I can’t believe half the school year is done already; we just hit the end of the semester. I feel like there’s still so much to do, but when I step back and see where the girls are, they have grown and learned so much from September. I find our days go much more smoothly when schooling gets done in the morning. I feel when we get started after breakfast, the girls are much more focused and I’m more focused too. We’ve had a couple late starts this week and I was just totally thrown off (and so were the kids, since at that point all they wanted to do is keep playing). Thankfully, we still buckled down and got through what needed to be done, but late starts definitely come with more challenges for us.
I’ve always been a get your work done first and then play later kind of person. In college, I would wake up, do my studying, clean the house, and then spend the rest of the day having fun. I hated (and still hate) the feeling of procrastinating. I also usually still get dressed first thing in the morning, even if I have no where to go. Just in case I do end up having to go somewhere, I’m already dressed and ready to leave the house. I feel it takes more time getting ready in the middle of the day. I know, I’m totally silly, aren’t I?!
As much as I prefer doing school in the morning, I am thankful that homeschooling has the flexibility that lets us kind of go with the flow (as long as we still get work done). I have to constantly remind myself to stay flexible because that doesn’t come natural to me. I’m a planner and definitely not spontaneous. Last week, I had a moment of spontaneity, and after swim classes decided to take the girls to the park. The girls were so surprised! I need to plan more moments of spontaneity for them. See, I need to plan that in too! Yup, I’m definitely silly. Anyone else silly like me?
I am completely like that, too, Ruby! Hate procrastinating (hate “short notice”, too) and almost never do it. I’m a planner, through and through. I know what you mean about the late start days. Our days are definitely better when we get done with school early. I actually start quite a bit of it (reading stuff) while we have breakfast, so it sets us up for the ‘atmosphere’ AND we get some things done early morning! My reading always consists of a bible story and a weekly poem, either science or history reading (2X a week for both) and daily french story & practice. Just like that, we’re basically half-way done. When I’m not on my game and this doesn’t happen it’s SO much harder to corral the kids while they’re playing!
Sarah M
i love your posts. love learning about this kind of stuff that is a bit foreign to me as a single woman 🙂
I’m glad you enjoy it! Thank you!!!
I’m exactly the way you describe yourself too! It’s not totally silly!
I am DEFINITELY the same way! Every Sunday I make a big breakfast for myself and then spend the next 3-4 hours cleaning, doing laundry, and catching up on freelance work. Its like I can’t stop till I have everything done otherwise it drives me absolutely mental.
I’m almost the complete oposite! I wish I could stay in bed, and often don’t change my pjs. I don’t know, the day just seem so much better when I’m wearing them, like a superhero outfit, haha. Who’s silly now?
But, hey, I imagine you have to be organized with FOUR kids. And that’s why I admire you! Haha! Always love your posts. I’ve been reading your blog since there were only True and Brave, but this year I decided I should comment often in blog I absolutely love. Yours starting!
xoxox
Okay, when you put staying in pajamas is like a superhero outfit, I’m kind of sold on that idea! I wouldn’t want to take them off either if that were the case!
And yes, I think having 4 really pushes me to be organized. I think I’m this way by nature, but also in chaos, I can’t think, so when things are done in an organized manner, it really helps keep me sane. Life is always bustling over here!
i’m totally the same way! a total planner. but going with the flow is important too. balance is key 🙂
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
I know it’s so hard to find that balance. I’m usually such an extreme person. It’s a lot of work for me to find balance.
i’m silly like you! i KNOW from experience that if we can wrap school up right after breakfast – our day goes soooo smoothly. and the more positive schooling goes in the morning, the more inclined my kids are to continue their “education” throughout the day as they ask questions, look things up, etc. in fact everything goes smoother when we stick with a structure – their playing, cleaning, fighting, etc.
of course, our welder showed up unexpectedly this morning and i let our whole game get thrown off and it is turning out to be a miserable day. we’ll regroup after he leaves – but man, i don’t like it when we go off the rails like this. we all end up out of sorts. 🙂
Yup, you definitely sound a lot like me!
I need to be silly like you! Ive been praying for discipline, i need so much more! You inspire me!
I am absolutely a ‘work first, play later’ person, but it hasn’t always been the case! It was a slow process but being a teacher and a mother didn’t really leave me any choice! I mostly like it though feel that I sometimes need to remember to enjoy the moment and not always prepare for the next step (cleaning up dinner before being done with it just so we can relax after ect…) 🙂
I love getting an early, productive start! Sometimes I’m up 3-4 times a night with my little one and those mornings are slooow. But when I can get up and shower, ready for the day before babe gets up, I feel the best!
I wish I was homeschooled when I was younger