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Do you ever feel like you work so hard every day and...


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Do you like you work so hard every day and still you don't get good high quailty teaching time done?

 

I worked ALL day on "school". Most of it was grading papers, correcting math, looking ahead at lessons, giving assignments, counting the days for the semester, typing final exams, researching curriculum. In fact, NONE of it was "teaching" or "discussion" or real quality interaction with my students.

 

I worked from about 8:30 until 4. I didn't even eat lunch. I didn't even have time to go potty in peace. (OK..that was TOO much info).

 

Then came laundry, some cleaning, and cooking. Kids helped with laundry and cleaning, and they'll clean up after supper.

 

I did not get to every subject with every student. I teach 4 very different students, some with LD issues. My 11th grader, I asked, "What did you do today?" and "Let me grade that math sheet." She got so many math problems wrong, I KNOW she didn't even understand... I haven't gotten back with her to go over those problems.

 

It is 5:19, and I am exhausted. I feel like this every day. Some days I really DO get some real teaching and discussion done.

 

Does anyone else feel this way?

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You are not alone. :grouphug: My days are pretty much like yours. About a month ago, I was so dishearten that I had my sons put everything away and we spent the morning preparing dinner (crockpot meal) and baking a cake. We had a blast and I was able to provide some wisdom (like how to boil water and how to open a can) to my sons. Hang in there and realize that you are not alone!

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Spring Fever.

Take. The. Week. Off. :D

 

It sounds like you are experiencing some burnout. I remember you posted not to long ago and were bummed. Are y'all at a place where you can just call it a year?

 

On a more practical and hopefully more helpful note, I see you are in TN. Did you know that there is a dual enrollment lottery grant? It will pay $300 for your big girl to take a class. That is basically the cost of one 3 hour class at the CC. In the fall sign her up for a class she needs and that will get one of her credits off your plate.

 

Alrighty, I flipped over and looked at your posts. It sounds like y'all have had a crazy math year. If your choices are BJUP or Horizons for 6th grade, my vote is to go with BJUP because Horizons only goes through grade 6. That way you won't have to switch again the very next year.

 

My oldest ds went to a wonderful math tutor this year. Ds's ACT math score went up 7 points since last year! If you are south of Nashville, PM me and I'll give you his info.

 

Also, in TN your umbrella is not the homeschool police. Most of them simply have you fill in an attendance form. Honestly, I know that we do more than 180 days of school, but I don't keep track of when we do them. I have an excel spreadsheet that contains 180 days and check off as we go. Actually, the little man had over 200 days scheduled this school year. Anyway, I just mark off 180 days. The point is that the student does school and not that you worked on Saturday the 4th instead of Monday the 6th or that you finished on June 25 instead of May 25. Just take a deep breath and check off the little boxes.;)

 

Now, :grouphug: take another deep breath, relax, and sit in the sunshine. Isn't it supposed to be sunny here tomorrow?

Mandy

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Ladies: Thanks a ton.

 

But don't you feel like "everyone else is doing wonderful things?"

Especially those of us that have a classical bent to our educational philosophy?

Don't you feel that "everyone here" is giving their kids a truly classical education?

 

My brain knows that is not reality.

Maybe I should take a break.

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Ladies: Thanks a ton.

 

But don't you feel like "everyone else is doing wonderful things?"

Especially those of us that have a classical bent to our educational philosophy?

Don't you feel that "everyone here" is giving their kids a truly classical education?

 

My brain knows that is not reality.

Maybe I should take a break.

 

 

:rofl::smilielol5::smilielol5:

 

UH.....sure...we are all doing wonderful things...like right now I am sitting in bed...in my pj's watching Curious George and trying to figure out what educational benefit we are getting from this....

 

OH YEAH!!! Truly classical...that's us!!!

 

:lol:

 

Faithe (who is really crispy today!)

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Pam, I feel your pain. I agree that you should take a few days off to "refresh". That always helps me. Just a few months ago, I was considering putting my ds in PS next year because I was so stressed about what I was able to give him as a home schooling mom. I've since taken some time off and was able to get back to my senses.

 

Faithe, I needed that post. It's 9:28 AM here and my dc are still asleep. Yesterday, they didn't do school, they went to work with dh. I guess I can count that a lesson.?

 

Val in MD

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Checking in here too, Pam.

 

Most of the time we don't fit the "everyone is doing wonderful things" category. Once in a while? Sure. Most of the time? Nope! I spend most of my time wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea. ;)

 

It's a density issue. THAT unsureness/mediocrity bordering on not-so-great seems to be most of the time. But then we have a great day! And I live off the fumes, baby! Until the next great day comes along.

 

....it's when those high-points get few-n-far between that we board-junkies converge for group hugs and yammer on and on about how this hsing is better than the alternatives. (Yes! It does feel like I'm kidding myself sometimes! Sometimes reality speaks with a bullhorn and my thoughts answer with barely a whimper. :001_smile:)

 

But then a day comes when we knock a ball over the fence and I feel a million feet tall.

 

A good recipe for steadiness:

Try to breath deeply while in the pit - the lack of oxygen can be overwhelming! :glare:

Enjoy the sunshine when you're on the mountaintop! It is so gosh darn WARM there! :001_smile:

Steady, momma, steady! In all times, try to just keep steady, forward momentum.

The gals before me have claimed that it's worth it! Sometimes I have nothing left but THAT to cling to. :grouphug: :001_smile:

 

Chin up!

Peace,

Janice

 

Enjoy your little people

Enjoy your journey

Edited by Janice in NJ
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Oh yeah. Sometimes I feel like I'm spread awfully thin. The younger dc take so much time that the older are neglected or my mom calls and needs to talk. I don't like disruptions, but they seem to happen all the time. I try to focus on the little steps and count it good if we are moving forward.

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Hi Pam,

 

My mother-in-law visited today and she has been my most avid supporter. She is a retired PS teacher teaching for about for thirty years (both elementary and middle school) and she was recounting her teacher's experience throughout these years. I would say she is probably a "dying breed" where she remembers "teaching" instead of "teaching to the test". I think we homeschool moms are critical on ourselves while we forget that the other options are not perfect either. Her stories made me realize that the "grass is definitely not greener on the other side". Since today is a beautiful, sunny day, I gave my sons the afternoon off and I have taken the time to chill out and regroup. Anyway, good luck and definitely take some time off and enjoy the beautiful weather ...

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