I have been homeschooling for one month now and it may be the most challenging task I’ve ever undertaken. My son has been really testing me with bad behavior and defiance on a level I did not think him capable of at this young age (he never told me “no” before when I asked him to do something. He might have whined a bit, but he never outright said, “no” until a couple of weeks ago when we were attempting to complete a math lesson). Also, I am going to switch gears already regarding my approach to curriculum. I have been reading a lot on Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and I would like to implement her method into what I am doing with my son.
I has been a difficult but also rewarding 4 weeks. I have really enjoyed spending the time with my son and fortunately we have had some wonderful days to offset the difficult ones.
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October 11, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Jamie
Wonderful! Implementing a reward system is something I found helpful at first. Sticker charts are inexpensive and fun.
There is a delicate balance to being mother and teacher. You suddenly introduce them to a whole new set of ideas, and rules to go along with learning those ideas…when home time used to be mostly play. It takes a while. You’re doing fine!
October 11, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Margaret
I can remember saying ‘no’ to maths many times myself *sigh*
I’ve been wondering how you’ve been getting on and I’m glad the good days are outweighing the bad.
October 11, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Jenny Juliana
Thank you, both! Jamie, I think that it has been the adjustment to seeing me as his teacher that as been the basis for his behavior. I guess I just have to give it time. Math was not my favorite subject either, Margaret.
October 23, 2010 at 4:25 am
GretchenJoanna
Home schooling is on one level just another opportunity for working out our salvation. As children go through different stages they express their conflicts and sins in new ways, so it’s a case of every day holding challenges and a lot of opportunities for prayer. I wasn’t Orthodox when I was homeschooling, but sometimes if I was feeling frazzled or it was turning into a “bad day,” I would stop everything and have a prayer time together, so we could acknowledge our weaknesses and need for God’s help. It often cleared the air.
November 8, 2010 at 12:33 pm
thewhitechrist
You are doing a wonderful thing, first off. Remember that, when you sit down (as I once did) and break into tears, thinking you are an awful parent for trying to both be cook, cleaner, and chief bottle washer, as well as Fellow of Christ College, wherever (if you know what I mean). Now, as a female, it doesn’t look as ludicrous to your children as when I, a 6’4″ football fullback, sat down on the ground one day! LOL
But one moves on. As far as the CM stuff, I think you will find it VERY helpful. Especially the a) short lessons, b) varied repertoire of subjects, and c) catholicity of vision. After trying the first year to do it all, the modified CM approach seemed to work (both for ME as well as for THEM). Also remember, YOU are learning about YOU as a teacher as well as THEY as students.
That your Church is both behind you, and allowing you to have a space for this, is a blessing of untold proportions. My children to this day (5 years later) still want me to homeschool them (We had to put that on hold, with a number of family problems), saying ‘Dad, You’re the best teacher in the world.’ So, once my doctorate is done, and my wife can retire from HER secular job, who knows? We may HS again. But at least I know I gave my children the gift of reading, and hearing my daughter say (One day) ‘Oh, God knows the stuff…. behind the STUFF?!’ Out of the mouths of babes….. – Fr. John+
November 21, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Jenny Juliana
What a wonderful idea, GretchenJoanna! Thank you. Homeschooling has challenged me in ways that nothing else has; my patience is tested constantly.
November 29, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Matushka Michelle
We have switched entirely over to Charlotte Mason and my girls LOVE IT. Actually, so do I. Have you visited Ambleside Online? They lay out the curriculum for you. The reading list is so very good. Both Fr. Justin and I love the readings for the children.
I totally agree with Gretchen Joanna. Also, I work in an order of importance: Prayer, Bible study, math, penmanship, reading, etc. That way, if the day goes awry and all we’ve done is prayed and read the Bible together, then we’ve done all we really need to do.
There is a good Bible Study list (it picks out the main Bible stories) for you to read with your children. It’s great. I pick one from the OT and one from the NT.
Be blessed!
M.Michelle
matmichelle@hotmail.com
December 4, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Jenny Juliana
Thank you, Matushka Michelle! I appreciate your comment and the advice. I will check out the website.
December 4, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Jenny Juliana
Thank you for the encouragement, Fr. John!
I apologize for the delay in approving the comments. Things were a bit hectic around here.
December 8, 2010 at 6:23 am
cassandrapw
Thank you for the comment on my site; I hope you enjoy the pancakes!
I don’t homeschool my kids, but I do use the book “The Well Trained Mind”, by Jessie and Susan Wise Bauer, to supplement school. They give excellent advice and of bevy of curriculum and book suggestions.
December 8, 2010 at 10:59 am
Jenny Juliana
“The Well Trained Mind” is an excellent book! I know a few people who “afterschool” their children using that book.
January 1, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Margaret
Wishing you and yours a very holy, happy and blessed 2011.
January 1, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Juliana
Thank you, Margaret! Same to you and yours!