Blogger Friend School Assignment 101

Intro: Plop, plop, Fizz, fizz; Oh, What a Relief It Is! (Marketing Credit: Alka Seltzer)
Assignment: This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling. Tell about something you’ve struggled with and how God’s mercies gave us the strength to get past it. Also, share any curriculum/homeschool methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family. Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!

Okay, well, being as we're new to homeschooling, I really can't talk much about struggles yet. But -- I think the main thing I struggle with right now is trying to manage homeschooling AND a 6 month old at the same time. Yes, I KNOW it's possible, but it wasn't we had planned. I thought I'd be able to get the first year done before having a little one around, but God had other ideas. I know HIS timing is perfect, so I'm not complaining. That though is probably my biggest struggle at the moment.

At the moment, I'm more comfortable with the traditional textbook way of homeschooling. Being as I taught public school for 8 years, I'm used to using teacher's manuals and student editions. So, when it was time to choose a curriculum, I felt more comfortable with the boxed curriculums. We looked, reviewed, looked, reviewed, and finally settled on Bob Jones Univ. Press, and I am really pleased with our decision so far. Caleb seems to do well with their materials, and I really like what they have to offer. We do supplement with some Bible materials that are more in line with our beliefs, but other than that, I can't say enough about BJUP.

I will admit though...I was a bit overwhelmed with all the curriculum materials once they all arrived. I had to sit down and look through everything and come up with a plan. Being the anal retentive person that I am, I had to make sure that I was able to get enough "future" planning done so I wouldn't fret about anything. So, I got busy planning. I basically lined out the whole school year (we do year-round), and I was so relieved when it was all done.

However, as we all know...life throws us curveballs, and we've had a few. They've interfered with the "schedule" I had planned out, but I'm learning to just go with the flow.

I still rely on Proverbs 3:5-6 whenever life throws me curveballs..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

I would post a picture, but at the moment, I'm using the laptop, and there aren't any pictures relevant to homeschooling on this PC.

Thanks again for providing a way for us to delve into our "personal thoughts".