Starting the Homeschooling Year on the Right Foot
Have you heard of homeschooling burnout? Many moms experience it in the bleak month of February when the weather is frigid, noses are forever runny and it’s just been too many days of nonstop math and spelling. But not me! I actually burn out the second week of September. We haven’t even cracked open all the books and I already want to quit. I’ve thought a lot about why this happens to me. I’ve realized that I get incredibly ambitious and excited about our new academic goals, only to feel deflated and defeated when my offspring don’t share in either my ambitions or enthusiasm. Huh.
What I often fail to do, to be honest, is to put my children first. Instead, I give my academic goals top billing and expect the kids to conform to them. This year, however, was different. In a way, being convalescent helped to temper my unrealistic expectations, and focus more on my relationships. Amazingly enough, we had the best start of the school year ever.
Bonnie Landry was also huge help. As the school year began, she wrote a series titled “Gearing up for the school year“, where she outlined what really matters when homeschooling. You can read part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4. Bonnie was also interviewed in the Homeschooling Saints podcast on the same topic. Where would we be without our virtual community of wise, loving friends?
And yes, I know it’s almost November but you just might be in need of a little reset.
What exactly is Leisure?
In this day and age, we think of “leisure” as taking a break from our daily duties and doing whatever we want (Netflix binging, anyone?). I’ve often wondered if this was right. Is it fine to give in to our desires when we are not officially working, or should all our activities, whether we’re on or off duty, serve to help us grow in some way? While my little brain was wrestling with this conundrum, John Cuddeback over at Bacon from Acorns came to rescue. Professor Cuddeback has written an amazing series on the leisure question, which I highly recommend. He hashes out the difference between leisure and amusement, how to foster the right kind of leisure, and the connection between leisure and education. I’d like to think that our annual trip to Family Camp is the right kind of leisure time.
How to Civilize the Uncivilized
One of our current challenges on the home front is instilling good manners in our apes, er, I mean, children. From requesting that they greet every person with a firm handshake and good eye contact, to insisting that they keep the elbows/legs/feet/devices off the dining table, it’s one long, painful, endless struggle.
Thankfully, The Heights, a school for boys in Maryland, is here to help us. Check out their podcast episode on manners, where you will hear why manners matter and learn practical tips on teaching the art of good manners. As with most parenting endeavors, we must have patience and optimism!
All about Graphic Novels by Read Aloud Revival
While reading is my and my husband’s passion, one of my kids is reluctant reader. He is, however, all over comic books and graphic novels. While I was waiting for this stage to eventually morph into ‘real’ reading, I was happy to listen to this podcast from The Read Aloud Revival: Why Your Kids Love Graphic Novels. It’s all about multi-modal learning. Sounds fancy and educational!
Speaking of Books…
You know it’s a good book when you can read them over and over again. This past summer I reveled in the beautiful worlds of The Blue Castle, The Secret Garden, Kilmeny of the Orchard, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
On the new book front, we are planning to a trip to Berlin in January. Berlin in the dead of winter? AFTER the Christmas markets close? Alas, we were not able to pick the dates as the big boys and I are piggypacking on my husband’s business trip. Good thing we’re hardy Canadians who can weather any weather! In preparation for our trip, my oldest is reading up on WWII and I’ve read two books which I’ve enjoyed: My Berlin Kitchen, an autobiography by foodie blogger Luisa Weiss, and News from Berlin by Otto de Kat. The latter is a short fictional account of the days leading up to Operation Barbarossa, when Germany completely blindsided Russia with a brutal invasion which killed hundreds of thousands.
Listening Parties in my Car
I can’t get enough of podcasts. My kids are at the prime age for extracurricular activities, so my van has truly become by home away from home. While I don’t much enjoy driving everywhere, I do enjoy listening to podcasts that make me think. Here are some of my favorite ones, all available on the Podbean app: The Jordan Peterson Show, The Matt Fradd Show (these ones are three hours long…but worth it!), Among the Lillies (hosted by Matt Fradd’s super cool wife, Cameron Fradd), and Homeschooling Saints.
Eat this Cake
Other than reading, baking and eating my baking are my passions. I often fall asleep to lovely dreams involving sugar, butter and flour. Sadly my metabolism is slowing to a halt, which makes it hard to me to eat desserts in a consequence-free manner (as if that exists). Even sadder is the fact that I have zero will power and cannot pass by a cake/cookie/pie without grabbing a bite. So I’m baking a lot less. But last week I couldn’t take it anymore and just had to make something sweet. I found this Cranberry Almond Pound cake online and it was moist, sweet and just the right level of tart. Definitely worth the extra calories.
Until next time!
I’m drooling over that cake! 😉
It’s sooooo good.