I have been figuring out how to balance. Balance between our outside activities and schoolwork at home. Balance for me with time with the kids and things for me (like running). Figuring how we are going to add in Chinese lessons to this mix. And also piano. But we are eagerly anticipating a small break next week for the Chinese National holiday. Andy also has the week off, but we have decided not to travel. We are excited about a low-key week here in Suzhou with maybe a day-trip to Shanghai thrown in the mix.
In our homeschool this week. . .
We started our unit on whales in science. We are pondering going to the aquarium during our week off. Though Becca is lobbying to wait until later in the year when we know even more. How do you argue with such logic?! We also had our second week of our writing co-operative class. I can see already how this class is going to be great for both kids. And T enjoys the time playing with friends while the other two are having class.
Places we're going and people we're seeing. . .
Scouts have started! And homeschool co-op has kicked off. While I occasionally have a driver to take me to the other side of the city where most of our outside activities happen, I am usually a public-transportation-girl. Just for my sanity, we try to limit these activities to just two afternoons a week. Mainly because our commute is around 45 minutes each way! But we are so grateful to have other families that are also homeschooling here in our city that we will happily make that trek.
What's working/not working for us. . .
I found several similar forms online, but nothing was exactly what I wanted. In the end, I created this:
This is helping me to balance my time with each of the kids and for them to manage their own time for the day. Becca, my planner, still wants timetables for specific classes. I keep telling her that homeschool is not the same as school. She was struggling with that for a bit, but I think that this has helped her to feel in control of her days and plan her time the way she wants.
Things I've learned this week. . .
Because it is not just our kids doing the learning as we homeschool!
Sometimes in the midst of a busy time, I have the tendency to just plough through. It doesn't matter if I have too much on my plate or the kids are getting stressed. I want to press on and drag them with me. But this week, as we just had a crazy-busy time, I stepped back and let a few things go. Yes, it will be okay if we don't finish all of our math today. It will be there for us tomorrow. So, in this first year of transitioning home, I am learning that while we do need to press on each day in our learning, somedays we need to just stop. And take a breath. That is reason #559 while I love homeschooling already.
I'm grateful for. . .
Friends who know me and have walked through life with me. I am thankful for Skype that helps me to keep connected with friends even after several moves. B, I am especially thankful for our weekly chats about anything and everything.
I'm praying for. . .
The next steps in our adoption journey. That each piece of this would come together at the right time. I know that I have not been talking much about it on the blog, but things are happening. I am excited to see how this journey unfolds in the coming months.
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