Alright. I’ve got this. At least, I think I do. I’m nearly 2 weeks into the new curriculum and things are going well. Baby steps. Baby steps. I’ve stuck to my schedule, completed everything I wanted to cover (including a great Election Day experience [Yes We Can!!] and a super fun lesson on maps), Em has responded well to the process and is actually learning (she’s read halfway through Set 2 of her Bob Books, has been writing up a storm and even did some Halloween multiplication with my help. Not bad for a 4-yr old). So why do I feel so stressed out?
My kid is doing great! In fact, Em seems to love homeschool because she has my focused attention. (I am such a better mom when I’ve planned the day in advance … but that’s a post for another time) No, the person struggling here, despite everything going successfully so far, is ME!!!
I’m not even going to lie, trying to work and homeschool is just hard. No, wait…that’s the wrong word; the balance is not “hard”… it’s tiring. It’s time consuming. It’s often overwhelming. But it’s not “hard”. The actual steps to pull it all off are easy on their own. It’s just that it all takes focused EFFORT. A lot of focused effort! And let’s face it, we hip, modern, grown-up Gen-Xers aren’t exactly known for our stamina in the “effort” department. (I believe the term “Slacker Generation” has been tossed our way a few thousand times). We’re all about instant gratification and our infamous “Me Time”. Myself included. Hell, if given a choice between compiling an engaging lesson plan or vegging out and watching Gossip Girl, I’m picking the latter, every time! (And don’t even try to judge me ‘cuz ya know you watch it, too! …"xoxo".)
I guess I’m just going to have to suck up this effort thing and get used to it (e.g. stop resisting it or, in this case, whining about it). So, do I need to rock some of that New Earth/Power of Now “presence” Oprah & Eckert sold us last season and just take this homeschooling thing day by day, moment by moment? Or is it more of the Work Out/Weight Loss mindset that I need?: “No Pain, No Gain”.
Probably a little of both.
I guess I’ll just keep at it. Baby steps and more baby steps for the week ahead. I have a great Dinosaur unit prepped (to compliment our excursion to see the Walking with the Dinosaurs show) and tomorrow is Monday, which means Gossip Girl is on.
My week is locked and loaded. It’s all good.
My kid is doing great! In fact, Em seems to love homeschool because she has my focused attention. (I am such a better mom when I’ve planned the day in advance … but that’s a post for another time) No, the person struggling here, despite everything going successfully so far, is ME!!!
I’m not even going to lie, trying to work and homeschool is just hard. No, wait…that’s the wrong word; the balance is not “hard”… it’s tiring. It’s time consuming. It’s often overwhelming. But it’s not “hard”. The actual steps to pull it all off are easy on their own. It’s just that it all takes focused EFFORT. A lot of focused effort! And let’s face it, we hip, modern, grown-up Gen-Xers aren’t exactly known for our stamina in the “effort” department. (I believe the term “Slacker Generation” has been tossed our way a few thousand times). We’re all about instant gratification and our infamous “Me Time”. Myself included. Hell, if given a choice between compiling an engaging lesson plan or vegging out and watching Gossip Girl, I’m picking the latter, every time! (And don’t even try to judge me ‘cuz ya know you watch it, too! …"xoxo".)
I guess I’m just going to have to suck up this effort thing and get used to it (e.g. stop resisting it or, in this case, whining about it). So, do I need to rock some of that New Earth/Power of Now “presence” Oprah & Eckert sold us last season and just take this homeschooling thing day by day, moment by moment? Or is it more of the Work Out/Weight Loss mindset that I need?: “No Pain, No Gain”.
Probably a little of both.
I guess I’ll just keep at it. Baby steps and more baby steps for the week ahead. I have a great Dinosaur unit prepped (to compliment our excursion to see the Walking with the Dinosaurs show) and tomorrow is Monday, which means Gossip Girl is on.
My week is locked and loaded. It’s all good.
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