Monday, December 1, 2008

Sometimes I think my kids hate me............

I know I now, what an awful thing to say, but hey it's my blog, my thoughts.

Homeschooling has not been going to good. I feel like a failure :( I end up just getting so frusterated with Rebekah and then we don't even really get anywhere. There are times that Savannah, my 3 year old, will join in but it's so frustrating to me that I tell her to go into the other room. Now a "good" mom might have her stay so she can start learning early. Me I send her away to get educated from Blues Clues and Dora!!

I know there are no "qualifications" to homeschool but if there were I definitely would not qualify!!! I really am pondering putting her in school. I am kinda starting to really think that homeschooling is not for everyone. I know the Bible teaches that we should teach our children at home, but in the right context, it's really not saying school work. Now before you turn me off. let me explain.

I believe that scripture is talking about my responsibility to teach my children how to live a life for Jesus. It is our responsibility to teach our children the Bible and the principles in it.

Anyway besides that, I always have so much to do around the house, thanks to 3 kids running around and a husband that works 6 days a week that I really don't just "play" with my kids. Sure I am in the same room as them, doing something but it's not playing with them. I think that's why they love daddy so much, he comes home from work and he is done working!! He CAN play and have fun.But when he gets home my night shift begins. Making dinner, cleaning up from dinner, baths and anything else that didn't get done from the day.

I know what you are thinking, "Just let some things go and use that time" Well I just can't, As much as it bothers me about the kids, it really bothers me if I let them tare the house down and I am just sitting back playing hide and seek.

There has to be a middle ground. I just haven't found it yet. Bottom line is, I hate school!!! I always have and I always will, well maybe not always but as far as I can see I will.

And before I go, I want to add, I am not mad at my husband for working 6 days a week, he has to. We are a family of 5 living on 1 income, you do the math. Anyway this was just my time to be completely honest with myself and my blog friends.

14 comments:

Anonymous

You know I don't always agree with your decisions, but I always support them. And I do believe you have a good arguement for putting the kids in regular school. There are things that as parents we have to teach our children at home, as for academics, leave it to the professionals (and that's my opinion). If you decide to put Rebekah in regualr school, I think I have some uniforms!! LOL!!

Shelly

Homeschooling is not for everyone. I don't believe that everyone can homeschool. I don't know what you are doing with her and what curriculum you are using, but I also believe that in Kindergarten you don't have to follow a curriculum. I think you should be reading to her and helping her learn her vowels and the sounds. That is about it. You don't needs science and history. You can get that with reading regular books. You should try Five in a Row. It uses regular books you find at the library and you can have your other kids there as you do it. It doesn't take long and it sounds like it is something you could do. You can check it out from the library. It is by Jane Claire Lambert. Sorry this got long. It may be just the curriculum. Not all curriculum is for everyone either.

Shelly

One other thing the Christmas countdown blocks the blog and is hard to read. I don't know if it is my computer or if it happens with others too.

If you have any questions about Five in a Row, let me know. I will try to answer them.

Anonymous

DO NOT GIVE UP! Homeschooling is a MUST! God commands it. Try again. Try to love your children more, and love teaching them. Disclipine them more too. And do not give up! I am praying for you.
Homeschooler

Shelly

Amy, don't let "Anonymous" get you down. Just pray about it and listen to what God says. He is in control.

Anonymous... don't judge someone else. You have no idea what happens in her home and you shouldn't tell her to love and discipline them more. You have no idea what she does!

Amy Fichtner

Thanks Shelly!! Sometimes christian people can be the worst!! I was going to delete this comment but I won't. I would rather people see what NOT to say to someone when they are down. Oh and at least post your name if you want to tell me what I should be doing. I might actually give ear to it then.

