rafiki Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julieofsardis Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Good words to live by and I agree with your method of buying new materials. We have begun to go from January to January because I needed a change of pace about January. We do take a break during the summer, so starting back in the fall is easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 However, it’s also easy to become a curriculum junkie and not be cognizant of how much time we’re actually on the computer. Yes, you make great points!! Thanks for sharing!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Very good post and definitely something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeJM Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I did the same thing last year, either shortly before or shortly after the boards changed to this format. My husband asked me to limit my computer time, especially my time on the WTM boards (really the only place I spend so much time). I was a bit put off, because all my time on this forum was, in my opinion, very well spent, with research, planning, etc. I would copy/paste great ideas for curriculum or methods, or whatever, onto word documents, and I had them all categorized. They were very valuable to me. Recently all that information was totally lost when one of the kids did something to the computer. But at my husband's request I did take a good look at the amount of time I was spending, and I did cut it way down. So much so, that, sometimes I don't visit these boards for a few weeks at a time; other times I will visit briefly a few times a week. Mostly I'm on the K-8 board, and less often on the High School and Special Needs boards. I still regard the info and counsel here very valuable, it's just that I can't spend that much time any more. I realize dh was right, I was on here way too much. And it's okay. So, Michele, great for you for prioritizing so well, your thoughts are good ones, and I hope you keep it up!! Your post was encouraging to me! Oh, I think I will copy and paste what you said onto a document...... ;) Blessings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I soooo need to do that! (limit my computer time) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Well said! Thank you for sharing your thoughts - they are very wise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela&4boys Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's sobering and encouraging at the same time. I think the boards can be dangerous in the "curriculum hopping/junkie" aspect and we have to govern ourselves accordingly. Limiting time on the p.c. is critical. I have a friend who holds me accountable in this area and I do the same for her. We temper each other's excitement when we feel drawn to drop what we're doing and look at greener grass. That has been vital in my survival as a homeschool mama. I've also come to realize over the years that what works for some doesn't necessarily work for others. Simple in theory, but when you hear people raving about something, it's easy to get sucked in. I find that if I make myself wait to buy something that I think the boys would really like or need, I often will end up not purchasing it...a sort of "lay-a-way" for my impulses.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2agang Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I really like jan - jan schedule but we do Feb-feb it is a great change. I do research before I buy but also look at if it is moms teaching style too.I love hands on but hands on all the time will burn this mom out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 This is a good post. . . Especially about the not planning to far in advance. I got caught in that net once upon a time, and it was a hard bird to chew when I discovered that what I had planned would simply not work for my child. I just changed to a Jan-Jan year. Man, are my reviewers going to have fits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellycbr Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Cut back on my computer time! :w00t: Hmm.....so I'll have time to dust now?:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland_Mom Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I must confess that I spend far too much time on the computer. I think I may try limiting my time to the amount I allow my children. This, I'm sure, will prove to be difficult. Information is so easy to come by with the age of the internet and the computer. I like knowing what is "out there" in the curriculum world and I enjoy learning from all of the bright minds on this site. Perhaps I should realize that I can my time could be better spent reading, delving back into the hobbies I love, or having fun with my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyWImom Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Quite the eye-opener! It reminds me of something dh once said to me "You spend more time researching school than you actually do teaching it!" :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 "You spend more time researching school than you actually do teaching it!" :tongue_smilie: Please note I'm responding to the quote and neither to the person quoted or the person being spoken to. It's an "observation". Just out of curiosity, those who write non-fiction books (like SWB's history series) don't they spend more time researching than writing? It makes sense to me that a person would spend more time researching than teaching. It also makes sense to me that most people wouldn't think about it given that schools have curricula "provided" for them. And the curricula providers do all the research, and then the shool board researches the curricula providers, and their budget, and then provide the teachers with the material. I consider research a necessary and vital part of my job as homeschool mom. But, as so many others have mentioned, there's a balance to be reached. Yet, that balance is very "personal" and no one else can tell you what that balance is for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamom Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Put me down as one who needs to limit computer time. I love the research aspect of choosing curriculum and do spend lots of time on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornerstone Classical Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Quite the eye-opener! It reminds me of something dh once said to me "You spend more time researching school than you actually do teaching it!" :tongue_smilie: hhhhmmm, you mean my dh is not the only one that has said that?:ohmy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela&4boys Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 (edited) Please note I'm responding to the quote and neither to the person quoted or the person being spoken to. It's an "observation". Just out of curiosity, those who write non-fiction books (like SWB's history series) don't they spend more time researching than writing? It makes sense to me that a person would spend more time researching than teaching. It also makes sense to me that most people wouldn't think about it given that schools have curricula "provided" for them. And the curricula providers do all the research, and then the shool board researches the curricula providers, and their budget, and then provide the teachers with the material. I consider research a necessary and vital part of my job as homeschool mom. But, as so many others have mentioned, there's a balance to be reached. Yet, that balance is very "personal" and no one else can tell you what that balance is for you. Honestly, that makes a lot of sense and alleviates some of my guilt. My dh has said the very same thing when my boys have complained that I'm on the computer "too much". He tells them that mommy isn't playing games, but earnestly searching for curricula, books, ideas etc... that are tailored just for them. Don't get me wrong, he holds me accountable and I'm thankful. I do enjoy researching immensely though. At least we love our "job"! ;) Edited January 27, 2009 by angela&4boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbaby Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I agree with you wholeheartedly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrina Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I think, re: research time, it depends on what it's taking away from. hsing is my hobby. It's fun. My house is clean, my children are on free time, the baby needs to nurse- while I do it I'm gonna sit down and play. And for me, hs planning is play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I think, re: research time, it depends on what it's taking away from. hsing is my hobby. It's fun. My house is clean, my children are on free time, the baby needs to nurse- while I do it I'm gonna sit down and play. And for me, hs planning is play. :iagree: Here's the other thing, having HS boards has PREVENTED me from purchasing curriculum that I'm only "interested" in. It has made my decisions MORE thought out and clearer. Before I found these boards, I had wasted tons of money on curriculum I should have never purchased. I didn't have anyone to bounce ideas off of, I didn't have varying opinions/facts about how certain curriculums work. What happened was, I felt trapped and forced to make a curriculum work when, if I had known what it was really like, I would have never bought it. So, while I can see where you're coming from on the boards being a time suck, I disagree with addressing it toward the curriculum side of things. I find when I'm on this side of the boards I'm MUCH more productive than in the General boards (but I go over there anyway so don't flame me GB users:D) If anything, the curriculum boards have been so quiet, people were complaining during the fall that they couldn't get their questions answered because of all the drama on the GB's. I think it's great that they've been "hopping" since the first of the year. After all, it's convention season, and conventions are overwhelming if you don't have an idea of what you're looking for. Just my 2 cents. I'm glad you've found a system that works for you! This is what works for me. Blessings! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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