I have never succeeded in making out a schedule or a daily planner or a lesson plan. And you know what that means -- I don't get much done. Ew, my skin crawls when I think about being bound by that sort of thing! But could it be possible that I am like a wild child who needs to be reined in, one who fights against the rules but who would really be relieved to have some boundaries? There was a time in my life (BC) when I had so much structure that I didn't have any time to waste. Somewhere along the line I lost all that self-discipline, and I am a little bit worried that I am a lost cause. But I would like to try and prove it, sort of like accepting a million dollars just to prove it wouldn't ruin me, you know?
So this is the point: The HSB Company Blog is giving away a Schoolhouse Planner, designed and written by Paul and Gena Suarez. This 250 page e-book has everything a homeschooler could possibly need or want to plan her moments, hours, days, weeks, months, or years! This post is my contest entry. (What will I do if I win? Oh no...
Wait. I want to win, don't I? Or do I?)EDIT: I'm not sure what is going on here, maybe two of these planners are being given away?? Angela is giving one, and so is Dell. Is it the same one? Enter me in both contests! (I think.)
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteWe actually do school 'year-round.' For the very reasons you listed: too hot here in the summer to do much of anything else. The boys will finish their current school year in three weeks, have four weeks off, and then begin the next. Our largest break comes between Thanksgiving and Epiphany, as that is the coolest time of year (you know), and that is the time of year that is most fun to be off what with holiday preparations and such. Then we just take a week off sporadically as needed throughout the rest of the year. It works (mostly) for us; I'll be tweaking it this year, though, as it was a little large of a break at the holiday last year. I'm thinking four weeks max would be great. That would leave eight whole weeks to be taken leisurely throughout the year... that sounds great... okay, sorry, musing out 'loud' here...
Anywho, as to your schedule: if you want the truth, I think that yes, we as mothers do have a knee-jerk reaction to the word and thought SCHEDULE. We should be on one, if for no other reason that to teach our children how to behave and be constructive with their time. I've been feeling very convicted lately to get back off this thing and focus more on my schedules, routines, and school. Think about it, pray on it, and you'll get the answer that is best for you. Good luck!!
Have a lovely week - try to stay cool!
Shani
Yes, you can enter both my contest and Angela's! (And you are hereby entered in mine!) Two different contests--we each are giving away a copy! If you win both you can tell me to forward yours to a friend instead--wouldn't that be fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm a year-round schooler myself, so I can relate to your post. Without some school (even if it is lighter school) things just don't go as smoothly for us.
We need to be more structured. You know, your statement to the effect that you would hate to give your girls away in marriage right now because they are just like you made me shudder. I hadn't really thought of it that way before... I'm creating BOYS that have my tendencies!!! OH NO!!!! Thanks for the bucket of ice water on this scorching day, Sally! lol
ReplyDeleteGood luck - maybe we need to create a team of unorganized moms to cheer each other on, LOL!!
Have a good (and slightly more structured and planned) day!! :)
Shani
LOL, you are so funny. I hope you win one, but really, 280 pages? It would take me a year to fill it out - premade schedules just don't work for me, they just don't quite seem to work for with my plans - but that's just me. I don't know if it's my age or attitude, but I get less & less scheduled all the time. It's okay for me to keep the girls on schedule, just don't make me abide by it. :) I remember when we first started homeschooling, I had a nice neat schedule with times of when we would do each lesson - ha, that lasted about 3 weeks. And I've made up a preliminary schedule for next fall, but I have so much fun stuff the girls will be doing school from sun-up till sun-down. Poor dears! I always over schedule and then have to streamline - I need 48 hr. days.
ReplyDeleteHope you win!!! Yes, school year round might be the answer in your climate. Have you told the girls yet? teehe
I am with you, Sally. I am a routine person, but not a schedule. I like to do what's next. But I don't want to try to fit my life into 30 minute segments. Every time I tried, I would be rushing and missing some of the goodness that comes from what we were doing in the moment. I can be too laid back in the summer. And frankly, if I lived in the desert, I'd be tempted to school when it was hot and break when it was not! Hey, that rhymes. Anyway, I usually listen to my husband when he has something to say about how we school. I figure God may be using him to direct my paths. Go for it.
ReplyDeleteJenn
You know, some years we did school all summer, and other years we did not. It depended on what was going on that year. I think school schedules are for schools. It's up to us to figure out what will work best for our families, and isn't it nice that we're free to change things as we go along?
ReplyDeleteHope you win the planner ;)
Thanks for stopping by my blog,
Barb
http://barbaramfrank.blogspot.com
Thanks for the "head's up" about Angela giving away the planner, too! (I blogged about the giveaway and about you giving the head's up here: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Suzanne/555520/ )
ReplyDeleteI think it would be totally hilarious if we (you and I) both won... considering our lack of planning. :) LOL
ReplyDeletePart of me would like to go to a year-round schedule too, (just for the sake of continuity,) but our period of 'nice weather' is so short here and I hate to deprive my kids of those few precious months when they can play outside in the sun. (We're sort-of opposite from you - eh?!)
ReplyDeleteStay cool!
Michelle
So, does this mean you're an unschooler? ;) Or, are you simply a non-planner?
ReplyDeleteHello. I too school through the summer. It IS hot here!
ReplyDelete113 yesterday!! We usually take Dec and Jan off because of out-of-state family coming in.
You said the 's' word-schedule!! For shame! Just kidding. We use a schedule, but keep it loose. Remain flexible!! (You probably already know this!!)
Staying too rigid makes you snap! Literally!!
Thanks for sharing,
Robyn
I've been contemplating your entry since reading it a few nights ago when I entered the contest myself.
ReplyDeleteI used to reel and cringe when the word "schedule" was even mentioned. Finally, my kids just became so busy that I had absolutely no choice, at least not if I wanted to get them all where they needed to be when they needed to be there and NOT leave someone waiting to be picked up. :-O
I was just looking through an online free homeschool planner when it hit me...why I don't mind the scheduling now. I do not use a schedule with times on it. Oh, I put what time my kids need to be where, but my lists do not have the times listed on one side of the column and a space next to it for what I am going to do at exactly that time. I think that's too depressing.
I use Amy Knapp's Family Organizer for my "desk" calendar. (Why do they call them desk calendars? Mine is only on my desk for a few hours a month. lol) It has nice sized rectangles for each day and a space on the other side for writing notes or to do lists. It also has a menu planner and other helpful things like that. But NO times. :-D
I also use Donna Young's Two-Page Lesson Planner. I just write down in each square what I want to do for each subject and cross it off as it gets done. No pressure.
Anyway, I just thought of you when that hit me. Hope you don't mind me sharing that and I hope it might help you a bit.