Ben and Theresa Q

Amy, I totally understand what you are saying about husband getting home and your night shift begins. It's just not fair. (i know that wasn't your point, but it still made me feel good that i am not the only one that feels that way.) I'm not homeschooling yet, but potty training and keeping the house up is too much for me. I need a vacation - or a babysitter. One thing that i have learned is that i'm not there, i don't know, so i can't judge. I do think that the most important thing about raising kids (in my limited expertise ;)) is to have fun with your kids and let them know you love them and enjoy being with them. So do what you have to do to achieve that. I'm praying for you.
Theresa Q.

Amy Fichtner

Thanks Theresa!! That was very encouraing to read, it's nice knowng that you are not alone.

Anonymous

I am going to leave another comment for my sis. I am a firm believer you should leave education to the professionals. I do, however, support ANY decision my sister makes even if I do not agree with it. And why, because she is my sister and I will love her unconditionally no matter what. So all for all of you who really care for her, you should try supporting my sister and being there for her instead of telling her what she should be doing. Now, I could say alot more, but I am pretty heated right now - Love ya sis

Amy Fichtner

Thanks Kelly!!

Dear Abbi

Hi Amy! I SO know how you feel!! That is exactly how I felt the first year of homeschooling, when I had one kindergartener and one baby and a boy in between. It is SO hard! And you are totally right that HS isn't for everyone, God didn't make everyone alike and a "one size fits all" approach to any area, including educating our children.

I think whatever you and your husband pray about and decide is best for your family will work out great!!

The one thing I will tell you is that someone wisely told me my first year that the first year is ALWAYS the hardest, and I have found that to be so true. It doesn't make sense to me, b/c I only had one measly 5 year old. But it was the hardest, b/c everything is new and I had babies too, etc. It gets easier, each year, but it takes time. And December is everyone's hardest month to homeschool.

Maybe you could take the month of December off from all of her formal work (trust me, she won't be harmed by this). If the school gnomes in your brain (I have them too!) don't like that idea, quiet them by just reading aloud to the kids a little more, or maybe try to just sneak 10 minutes a day in going over letter sounds w/ her. And then come January once the stress of the holidays is over and you have had a break from the pressure of homeschooling for a month, you can decide what to do.

Our first year, we ended up doing almost no school in December, b/c I just couldn't keep it together, it was so tough. And then last Dec, Lily got burned and we did zero school, too. So the fact that we've already schooled twice this year in Dec is a record for us. :)

You're doing a great job and no matter what you and yours hubs decide, I'm sure your children will flourish b/c they have parents that love them and care about them!!

I will pray for you, I hope you have a better day! Being a mommy is hard work!

Amy Fichtner

Thnks Dear Abbi!!! Taking the month off is probably not a bad idea. I think I will finish this week out and seriously consider that. Thnk You for your response, it was ery encouraing!!!

Carri

Wow, what a great responce from Dear Abbi. I must jump on the band wagon..lol. I agree with you Amy about homeschooling not being specific in the Bible. And, honestly, if I can talk my husband out of it...I will probably try. After teaching preschool for 7 years, and thinking about teaching my OWN children frightens me. As most of you know I'm on my second year of homeschooling my bro-in-law, andI can hardly handle that. Im pretty sure I'm not doing it next year. And truthfully, it doesn't seem like the older they get the easier it becomes, because, atleast with my H.S.er, If I really want hin to get it, most of my day is sitting with him...getting ABSOLUTLEY nothing done. and I have three children myself. So, I think you really have to have the heart and desire to H.S...and I don't think it's worng to public educate your children. My ONLY fear is that I dont put enough of the fear of the Lord in my children that they will fall to the way side. And that would be a shame

Tiffany

Hi, I'm visiting from SITS. I read down through your blog and really enjoyed it and then came to this post. Since I've been homeschooling for 12 years, I couldn't resist commenting.

Sounds like you're a great mom. It's so hard when they are all little (and 5 is still little!) You have to do what works for your family as far as education goes. Nothing is perfect, not homeschool, not private school, not public school. Pray for insight and pray for your kids. It will all be ok!

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