Winter Burnout

I had a mini panic attack over vacation. I was convinced we should send the kids back to public school as soon as the break was over. Certainly it was best for them. They need interaction. They need regular art and music and p.e. They need to stand in line. They need a teacher who doesn't wear pajama pants and look up the answer all their questions on google. They need to get out of bed at a reasonable hour!

Then I chilled out.

I remembered our reasons for homeschooling. I spoke with a friend who is a teacher. She reminded me about all the things that drove me away from public schooling. I spoke with her lovely daughter who gave me little bits of information like, the girls have to be escorted to the bathroom by a teacher and the bathroom has to be checked before they go in and after they come out. Ugh. If my kids get one thing out of their time at home I guess it will be the freedom to go the bathroom by oneself.

I know its just burnout. Our homeschool co-op takes a break for a few months in the winter and my kids are understandably wound up tight. The weather is dreary. I wanted to go on a family first day hike yesterday but it rained the entire day. I really feel the need to travel but I'm also too burned out to plan an actual trip. I've been waiting on the Arkansas Virtual Academy to accept Cash so some of the teaching can be taken off of me, but its taking forever. The closest science museum to us closed last year for major renovation and won't be open until March. We love Mid-America and can't wait to see its facelift and new exhibits but damn it, we need something to do!

I've put myself on a spending diet along with doing a Whole30 so I can't turn to shopping or eating to cure whatever it is that is wrong with me. And I can't help but think that if someone would just come in and clean my house, like really clean it, I would magically be all better. I'm pretty sure that someone should be me but y'all the motivation just isn't there.

I'm going to have another cup of coffee, maybe that will do the trick.

Lucky

My husband likes to frequently point out that I live, in his opinion, a privileged life.

Like yesterday when he asked what we did. My reply was, "Well we went to the trampoline park, the plastic surgeon, and ate at Big Orange where we were spoiled by our server." His reply, "That's pretty much what you do everyday."

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Yes. I am pretty lucky. I have more freedom than most. But in my mind, I have created that freedom. I only work at our business on the weekends and only for a few hours at a time so that we are able to homeschool. Our small home based soap store doesn't require more than a few more hours a week out of me. I drive an older vehicle with no car payments so I have extra spending money. It was all part of my plan, I tell him, to be able to do what I want when I want. Which sounds selfish and spoiled and maybe it is, but 98% of my time is spent with my kids. Going and doing and learning and creating.

I didn't know how to take care of myself when I was younger. The realization that one must put on their own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs didn't hit me until recently. You have to take care of yourself. But in such a child driven world, taking care of oneself can appear selfish. What? You take time to go to the gym/go running/hiking/yoga class? Shame on you. You drove 3 hours to go to a children's program at the museum and maybe do a little shopping for yourself because you live in the middle of nowhere but still want to enrich your children and indulge in retail therapy? That is a waste of time and gas and aren't you lucky you can just take off and do those things in the middle of the day.

My children are with me constantly. And they don't realize this isn't truly normal. Not being tied down to a job or a school schedule. A supportive father and husband who doesn't mind funding our adventures with only minimal amount of ribbing. But I still need to take care of myself.

So I do small things. Go for an early morning solo run. Sneak off to an essential oils demo at a friends house. Put the kids to bed early and hide in my room with laptop, beverage, and copious amounts of Gilmore Girls on Netflix. Always pick the restaurant when we are traveling so I can pretend to be a foodie and make sure my children experience real food at every meal. That last one is important because I have realized that even when I can't get a physical break I must take charge of the things that make me happy. And food makes me happy so I always pick in order to get that mental enjoyment of an amazing plate.

And when I don't take the time to do these things I realize that I'm not being very nice. I'm on the edge of freaking out and needing a mental health day. Which is kind of hard to take when everyone is home all the time. Every single day.

It's all about perspective I suppose. What ones life looks like to outsiders is usually entirely different than the reality. My blessings might be your problems. The things that make you happy could drive me crazy. Not everyone could deal with the absolute un-scheduledness of our days. Or the constant togetherness. Or the fact that my only traveling companions are both under 4 foot.

