Any Competent Carls here (ala Cathy Duffy)

[Asma_08]

I was looking at another thread below and lately I have been thinking about my methods. I pushed my oldest a lot, I started school when he was 3.5. Now with my 4.5yo I do not push at all. I don't do much with him. Maybe a couple times a week we go over phonics for five minutes and count some beads. Thats about it.

 

I guess I don't know what do do besides pull out a workbook and just tell them to sit and do their work. I just realized that I want them to have more fun now and I just don't know how to do that and still make sure they are learning.

 

So how do you have fun with your kids when you are just not a fun person. Honestly they have the most fun just playing with each other. But how do I introduce more learning into that time.

[PeterPan]

Not to be tacky, but have you considered that it might be something other than you being a "competent carl"? See I've known some pretty fun competent carls... It could be that you're just plain TIRED or busy or have post-partum depression or something... Again, hope that's not intruding. It's just hard to be fun when you don't feel your best.

 

As far as something fun to do, Enchanted Learning (a website, google for it) will get you going with things great for those ages.

[Asma_08]

Well I am under a lot of stress due to finances but I am a pretty boring person. I am just not one of those fun moms who comes up with cool things to do all the time. The most fun we have is reading books. That I love because I love to read but when ever I try to do a craft its just seems to be a waste of paper.

 

I will look into enchanted learning.

[Aurelia]

You could play store to practice money and other math skills, go on nature walks and pick up leaves and other things to look up about they type of tree/rock/whatever it is. Have them tell you stories they make up.

 

Maybe you could try things like homeschoolshare or some of Evan-Moor's history pockets, etc.

[Guest Alte Veste Academy]

Well I am under a lot of stress due to finances but I am a pretty boring person. I am just not one of those fun moms who comes up with cool things to do all the time. The most fun we have is reading books. That I love because I love to read but when ever I try to do a craft its just seems to be a waste of paper.

 

Since you and the kids have the most fun with books, have you looked into Five in a Row? It's a very good value and will provide you with lots of ideas to make school fun and effective.

 

http://www.fiarhq.com/

 

People who use it seem to really like it and your kids are the perfect ages.

[Sunshine State Sue]

I think I'm a Perfect Paula, but I'm not sure what the differences are btwn PP and CC. I do not consider myself a fun or creative mom, and I have an only Wiggly Willy ds, so it's been an adventure.

 

We found SOTW lots of fun. I liked the reading. He liked the listening. He also colored, acted the story out with lego men and/or stuffed animals, or bounced off the walls while he listened. We read tons of the supplemental reading.

 

Science experiments can be fun, but time consuming to gather the materials or expensive to pay for kits that have everything included.

 

I'll second FIAR.

 

Good luck!

[Rosie_0801]

Maybe you need to consider programs that bring the subject more into every day life. Math on the Level is very hands on, there are many science kits around and even if you don't like kiddie paper crafts, you can learn proper handicrafts like weaving or felting.

 

:)

Rosie