As a full-time teacher, I look forward to the idea of summer. In my head, the season brings long, leisurely days filled with picnics, playing in the water, and campfires with roasting marshmallows when the sun goes down.
In reality, summer days are long, but not always in a good way.
Now that we are in summer, our house is hot there is a low tolerance for the heat. We notice our tone is often cranky and the higher temperatures are tiring so the loud hum of our window air conditioner is continuous.
My son tries to avoid the sun and accompanying heat. If it was up to him, he would hibernate until the leaves began to fall.
My TBP has always been an early riser so our day starts close to seven o’clock, seven days a week. He doesn’t wake at a slow pace as I do; instead he is full on awake and raring to go!
Even after breakfast, chores, math, science and reading, there are still a lot of hours left in the day.
Now that I am a homeschooling mom, I’m worried about this oh-boy-this-is-a-long-day feeling being present more often.
Am I the only one? Does anyone else ever look at the clock and think, “Really? It’s only 11:30 am?”
Yes, I could create a packed schedule, filled with errands and activities, but I’m taking a break from the teacher thing and thought I would try not planning what I was going to do at every minute of the day.
Homeschool mamas, or actually any parents, do you have any hints? I would love to know!
PS. I hesitated to publish this because I truly am grateful that I can be home with my son.
My Twice Baked Potato 
Every good thing has its down sides. I very clearly remember those days when the clock seemed to be moving in slow motion. Maybe just a few scheduled events throughout the week would help things to keep moving? -Amy
I’m sure you are right 🙂
I have a feeling that I have to get a bit more organized
My guess is that you actually are very organized, but maybe just a little worn out. Teaching is just as draining as it is rewarding (so is parenting, of course), and maybe you were more drained than you realized!
I don’t homeschool but summertime with my kids is like homeschooling and yes some days can drag especially because my DS7 wakes at 5:30 also full of energy. What helps me is to have a sitter come a few mornings a week for a few hours so that I can recharge my batteries. We also get out everyday, it doesn’t have to be anything coordinated just to the library, park or a favorite spot.
Wendi- You are so right! I have someone on Thursday mornings so that I can write or just go get coffee. It does help. I know that getting out makes a difference and will remind myself of that when planning the week 🙂
I read this blog (http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/) and the woman homeschools – while it’s not the main topic of her blog, she has discussed it & you may find some hints or inspiration if you search the archives. Her children don’t have the same needs/temperament as your son; but you may still find something that works for you. Good luck!
Thank you 🙂 I will look at it!
Ours are older….and Minecraft lovers (when we’re desperate for quiet time). Minecraft does feature several homeschool classes (which I haven’t personally tried).
There are also tons of educational apps and online sites. Seeing ones that work and ones that don’t in the classroom saves us time and with a teacher-eye, you’ll be able to choose ones where your son will actually learn and progress; not just keep busy.
The wonderful part of your adventure (as is mine), is that as a teacher, we know what we wish we could do to make our classrooms child-centered and a warm, learning atmosphere. Now, we actually get to do it!
Try not to worry. There will be days you’ll think about regretting your decision…those are fleeting moments and will pass. The days I think we’ll accomplish nothing are our most productive days.
I’m curious to hear about how you structure your days and your child’s learning! Relax and enjoy!
Thank you!
We have 8-9 “have tos” each day such as short chores, reading a chapter in our read aloud (currently, we love the Gregor the Overlander series), math and a couple of BrainPop videos on Science or Social Studies. He can pick the order of how he does these things, but they must be done.
I have a few science experiments that I try to incorporate and I try to go on a walk through our neighborhood each day.
I could add more Netflix movies or apps but trying to add more screen free activities and that it where I am met with the greatest resistance.
Your son sounds a lot like mine. 🙂 We signed him up for a morning science camp for the next couple of weeks and then there’s things that he has to get done…piano practice, math, short journal entry (he dislikes writing), and reading. Then we try to spend as much time outside as possible. But mine does not like being hot either. We try to do evening walks or bike rides when it is a little cooler outside.
Oh don’t get me started on writing! Mine tolerates creating things like Minecraft Tutoroals or power point slide shows but unless they have a real purpose, he hates it.
First, I think it’s wonderful you homeschool. So far, we’ve only been in programs with kids very similar to my son, so things like bullying and homework have not been an issue. But I’ll consider home schooling if need be. Regarding the schedule, I think it’s fine to have some free time – a lot of it, in fact. One of my favorite things is watching my son experience liminal moments in a sand box, while I sit down and watch. Water is good for that, too. I think those moments are just as important as the structured ones, in fact! My 2 cents!
Yes!! I love water play and would be out there more but my son is going through a bug thing. If we fill up a pool of bucket, it is only momentarily fun before something falls in.
I am pushing the walks and art and quieter activities in between our lessons and he pushes back with electronics 🙂
I never expected to be where we are and most days I grateful, some are longer.
Send him outside to play! Your job is not to fill every moment for him. Boredom is a wonderful teacher 😀