But they are pretty cool companions. They even get their own hashtags at restaurants. I don't have much to complain about. I lead a pretty privileged life.

#stellaapproved

Homeschool Science Fair 2014

There was quite the turnout for the science fair this year. I was really proud of both the kids' projects. Stella took 2nd place in her age division.

I find it kind of hard to make myself participate in these types of things. I dread the planning and actual execution of such projects with the kids. Don't even get me started on the procrastination. Even though we all end up having fun in the end. And then there is the socializing. Great for the kids. Awkward for me. I'm always longing for the comfort of my couch about 10 minutes into whatever activity or event I have agreed to.

Science fair done for another year.

Wordless Wednesday: Arkansas Is Beautiful

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015

Admittedly we've been schooling throughout the Summer. At the time it seemed like a stellar idea. I still do think its a good idea. But its left me feeling a bit burnt out by this time of the year. We started new curriculum in July and have accomplished a nice chunk of it so far. Hopefully getting started earlier will allow us more leniency during this season.

Don't they look super excited about the 2014-2015 year? Right. I thought so.

Taking a cue from Kara over at Quill and Camera we are starting out our days with a Morning Meeting. Sometimes before breakfast. Sometimes over breakfast. It includes a Bedtime Math problem, today in history, Spanish flashcards, memory work, and reminders of anything going on that day.

Stella is officially in First Grade, but she does some Second Grade level work.

Her day usually goes like this:

Singapore Math 1A
First Language Lessons Level 2
Spelling Workout B
Writing With Ease Level 1

Break

Reading (usually a Magic Tree House Book or other mid-level reader)

Lunch
Quiet Time

Story Time (currently reading The Chronicles of Narnia)
History (Story of the World Vol 2) or Science (Earth and Space)

Then lots and lots of free time.

Cash is a big Third Grader!

His day goes along these lines:

Teaching Textbooks 4
Touch Typing
Reading (he is really into Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Break

First Language Lessons Level 3
Spelling Workout C
Writing With Ease Level 2

Lunch
Quiet Time

Story Time (Chronicles of Narnia)
History (Story of The World Vol 2 Workbook) or Science (Earth & Space)

Free time!!!!!

Of course everything is subject to change as we see fit. I am still interested in incorporating some project work and I really need to work in some art and music consistently. It looks like its going to be a good year.

Here's to lots of reading, lots of exploring, lots of chilling, and most of all lots of fun.

To life! To fun! Carry on!

Blog It!

A warm Fall day last year. Just sitting at the soccer field watching the kids practice and working on my first knitted piece. I can't wait to start knitting again!

Can introverts handle you?

Raising happier homeschool siblings.

Can I have ________ on a Whole30? This makes it easy.

This is why I don't let my kids take goodie bags or get happy meals or buy tiny cheap toys.

Not sure how I feel about this Frankentree. It's interesting but a bit scary.

What I Would Tell Myself About Homeschooling. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Together

Yesterday I kept having these nagging thoughts of what it would be like to send the kids back to public school in the Fall.

We are wrapping up Week 3 of school and launching into a two week break (complete with Florida vacation) before picking back up again full time until Fall Break.

I have so much to do.

And that is so cliche' because everyone has so much to do.

But really. The. Amount. Of. Stuff. To. Be. Done. Is there ever an end?

Despite my daydreams of getting everything accomplished with a spotless house, I ultimately remembered why we are homeschooling in this season. I know why. My husband knows why. I'm pretty sure the kids know why. And should there come a time when they are older and want to attend a brick and mortar institution, we will most likely agree. As long as we all agree. Because we are in this together.

And that's what I'm going to tell them later when I make them help clean the house top to bottom. We all made the messes. We will clean the messes. We are in this together.

Beauty In Routine

I never would have thought I would be the type of person that thrives on routine, but I am. The quicker I own up to it the easier it would make my life. As of now, I keep to our routine most of the time but periodically fall off the wagon for weeks at a time. Those weeks drive me nuts!

