As often seems to happen life doesn't pan out the way it does through our rosey coloured glasses. Most blogs or homeschooling articles I read always paint such idealic picture of perfect homeschool days where everything gets done and the kids are eager to learn. Very few are brave enough to be honest about what some days are really like. I find the honest articles much more reassuring and confidence building.
I anticipated jumping back into homeschooling with lots of great materials for the boys. I thought they would be eager to get back into a routine again. I had great hopes for having lessons planned out and ready to go. Instead my 40+ year old eyes had other ideas. I need reading glasses and the drug store ones don't cut it anymore. Sadly, I have found that the computer is somewhere in no man's land where neither reading glasses or my regular glasses help at all. I sit hunched to close to the computer trying to find just the right point where the letters look clear. I find that more than 10 minutes on the computer or 20 in a book leaves me with twitchy eyes and sometimes headaches that last for the rest of the day. Of course insurance is not going to cover new glasses to early but we will bite the bullet so that I can do lesson planning without eye strain and headaches. I will get my eyes checked on Thursday. I am so looking forward to new lenses (likely progressives) so that I can get down to work.
We woke the first day of school last week to learn that Andrew had a migraine and would not be up to anything. Josh had a hearing test booked for that first afternoon as well so we were out for that. Somehow our first day wasn't filled with the sense of accomplishment I was hoping for. I had work planned out even it if wasn't the full course load but it just didn't all get done.
The next day I was sure would be better. It might have gotten off to a better start if I had a stick of dynamite to blast my eldest up out of bed. I was lest wondering what had happened to the confident, independent young man that came home from Ask and Imagine. He seems to have gone on vacation and left a grumpy teenager in his place. By Wednesday night I was feeling so discouraged. How will we get through the school year if I have to fight every step of the way? Do I have the energy for it? If I don't how will my sons get a high school education?
Thursday I sat down with the boys and we talked about how things were going and my frustration level. I heard complaints about homework!?! They had only had 3 days of school! I reminded them that they weren't even up to a full course load yet. I reminded them that as they reached high grade levels my expectations were changing. I was expecting more. I assured them that others at this stage of their education had many expectations as well.
Friday came with a bit of a change in attitude and a better effort being made. I was pleased to see work on homework that night. Saturday morning I was delighted to see the boys finish their assignments before getting together with friends.
Today Josh woke up with a sinus infection and cycled fevers all day. I had him in to the doctor's office and pthen picked up his prescription. Andrew woke up with his back all locked and a migraine. I continued to work on his back throughout the day but still don't see much improvement.
This week may end up being a lesson about patience. I will have to wait and see what the day brings tomorrow.
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