Xilka Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 So, I don't mean that you pull your hair out, or cancel classes for the rest of the day and go cry in the bathroom, or say something mean, or turn into the Hulk... I mean the times that you almost do, but then you take a deep breath, and request a change in behavior, attitude, posture, handwriting, focus, etc. with a tight jaw, narrowed eyes and lifted eyebrow? How many times a day do you think you do this? (if you homeschool more than one child, then figure for the one that makes you do this the most) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Almost never anymore. I've learned my triggers, what overstimulates me, and I warn the kids or send them to their rooms for some quiet time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I used to do this all the time with dd13 when she was homeschooled. I can't say how many times per day, but it was a lot. She was a good student, but she loves to debate. Sometimes, I just needed her to not debate a topic, just "listen and do." She also anticipates issues arising. She would interrupt when I was taking a breath and ask questions that I was getting ready to answer, if she just waited until the instructions were over. With ds17 rarely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilymax Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Probably a dozen times a day! :glare: But I am a pushover sometimes. So it's my own fault... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Almost never anymore. I've learned my triggers, what overstimulates me, and I warn the kids or send them to their rooms for some quiet time. Well this is encouraging...because I do the second one too often and the first one more than I should. So in five years when my youngest is six and my oldest is fifteen, I, too, might know my triggers and avoid losing it. Maybe. I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 With ds14, hardly ever but then he hardly ever pushes my school buttons anymore. With dd10 it is daily, usually during math class. Dh reminds me that it used to be daily (or multiple times daily) with ds too when he was younger, so that gives me hope with dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Today I came home and hit the Pepto Bismol right after classes let out. I really struggled today, tears in my eyes and everything. Rough day. And I wasn't even teaching...lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaNZ Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I'm guessing a few times a week. I think it's usually much more to do with me than with them though. If I'm tired or worried about something else I have much less patience with exactly the same behaviour from my kiddies. Something I need to work on. (I have 4 age 7 and under so I hope that gives me at least a bit of a reason to lose my cool sometimes!!:tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertmum Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Few times a week. DS decides he is bored or doesn't want to make an effort anymore, or feels argumentative, or wants to do another subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Of late? Maybe once a week. The only time I hit that with Abby is if she keeps telling herself she can't and allows herself to get so overwhelmed that she won't even let me break it down into smaller steps. Part of that is personality and part of that is age. Emmett is an emerging reader and I get annoyed at times if he won't sit still and he keeps pushing or poking me. Part of that is personality and part of that is age. Mostly, though, I've been pretty even-keeled of late. Now, I can get frustrated during lessons but not because of lessons... That usually occurs if Hyrum all of a sudden becomes super, mega clingy. Or if we are schooling late and I look on the couch and Ellie is nodding off. So, I wake her up and she is a grouchy, whiny, hold-me-all-the-time bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Daily. :glare: Younger DD fights me with math all the time. I am hoping that switching to MM combined with BA next year will help. Older DD has a lack of confidence and we struggle with reading. "The words are too small. The book is too long..." ARGH!! Many days the constant interruption of the 3 year old is more than I can take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Daily, I have one child who is a professional button pusher. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 At this point, if I am *almost* losing my cool, I'm doing well. :blushing: I have just been yelling way too much lately. But, yesterday, I kept my cool. I was frustrated with my son's work and I sat down next to him, talked in a low, calm voice, and didn't freak. I also told him that I was very frustrated and that I was trying to be patient. ;) And, I could tell that he was really trying to get it right. So it all worked out. Now, if I could just repeat that every time... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Does mumbling under your breath count as "almost"? On our extra busy running around everywhere days, it's many many times. Especially if I've had little sleep. So far today, none. I had a decent night of sleep, no where to go until after dinner, and I'm feeling calm and collected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 At this point, if I am *almost* losing my cool, I'm doing well. :blushing: I have just been yelling way too much lately. But, yesterday, I kept my cool. I was frustrated with my son's work and I sat down next to him, talked in a low, calm voice, and didn't freak. I also told him that I was very frustrated and that I was trying to be patient. ;) And, I could tell that he was really trying to get it right. So it all worked out. Now, if I could just repeat that every time... :tongue_smilie: Me too. Lately it's been over sloppiness and erasers. Yes. I am almost losing my cool dozens of times a day over erasing. He refuses to pick up the ***** eraser, and tries to turn e's into a's and things like that. And then when I insist he erase something, he does it with a floppy hand, as if he didn't know how to hold the ****** eraser. GRRRRRR!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Daily, I have one child who is a professional button pusher. :glare: :iagree: except I have 2 professional button pushers. One is more covert in his actions while the other jumps up and down on those buttons at least hourly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Very rarely. More often when we first started homeschooling (8+years ago). Mostly I needed to adjust MY attitude and approach. Both kids are now self motivated learners. They were voracious learners when younger too, but I focused too much on specific outputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Daily, I have one child who is a professional button pusher. :glare: How often is daily? I think I'm atleast 20 a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I don't anymore. I have channeled Spock and raise an eyebrow and use logic on the child. He found some buttons yesterday, but frankly I'm too tired anymore to yell. I set down my expectations in a firm tone while looking him in the eye, then went back to what I was doing. He doesn't like my tangential commentary so he rarely pushes my buttons anymore. I posted this before but if you've ever seen The Devil wears Prada, the boss speaks in quiet tones, even when angered. It forces people to stop and pay attention. yelling only makes people defensive. The cat and dog don't respond to logic and must be ushered out of the classroom a couple of times a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I have a 12yo, 13yo, and 14yo. I have to take a deep breath MANY times a day. Mostly it's the 13yo son that I want to wallop. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 the boss speaks in quiet tones, even when angered. It forces people to stop and pay attention. yelling only makes people defensive. I think I might write this on a stickie-note and stick it to ds' forehead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianmomtofour Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Daily. Ds #2 might just kill me. He is a perfectionist, so the minute I point out an error, (no matter how gently), he turns into a whinging, whining, mess. I am actually quite pleased that I can grit my teeth, take a breath, and not lose it, because I REALLY want to! I don't think this is unusual. How many times a day does a person "almost" lose it just mothering on a day to day basis. Add the stress of homeschooling, (especially with young ones), and I think it's to be expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Math and handwriting get me there most days, so I'd say at least 2 times a day. Usually, I get over it quickly and move on, but not always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I think I might write this on a stickie-note and stick it to ds' forehead. :iagree: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Almost never anymore. I've learned my triggers, what overstimulates me, and I warn the kids or send them to their rooms for some quiet time. If I did this, there would be no school most of the time :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennay Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 :iagree: except I have 2 professional button pushers. One is more covert in his actions while the other jumps up and down on those buttons at least hourly. I have 2 professional and one apprentice. My 9 year old is generally cooperative but the other three...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 If I did this, there would be no school most of the time :glare: Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tristangrace Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Ugh. I feel dreadful when I think about it. Probably 15 times this morning, and it wasn't a particularly bad morning. I think I only yelled once, but there is an awful lot of terseness in my voice, almost chronically. I wish I could be a fun teacher--some teachers are. I feel like I spend the bulk of the time dealing with my 10yo daughter's emotions and my own emotions. Wish it could just be about the learning, you know? Instead, I'm pushing because kids are slow (slow coming to the table, slow switching from one task to the next), irritable because they wander off, frustrated because of interruptions and general resistance, and my daughter is constantly correcting her siblings and complaining about the way I run things. Grrrrr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Used to be daily.....multiple times Now it's more around a couple times a week. I've learned that humor does magic with my kids. I throw out some well placed humor, and it eases the tension right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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