For one reason or another, you've pulled your child out of school. You're all a-quiver with the excitement (and terror) of the responsibility you've taken upon yourself. You may have family or friends telling you it won't work. You feel the pressure- the NEED- to jump in and PROVE you CAN do it! You...
The little darlin's you're bound to cram with education on the other hand, keep spitting it back in your face! What happened?! When did these precious children become so HORRID?! Was it you? Should they go back to school? Is this homeschool experiment just a failure??
Your children have spent the past _____ years of their lives in a place that drained them of everything but the dregs of what was inside them. They suddenly find themselves at home, where they always went to decompress, to be filled back up, and YOU. You're taking instead. You're demanding, you're draining. You stopped being their ally and started acting like the problem they just got away from...
So, what do you do? Detox. A child emptied repeatedly of everything but the dregs has nothing to give you. Take some time off... As much as they need. Have fun. Play together, watch great movies, share great books, listen to great music, think great thoughts. Go on nature walks and field trips, draw, paint, garden, take an art or pottery class together, learn ballroom dancing, go fishing or hunting, watch an air show or ANYTHING they love (or might love that they've never been exposed to before!) And when you've poured all of yourself into them your love, your joy, your strength and energy and life till they are filled again with their own joy and love and life again, THEN start learning- together. Because homeschooling isn't about cramming their heads with information. It's about enjoying the flavors of life together!
For how long? How do you know... You'll just know. It's like labor all over again (but without the drugs) You'll just know! :)
BTW. Psst... this is my all time favorite place to listen to FREE great audiobooks! Librivox