Yesterday we picked back up with school. I now have a First/Second grader and a Third/Fourth grader. For testing purposes I report that they are in the lower grades. But half of their work falls in the upper grade levels. I'm starting a new hashtag. #homeschoolgradelevelsaretotallyinaccurate

How Do You Homeschool?

When the books began arriving today, I felt the thrill.

New books! New curriculum! New history cycle! 4th grade math!

Okay, I admit I wasn't so excited about that last one.

Today is our last day of school before a one month break. That break is full of camps for each of the kids, but otherwise its just lots and lots of downtime. The only thing I require them to do is read. Everyday. Just for a bit. They get to pick the book. We still visit the library and their choices are entirely up to them.

After our month we launch into new curriculum and a few new ideas and strategies. I feel that you should always change it up. Find something to throw in for a while. Take away what isn't working.

For us the newest thing will be project-based learning. The kids will have free time each week to devote to a project of their choice. I just started this book in order to train myself on how best to facilitate them.

I'll be sure and give you an update once I am through the book. So far its looking like something that will flow well in our home. And funnily enough, Cash and Warren took on a bit of a project this week. They handed me a supply list and asked that I retrieve said items. I did and before I knew it there were numerous mini-crossbows shooting tiny projectiles across my house. Arts and crafts and science and weaponry all in one.

There have been a few articles on the web this week that really spoke to me. I wanted to share them with you outside of my regular Blog It! posts as they pertain to the topic of homeschooling.

First off, this gem from Design Mom. She did an interview with a fascinating homeschooled teenager. Let me just say, this girl and her brother? That's what I'm working towards with my kids.

This article by Rachael Turiel over at Simple Homeschool...well,  I could have written it. This is how I feel about homeschooling. This is what I want to say to people when they ask why I do it, or how do I do it. She is speaking my language. Way to go sister!

And with that, I'm off to rearrange more piles of books (did I mention they are everywhere at this point?), give one last math lesson, and head to the river for a celebratory swim!

Happy AR529 Day!

Are your kids going to college?

How about your grandkids, nieces, nephews, all those youngins running around the family reunion?

Do you know how they are going to pay for it?

Sure they’ve got options. Scholarships, student loans, generous gifts from relatives. If they reside in the great state of Arkansas they also have the 529 Program to help out.

Before yesterday, I had heard about the 529 Program in passing but never really learned exactly how it worked. After my visit to the gorgeous estate of P.Allen Smith, I now know that it is possible for my children to graduate college debt free.

But first, let me lure you in with photos of Moss Mountain Farm.

 

Whoa. Right?

It was a pleasure to spend a few hours on this working farm full of animals and plants. The gardens are teaching gardens, designed to inspire and preserve heirlooms. The architecture and design are stunning. The grounds warm and inviting. We were treated to lunch before listening to a panel discussion regarding the Arkansas 529 Program.

Some things I took away from the discussion were:

Student loan deficit is in the trillions.

Nearly 4 out of 10 parents are not saving for their children’s education.

The cost of higher education is only going up!

There are four different levels of investment in AR529. Something for everyone!

The editor of Arkansas Business says you can’t save too much or too early!

Every dollar you save for college is going to earn money; every dollar you borrow will cost you.

You can transfer your beneficiary to your other children or grandchildren.

The UGift program enables anyone to contribute to your child’s 529 account.

You can use 529 to send your kids to virtually any college in the country.

They have 1 to 1 or 2 to 2 matching on 529 contributions up to $500 depending on income.

A child with a dedicated savings plan is 4 times more likely to finish college.

And those are just my notes (aka Twitter)!

 

According to the 529 Program literature you can:

- Deduct up to $5000 of your contributions from you AR adjusted gross income

- Maximize savings with tax-deferred growth and tax- free qualified withdrawals

- Enroll with as little as $10 per month with an automatic investment plan

- Use the money to pay for tuition, books, room and board, etc.

Want to know how and where to sign up or just need more information?

Visit The Gift Plan or call 501-682-1415

And right now the people over at the 529 Program are doing something awesome and giving away $529! Just click on over to their site to find out how to enter.

It’s never too late to start saving for your children's future!