Routine is a struggle for our family. We manage the basics like meals and bedtime well and I mostly do a load of laundry a day, though we only have three children, so the laundry isn't what it would be for a large family. But my husband and I both work. His work is contract based, he's an actor, and so I work from home around his schedule. We currently only homeschool our oldest who is 9yo though our 4yo is showing interest in letters and sounds so I'm toying with a slow introduction to reading this fall. Being able to homeschool in a regular rhythm has been difficult and usually looks like school with which ever parent is available. I don't like it and it makes it difficult to form education into a habit. I'm trying to figure out a way we can create an atmosphere of education. I've put For The Children's Sake on hold at the library, maybe reading it and your reflections will aid my contemplation of these ideas.
Hi Carinn, I think FTCS would be helpful for you as the author points out that there is no 'perfect' way to homeschool, unlike many of the voices floating about that seem to think there is. Every home is unique in its own way, and she looks at how we can nourish children in what we think are less than ideal situations.
There have been some routines/rhythms that have been fairly consistent for us, but with growing children there is always an element of change, and that's natural. With a large family there is plenty of practice with this & maybe we just get used to adapting to it.
The very fact that both you & your husband are involved in teaching them will speak volumes to your children.
Feel free to email or message me if there's anything I can help you with.
Thank you for the encouragement, Carol! I do think that sometimes half the battle for me is releasing the vision of what I would prefer (which can come from reading too many outside voices) to make room for what is possible in my reality. And, I really do love my reality! The other is the discipline to follow through with a plan.
Like you, my routines have changed and been somewhat 'smashed up' by the different seasons and needs of our lives. I always get a walk, 5 days a week, and like you, I pray, I ponder, I absorb God's Creation and return home refreshed. Iris loves to do things on her own now, building cubbies and just hanging out. I also always do my Bible study at the kitchen table/bench and so that is my time and mirrors that for others in the household.
Routine is a struggle for our family. We manage the basics like meals and bedtime well and I mostly do a load of laundry a day, though we only have three children, so the laundry isn't what it would be for a large family. But my husband and I both work. His work is contract based, he's an actor, and so I work from home around his schedule. We currently only homeschool our oldest who is 9yo though our 4yo is showing interest in letters and sounds so I'm toying with a slow introduction to reading this fall. Being able to homeschool in a regular rhythm has been difficult and usually looks like school with which ever parent is available. I don't like it and it makes it difficult to form education into a habit. I'm trying to figure out a way we can create an atmosphere of education. I've put For The Children's Sake on hold at the library, maybe reading it and your reflections will aid my contemplation of these ideas.
Hi Carinn, I think FTCS would be helpful for you as the author points out that there is no 'perfect' way to homeschool, unlike many of the voices floating about that seem to think there is. Every home is unique in its own way, and she looks at how we can nourish children in what we think are less than ideal situations.
There have been some routines/rhythms that have been fairly consistent for us, but with growing children there is always an element of change, and that's natural. With a large family there is plenty of practice with this & maybe we just get used to adapting to it.
The very fact that both you & your husband are involved in teaching them will speak volumes to your children.
Feel free to email or message me if there's anything I can help you with.
Thank you for the encouragement, Carol! I do think that sometimes half the battle for me is releasing the vision of what I would prefer (which can come from reading too many outside voices) to make room for what is possible in my reality. And, I really do love my reality! The other is the discipline to follow through with a plan.
I'm looking forward to reading FTCS!
Like you, my routines have changed and been somewhat 'smashed up' by the different seasons and needs of our lives. I always get a walk, 5 days a week, and like you, I pray, I ponder, I absorb God's Creation and return home refreshed. Iris loves to do things on her own now, building cubbies and just hanging out. I also always do my Bible study at the kitchen table/bench and so that is my time and mirrors that for others in the household.