Failure or Just a Bump?
Some questions are on my mind this morning. I tried posting to my Facebook status, but it kept telling me I was exceeding the character limit. That’s what I have a blog for, right?
Will skipping two whole weeks of school in November make my kids forever stupid? My intentions are good, but my dad used to tell me that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
If Nick doesn’t finish the 3rd level math book by the middle of his 4th grade year, am I a horrible homeschooler? Our goal was to finish this book by the end of December, but we’re only around lesson 10 of about 30. It’s not going to happen now.
Does being sick one week and traveling for Thanksgiving the next count as a valid reason for two weeks of no school? There’s no way we could have had any lessons the first half of last week. On Thursday and Friday, we were still just laying around feeling yucky so I didn’t even attempt anything. This week, I figured we’d get back to normal school-wise for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Because we’re going out of town for Thanksgiving, though, the house needed a major cleaning before we leave. The boys helped me all day yesterday, and we basically got everything except a couple loads of laundry finished. I clean our church each week and need to take care of that before we leave tomorrow evening. I’m probably going to take the boys over there and work on that cleaning today, so there goes another day of school.
Will I ever manage to stay on schedule for more than five weeks in a row? I think that’s my record, seriously. I often wonder if other homeschoolers have the same issues/problems with staying on track for long periods at a stretch. I know the public schools work breaks and days off into the schedule. I don’t do that because I like the wiggle room to take a day or two off when we need it. But two weeks off? In November?
Cindy, I struggle with the very same thoughts! However, you have me beat with 5 weeks of focus…I think our record this year is more like 2-3 before something comes up! (How bad is that?!) I’m a pretty disciplined, focused person believe it or not.
I think the ability to take time off–for illness, travel, etc–is one of the blessings of homeschooling. Yet at the same time, it can also be one of the “pitfalls”.
Just nice to know I’m not alone in my struggles!
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No they will not be stupid. They will finish high school, Hopefully before age 30;), Yes it is ok for this wiggle room. Remember in years’ past we take off right after Thanksgiving ’till New Years. Remember I love you and the kids.
One of the best thing about homeschooling is the flexibility.
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My grandsons are not stupid nor can they can be made stupid. Surprised you would even think it possible. I thought one of the many reasons behind homeschooling was to do things the way the parents thought best.
There are many other lessons to be learned in life besides academic, and you only fail when you stop trying. Look for lessons in whatever you do, and the example by which you live will make a larger impression upon your children than anything that comes out of a book. Also, just because you reach a certain point in the book doesn’t mean your children have absorbed all the information…by going slowly, you’re sure that they are learning the material rather than just making it through. Hope that makes you feel better!
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