Jill posted yesterday about the annual "winter slump" that seems to affect us as homeschool moms ... a very real issue that refuses to be ignored. She offered some wonderful ideas for beating the blues with your kids. I'd like to offer some suggestions for YOU as you battle the post-holiday doldrums. A cruise would likely be the perfect solution for those blues, but in keeping with reality, I offer the following.
Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right?
The hype and increased activity of the holidays is now done and it's back to business as usual. But you're asking yourself if "business as usual" is sufficient? Maybe Johnny isn't reading as well as you had hoped he would be by mid-year. Perhaps Allison is still wrestling with math and really hasn't made any progress since September. Maybe you're just not doing enough ... or doing it well. Maybe you should consider putting your kids in public school. Maybe ... Maybe ... Maybe ...
There certainly are situations where a student may have learning struggles that require some outside intervention. But much of the time we are simply too close to the situation to be able to see the forest from the trees. Here are a couple of suggestions that I found helped *my* peace of mind when I wrestled with my skills as a homeschool teacher. First - spend a bit of time listing the positives from your student's first semester. What does he do well? Where are his strengths? What milestones have you already reached? Choose to focus on what you have accomplished and celebrate goals reached. Second - pat yourself on the back for a job well done first semester, and go back and review the goals you set at the beginning of the year as you move ahead with your second semester. Focus on one or two areas where improvement is needed, and remember that Rome wasn't conquered in a day (or a semester even).
I'm just not motivated. My get up and go has gotten up and gone!
Much of the time I find that my lack of motivation and energy comes from a lack of exercise or time out of the house. I highly recommend looking for ways to build a "break" into your schedule. Whether you take a walk (outside or on a treadmill), or join the local gym ... look for a way to work an "exercise break" into 2 or 3 days of your week. Exercise creates energy, helps you to sleep better, and produces a positive attitude. I know how hard it is to work this into a schedule filled with family and homeschooling and small children, but keep in mind ... a motivated, well-rested, happier mom is a positive benefit for the whole family!
I'm always giving out ... never re-fueling.
Teachers at your local public or private school regularly schedule in-service days. They are designed for furthering education and refreshing the teaching staff. Begin now looking for ways you might create "in-service" times for yourself. Whether you actually leave your house, or just carve out some "teacher alone" time for yourself, it is imperative that you find a balance between emptying yourself into your parenting and teaching and filling up your reserves on a regular basis. Check out some of the following titles from Sonlight's Teacher Resources library for your next in-service:
And begin now saving your pennies for the ultimate teacher training conference ... your state's annual homeschool convention! There is simply nothing on-line that compares to a skin-on, in-real-life homeschool convention. Plan in advance for your 2012 convention ... and be sure to check and see if Sonlight will be represented there. The Sonlight booth is a great spot to preview next year's curriculum materials, and receive encouragement and counsel from your local consultant. Just what you need to get pumped up for the coming school year.
There are many other ways to "get in shape" for this new year ... check out your local homeschool support group ... head over to Sonlight's on-line "support group" on the Sonlight Forums ... contact one of our Sonlight Advisors for some encouragement ... set aside some time to listen to our ever-growing library of webinars/podcasts ... whatever works best for you, just DO IT!
May God bless your efforts in the coming school year.
Still on the journey ...
~Judy
Sonlight Customer Champion
