Someone tell me it's okay to relax

[Ravin]

We're doing a pretty good job of keeping up with the basics--math, FLL, spelling, and phonics. Geography is going well as well.

But history? Not so much. What I had planned for science? Meh. Most of our read alouds? DD would rather we read other things. Spanish? In theory DD enjoys it, but she's not ready to focus and study there, regardless of what resources I bring to bear. I'd rather it stay fun.

So I'm about ready to toss it all, except for core subjects. Next year I plan on outsourcing pretty much all structure except for a core of math, Latin, reading, writing, spelling, and maybe geography to the enrichment program DD is in (this year, it's 1 day a week, and the primary program for K-2nd is fixed; next year she'll go Tu-Th and we'll be able to pick her subjects/activities). This year, I'd like to just relax.

Can we just relax? Let science and history be field trips and SCA and DD getting a wild hair to build a solar oven after watching Curious George? Read aloud for fun, not for school, so that DD enjoys it?

[Lillian J]

It's fun for a child to start casually learning a little bit about history that she can relate to, and it gives her a good feeling about how interesting it can be - but there's nothing at all crucial for such a young child to learn about history. There are many years to come in which things can and will be learned. You're doing an awfui lot - I think relaxing more would only magnify the benefits of what you do, rather than causing any holes. By all means, relax - and you might be surprised at how much more rewarding more relaxed learning and living turns out to be. Lillian

[LuxPerpetua]

If it's any consolation, I was studying to be a Medieval Historian before dd was born and I never had ANY formal history until high school. I grew up in the Deep South so my parents would take me to Civil War sites for picnics and such and tell me lots of stories. That was ALL the history I had until 9th grade, and now I have such a deep love of history. I don't really plan on doing much more with my own dd. I think overdoing it is more of a problem than waiting in this regard. History is really just stories anyway.

[elizawill]

it's definitely okay to relax

my little boy will be 7 in march. his main history is at our co-op (2x month) where he takes SOTW 2. at home, we just read picture books (currently squanto's journey, sarah morton's day, samuel eaton's day, plimoth plantation). that's it!

for science, he mainly watches TV shows like magic school bus and beakman's world. we also have some "let's read & find out about" books, but i don't stress about those subjects at all.

he has no second language right now.

no worries!!! hugs.

[Smithie]

History is a core subject for us and I'm way more of a structured homeschooler than the PPs - but yes, I also say that it's OK to relax with a seven year old as long as the 3 Rs are being covered.

[raelize]

i think it is much more important for dd to enjoy reading, being read to, and just learning in general than sticking to my specific plans(!!!!!). i thought my dd would LOVE the little house books, but no. then i found roald dahl and she loved it. i would follow her lead. as long as what she wants to do is quality stuff, then i would encourage her to do what she wants as long as she picks quality stuff.

[LemonPie]

I'm in the same boat here and this thread has made me feel better. We're doing a great job of keeping up with math, handwriting, writing, grammar, and spelling, but slacking on history, science and read-alouds too. We listen to SOTW on CD in the car, but don't do any projects. Science is sort of hit and miss. We're studying the human body so we pull a book out and read once in a while, but not as often as we probably should. My DH is a science/techie kind of guy though, so they get a lot of it just living in our house

[lmonter]

I'd roll along with "relaxing." Your child is learning, even if it's not exactly what the state curriculum would be teaching her at the time, you know?
We're actually almost the opposite - my boy is more into being read to and history type things, and is only sometimes (like every few days) in the mood for math things and spelling and such. I figure there's plenty of time ahead of us to whip through things - they learn so darned quick when they want to. Not to mention, eventually I won't have any more babies and be so overwhelmed to be better focused.

[sahmoffour]

I suggest relaxing too. We started out pushing all subjects, and the kids were hating it! Gr.1 & 3. We just didn't have enough time to fit it all in, and I was stressed which meant everyone was stressed. Now, we're doing Math Mammoth and OPGTR for Gr.1. Once my dd is reading more fluently we'll add in FLL and WWE. My Gr.3er is doing FLL, WWE, AAS and Math Mammoth. Oh, and they both do McRuffy handwriting booklets. Official bookwork only takes us 1-2 hours a day, and they're doing great and learning a lot. For Social and Science, my Gr.3er is a science geek and reads everything he can get his hands on when it comes to the solar system. We just bought him a telescope which fits in nicely with that and he knows way more than I know about our solar system now! My dd is showing no interest in science stuff so I'm not pushing it. When she develops a curiosity to learn about something, then I'll provide the materials for her to do so. For social, we look at the globe frequently and learn about where places are as things come up. We watch the news and discuss. We're also watching the PBS series "Frontier House" on DVD right now and the kids and I LOVE it and are learning soo much about the homesteaders and what they went through in the 1880 somethings. My kids are very visual learners and being able to actually watch their way of life versus reading about it is great for them and very entertaining for me as well!

I definitely suggest relaxing about it, you'd be surprised how much your kids can learn when you let them lead the way.