After the incredibly awful first week of school we experienced last week, I wasn't sure if we were going to make it through the second. Monday of this week left me doubting our year entirely. How were we going to make it? Would our relationships survive? Had we lost our love of learning? I did some soul searching, some praying, and some thinking.
We are coming off a very difficult summer. The boys experienced death for the first time in a very real way. It wasn't a dear pet. Not even an elderly grandparent. It was their 22 month old cousin. A child. A baby. So many emotions. So many questions. So tragic. Many of the emotions and questions are still being felt and answered today. It's still with us. We miss Ben and I am still concerned about my sweet cousin, Steph.Our 2009-2010 never really came to and end due to said tragedy. No closure. We packed up and went to IA weeks before we had planned. It's alright. It is what needed to be done. Family first. We were there for 5 weeks.
We have spent most of the summer without Collin. He needed to stay behind and finish classes so was unable to come to IA with us until his scheduled time for my brother's wedding. Then we only had him for a week. He needed to get back to CA to start his summer job. We're very thankful for his job. Really. It's been hard, though, because he is gone from 7 am to 9pm M-F. The boys miss him. I miss him. He misses us.
So, those are some of the things I thought about. No wonder we're having a difficult time. Lots of change. Lots of unsettledness.
I decided to give us a break. Even though we weren't doing much yet, we're doing less now. And that is okay.
I got back to my morning routine as much as I could with Collin being gone. The boys responded positively to their breakfast being laid out beautifully like it used to be. We didn't start our morning with the dreaded subject of math. We cuddled on the couch, instead, and read books about volcanoes and the geography of the US. Math came later. We baked together and met friends at the park. Cooperation and patience were present. Learning happened.
I am happy to report that week 2 of the 2010-2011 school year was good.
9 comments:
I am glad that this week went better for you! Slow and stead wins the race!
Sounds great. I think you've made very wise decisions.
Our first week has been fraught with angst and we didn't have half the transition that you guys did. I am seriously considering the suggestion I read about in Home Educating Family magazine about a sabbath rest after each six weeks--six weeks of school with one week off. It still leaves ten weeks to play with for other breaks. I don't know if it will work for us, but I'm going to give it a try. :)
You poor thing. You have been through so much this last year. I think your week sounds wonderful. You all will get back in the swing of things, when the time is right. I, for one, have loved all of your baking going on. I was thinking about you when we made our meal last night for China, trying to encourage my kids to participate, er, let them participate. ;)
Praying for you and your whole family.
Love,
Monica
I think you made a great decision, given everything that you have had going on. I'm glad your week was better. :)
I have my tears in my eyes after reading your post. I think you are being very wise in your decision to move forward at a more comfortable pace. I'm sorry for your family's loss this year.
I was going to post wise choices and now I'll just agree with others. Thanks for reminding me to cuddle my little blessings.
Hey neighbor, I'm sorry it's all been so crazy. I think you're smart to take a moment to breathe, get you & your family's emotional and spiritual batteries filled up before kickin' in for the year. Doesn't sound like it's been easy at all. We'll pray for you. :)
It's good that your kids have you and not a system to comfort and lead them along. :)
I, too, have tears in my eyes. And I am sorry for your loss.
So glad that you were able to recognize the need for a slower start. Your children are learning a lot about life right now from you, and you sound like you're doing a superb job!
Hugs to you and your family. It sounds like you used a lot of wisdom in backing up and getting the relationships right this week.
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