scbusf Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 My family is in the middle of a crisis time right now. Putting the kids in school isn't an option. So we are cutting back to bare bones for a while. I don't have to test them at the end of the year, and they are all working ahead of grade level anyway. (Not that I get too hung up on that, but just to give you an idea.) Tell me everything will be OK. We will do Math, Writing, and lots of reading. We will do whatever else we can manage to get done, but I need to get to a place where I feel OK about this. My kids are ages 6, 9, and 10. Tell me they won't be scarred for the rest of their education!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 :grouphug: I dropped to just reading (off the library) and maths for one year when my oldest was in 5th and it was okay too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeriJ Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Absolutely, they will be more than ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 It will be fine. Really. :grouphug: Been there, done that. Honestly, breathing room in the curriculum is a good thing. It gives us the space and time to learn something well and *enjoy* it, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 At 6, 9, and 10, absolutely they will be OK. I have one small suggestion, and that is to add CM-style copywork, narration, and dictation to some of the reading you are doing each day, as that method includes SO much bang for the buck, and doesn't really need any prep or grading. You can just do it in the moment, as you go, when your time and attention allow. I am very sorry for whatever crisis you are experiencing, and hope all will soon be well. :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Completely, fully, absolutely will be okay. I wholeheartedly affirm cutting back to the core when you're in a crisis. I would add in as much or little of the following: books on CD/audio where necessary science DVDs, documentaries, free discovery free time filled with masterly activity -- i.e. limit screens and encourage discovery, creativity, play, etc. I'm sorry for what's causing the crisis. I've been there and schooled through it. ((((hugs)))) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristaJ Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Yep, it will be ok. We moved halfway across the country a few months ago, and we stuck to math and language arts while we prepared to move and then settled into the new house. My kids are close in age to yours (10, 8, & 7), and everything worked out just fine. By Christmas, we were back to our normal routine and no permanent (or even temporary) damage was done. And we all felt a lot less stressed when there was less on our plate. Like others have suggested, we listened to a lot of audiobooks and watched the Planet Earth series on Netflix more than once… but if you can’t find time for that, it will still be ok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scbusf Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Thank you everyone. Our crisis is that DD6's anxiety is sky-high. Therapy alone hasn't helped, everything else we've tried hasn't helped - diet changes, etc. But it keeps getting worse. She has an appointment with a Psychiatrist, but it isn't until March. The mental health system in this country is so inadequate. So we are hanging on until March!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Sherry, I'm sorry about your dd's anxiety. Whenever someone mentions something like you have, I ask if the parent has ruled out PANDAS. Sorry to derail and take your question off-topic. Best wishes with your schooling, and to asnwer your question, I agree with what everyone else has already said-that a year of 3 Rs will be totally fine! https://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/research-areas/clinics-and-labs/pdnb/pandas-frequently-asked-questions.shtml 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in IN Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Your kids are young. YES, they will be okay with focusing on the basics for a time. That's the most important thing for elementary kids snyway - laying the foundations. I am a strong believer that young students do NOT need to be tested. If you are able to get library books, audiobooks, and/or age appropriate videos for them, that will be a huge boost to their learning that requires very little ongoing energy from you. Praying for your family through this hard time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morningcoffee Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 If you are looking to "hang out" with others who have adopted the 3Rs approach you could join the Robinson curriculum facebook group. I have never bought or followed the curriculum but enjoy lurking there. Good luck for your appointment in March. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I am working for the school system now, and no...you will not scar them! In my school anyway, they are trying to figure out the reading, so not much is going on in the way of science or social studies. If your children were in school, the testing they are required to do alone could cause them anxiety... Enjoy your time home with them...read them the Story of the World series, or get the adio cd's. That way, you would at least get some history into them if you feel the need. Do lots of hands-on gooey science activities, or art. So many good stories out there to do read-alouds, those were our favorites. I have never regretted my time home with my kids. Go on outings if you feel your little ones can handle it, but do it on your own, rather than a group, so you don't have to worry about timelines. If it is snowy