I’m not sure where to begin when it comes to wrapping up this week. I think we hit our all time low on Wednesday and bounced back remarkably on Thursday, finishing the week feeling that we had truly accomplished a great deal.
Of course, the kids and I did have a very serious discussion Thursday morning where I calmly told them they can begin doing what is expected of them or they can feel free to repeat their grade over again. I don’t think I’ve ever seen their jaws drop faster or seen their eyes wider.
I also found it necessary to mention that the assignments I give them are not open to negotiation. I do not need to explain why I want them to do their math or spelling or memorize a passage of scripture or poem. I just do. Period. End of discussion. Has anyone else ever had to have this conversation?
I also went over our rules once again. They seem to forget. As if they have changed during the 11 years we’ve been homeschooling or nearly 17 that I have been a parent. They are not allowed to say mean things to one another or call each other names. Stupid, retard and moron are now the equivalent of the F-word as far as I’m concerned. I’ve heard enough and it ends now.
They are expected to get up, feed themselves, shower, tidy up and be ready for school by 9 am. If they oversleep (how on earth could this happen in the camper anyway?) or chose not to participate, they will make up the work they missed on their time, when it is most inconvenient.
My wise husband also suggested that we implement a new rule. No phones during school. Since we are traveling, I have been lenient in this area but recently sending and receiving text messages have gotten out of control. No computer or Xbox until 5:00 P.M. or when Daddy comes home, whichever comes first. Oh, and that computer thing kind of goes for me too…gulp!
So, now that we’ve gotten our priorities back on track, I expect great things. If Thursday and Friday are an indication of things to come, we’ll finish with a great year. Right where we want to be.
Want to see how the week turned out for other families? Be sure to stop by Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers to read more Weekly Wrap-Ups.
Sounds like you've had a pretty rough week, but it's turning around. I'm sorry you're not getting to travel as much as you wanted, and I'm sorry the kids are giving you trouble. The new rules sound great though, and hopefully they'll fall in line. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, Actually, things are starting to look up considerably. Can't wait for our lessons next week...do I ever have a ton of stuff planned. My kids are going to be too busy to misbehave!:)Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIts great that you were able to set some new groundrules to get things back on track. I think homeschooling must take a lot of discipline - go you for doing it for 11 years!
ReplyDeleteActually we just had that same conversation about a week ago. I told her she was headed in the direction of repeating a grade if she didn't step it up.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Diane
Diane, I didn't think I've been the only one to ever have that conversation! Hope you see some improvement too! Blessings!:)
ReplyDeleteYes! I am so glad your week ended so well. I have had that same conversation with my soon to be 13 year old daughter. My son, age 8, is starting it up a bit too now, with the questioning why they have to do this or that. Because I said so!! lol No, we really do talk it out a bit more than that. :) Hope the rest of your year is great!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how suddenly, now and then, all normal rules appear to have been forgotten. Happens at our house too. Hellooo??? Sounds like things are shaping up, though.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you are not at my house? It seems like our children have Spring fever with snow on the ground. Since being home it seems like they feel like rules are to be ignored with the excuse "I forgot". One week of this and I gave a speech similar to yours.
ReplyDelete