Going better

[Starla]

About a month ago, I had posted my frustration with Preparing and some of you had suggested that we try Bigger instead. Just wanted to say that since starting Bigger, things still aren't always smooth sailing, but there is a lot less frustration both on my part and the boys. So THANK YOU to all you ladies who helped with some advice. It was a stretch for us financially, but now we're all set for Preparing next year. I also made a change in our schedule where I'm giving them frequent short 5 minute breaks after about every 25 to 30 minutes of work and it seems to help with my very active wiggly boys. What a blessing to be able to homeschool, to grab bean bag chairs and sit out on the lawn or on our back deck for our read alouds and history reading, to have flexibility in schedule, etc. Am finding with my little 4 year old, that as long as I have coloring pages for her to do while we are doing some reading, have special toys/puzzles/games that are only for "school" time that she is doing better as well. The boys also "help" me with her on some of their break times, which is good for all of them.

All in all, guess I'm just trying to express appreciation for the help that you ladies have been to me on this board! Yes, it has taken me awhile to try and figure out a workable ideal schedule for us...(and that is still on-going at times), but over all my frustration meter went from being over the top to a more manageable level.... I'm trying to walk in a more minute by minute dependence on the Lord too, asking for His guidance in the midst of homeschooling ... think that's also a big part of the picture. Praise must go to HIM as well

[netpea]

I am glad things are going better for you!

[tnahid]

So happy things are smoothing out for you! Bless you on this journey! Thanks for sharing!

[my3sons]

This was good to hear, Starla! Kuddos to you for putting your new plan into motion, and for working out the wrinkles in scheduling so the day flows more smoothly! So many throw in the towel on homeschooling too soon, and then I am so sad for them, as they miss the "fruits" that were just around the next bend down the road. Homeschooling has lifelong influences. I think if we can figure out how to live and love and learn together as a family now, we will be doing it later in life too. Maybe I'm naive - but because we talk about the Lord, about learning, about projects, about goals - I imagine it will be commonplace talk forever. One can only hope! May the Lord continue to bless your dedication to homeschool your dc in a Godly manner!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Starla,

Thank you so much for the update! It sounds like you are working to find your groove and are implementing many good strategies. Homeschooling is not an easy calling from the Lord, and it takes hard work to answer that call. I want to encourage you though that the further you travel down this path, the more fruit you will see in your children (and probably even in your own life, if you are anything like me)!

I remember those early years of schooling, and of finding my way too. Homeschooling by putting the Lord first is an entire lifestyle to acquire. You are so right that I would have loved to have a board like this then to come to for encouragement and wise, Godly counsel. I am so thankful for it now!

We look forward to traveling the HOD path with you and to encouraging and uplifiting one another as we do!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Starla]

Thank you, Julie and Carrie for taking time out of your busy lives to encourage ladies like me who are just starting to get our feet wet in the homeschooling world It's been a rough last couple of days especially with my asperger's (highly functioning autism) ds, but guess that causes me to lean that much harder on the Lord. Am learning more of how my son ticks - and so have started weaving some more "visuals" into what we're doing so he is able to retain it better. This homeschool experience continues to be quite the journey....but one that we as a family are committed to. THANK YOU again, for allowing the Lord to use you to encourage so many of us moms - which in turn helps us in molding many little lives that will be adults one day. Not only in the curriculum that you write, but also in the encouragement and counsel that you give to moms like me. Blessings!