I think I'm in shock.
It seems like an eternity since we started last September, and in some ways it is. We've done a major reno (which still isn't finished), welcomed a new baby and done a full year of school. Okay, not a full year if you take out the 2 mths before Christmas and the dozen or so items that we haven't covered! ;-)
There are moments when I feel like this year was a success- like when our teacher is checking off lots of things from the PLO 'to do' list or my kids are 'wow-ing' someone with their new skills/abilities and/or information (especially if it's something that I've taught them).
Then there are other times that I feel like I've failed- when things are soo boring, when I get attitude instead of co-operation or when I look at the things that aren't checked off 'the List' or we covered it but my child doesn't know it yet.
I regret taking 2 mths off and for all the times that we've slacked off- but then I wonder if I really could have done things that much differently. I don't think it could have successfully gone any other way. Life was crazy, but we had the option to take a step back and not go nuts. Maybe that in itself is success.
One of the biggest things that I've been focusing on lately is character development. And, as everybody knows, takes a really long time and there are no lists to check off. Academics can get caught up over the summer/into next year: character- not so much.
There's still a lot of behaviour that I'm not liking very much at all, but I have to admit that relying more on God's wisdom and allowing Him to 'cut to the heart of the matter' with my children is starting to produce a harvest of righteousness. I'm trying not to spew out verses to get what I want from my children, rather to take a step back and figure out what God wants to say to their heart.
You can only teach that in home school- and it happens through on the job training. I have learned so much personally through my journey this year and I think the boys have to (academically, spiritually and emotionally).
There's so much more that could be said, but I regret to say that it won't be done now. I'm too tired and I think that I'm not making much sense right now- so I'm going to go to bed.
