It's official! - Page 2

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

How does one deal with feeling overwhelmed?

Originally Posted by Hibou

Make a cup of tea and sit quietly for a little while!
Don't (I speak from experience!) try to do a whole bunch of enriching activities with the kiddos when you are feeling overwhelmed because that stressful energy will just spill out onto them. For some reason, I've noticed that this usually happens when I'm already under the weather and barely keeping up with the house, laundry, etc. We're unschoolers so things are usually pretty relaxed around here, but I've learned that when I start stressing about what the kids are/aren't learning, that's when I need to just back off and take a deep breath, and think things through before proceeding. I've also found that it helps to keep a record (journal, photos, or a blog) of your homeshcool life. When you have those lulls that feel like you're not doing anything, you can just look back and see that in fact there's probably been a lot going on.

Bolded bits are great advice. A lot of people start homeschooling and go gung ho trying to fit EVERYTHING in from day dot, which is easily overwhelming from both sides. Been there done that .

What worked best for us was to pick a few subjects and start off with those, like math, reading and art Get comfortable with the ones you choose, get used to the materials/curriculum/whatever you're using and settle into a routine.

Then add in something else, like maybe science if he's interested.. or history since I saw he has an Egypt thing like my kiddo lol. He's pretty young, so it's not going to hurt to not be doing it ALL from the start and it will probably help you find your feet in this new venture By the end of your first year he'll be at *least* where his agemates in school are at, possibly ahead, even if you baby step your way into a full list of subjects

Somewhere in there, you'll round it out with homeschool groups/park days and all that fun stuff

[DaughterOfKali]

He's actually already ahead of his classmates academically (according to their assessments).

I just don't want him getting out of the habit of doing actual work (routine is VERY important to him as he is on the autism spectrum.)

[CariOfOz]

Well maybe just keeping the lessons going, but keeping things other than the basics short & sweet? That way he's still in the habit of doing them, but you can build up to more times as YOU are ready for it. This hs business is a lotta work on our ends and if you end up frazzled & losing the plot it won't do either of you any good

And maybe keep a bottle of bailey's in the cupboard and drop a shot in your coffee after the end of a long day when the boy is gone to bed?

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

And maybe keep a bottle of bailey's in the cupboard and drop a shot in your coffee after the end of a long day when the boy is gone to bed?

That would be lovely. It's funny, I don't usually keep alcoholic drinks in the house.

[CariOfOz]

Me either, my bottle of bailey's is the single exception I don't have it very often, so it lasts forever (which is good because it's SO $ here) but after a frazzling day I'll have a tiny bit in a coffee or something. It makes me feel like, yes, I am indeed an adult.. despite the fact that some days I'm drowning in all things kid

[DaughterOfKali]

I want Baileys!

[Peacemamalove]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

Me either, my bottle of bailey's is the single exception I don't have it very often, so it lasts forever (which is good because it's SO $ here) but after a frazzling day I'll have a tiny bit in a coffee or something. It makes me feel like, yes, I am indeed an adult.. despite the fact that some days I'm drowning in all things kid

pass it around mama's ! Sounds good

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

And maybe keep a bottle of bailey's in the cupboard and drop a shot in your coffee after the end of a long day when the boy is gone to bed?

I might just have to do that too .

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

I want Baileys!

Hehe Anytime you're in the neighborhood you're always welcome to drop by

Oh my what have I started here? hehehe

[elizawill]

[DaughterOfKali]

Desperate Homeschoolers

[Hibou]