Jean in Newcastle Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Both my kids are chomping at the bit. Which is a bit surprising since they only had one month off for summer vacation. I don't have all my ducks in a row. In fact, I think some of the ducks have flown away. I don't even know if we can start school tomorrow because we might be called in for dd's MRI. And even if they don't schedule us for that, I'll have to spend at least some time on the phone finding out about the MRI schedule. And if they tell me that the MRI is scheduled for November I'll have to spend some serious time trying to move mountains again. The house isn't clean. I wanted the house clean before starting. The schoolroom isn't usable. I had wanted the schoolroom cleaned out and usable. One of my books is waiting to be picked up at the library. I could have sworn I had a copy of the book at home but we have scoured our shelves and boxes of books and we can't find it. I'm glad that I was able to put a replacement on hold but I won't be able to pick it until either we're on our way home from radiology or after school, depending on how our day goes. I don't totally have dd's work figured out. We're being more "organic" this year. Which sounds wonderful in theory but is a bit scary for me. I know what I'm aiming for tomorrow. It just isn't all nice little worksheets. Which was the point. But it takes more energy than I'm sure I have. I've scheduled much more time with ds this year. This is a good thing. But the same lack of confidence in my stamina and energy level applies. I've had tummy problems for the last week. I'm 90% sure it is "nervous tummy". My brain is in a bigger fog than normal. I have only so much brain to go around. Dd's health is taking a big chunk of my mental RAM. I keep telling myself "one step at a time". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funschooler5 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I know how you feel! I was planning on starting in September, but we still have a few things to finish from this year. I also still have to purchase some books for the new year. We had to wait due to financial issues, so I've done a tiny bit at at time. Also, my house was a wreck. I spent a week cleaning and de-cluttering. I got rid of several shelves worth of stuff, and donated a ton of outgrown clothes, books and toys. I'm so glad I did that before school starts (still have a bit to do though). Can you wait awhile to start, or just add a bit at a time? We're not starting a full school day until October 1, but my kids have a few outside classes that we're gradually adding in to our schedule. Then we'll add another subject at home, and then another, so we don't get overwhelmed. (Okay, so *I* don't get overwhelmed.) :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Mine are much younger but fwiw I felt the same way this year. I just couldn't get organized or even think about it. We just jumped in and started going. About 3 weeks in I started actually looking at timelines for everything. We did just the basics at first, one lesson at a time. I hate not being organized but I knew I needed to get started especially since I'm pregnant and will likely need some extra time off at some point at the end of pregnancy and a newborn. Last week was week 5 and we had a great week and things are all finally gelling together, although I'm still waiting for a few things. I know I have a tendency to think everything has to be perfect or together or it isn't worth doing but it worked just the same. Just like the saying, fake it 'til you make it. I couldn't even think about hs'ing or such all summer but just doing it got my mind back in the right spot. I hope things settle for you quickly and smoothly :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassy Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Yes, I felt that way this year too. We started last Tuesday and I'm still in the process of trying to get us beyond doing just reading, writing and math each day. It does feel good to be back in a routine though, even it's a not an entirely satisfactory routine. I did catch up with a couple of the outstanding house cleaning tasks this weekend. In an ideal world it is nice to start off a new school year with everything clean and clear and organised, but life is so often far from ideal and manages somehow to throw it's worst at us; all we can hope to do really is adapt, cope and survive. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug: I am in a very similar boat Jean. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeTea Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I know I have a tendency to think everything has to be perfect or together or it isn't worth doing but it worked just the same. Just like the saying, fake it 'til you make it. I couldn't even think about hs'ing or such all summer but just doing it got my mind back in the right spot. Same here. "Fake it 'til I make it" has been my mantra this year. Like a dork I scheduled numerous fall appointments that could have been covered this summer. Now I am adding more out of necessity, so we are on the road way too much. My science "plans" are just cranial flotsam and jetsom at best, with lab components sitting in a cyber cart. My foot hurts (plantar fasciitis). My head hurts (counseling). But between all the hobbling around I am doing, I am pulling out the books I do have ready and we are moving forward - and it feels good, because it is our Normal in a bit of Crazy right now. Doing school is our default setting, not all that other yuck. Jean, you've got a lot on your plate right now. :grouphug: Take care, and I hope things fall into place smoothly for you very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) Both my kids are chomping at the bit. Which is a bit surprising since they only had one month off for summer vacation. I don't have all my ducks in a row. In fact, I think some of the ducks have flown away. I don't even know if we can start school tomorrow because we might be called in for dd's MRI. And even if they don't schedule us for that, I'll have to spend at least some time on the phone finding out about the MRI schedule. And if they tell me that the MRI is scheduled for November I'll have to spend some serious time trying to move mountains again. The house isn't clean. I wanted the house clean before starting. The schoolroom isn't usable. I had wanted the schoolroom cleaned out and usable. One of my books is waiting to be picked up at the library. I could have sworn I had a copy of the book at home but we have scoured our shelves and boxes of books and we can't find it. I'm glad that I was able to put a replacement on hold but I won't be able to pick it until either we're on our way home from radiology or after school, depending on how