Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Do you know what I mean? Nothing inspires me and I am not inspiring my scholars. I feel like we are just going through the motions. I know it is a phase, I know it will pass. I know the grayness of Tennessee winter is contributing to this. How do jumpstart yourself when the passion for your children's education is waning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 My part of TN is gray too -- I am right there with you! Totally stinks, doesn't it. I am so ready for the blahs to end and for life to be a bed of roses. Well, at least not a bed of stinkweed would be nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*anj* Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I am feeling very much the same way. This has been such a hard season. The spark is gone in so many ways. I don't know how to get it back. Everyone keeps reassuring me that it will return, and that we all go through these seasons, but this season has lasted way too long. I don't know, Kelli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Time for a field trip to purity dairy. Are you near there? I think it's near Nashville, all the ice cream you can eat:p Plus a tour and other free product. I believe you just have to call and schedule a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I know of what you speak. February every year is the most difficult month for me. It's the hardest month of the winter because I know spring is so close. We've been having a lot of cabin fever and moodiness over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I go get a Starbucks coffee with caffeine. Then I hold the course and wait for our next week off. For us, that's next Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 books, audio or videos inspire us. We also watch United Streaming videos too. One foot in front of the other... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jail warden Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 We just got back from a mini-trip to OH for a wedding and I still don't feel like I got a break.(Of course I had a 22 month old in my bed because she couldn't sleep in the same room as all of us in a crib:eek:, So I guess that's ONE of the reasons I don't feel rested:rolleyes:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 At least it is probably warm in Tennessee! It is gray AND cold here! Time for a trip to Cabela's. Do you have those? Lots of taxidermied animals, an aquarium, outdoor gear to look at, boats to climb on, and a shooting gallery, who could ask for anything more? Do you have a local conservatory? I think that is great mid-winter as I can pretend I am somewhere in the tropics! :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich with Kids Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I'm in a all-around rut. Forcing myself to do school. House is a wreck. Kids are out. of. control. And...my kids, for some insane reason, have started waking up at 6:00! We're not that family! I usually sleep or have quiet time until 8:00. We start school @ 9:00. Now they're up during my time. The good thing is that we have finished school by lunch time every day this week. But, I'm tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. H. Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Time for some serious outside time. If it's not freezing, go to the zoo, park, or somewhere fun like that. Take a book and let the kids play. Switch to books on tape and educational history and science videos for a couple of days. Open your blinds all the way up every morning to get all the sunshine you can. Bake something special. Make popcorn and snuggle up with the kids and a fun old movie or musical. Mine love the Sound of Music, the Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Take a week off from school to thoroughly clean and organize the house, or at least one room of the house. Time to shake things up and get outta that February rut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 is to remember that dh probably doesn't want to go to work many days either, but he has no choice. So, I do it even if I don't feel like it. But, I also try and evaluate what it is that isn't working. Is it because I am getting lax in my pre-planning and so I am not making time to include some of the "fun" stuff that brings joy to the kids? Is it because I am too busy? Is it because a certain curriculum is just not working? It is because it is February and there is nothing worse than February weather? Is it because my kids have attitudes that need correction? (This is the one I am working on right now!!) So, I spent some time last week rethinking a few things I am doing and this week I am trying some new things. I am also focusing on some character issues with my son this week that I have been letting slide and it has been making us both unhappy. I think it is fine to take a fun day every now and then to enjoy the freedom of homeschooling, but I'm a bit more in the camp of fixing the problem at home because the work still needs to get done. :-) I also try to give my kids a bit more verbal love and affection during these times or shake it up with a small reward like candy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 It is NOT warm in TN today. It is really cold out. And very gray out there. It was warm for a bit over the weekend, but today it is back to freezing temps again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 But, I also try and evaluate what it is that isn't working. Is it because I am getting lax in my pre-planning and so I am not making time to include some of the "fun" stuff that brings joy to the kids? Is it because I am too busy? Is it because a certain curriculum is just not working? It is because it is February and there is nothing worse than February weather? Is it because my kids have attitudes that need correction? (This is the one I am working on right now!!) . Yes, on everything but the planning and the curriculum. I have very detailed lesson plans, just no joy in the doing. And I love our curriculum, I just don't love teaching it right now. It probably is February. I should probably close the blinds and stop looking at the gray skies and light some candles and create some cozy. I hate Tennessee winters just as much as I hate Tennessee summers. Winter would be okay if we could have a blizzard or something. We just have wet and gray. Gray and wet. Wet...and gray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancypants Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Do you know what I mean? Nothing inspires me and I am not inspiring my scholars. I feel like we are just going through the motions. I know it is a phase, I know it will pass. I know the grayness of Tennessee winter is contributing to this. How do jumpstart yourself when the passion for your children's education is waning? It's a winter thing I think. Today I decided to be a fun mom and do all math with my 6 year old by way of jumps and hops. Everything we practiced happened while jumping from square to square in the kitchen. Counting by 2s, 10s and practicing phonics. It was fun and a nice break for the ordinary torment. LOL I then decided that to be a really fun mom I needed to play along. So while he counted by 10s I did long jumps. And I may have given myself a hernia... or at the very least sprained my stomach! :D Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne/Ankara Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Well, it certainly can be the result of the mid-winter blues! Try to find something fun and unexpected (even for Valentine's Day tomorrow), or maybe just remember how quickly each season passes. I was just thinking that very soon, next month, is spring break, so all this snow and ice won't be around forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 It is NOT warm in TN today. It is really cold out. And very gray out there. It was warm for a bit over the weekend, but today it is back to freezing temps again. But the cold keeps the flippin' tornadoes away, doesn't it?:D I am for anything that keeps the snakes under ground and the tornadoes far away from us!