Comments on Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers: Top Ten Ways to Handle a Bad Homeschool Day

this is a cool post! thanks for sharing!

2010-10-05T11:18:14.502-04:00

this is a cool post! thanks for sharing!

Wow, I needed that. Thank you. I am new to Homesch...

2010-09-07T22:49:34.222-04:00

Wow, I needed that. Thank you. I am new to Homeschooling and I am very excited but have had a few days like that so I needed to read this and see we all have days like this. It was a creative way of doing things too. Thank you.

Rachel

I did read this before- this time I think I'll...

2010-09-01T14:56:47.774-04:00

I did read this before- this time I think I'll print it and put in the front of my binder as a reminder!! Thanks for the lift. :)

Thanks for the "words of wisdom". Everyo...

2010-09-01T10:26:11.435-04:00

Thanks for the "words of wisdom". Everyone needs reminders.
:0)Andrea

Thanks for the tips. We start next week and I'...

2010-08-31T14:41:37.067-04:00

Thanks for the tips. We start next week and I'm sure we're in for some good days and some bad days.

Thank you very much for the top ten list. It'...

2010-08-30T15:02:41.340-04:00

Thank you very much for the top ten list. It's comforting to know that everyone else has shared in the frustration of burnout and stress. I'll certainly bookmark your blog and come back often!
Carrie

After homeschooling for fifteen years, all I can a...

2010-08-29T19:40:36.204-04:00

After homeschooling for fifteen years, all I can add is AMEN!!! You got it all right. I used to think having bad days meant I was inadequate, then realized it was just life. :)

I have definitely done all of these at one time or...

2010-08-27T10:25:40.672-04:00

I have definitely done all of these at one time or another. I've also told the kids "I'll be back in a minute" and walked out onto the porch for a breath of fresh air and a fresh perspective. This is particularly effective combined with number 1. In the event of inclement weather, a few minutes alone in a dark room can substitute, especially if accompanied by a cup of hot tea and/or a piece of dark chocolate. LOL

We are 2-1/2 weeks into our 5th year of homeschool...

2010-08-26T23:46:29.363-04:00

We are 2-1/2 weeks into our 5th year of homeschooling and it proving to be the most trying, difficult, tear jerker year yet. All of the others have had their ups and downs, but so far this year has been a struggle each and every day. Thanks for the ideas. They help reinforce some ideas that have been floating around my head.

Heather

Thanks so much for this post! I just started homes...

2010-08-26T21:59:24.803-04:00

Thanks so much for this post! I just started homeschooling this week, and it's been hard. I got custody of her back from my ex-mother in law (it's a long story...she's a bad, bad person), and she's had no structure. They did almost nothing for preschool, and didn't have her on any kind of schedule, so sitting down for school is weird to her. Lots of fights...lots of tears (on both sides, lol). I needed this. :)

I loved reading your tips! Thanks for sharing. W...

2010-08-25T22:38:43.677-04:00

I loved reading your tips! Thanks for sharing. We started our first "official" year of homeschooling last week and I know this list will come in handy soon. I love your blog, I've been reading it for awhile ;)

Yes, I agree with the comment on sleep too. We...

2010-08-25T02:15:17.370-04:00

Yes, I agree with the comment on sleep too. We're in week 4 and I can see the days where we've all had "good sleep" and days where I'm thinking by 10a.m. "we're ALL getting in bed by 8p.m. tonight!" Usually, our read aloud time in the afternoon gives the older kids and I downtime to put our feed up and relax (while the little ones are napping too). However, on weeks like THIS WEEK, where we ONLY have ONE full day at home w/o having to RUN anywhere (gee, and outsiders worry about "outside contact," lol) I'm actually taking an afternoon nap and giving our big boys "quiet time." It all gets down to balance. We just happen to be having a week w/ appts, sports and meetings that can't be scheduled in my famous DO IT ALL IN ONE DAY events (but more on that in the wrap up!)

Another thing that helps us is having another family over for a fellowship day @ our house. They're always refreshing!

we fall apart a bit when I get cranky...so during ...