our day goes. I don't totally have dd's work figured out. We're being more "organic" this year. Which sounds wonderful in theory but is a bit scary for me. I know what I'm aiming for tomorrow. It just isn't all nice little worksheets. Which was the point. But it takes more energy than I'm sure I have. I've scheduled much more time with ds this year. This is a good thing. But the same lack of confidence in my stamina and energy level applies. I've had tummy problems for the last week. I'm 90% sure it is "nervous tummy". My brain is in a bigger fog than normal. I have only so much brain to go around. Dd's health is taking a big chunk of my mental RAM. I keep telling myself "one step at a time". :grouphug: I'm in just about the sme place as you (minus the MRI :grouphug: again). I've just decided to start out slow so I can allow myself more time for planning, organizing, and cleaning. My brain is foggier than usual too and I get that sinking feeling whenever I even look at the books. And, yes, I'm worried about my energy level and stamina. It's not good right now---but I'm also not following the best habits either. Goals for today: get back to eating right, exercising & stretching, getting some school done, and at least coming up with a plan for some of the deeper cleaning that needs to be done. I'm considering giving Motivated Moms a try for the everyday stuff. If MM came with a magic wand, I would have bought it already! :tongue_smilie: Oh, yes, I'm also giving something new a try today. I'm scheduling downtime in my room on my bed deep breathing and praying with my cat for 10 minutes once or twice today for breaks. I've done some reading and seen this sort of thing listed for coping with anxiety. (I did mention that my door will be shut, right?) Edited September 10, 2012 by shanvan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'm both sad and glad to see that I'm not the only one feeling like this about starting school. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I will "fake it until I make it". I'm going to start by taking a shower so that I'm ready for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: We've BTDT several times....in your shoes, I'd do some therapeutic cleaning, toss the kids some great historical fiction, and watch some Netflix together over bowls of icecream. If it is any consolation, they would have her in the scanner same day if they thought something super serious was going on. They would CT in an emergency, or you'd have an early morning work-in for a MRI the next day. I've been on both sides of that situation (work-in for dd, waiting for a month with two other kids who needed brain MRIs for similar symptoms).....waiting a month is harder on the nerves but knowing you are an emergency work-in is worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Jean, I just finished homeschooling after 17 years..... we always did a "slow start." Just do what you have, and keep adding as you get everything. You can go get things while they are working (the library book), and finish ordering (but hurry!) in between going over work. And you can clean house easier, the kids will be busy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I just remembered an applicable quote- "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." It has been my motto as of late :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: We've BTDT several times....in your shoes, I'd do some therapeutic cleaning, toss the kids some great historical fiction, and watch some Netflix together over bowls of icecream. If it is any consolation, they would have her in the scanner same day if they thought something super serious was going on. They would CT in an emergency, or you'd have an early morning work-in for a MRI the next day. I've been on both sides of that situation (work-in for dd, waiting for a month with two other kids who needed brain MRIs for similar symptoms).....waiting a month is harder on the nerves but knowing you are an emergency work-in is worse. I know that you are trying to reassure me but that is not true. The specialist who diagnosed her with this condition is the one who would have already had her in the scanner that same day. We have had to battle to get her pediatrician and the Children's hospital to listen to us - even to the point that it was only after 3 conversations that they even picked up on the fact that the specialist's report and our own verbal reports told them that there was active hemorrhaging going on in her head that needed to be checked out. I am extremely angry about this so while your words are kindly meant, they are not always the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug: Can you plan an easy first week when you are ready to start back? I think easing into it helps so much for everyone's morale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Update on this thread in general: The MRI is scheduled for Wed. We are satisfied with that. We started school today. Both kids were very excited about starting. We have always had a chore time right before school but today the chore time went esp. well. Of course, I realize that it usually does at first before it becomes boring and like work and no one wants to do it. Ds and I had a one hour Latin tutorial which went amazingly well. There were no tears of frustration or cussing, which is huge improvement on last year. Ds is now finishing up his one hour of independent morning work. Dd and I had a one hour varied Language arts time that also went well, though she balked at some of it. I kept the areas that were hard for her short so that she was able to be stretched a bit without snapping. I'm figuring out what I'm doing on this as we go because I've never done the CM approach at this age level but I think this will work for us. She also had a one hour independent working time that went well. I'm continuing to work on my own chores (ie. cleaning) as I can. Ie. I'm eating that elephant one baby step at a time.;) I hope that all the other stressed out posters to this thread are having a good or at least bearable day. (My own stress will probably come back a bit stronger on Wed. when we actually go in for the MRI/MRA and while we wait for results. It's down now because there is nothing for me to worry about until Wednesday.) We are on our 30 min. of recess before lunch and afternoon school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'm glad your day went well, Jean. I completely missed your update on Dd and didn't realize the doctor called back with concerns. We'll be praying for your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 :grouphug: I am glad I am not alone. It is lovely to hear that things are going well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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