Last year, I was tired and well, we didn't really do as much as I had hoped, intended or really should have done. Being wishful, I will be full of energy for the summer but being realistic, I won't! Also being realistic, I'm probably not the only tired home ed mother out there.
This is my plan. It may or may not work. I'm hoping that the first week will be a complete break and then perhaps some pacing and organisation may help.
- A planned week with a day for a trip, a day to see friends, another for the house, another for the garden and a final day especially dedicated to stealthy education. Stealthy education might get as exciting as a library trip but there might be a few other, not too exhausting activities! There are a fair few ideas but probably less get up and go.
- Dedicated evenings for planning.
- Planned sleep. When I was a junior doctor, I managed on very little sleep but now five hours means that not so much gets done!
- Planned time to read for me, and the children. That means planning a time to read aloud to the children and finding a bit of time to recharge with some books: Christian books, history and probably a bit of fiction.
Any other suggestions are gratefully received and please tell me that I'm not the only tired mum out there!
No, I am sure you are not the only tired mom. I am a grandma, educating 4 grandchildren ages 5 - 14. I am EXHAUSTED, to put it mildly. However, 3 of these children need someone to really CARE about them and how they learn. They do not learn in the usual way. I am a retired teacher, so I feel that I have something to offer them. We forge ahead - some days more than others. I try to not focus too much on what material we finish or what others their ages are doing, but, instead, we focus on continuing to learn and to improve and to experience learning in many ways. So, I am tired too. I give myself permission to have Quiet Time every afternoon, and, most of the time, I fall asleep. But, we continue on the path God chose for us and He gives strength to complete each day.
ReplyDeleteMyra, from Canada
Myra, thank you. It is lovely that your grandchildren have someone who cares for them and is willing to get exhausted for their sake. So true, that God gives us strength.
DeleteNo you're not the only tired mum out there! I was just feeling tired and looking for a blog post that would encourage me, and funnily enough yours was the one I read, because I wanted to hear I wasn't the only one too!
ReplyDeleteLast year I felt guilty because I didn't get around to planning any trips. But then we went on holiday for two weeks in September and I found that we did loads then, just for fun. We went to the zoo, and museums and all kinds of things where the kids learned stuff because we chose the more educational things to go to. So in the end I didn't have to worry :)
That made me laugh. Sometimes it is good to know that we aren't the only ones feeling tired!
DeleteHmm ... this has just reminded me that I want to blog about something we did at half-term. I'll get on with it!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting!
DeleteYou're not the only one, I always have great plans for everything I'm going to get done in the evening, but by the time evening comes I'm spent! We're just starting out with home ed and I've really enjoyed your blog, it's been really helpful too. Thanks for all your lovely posts. Ellie
ReplyDeleteThank you! I enjoy your blog too-didn't realise that you home educate.
DeleteOnly just starting out with home ed, did half a term of school in Sept but just didn't suit, so just starting to feel our way in home ed. Some days I think it's really nurturing and brilliant and other days I'm thinking what am I doing?!! As mine are 5, nearly 3 and 1 it's mainly play based, creative stuff and loads of time outside at the moment.
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