How do you deal with thinking you're not smart enough

[chefwife8]

I have been a stay at home mom my entire life I have had a couple of jobs, but for the majority of my life I have been home with children. There are days when i feel like my brain is mush. How can I exercise my brain? I have always loved to read and learn new things I just never seem to have the time to do those things. I struggle with my ability to teach my children 

[Penguin]

I think that I would start with two things. I would pick one subject that is my strength and one subject that scares me.

[Guest]

My two suggestions are to see if your library has this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Maxed-Out-American-Moms-Brink/dp/1580055230/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411146962&sr=8-1&keywords=Maxed+Out

 

because I think it will give you a better idea of the culture we live in and how smart you are to have resisted the dominant, self-destructive paradigm and secondly to follow John Holt's advice to check out nonfiction books on subjects that interest you from the children's section of your library at about a fourth grade reading level.

 

Even if your children think that your interest in underwater basket weaving is stupid, they will benefit greatly from watching you get pleasure out of learning and seeing how people are able to do so without drowning themselves is student loan debt.

 

Welcome to the boards. I look forward to learning from you, since you obviously have a lot more experience in something I am passionate about than I do.

[duckens]

PBS.  Lots and lots of PBS.

History.

Science.

Travel programs (geography, world awareness).

Even the dramas (Masterpiece Theater, Call the Midwife, Bletchley Circle, Sherlock Homes, etc).  They often cover books-made-into-movies (so you can follow the storyline) or a historical time period.

**Some of this you can watch and discuss WITH your children.  Dd7 has been watching Nova and Nature (science programs) with me for years.  It starts with, "Look at the giraffe!" and now she can comprehend some pretty complex concepts about "sprites" (rare and unusual lightning in the upper atmosphere). 

If I come across a travel show of a country we have studied for geography, I save it for her on the DVR, and we watch it together.

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Be unafraid of the "Juvenile Nonfiction" section of the library.  When you want to research something I feel overwhelmed about, I often start in this part of the library.  I can find an easy chapter book written on the level of a 12yo as an introduction for my subject of choice.  I usually read this independently, but occasionally read together with dd7.

[texasmama]

What I do/have done in the past:  Read a classic work of literature.  Do Sudoku.  (Even the "easy" ones count.  ;) )

 

I got all of the higher education I will ever have prior to having kids so I always had those degrees in my back pocket to remind me that at one point, I had a fully functional mind.  ;)  If you have no higher education and have wanted to pursue this, make a plan to do so.  Even if it is several years in the future, making a concrete plan to reach some goals can be invigorating.  This stage of your life will not last forever.  :)

[VeritasMama]

I check out digital audio books from the library or download the free public domain audiobooks from www.librivox.com and listen to them on my phone or iPod while I'm cleaning, driving, etc. One of my library's digital services has great audio lectures by college professors on various topics, they are part of the Modern Scholars series, and they are wonderful.

 

It was my goal to work my way through the public domain files of the Harvard Classics before my oldest hit high school, but that is less than a year away so I don't think that deadline will be met. But I'll make it through eventually.

 

https://archive.org/details/harvardclassics

[Twigs]

Here are some articles by Susan Wise Bauer. Near the bottom of the list are a couple on Self-Education. There are some good ideas there.

Best wishes.

[chefwife8]

Thank you so much ladies

[Chrysalis Academy]

Here are some articles by Susan Wise Bauer. Near the bottom of the list are a couple on Self-Education. There are some good ideas there.

Best wishes.

 

In addition to the articles, there is a lovely audio lecture by SWB: Educating Ourselves as we Educate Our Children

 

http://peacehillpress.com/audio-lectures/

[duckens]

If you want to read a "classic," simultaneously read the Cliff Notes.  For some classics I have read, reading the "summary" is the only thing that helped me to trudge through the original text and understand what is going on.  There is the added advantage that Cliff also discusses symbols, has literary analysis, background of the time period, and an author's biography (which often explains motivation for the book). 

If we are still homeschooling in high school, we will use Cliff's Notes as our lit program.  There are dozens and dozens of titles for dd to choose from, and we can read the book and Cliff's together as discussion.    By the time anything makes it on the Cliff's list, it is considered either a classic or wildly popular literature that has influenced our culture (like Harry Potter).  Imagine reading even 3 books/year with your high schooler.  You will have read 12 by the end of high school.  So, again, you can do this WITH your kids and learn WITH your kids.

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Folger Shakespeare Library is the ONLY way that I can do Shakespeare.  Consider it to be Cliff's Notes for Shakespeare.  There is a summary (in 20th Century English) for every scene and every act.  Knowing what is going on is half the battle.  Text is on the right page; vocabulary translation of unusual words/phrases are on the left page.  

