Well, today was my first day back to homeschooling since having Koa and our first official day with Sonlight – our new curriculum. I think overall the day was positive but it was not without some tense moments.
This moment was a triumph. Kai was really giving me a hard time about doing any chores because he “just didn’t want to.” He finally made a good “choice” (I told him he could either do his chore quickly and we can move on to the next activity, or if not we could keep working on chores for the rest of the day). That kind of kicked him into gear and he actually went above and beyond what I asked him to do and was very proud of himself.
I have to include this picture because this is what I’m seeing a lot of these days with Ezzy. Actually taking this picture kind of snapped him out of this fit he was throwing, he was so surprised and then wanted to see his photo. Right now we’re working on “Angry Choices.” This is something that really worked with Kai at his age. Just knowing that it’s ok to be angry – and there are things you can do when you’re angry instead of hurting other people. I feel like I am saying the same thing over and over and over to him. I know he’s going to get this – I have faith! Poor guy – it’s tough to have such strong emotions and not know what to do with them.
Another struggle I have with Kai is writing – he does not like writing at all, especially any type of work with handwriting. I’m not sure what to do because he needs to be writing and he puts up a fight when it comes down to it. So we did this activity today – writing in shaving cream – bubbles and sticks. I think it really helped because a little later Kai sat down and did a whole page of handwriting. So hopefully this will get easier. I hope, I hope.
I love what I’m doing right now, but in those tense moments (for instance when every child is screaming or crying at the same time – last night at bath time this did actually happen) I sometimes seriously think I’m just going to lose it. I get frustrated, I get angry, I get irritated, I yell – and I know that is completely not productive or helpful in any way. Sigh. Luckily my kids have grace with me and we seem to pull through together and keep moving forward. In the end there’s always lots of hugs and lots of love. No matter what has happened in the day, I can always count on laying down with Jude at bedtime and without fail he gives me a hug and kiss and says, “I love you so much mommy” over and over again. You can’t beat that.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new adventure!
ooohhh rice – good idea, i'm going to do that! Thanks Amy!
i'll try play dough too!
ooohhh rice – good idea, i'm going to do that! Thanks Amy!
i'll try play dough too!
The Shaving cream is an AWESOME Idea…I could see myself letting my kids do something like that. Noelle seems like she learns a lot like Kai does…she's a mover…and a touchy person…we use playdough alot, and i have her practice writing in rice as well…different texture….I need to be doing more with her, however am encouraged by your efforts! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK SUPER MOM!!!!
(this is Amy not John:) )
oh, thanks Annie! I am actually wondering what to do about this writing thing -he just hates writing and gets so frustrated. A lot of the curriculum is involving writing, so I'm not sure what to do – even the math – he really doesn't even like writing numbers. So you really think it's ok if I write for him? I guess you're right, eventually he will start writing and I could just do more fun activities with him until he's more ready? and have him focus on "sticks and bubbles" until he's really comfortable with that and move forward little by little with handwriting?
I love the shaving cream picture! What a fun activity. My students liked using play-doh to make letters and spell words too. Using dry erase boards and markers is also sometimes fun. Oooh, that makes me miss my kids. I'll be back in a classroom soon I hope.
If it makes you feel any better, I remember when I was in 3rd grade and my Mom made me address an envelope, I cried because it was "too hard". Needless to say, I don't cry anymore.
As he gets older and gets more practice, it won't be such a struggle. Maybe he can dictate sometimes when the content is more important than the (physical) writing process.
Thanks ladies! ok, you inspired me to do a post about angry choices! ha!
I would love to know more about angry choices too!
Thanks for your honesty. I love it!
You're such a great mom and a great teacher, Leslie! I would LOVE to know more about "angry choices". BTW…several of my friends here use Sonlight and love it.