Ugh!!

[Storm Bride]

So, this is our third year of official homelearning. Because ds2 joined our ranks this year (he's "in kindergarten"), I knew I needed to put a little more structure in place. I have a plan for starting each day (nothing fancy - just a walk/playground time right after breakfast, then settling into our other activities). We have a few more formal things scheduled in (some classes, and a biweekly homelearner meetup). That's all great.

So, last week (school starts up right after Labour Day here) went all to crap, because the school kids in the neighbourhood are being slowly phased into their schedule, and my kids didn't want to do anything but play with their friends. Fine. Whatever. We'll really get rolling next week (ie. this week).

Saturday night, ds2 spiked a fever or 103.1. Last night, dd1 spiked a fever of 101.5. DD2 has been cranky and sick for the last couple days (fever, but not like the other two). I haven't had a fever, but I've felt horrible, too (headache, sinus pain, sore throat, etc.). DS1 just came home from school, and he's got to miss his first acting class after summer vacation, which he's been really looking forward to, because...he's sick, too.

I'm having a really hard time remembering that the incredibly crappy day we're all having is because we're sick, not because we're homeschooling. Honestly, if dd1 and ds2 were in school, I'd have probably kept them home today, anyway. But, this sucks. It's really bumming me out, and everybody (including me - maybe especially me) is cranky and grumpy and we're all fighting and squabbling. *sigh*

[425lisamarie]

well, I can commiserate with you. I'm sorry, my week sucks for lack of better word too, because I CANNOT get *them* at WAVA to get it together. It's been weeks since my app and they conveniently are always missing part or need this or that, or "yes ma'am someone will call you tomorrow." I'm irritated and actually have a great 1st grade math course we officially started today. My kid is like begging for school and what am i suppose to tell him LOL. I should start my own thread....

but sometimes i wonder "if we were in school" and get irritated at just the general sometimes craziness of homeschooling!! But then I look at all the pressed up against the bus window faces of the kids who have had their 8 hour day out of the house and I sigh

[tanyalynn]

I feel for you, OP. I've been the one sick since our trip to visit family 2 weeks ago, this weekend was the first time I've felt somewhat normal. So, I got books ordered TODAY, the house is still the chaotic mess it was most of the summer (we travelled a lot to see family), and I feel really behind. I wanted to have the house organized and somewhat clean, have the books by now, be getting into a groove... and instead, no, not at all.

[Storm Bride]

*sigh*
DH has a fever of over 101, and he never gets sick. This is absolutely stupid. I just keep saying, "it's not because we're homeschooling - it's not because we're homeschooling". The timing just really, really sucks.

I want to find my groove!!

[chfriend]

DP says October is looking good for you. She must be psychic. :P)

Hope everyone feels better soon.

[Storm Bride]

I'll hold onto that thought.

I just know that I'm going to start getting into my "I can't homeschool - I'm too incompetent" mindset if things don't settle down a little soon. It's silly, but I know I'll go there.

[confustication]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

I'll hold onto that thought.

I just know that I'm going to start getting into my "I can't homeschool - I'm too incompetent" mindset if things don't settle down a little soon. It's silly, but I know I'll go there.

I have those moments as well lately- and the fact that all of us are sick is just making it worse. The thing that's helping me it to take a moment to breathe and remind myself that we don't HAVE to stick with the 'school' schedule, and maybe it's better to meet the needs of the family than to waste the energy feeling guilty about it all.

My approach to 'back to school' is to do some below grade level work to make it fun at first. I'll make things a little more difficult over the next few weeks. At the moment, my daughter is sitting at the table doing some science review that is simple for her, but is helping her to get excited about finding more in-depth information about the review material. It also helps that I tripped across a DRAGON PEN yesterday. No argument about writing for the moment.

It helped me as well, to chat with a friend who is a teacher who said she doesn't plan to introduce much new material until well into October- before then it's getting back in the groove- and around here, the kids go back in August!

It's ok to meet your kids and family where they are, instead of trying to make everyone fit into someone else's boxes- isn't that a big reason to homeschool in the first place? Feel better soon!

[Storm Bride]

Thank you - this:

It's ok to meet your kids and family where they are, instead of trying to make everyone fit into someone else's boxes- isn't that a big reason to homeschool in the first place?

is a much needed reminder. I ended up unschooling a lot more than I meant to last year. I'm not an unschooler, although I have tendencies that way. DH isn't an unschooler at all. He's a bit more "school at home", so we try to meet somewhere in the "relaxed, eclectic" middle ground. But, I do need to get a little more structure in place. I just need to accept that a week when everyone in the family has hit a 100+ fever (don't think I'm quite there, but I have a slightly low normal body temp, too), and the baby has been awake, crying, nursing, fussing, etc. most of the night - every night - is probably not the best time to get that structure in place!

[crunchy_mama]

hugs! Try to get better first! Even homeschoolers get sick days!