“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” -Edward Everett Hale
While I continue to work with the kiddos throughout the year on various academic subjects, the full brunt of the work began yesterday. We use a classical education model, mostly because both my kids hunger for literature (even the back of the cereal box or the label on the shampoo – although that is just reading, not really literature).
Yesterday was their first day as 5th Graders beginning the logic stage of their education. This requires so very much more planning than the last couple of years, mostly because I now know where the pitfalls are in our whole homeschooling processes. I think I finally have figured out how much I can push each of them every day and exactly how much involvement and hand-holding they still want from me.
In any case, I just kept repeating my new mantra from Edward Everett Hale and plowed through the day.
Surprise! It was probably the best day ever for us! Focus and Concentration were the words of the day. The only hard part was that they wanted double history and double logic lessons (which meant I was still reading and working with them past 9pm). They were happy; I was dog tired.
I am only one, but I am one.
2 Responses
Glad the first day went so well! I really enjoy reading about the ins and outs of your homeschooling adventures, and I learn something new every time. When you have a long day like that, where you’re working late into the evening due to the Doodles’ enthusiasm, are you able to lighten the load the following day (or later in the week)? I guess I’m wondering (assuming, maybe) that one of the many advantages of home education is the ability to have a more flexible schedule? In any case, having a good day of learning like you all had is so gratifying, AND exhausting. I think we should start calling you Professor Doctor Doodle Mom. 🙂
Unfortunately, making big changes to what we do the day after the kids decide to plow through massive amounts of schooling would mean changing a schedule that is working. It sounds strange, but once things are rolling well I would rather be really, really sleep deprived than make a change. It is just like watching your daughter walk for the first time. You don’t care if her shoe falls off while she toddles through a mud puddle. It’s more important to keep the momentum going – so you hold your breath and marvel at the glory that is your child. Besides there is always more coffee to keep you going!
Still just Doodle Mom. 🙂