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Oh Kelli -- a blizzard would be divine! I want some snow here so badly I can't stand it! My kids want some too. Come on over on I40 and visit us -- I'll take you to Starbucks if you brave the roads;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I think it's just that time of year. You've been going for months and you have months to go. Even though we hs, I think the general school year blahs hit us too. In a few more weeks it will be spring, the flowers will bloom and the world will look new and lovely. You'll feel better then. For now, just keep on chugging so that you can go out and have fun when the weather's better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Wise Bauer Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Take a week off, play games, sleep late, eat cookies, read fun books? My mother says she always wanted to quit home schooling in late November and early February, she she always took a week off and had fun instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Time for some serious outside time. If it's not freezing, go to the zoo, park, or somewhere fun like that. Take a book and let the kids play. . It is not freezing, hmmm, how to explain Tennessee winter. It is damp and cold and miserable. We could handle freezing if there were some snow or something. But it is the sort of weather that makes you miserable to even walk out the door. It is also the kind of damp and cold that generally makes my children sick. So outside play? Not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth TN Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 today, too. We are in Murfreesboro. My kids have been begging me to go outside, because it snowed a little. But now it is just muddy and slushy, and COLD!! I am feeling the homeschool blahs, too. I liked the idea of taking a day (or week) and cleaning out the house. We need that desperately around here. Hopefully, spring will be here before we know it. We are working through some "new to homeschooling" issues, but we're getting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Oh Kelli -- a blizzard would be divine! I want some snow here so badly I can't stand it! My kids want some too. Come on over on I40 and visit us -- I'll take you to Starbucks if you brave the roads;) Now, now, Melissa, I believe we have had message board discussions before about I40. I don't do I40. Let's map out some backroads! I should seriously do that! I could come over and we could all play with your sons' Legos!!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Take a week off, play games, sleep late, eat cookies, read fun books? My mother says she always wanted to quit home schooling in late November and early February, she she always took a week off and had fun instead. That is good advice. February is definately my hardest month, no doubt about it. I have paused our history study for the next three weeks and we are just going to park at the American revolution and I want to bring in lots of fun activities, maybe that will give me my spark back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 It is good to know I am not the only fighting the blahs right now! My husband and I are running away on Saturday to spend 3 nights in a cabin in the Smokies, I hope to come back with a better attitude!!:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 IN the Smokies! Stop by -- we're close!!!! Yeah on your lovely get away with your hubby -- stop by and visit me!;) Have a blast dear. You deserve to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Oh I know about I 40. I don't even go to Knoxville! I am probably way worse than you are about the roads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 1) Take a week off from school and do some fun things with your kids. (check) 2) Going on a getaway for a few days. (check) Now wasn't that easy?;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Do you know what I mean? Nothing inspires me and I am not inspiring my scholars. I feel like we are just going through the motions. I know it is a phase, I know it will pass. I know the grayness of Tennessee winter is contributing to this. How do jumpstart yourself when the passion for your children's education is waning? Yep. We're taking next week off. This is why I'm forever rearranging my daily and weekly schedules, then I start messing with the yearly schedule and asking myself things like, "Do I take the summer off. Do I school 6 weeks on, two weeks off. Do I school 3 weeks and one week off." I've tried variations of it all, and I usually dig out the schedules and start messing around with them when I'm tired and bored and unmotivated. Oh, and I rearrange the furniture, and rearrange the house. You've been doing this way longer than me. But I just know I need a break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelliR Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Now, now, Melissa, I believe we have had message board discussions before about I40. I don't do I40.:) So Kelli, why don't you DO I40? Also, I have post-tornado syndrome. We haven't had a decent day of school since Feb. 5..... maybe I'm just blaming it on the tornado as I usually have problems this time of year anyway..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizyPenguin Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I've got the homeschool blahs right now too. We took yesterday off and only did a half day today. Monday is a holiday and I'm hoping to have some renewed energy by next Tuesday. All the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 So Kelli, why don't you DO I40? Also, I have post-tornado syndrome. We haven't had a decent day of school since Feb. 5..... maybe I'm just blaming it on the tornado as I usually have problems this time of year anyway..... I just now saw this! I was in the Smokies on the 15th with no internet service! Why don't I do I40? Because everytime I have tried, the big trucks whiz past me and make me cry. I am pretty sure that a crying, shaking mom behind the wheel is a bad thing. It is just on my list of issues. I have lots and lots of issues. I like back roads better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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