Do it! Extend grace to yourself. You don't want to fall flat on your face with severe burnout. We usually do math and reading plus crafts and baking in December.

I do think children need to learn to do some things that aren't exactly directed towards their learning style. If they go on to any higher education or tech. training, they will be expected to do things they way the teacher does it. But I also know there are many ways to teach to someone's weakness, and it's not necessarily school subjects.

All of the above plus good outlining skills, note taking, studying for tests, etc. Also tell them if they hear something they don't know the meaning of, please ask you or their father. Ds went to high school after homeschooling and used a derogatory word in conversation with me but didn't know it was nasty. He just thought it meant a jerk. Saves them from some embarrassment. :huh:

I do ecclesiastical Latin with my dc. But I sent my 2 oldest to a private high school which does Classical Latin. It wasn't a hard switch for them because there is not a huge difference. I like the Ecclesiastical Latin because we know a lot of songs, prayers, and some scripture in Latin and all of those have Ecclesiastical Latin.

With the holidays coming up, things can get crazy. But stopping all school may cause your children to have more time to find trouble to make with each other. Maybe do a relaxed schedule for the rest of the year, incorporating the holidays as mini-unit studies. I've created and shared a few Christmas unit studies I don't mind sharing. Also, I have a whole blog dedicated to burn out (see my signature), and I have a lot of ideas to help with homeschool burnout here.

I don't think I can limit it to 2. I can share my 2 favorite authors of Christmas stories---Jan Brett and Tomie de Paola. Both have numerous, wonderful Christmas stories. I have collected all of them from both authors.

Oh, do tell, what exactly is a writer's retreat?

I have never made it, but I am trying to write an e-book about putting your kids in school after homeschooling. I think that is doable.

I do a 4 day school week. Our 5th day is our light day with math, geography, and sometimes writing. We use this day for fieldtrips, nature study, art, crafts, or something fun.

That's great. I love Latin, but not all of my dc share my enthusiasm.

I know where you are. And it can be hard to get out of that place. I am there right now, and my solution is to put some of my children back into school. But at other times, I have done other things, and they have worked. One of the best things I have found to do is the idea to pay yourself. Basically that means you are doing the equivalent of a full-time job, and you should pay yourself accordingly. For some this may be difficult financially, but some ideas include eating out more, using paper plates, going out with dh or friend, taking a half day retreat every few weeks, having a day alone, doing some hobbies alone, buying yourself an outfit, etc. Basically, it is self-care. We moms give so much that we must replenish or we risk utter exhaustion. You can't pour from an empty container, and it is not selfish to spend time and money on yourself away from your dc. You might want to check out my new blog (but with lots of old posts from my previous blogs) on this very subject. It deals with burned out veteran homeschool moms (or any hs moms) and former homeschool moms and the needs we have. Rest for the Weary

Just wanted to respond to the above. I felt like a failure, lost my identity, guilty, etc, when I sent some of my dc to school. I have started a blog dealing with issues former homeschooling moms deal with and the burn out that veteran homeschooling moms suffer. Feel free to join. Rest for the Weary

That is great. I hope your dc has a good experience.

When I put my dc in school for a semester a couple of years back, I was so worried about grade placement, that I would make homeschoolers look bad, etc. They did just fine. I taught my kids some basic things like raising their hand to answer and ask permission, keeping up with homework, etc. The above advice is great. Kids usually handle all of this better than moms.

I sent my now 11 grader to high school in 9th grade, not just for social reasons, but because he was lazy and unmotivated and our relationship was suffering. He has really flourished, and I am so glad I finally relaxed enough and let him try it. I had been so afraid of school, but it has been the best choice for this son. Some kids just do better for someone else.

Two of my dc would do better for someone else. Sad to say they aren't very motivated for me. I think all of them would benefit in high school because at this point my brain is fried.

I am right there with you only I in my 18th year. I have felt this way for almost 4 years. Might be time for a change for us. Hugs to you. I know it is hard.

I read the article several years ago and really like it. Although not a specific homeschooling issue, I think it can be a problem for homeschoolers. Legalism has become a problem in certain homeschool circles, and it is often promoted that if you do certain things you will have Godly children. I just remind myself that Jesus was the perfect teacher/parent and he still lost one.

I didn't mean for it to be a loaded question. I am re-thinking a lot of my beliefs about homeschooling and my definition has changed from when my children were very young and we were first starting out. I had high ideals back then, but reality has a way a changing things. I used to feel like if I did a good job, my dc would take on my same values. (want to learn, go to college, consider homeschooling their dc) I also wanted them to love to read, to learn, etc., but that hasn't happened for most of them. (I have been doing this for 18 years so I have some experience under my belt) I have one dc who thinks homeschooling was a big failure but he also chooses not to medicate for his bipolar so I take what he says with a grain of salt. The other one who has a child thinks she doesn't have the patience (as if I do) and thinks she has holes in her education so will likely choose private schooling. And the dc I put into high school says school is so much better because you have teachers who know the subjects better than the student. (I guess doing Latin and higher level math/science didn't go over too well since those aren't my strong points) So, I am wondering how others define success.

I took wellbutrin for over a year for anxiety and depression. (along with Buspar) I had the jitters really bad (that never went away). I also had a lot of energy (good thing), and I was able to sleep fine. I did lose a lot of weight on it (which for me wasn't good as I am already very thin) I got off of it because I didn't think it was helping enough. I have tried other anti-depressants( Lexapro and Celexa) and the others have made me so sleepy, gain a lot of weight, and really zapped my love life. I really think I need something else, but I am afraid to try anything else because of those side effects.

What does homeschool success look like to you? Does it mean your kids get good grades, get into a good college, great careers? Does it mean they love learning when all is said and done? Or that they have fond memories from your time together and want to pursue the same lifestyle with their own children? Anything else? I have posed this question to myself because my 3 oldest all don't want to homeschool their own children. 2 are adults and one is in a private high school. Lots could change their minds (like when it comes time to actually decide about educating their own children), but it has me thinking. Has this been successful so far? Neither of the 2 adults attended college. One is a welder and the other is a CNA and now a stay-at-home mom. So, please share with me how you determine if what you are doing is successful.

I have a 12 year old dd like this and it isn't just hormones either. Has been going on for years and its not just homeschool. Sometimes school is the answer. Right now, I have 1 at school and 4 at home. Considering sending 2 more. The schedule is workable. Someone mentioned you having homework battles. They may or may not happen. For my dc that went to school, it has been remarkable. He was so lazy, unmotivated, and complained constantly about his school work. Once he went to school, he worked so hard on his homework. Kinda made me mad that he wouldn't work that way for me! School can be a motivation for some children because they don't want to look stupid in front of their teachers and/or friends. I am thinking that sending my 12 year old may improve our relationship. Lots to pray and ponder.

Jot it down is a whole year of writing projects and explains the other aspects of BW (copywork, dictation, art appreciation, poetry tea time). I really like it a lot. I haven't seen the wand so I don't know about it.

I know how you are feeling. I have been there several times in my many years of homeschooling. I would take a short break and assess things with dh. Here are a few ideas that may help. Homeschool burnout. And if you decide you no longer can homeschool, that doesn't mean you have failed. (just saying, because a lot of moms feel that way)

Ralph Moody books. Little Britches is the first one. Great series