Several years ago, I loaned my Folger copy of Hamlet to a friend's daughter.  The daughter had been dreading and struggling with Hamlet in class.  After borrowing my Folger copy, her mom reported back that her daughter had said that it was, "One of the best things she had every read!"  I would wish this for you, chefwife8.

Imagine tackling one Shakespeare play each year of high school with your kids.  That would give you (and your kids) 4 plays.  So, again, you can learn with your kids.

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There are also many versions of Shakespeare for kids these days.  We like the Usborne Shakespeare, but there are many choices for kids.  See what your library has, and your librarian should be able to help you.  Once again, you can learn WITH your kids.

Do some searches for opera or ballet storylines for kids, too.

[wintermom]

I'd recommend starting with the education you are currently providing for your children. Do some research on how people learn, what motives them, etc. You are now an educator, so do the best you can at being an informed educator. Then get informed about the subjects you are teaching your children. As you get more knowledgeable about the things you present your children, you'll have more passion, more energy and this enthusiasm is a great role model for students. 

 

 

It's also important to have a strong and stimulated body when making demands on our brain. If you are not eating well and exercising regularly, sleeping and finding ways to relieve stress, the brain feels like mush.

 

 

[chefwife8]

Math by far is my weakest area I am horrible and I mean horrible. I have always juat told myself that my brain just doesn't understand numbers. I would love to be better at it's awful when I can't help my 4 and 8th grader with their math. I would aslo love to better better with grammar as I go through the grammar with my son I realize I was never taught or just never paid attention to it and have already learned something I didn't know. I of course don't have the time to actually take a class, so these are things I would have to be able to learn on my own.

I have also decided to give up Netflix for awhile and replace that time with reading.

[Chrysalis Academy]

I'm reading a book right now that you might enjoy.  It's about how we learn, especially math and science: It's called A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel in Math and Science (even if you flunked Algebra!)

 

It is encouraging, but also super practical - suggestions about how to learn more efficiently and effectively. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/dp/039916524X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411225849&sr=1-1&keywords=a+mind+for+numbers

 

With math, you can always sign yourself up for a Khan Academy account, and start at the very beginning: The World of Numbers, and work through that systematically.  You will catch up with your kids pretty quick!  You'll gain confidence and fill in holes, and just think what an amazing example it will be for your kids to see *you* working hard to learn math, too!

[chefwife8]

I'm reading a book right now that you might enjoy. It's about how we learn, especially math and science: It's called A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel in Math and Science (even if you flunked Algebra!)

 

It is encouraging, but also super practical - suggestions about how to learn more efficiently and effectively.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/dp/039916524X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411225849&sr=1-1&keywords=a+mind+for+numbers

 

With math, you can always sign yourself up for a Khan Academy account, and start at the very beginning: The World of Numbers, and work through that systematically. You will catch up with your kids pretty quick! You'll gain confidence and fill in holes, and just think what an amazing example it will be for your kids to see *you* working hard to learn math, too!

I was thinking Khan would be good to use. I love that they have videos I am a visual learner its how I taught my self to knit.

[Slache]

I heart TED Talks and Crash Course on YouTube.

 

My husband and I are learning Greek together. It's very time consuming, and therefore going very slowly, but who cares. It's just us and a friend and we're going at our own pace. If you'd like to learn a language the Getting Started With series takes very little time and is only $10 to download.

 

I second Sudoku, as well as other math games to get you more familiar with number relations.

 

I don't just read classics, I read books that are more applicable to current events, like Ameritopia and How Should We Then Live. I actually read these out loud in the evenings so it's a family activity. By family I mean my husband and I. John's not very well versed in politics at the ripe age of 3.

[FriedClams]

It's been said here, but learn with your kids. I do math alongside them, every day. We watch the news together. We go to events together and discuss we read and talk about stuff. Walk with them.

[FriedClams]

If you want to read a "classic," simultaneously read the Cliff Notes. For some classics I have read, reading the "summary" is the only thing that helped me to trudge through the original text and understand what is going on. There is the added advantage that Cliff also discusses symbols, has literary analysis, background of the time period, and an author's biography (which often explains motivation for the book).

 

If we are still homeschooling in high school, we will use Cliff's Notes as our lit program. There are dozens and dozens of titles for dd to choose from, and we can read the book and Cliff's together as discussion. By the time anything makes it on the Cliff's list, it is considered either a classic or wildly popular literature that has influenced our culture (like Harry Potter). Imagine reading even 3 books/year with your high schooler. You will have read 12 by the end of high school. So, again, you can do this WITH your kids and learn WITH your kids.

 

-----------------------------------------------

Folger Shakespeare Library is the ONLY way that I can do Shakespeare. Consider it to be Cliff's Notes for Shakespeare. There is a summary (in 20th Century English) for every scene and every act. Knowing what is going on is half the battle. Text is on the right page; vocabulary translation of unusual words/phrases are on the left page.

