Enough Messing Around: Thoughts upon starting Term 2.

Well, it's back to work and back to school.

My dear husband spoiled us with a good 2 weeks off this Christmas to the point where I'm wondering if I can at all manage things while he's at work. His servant based leadership inspires and assists in uncountable ways and it will be hard to let him go for part of the day. His presence is always a calming and grounding one. I am so blessed to have him and loath the idea of sending him back to work. I am thankful that he is always faithful to come back safe and sound at the end of the day and starts each new one with renewed strength and vigor.

Breaks are always good with homeschooling. Again we limited screen time and allowed for lots of help in the kitchen, lots of reading, lots of games and building marble runs and legos and handicrafts, and lots of playing Rummy and adding up the scores, and lots of time with family. While the girls helped a lot with "company cleaning" I allowed relaxed standards on chores and routines--which has turned out to be a good thing as they can see how a little bit of work let go piles up to one huge job when left alone long enough. We discussed this last night and after this morning I anticipate a renewed appreciation for our routines. I know, I can "see the bright side of a plague" (to quote one of my favorite Christmas movies). And if you saw the laundry we've let pile up you would liken it to plague!

I'm curious to see how Maddie and Maya's reading fared with the break. Maddie often snuggled up in bed with Maya or Charlie (or both) at bedtime and read them book after book. I think we've turned a corner and I'm anxious to see how her eye appointment goes this morning (we've not done her therapy for two weeks so I'm curious to see how her vision tests). I see her fatigue lessening and her attention with focused work increasing so I'm hoping she's not regressed with the lack of her formal exercises which is common.

Charlie's at an awkward sleeping phase. I need to review my Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth to see if he's ready for a change (IE give up the nap) or just in a phase. In any case either nap time or bedtime is a struggle. Perhaps if I get him down for an earlier nap and keep it short (rather than forgo the nap altogether) bedtime won't be such a challenge. I'm really not ready for him to stop napping in the afternoon. The girls and I need that concentrated quiet time to complete our studies!

I don't know what it is about the winter, but somewhere around late January early February or even March I have a bit of an emotional breakdown (you know the one where I question everything we've done, my ability to do this, my strength to continue one more day, my overall wisdom in raising and training children, and I want to call the district?). Maybe it's the let down after the busy and exciting holiday, maybe it's the two long terms stretched out in front of us, maybe it's the winter blues, maybe it's the lack of sunshine--I don't know. I do know it's good to re-evaluate every year and to continually seek the direction and will of God. There is always room for improvement and change. I just hope I've grown and matured to the point where I can weather the storm with a little more grace and a little less emotion. So I'm trying to be proactive this year. I fortify myself with lots of reading in the scriptures and know that the word of God is a great place to go back to for strength, correction, and encouragement again and again--its well never goes dry. I have done a lot of reading and reflection on why we're homeschooling and hope the extra conviction will keep my threats to send them back to school at bay. I know too that it's OK to spontaneously call a break and do a nice long week of unschooling with long trips to the library. I've tentatively planned a trip with a dear friend and her little ones to some local caves (how about early February T?). I'll do my yearly review of our methods and curriculum and start planning for the next year. I'll try to con Grandmas and Aunties into some overnights. And maybe twist my dear husband's arm to go to a local conference with me. Maddie also has an appointment with Dr. Holinga at the end of the month which is good timing as she is always a source of strength and encouragement. I've joined a support group and co-op so we have regular trips out of the house and I've got a group of like-minded ladies that are always willing to "talk me down." We've also found a new church home that is an answer to prayer and an encouragement in so many ways.

I'll let you know how it goes.