The Simple Life at Home

I'm hoping it's not a permanent condition, but my mind is just blank the last couple of days. I can't think of a blessed thing to say that might be of interest to anyone, save, oh, the dog. And even she would think I might possibly be talking of giving her a treat since, you know, she doesn't speak English.

I think it's just a by-product of stress and busy-ness. I've gotten myself (and my kids) into the unenviable position of having to cram 12 weeks worth of school into 5 weeks. We will be leaving to visit Hubby's family in Jordan in mid-July and I'd like to have it all done by the time we leave.

We started falling behind after we spent most of December with my family in Arizona. Then we spent the majority of January getting ready for the movers to come and pack up all our worldly belongings. February was pretty quiet and we actually got back into a normal groove. Then March - well, it was a lost cause with time ticking down to the big day.

Normally I'm a very relaxed homeschooler. We don't really follow a schedule, just a plan that we work through our work at our own pace and when it's done ,it's done. I would much rather my kids and I spend more time on things that interest us than we finish up quickly and end on time.

However, Hubby and I have made a decision. (Well, it's really my decision, with Hubby's backing - he doesn't get much involved in the homeschooling stuff since I'm the one that actually does it.) Since the children did not get into private school this year - no places in their grade levels - I've decided to enroll them in an online school for the 2008-2009 year. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, I think they need to learn more accountability than I have taught them. There've been many time when I've given an assignment and then forgotten about it. Or I let them slide on neatness or quality. I think it will be good for them to have an outside critique so they can learn that it's not just that mommy is being too picky, but that quality is expected of them.

Second, I think that they have gotten bored with my preferred curriculum. It's very reading-heavy and even I have trouble keeping up with the pace and with some of the book choices we are given. Even I find myself wondering why we are reading certain books.

Third, it will give them more independence and responsibility. They have to get their work done in the alotted time and I plan on encouraging them to learn to budget their time and use it wisely. I think this is something that will benefit them throughout their lives.

So for the next little while I may be unusually quiet. Or it may be just for this week as the reality of our situation settles in. Basically we need to do two days' worth of work every day. Ugh!