 

Several years ago, I loaned my Folger copy of Hamlet to a friend's daughter. The daughter had been dreading and struggling with Hamlet in class. After borrowing my Folger copy, her mom reported back that her daughter had said that it was, "One of the best things she had every read!" I would wish this for you, chefwife8.

 

Imagine tackling one Shakespeare play each year of high school with your kids. That would give you (and your kids) 4 plays. So, again, you can learn with your kids.

 

-----------------------------------------------

There are also many versions of Shakespeare for kids these days. We like the Usborne Shakespeare, but there are many choices for kids. See what your library has, and your librarian should be able to help you. Once again, you can learn WITH your kids.

 

Do some searches for opera or ballet storylines for kids, too.

We love No Fear Shakespeare. One of us reads the original, and another the modern. (We will do a couple characters each, so some are modern and some aren't). It's hysterical and totally relatable.

[blue daisy]

I've been enjoying Khan Academy for math. Also, see if your library has The Great Courses. Our library carries many on various topics, both in CD and DVD format. Bonus - I get to hear an adult talking! Lol

[sewingmama]

I know I'm not smart enough to teach my kids. LOL.

 

That's why I'm so grateful for resources that use scripted teaching. CLE has excellent teacher manuals for people not great at math. In fact so good...that occasionally I find now I can teach my kids without looking at it GASP.

 

You can also outsource things you are not good at. I also use curriculums that have lessons on DVD's. I watch them along with my kids and we all learn it together.

[daijobu]

Math by far is my weakest area I am horrible and I mean horrible. 

 

Small steps.  Pick up a math textbook and start at the beginning, but take small steps.  Maybe set your timer for 10 or 15 minutes and do what you can in that time limit.  You'll find as you exercise your math brain you'll be able to do more and work longer.  But whatever happens, small steps will still get you there.  

 

Keep it manageable, but make it a priority to keep at it every day or at least as often as possible.  

 

I set aside time for working on math after I put the kids to bed and I'm in bed with my books and paper and pens.  Sometimes it doesn't happen, but I usually do get to it.  

 

Good luck.  You sound like a lovely person.  

 

(I also second NPR and podcasts for increasing your general knowledge about the world.)

[g1234]

I have an alcumus account of my own and I love doing math on it! My brain feels so good after an alcumus stint. Plus it's delightfully addicting. It's really nice because it quickly adjusts to your exact level of knowledge.

[phathui5]

https://www.coursera.org/

[pitterpatter]

I learn and refresh as we move through DD's material. My mental math skills have soared with Singapore Math. I'm pretty excited to learn Latin in a year or so. I just make sure I understand the material before presenting it to DD. Sometimes, I have to do several SM problems before I get how their method works for a particular section. I also make sure whatever curriculum we use has enough support for me as a teacher. I like Spanish programs with clear audio files so I can be sure we're pronouncing words correctly.

[Penguin]

One of my most treasured books is The Priceless Gift by Cornelius Hirschberg. He gave himself a first rate education in the evenings after work and while riding the subway long before the internet. The publication date is 1960, and some of his ideas come across as outdated and sexist. If you can live with that, it is a fantastic read for an autodidact. I first discovered it at a university library - you could try that option if the price is high. The price seems to wax and wane.

[Hunter]

I think most of us are WAY too hard on ourselves. I think we often have unrealistic expectations about what we SHOULD know, and don't give ourselves enough credit for what we do know. If we had been learning what we don't know, we probably would have learned less of what we do know.

 

Awhile back, I was challenged to think about what my life might be like if I'd had more explicit teaching in grammar and maths and other things I'm rough around the edges about, and therefore had less time to just READ. It scared me. SERIOUSLY. Many of those tattered paperbacks I picked up at yard sales were critical to choices I made that had a big impact on me and mine.

 

And we also just need time to digest and rest. People who have too much shoveled at them overheat, or don't properly use what is shoveled at them. They just kind of poop much of it out undigested.

 

They say that anyone that worries that they are crazy isn't crazy. I think anyone that says they enjoys reading and learning, but worries their brain is going to mush, doesn't have a brain going to mush.

 

The world is crazy fast right now. It's killing us. 

 

For math and grammar, think of them like yeast. You only need enough to leaven the rest of the curriculum or enough to leaven your life. More yeast doesn't make more bread. More math and grammar often don't do much for many people.

 

Phonics fascinates me. I keep studying more of it, even though I don't need it for myself or my students, because I LOVE it. I've stopped studying more math for now, because I merely like it rather than love it, and have more important things to do with my time. I realized it doesn't matter is I don't know some things in math.

 

As for grammar, I plug away at improving, but have become relaxed about it. The more I learn, the more I learn there is to learn. It's obvious you all understand my writing. That is the important thing. Grammar is a tool. The point of tools is to use tools, not hoard them.