I really feel so blessed to be able to home school the kids this year. Yes, we have had some really rough days, but they have been far and few between. Zachary really has focus issues, but I think he is learning that on the days he actually focuses, he is done in about three hours. When he doesn't focus.... well, we've had some ten hour days. Either way, he is still getting much better grades than he did in public school! He is finally showing what he is capable of. And I love being home with him!!! (Even when he drives me crazy.)
Emily's math anxieties led to drastic measures. We actually sought the help of a behavioral therapist. We've only had a few sessions but it has already helped. Now before we start math class, we put some lavender on. We have been collecting essential oils! Sometimes we burn them, sometimes we just have them out. We have little rituals to help her prepare. It has definitely helped a lot. She actually had a whole lesson that she did entirely on her own without my help at all! So far, Zachary has done extremely well while Emily just did "okay", but I think we have reached a turn around point for her. And now I have a better idea of what is expected, which helps a lot.
While I love the Calvert curriculum, I do not love having to stay on the school calendar schedule. I find it very stressful since Emily started two whole weeks late, which was totally NOT our fault. I registered for this program last March. Her IEP meeting wasn't until August, the week before school. That meant that they couldn't register her until the week of school, so we didn't get her books until very late. (So not fair to her.) For a child that juggles school work, therapy, hospital stays, insomnia, and many days where she just doesn't feel well, the school calendar just doesn't work for us. That thing is what I find most stressful. We have decided that next year we will try homeschooling on our own. I'm still searching through different curriculum, and I'm even contemplating "unschooling", or at least hoping to learn more about it. We need MUCH less stress, and this year we actually have more. Emily has more work now than she did in regular school, including working on the weekends. It is the only way that she can get caught up. Whenever we think that we may be able to find a day to help catch up, something happens to make us miss a day. This week she woke up with a sinus infection on Thursday and Friday we had her great-grandmother's funeral. Obviously, neither was planned. We really just need much more flexibility.
One thing that we all love about this, aside from the obvious, is that we have become a house of science! I know that I mentioned it before but we have got the science going on! It started with the butterfly garden. It is a joy to go outside every day and check on the caterpillars! Now we have lady bugs moving in. :) We have watched them turn from one type of bug into another- something that I totally forgot they did! We have observed a Monarch chrysallis. We have had a baby bird that took shelter under our passion flower plant. The nest was a mess, we couldn't put it back there, but we could help it along and protect it. We have our crabs, which is a whole different world for us, and we had a sick fish that we brought back from the brink of death. We also have a complicated water test kit now for the fish that is like a chemistry lesson for us! I love it!
One cool thing about having the essential oils is, once you find out all that you can do with them, it kind of becomes a hobby. Kevin and I are looking into making our own soaps, laundry detergent and fabric softener. He made some household cleaners that are 100% natural and disinfecting, and we are learning how to use them as natural remedies. For instance, we have learned that lavender and rosemary help headaches. A couple of drops of rosemary on a hair brush will help to thicken hair. Now if we can only go gluten and sugar free..... :) One step at a time! I will try to share more with the next post! Hopefully it won't be as long.
My last note is my school! This semester I have Humanities (online) and a math class. I actually go to school for my math, but only one night a week. Fortunately I have found time while the kids are working to do my work, as well as after they go to bed. For the most part, my classes are doing well. I may end up with B's, which is sad, but I guess I can live with. I'm still waiting on the score for my largest Humanities project, which has me nervous. It is worth 100 points, while my mid-term and final are only worth 50 points each. I really appreciate the challenge this class has to offer, and the subject matter is fascinating. I am so happy being back in school. I never thought I would do this, but I love it!!! Anyway, off to bed I go. A lovely twelve hour work day is ahead. Three more years (or so) until I get my degree....
keep on keepin' on
ReplyDelete