where you are, make bird feeders and watch the fun. Use food dye to paint the snow...do puzzles and games...I'm sorry for your troubles, time will take care of things...don't fret about the school, it sounds like you are doing a great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 If you homeschool long enough, *something* will cause your homeschool to go into emergency mode. (Ugh!) Our emergency mode is: 1. Daily Math 2. Daily Writing 3. Reading/Read-alouds We've had to implement this several times - moving, new baby, house fire... Those things happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama2 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Thank you everyone. Our crisis is that DD6's anxiety is sky-high. Therapy alone hasn't helped, everything else we've tried hasn't helped - diet changes, etc. But it keeps getting worse. She has an appointment with a Psychiatrist, but it isn't until March. The mental health system in this country is so inadequate. So we are hanging on until March!!! :grouphug: It is, sadly, and for children, it is even more so. As for scaling back, not only will it be OK, it will be better, in the long run, for you and for all your children. All of them need you to be Mom first and foremost. Your top priority in a challenging situation is to maintain an emotional reserve to draw from -- so you can nurture your children, intercede for your daughter, make important decisions, navigate a complex system, do self-care, support your husband (he feels this, too), and hang in for "as long as it takes." All of that, in and of itself, is the work you must do, so if whatever you consider "school" has to drop back in order for these non-negotiable things to happen, then school will have to drop back. FWIW, I would do Math (as consistently as possible), Read Alouds (you read to the kids), Assigned and/or Free Reading (they read books that either you or they choose), Audiobooks (if you have them), and leave it at that. Everything else would be (1) keeping up with daily life (meals, chores, laundry, pets, exercise, hygiene, rest, errands, etc.), (2) actively pursuing all feasible solutions for my daughter, and (3) family cohesiveness, including fun activities that everyone can handle. HTH. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Best wishes while you help her. Isn't it frustrating to wait while you see your child struggling? One of my dd's was on a waiting list for five months before we made it into meet a psychologist. Her depression was paired with anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helped more than the medication. At times we've cut back to just arithmetic and reading and my girls still continued to thrive. Do what is best for your family. :001_smile: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fralala Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 They will be more than fine academically. Even with testing, they would be okay, I bet, since those hours of reading shouldn't be underestimated. And those periods when we've pared down make us refreshed and more efficient in the long run. Not to mention, using a painful and difficult fact of your life to provide a model of setting priorities and being mindful that you are all multifaceted human beings, not brains on legs? The most valuable lesson I missed out on as a kid with my own compounding issues. How much more productive my own young adult years would have been had I known how to set such priorities (and known my family prioritized by emotional health over my intellect) I don't know. Banish the doubts that you are doing the right thing. Hope your little one gets the outside help she needs soon. That must be very, very difficult on all of you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 We did that - the kids were required to bring home both fiction and nonfiction on our weekly library trips, and at least one book of poems each week in April (National Poetry Month). It was OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Sounds perfectly valid to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnwife Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 FWIW, I would do Math (as consistently as possible), Read Alouds (you read to the kids), Assigned and/or Free Reading (they read books that either you or they choose), Audiobooks (if you have them), and leave it at that. Everything else would be (1) keeping up with daily life (meals, chores, laundry, pets, exercise, hygiene, rest, errands, etc.), (2) actively pursuing all feasible solutions for my daughter, and (3) family cohesiveness, including fun activities that everyone can handle. HTH. We aren't in a crisis mode. We are in a new baby mode. We now have a 6 yo, almost 5 yo, 3 yo, and an almost 3 week old. And our plan for now is almost exactly the above. Except that I prioritize read alouds, then then reading to me/phonics, then math, and then handwriting. Anything else that doesn't fall into the daily life list above probably just isn't happening these days. We will slowly add things in/make lessons longer as I/we are up to it. Given the info. in your OP, I think this is a perfect time to go with such a plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 I think it sounds great. You can get a lot from reading. I would add in watching videos and documentaries together cuddled on the couch, too. I hope your dd's anxiety gets the needed help. :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Yes, they'll be fine. BTDT (I used to keep two schedules--one for "good days" and one for "minimal school days."). Hang in there, and I hope they can figure out how to help your 6 yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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