2010-08-25T01:29:20.598-04:00

we fall apart a bit when I get cranky...so during that time of the month we watch movies (ones with some sort of educational basis...and eat popcorn. whats 4 days a month that were not going to be productive anyway?

I have reassessed. That made a big difference. I also have a float day where we break from routine and do things different once a week

I drink coffee. Copious amounts of it and then we...

2010-08-24T21:05:38.018-04:00

I drink coffee. Copious amounts of it and then we watch a movie that has something to do with our history topic. That or we take a nap! :)

It doesn't matter how old your children are, w...

2010-08-24T19:18:23.230-04:00

It doesn't matter how old your children are, we all have 'those days'.
It isn't uncommon for me to try and throw something completely different into the routine, or just take 1/2 a day off. (I figure a little of something is better than nothing.)

Very awesome post! I can't believe you don&#...

2010-08-24T19:06:30.169-04:00

Very awesome post!

I can't believe you don't have perfect homeschool days every. single. day.

ROFL! J/K

I will definitely be bookmarking this post to have on "those" days. Thanks for the encouragement!

Really fabulous list of ideas! We've only done...

2010-08-24T17:37:09.519-04:00

Really fabulous list of ideas! We've only done about 2 1/2 weeks of more formal schooling this year thus far and we've already taken a field trip. ;)

I love your tip # four about reconnecting with eac...

2010-08-24T17:07:11.067-04:00

I love your tip # four about reconnecting with each other and also starting fresh! Great advice!

Thanks for this! These are all great ideas. I am...

2010-08-24T16:42:29.379-04:00

Thanks for this! These are all great ideas. I am feeling the stress of just starting, and I just need to remember to give it God!

That was so helpful. Because some days that Yellow...

2010-08-24T16:07:10.234-04:00

That was so helpful. Because some days that Yellow School bus is very tempting

My favorite is take a field trip. We go and eat lu...

2010-08-24T14:50:32.072-04:00

My favorite is take a field trip. We go and eat lunch out too; it's a nice way to get out of the house

FANTASTIC POST!! The other night we I had 3 toddle...

2010-08-24T14:28:34.557-04:00

FANTASTIC POST!! The other night we I had 3 toddlers screaming/crying (all at once-from fighting), 2 pre-teens arguing, kitchen a mess, with laundry to do. The day was done, but it's a day I'd like to wipe off the agenda list to DO AGAIN!!! LOL!!!

Yes, I love that you put prayer first. I always have to remind myself to pray so eventually Prayer has become a daily rountine, if not by the hour kind-of rountine.

I listen to my iPod FULL of sermons that I listen to at the end of the day when I clean...it's my de-stresser.

Thanks for sharing!! Oh, and I agree with Jolanthe too!! I need my sleep or else I get migraines! Since we started homeschooling again I am getting about 6 hours max.

WHAT???? Your kids don't sit perfectly and com...

2010-08-24T13:46:15.163-04:00

WHAT???? Your kids don't sit perfectly and complete all their work happily.

Mine do {not}. :)

Today {day two} went fine until the 3 year old started screaming...and he did so through our entire science lesson until he fell asleep since he isn't feeling well.

My other solution: go to bed earlier. Part of my problems come when Mommy doesn't get enough sleep either. :)

Sometimes all we need is a change of location. I&...

2010-08-24T13:15:08.377-04:00

Sometimes all we need is a change of location. I've had great success with just moving outside. We take a blanket to our neighborhood playground and sit under the trees. The boys usually ride their bikes there. They do one assignment and then they go play or ride their bike. After a set period of time, usually about 10 or 15 minutes, they come back, do another assignment and then go play. We get more accomplished on those days than many other days - so why, then, do I wait for a bad day to do it? Hmmm... I think I need to reassess!

I'll definitely be saving this post in my home...

2010-08-24T11:08:52.130-04:00

I'll definitely be saving this post in my homeschooling reference - thanks for sharing! Sometimes we just need another person to point us in the right direction!