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Today I feel wrung out. The weather is gloomy, the sky is dark and I am still not sleeping.
But.
We have had a fabulously productive week. (As I wrote fabulously, the Schoolhouse Rocks adverb song went through my head. Love!) My second son, Superboy, is a new boy. You should see the pride and self-confidence radiating from him after 3 or 4 days in a row of quickly finishing his schoolwork. He has spent the last 4 years inventing every possible way of dragging out each assignment. He could literally spend 8 hours sitting at the table, staring at one math lesson. Many of those days resulted in me losing it and one or both of us in tears. The frustration reached epic proportions and I am ashamed to admit my failures. Some days I would just retreat. Hide out in my room, or on my computer and stop dealing so that I wouldn't explode.
We have tried every tactic imaginable to help Superboy to just get done what he needed to. Changing curriculum, acting as his scribe, reward systems, punishments, taking away electronics, yelling... many disciplinary measures would result in a day or 2 of compliance. But we have never found a way to create good habits in this child.
For some reason, this week, something clicked in him. Like he finally realized that if he concentrates for an hour or 2, he can complete all his assignments and then his time becomes his own. And Mommy is happy! And cheerful! And wants to hang out with him and do fun things!
Now, I have spent a lot of time and energy concentrating on all the kids and their school and chores. Sitting with them, doing chores with them, reading and praying with them. I have not always done that. Some weeks I am very remiss in my duties, handing out assignments and expecting them to just do them. But it seems to be what I need to consistently do, actively participate, to get results. And maybe, just maybe, Superboy is growing up a bit.

Girly is really loving the 'school' we have been doing, especially printing on the slate, she will make letters for an hour! Monkey gives me a hard time about every thing I ever ask him to do, but once he gets started he does seem to enjoy it. They seem to be blossoming before my very eyes, the changes are thrilling and a bit sad at the same time. I miss my baby girl. I caught Monkey reading one of those levelled readers to himself the other day, in his head. I just can't believe wrap my head around how quickly the reading progresses. I am awed. I have a feeling it won't be too long until Girly is reading books to herself too.

After this long week of being on, I am wiped. I need a rest, and maybe, just maybe, someone else to tag-team (anyone else miss eighties wwf wrestling??) with me a bit. My hubby really needs a day off! I need him to have a day off!

Comments

  1. Isn't funny how the weather sometimes reflects our mood and visa versa?

    You are so great to be keeping up with all the kids and their studies - you certainly are a super mom - and YOU inspire me!!!

    I have looked around the HM software and really like it - I am hoping to play with it next week (I have a 9 hour cropping session on Saturday and hope to get 1007 done and I plan on doing most of my 2008 with digital ... one question - if I tell Santa, my mom and my inlaws I want a monthly payment for HM - can they each add to my account??? Also - if I donot pay one month do I still get access to all the old stuff? Finally, I am guessing you must be on line to create? It is all hosted and not downloaded materials?

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs!

    PS - guilty as charged...nominated you, I so enjoy your blog. You are a wonderful mother, friend and person.

    Cheers!

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  2. It is important sometimes to take the time to re-focus on what's important. We know what it takes to keep our families happy (good food, exercise, time together), but sometimes we fall away from that.

    I don't blame you for being tired, though--that's a very full plate you have. Hang in there.

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  3. I admire you. Sometimes it is hard enough just to get Dash to do 5 minutes of homework. Sigh...

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  4. You're amazing for homeschooling and I'm so glad that Superboy is finding his rhythm (for both of you!)

    Hopefully your man will have a day off soon!!

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  5. I'm so glad to hear about R! Awesome and what an answer to prayer!

    I'm feeling the gray and drizzle myself and have had a hard time getting motivated to help my little people get motivated. Hopefully this is the week! :)
    Love ya,
    S

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  6. It takes Little Billy a long time for the light bulb to go off to where he "gets" certain tasks or responsibilites but ... it always finally goes off - thank goodness.

    Thanks for the Christmas card help offer - I might just take you up on that.

    Take care and - you are doing a great job!! Kellan

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  7. Sounds like you had a very productive week. Glad the schoolwork is clicking with your second son. Hope your hubby gets some time off soon. I understand about the tag team, and I just have Little Elvis!

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