week early this year due to traveling. I need to be less of a box-checker, which is my nature, and enjoy the journey more, as you said, so I'm going to reread your post and give that perspective more consideration. All of these posts have been very helpful. Thanks again.

Tacey, You are very welcome. I hear you loud and clear on the box-checking. That's my default setting, as well. Blessings to you.

[tbarr12]

I have wanted to respond to all these suggestions for a long time, but just haven't had the time! I want to thank everyone for their responses and ideas. It took me awhile to read through them all and think about them. Just to update you: things have been going much more smoothly since I originally posted. I guess overall I'd say what I'm doing differently is really trying to focus on doing the program as written, and not worrying about adding anything in or doing more than a particular box says. I did stop doing Extensions with ds, and that has been a great relief to him and me. I think that has helped reduce his stress. I'm still doing the BJU science, and plan to finish the year (which is only 8 more weeks of that). I also am sticking with R&S Math for now. Other than that, I'm following the plan as written. Just doing that, and not worrying about anything else, has made our days go much more smoothly.

I think among the most helpful advice was Florence's - to just relax, and not focus SOLELY on checking off boxes. I am trying to focus on the child I'm with, when I'm with him/her, and whatever we're doing at the moment, and not worry about what we still have left to do that day. That has helped so much, and I think being more relaxed with them helps them be more relaxed, too. We did get a little "behind" last week, but I see ways we can make that up this week. That's what I love about HOD - it helps me stay on track. I am trying to enjoy the journey, rather than just the completion of the daily journey!

I also am going to keep in mind whether ds will be ready for CTC next year. Since my oldest dd is doing it, it will help me to assess that.

I guess overall what I've seen is that a large part of it is my mindset. If I am only having a good day if we're getting all our boxes checked off, then it may not be a good day. But if I enjoy the process, that communicates itself to them, and everything runs more smoothly. And chances are we will get all our boxes checked off! Thanks again.