home pre-schooling is a no go
I haven't fallen off the planet. I've just been busy, sleepy, and uncomfortable and dear Keely has been deeeeeemanding. That last part isn't new, but I just have to drop off other things like blogging/photographing/crafting so I can use what little energy reserves I have to parent her as nice as I can. I find when my thoughts/interests are in too many places I really stop being the kind of parent I want to be…so I have to let go of my own selfish hobbies/activities. It's just how I work. AND there is another babe on the way, so we see where all this is headed, ay? What will become of this blog? Anyway.
I have been considering homeschooling Keely for many, many reasons. However, I didn't know if we'd work together well in that way or if I could stick with it and not slack off. I thought I'd try some light homeschooling for pre-school this year and see how that went and then make my decision next year.
Well, I've tried and it's gone pretty poorly. Not at all how I had envisioned it. Granted, it's not the best time for me. I'm tired, impatient, and huge. My girl is smart, bossy, and a perfectionist. Example 1- I sit down with a "lesson" (I use that term lightly.) planned and start showing her and she stops me and tells me what we are going to do instead. She goes and gets different supplies-some for me, some for her and then she starts "teaching" me. I just sit there confused at what I should do. She is charming, but this isn't what I was going for. Example 2- She has taught herself how to write the whole alphabet (among a million other things) but S's she couldn't get. I start to show her some ways of practicing them and she tries one time, messes it up, crumbles the paper, throws her pencil, and screams in frustration. She says she's not doing it ever again and runs off. I leave her alone for a few minutes and then I see her on her dry erase board practicing S's. I sneak away. She comes to find me and says, "Come look." I go and she has mastered the S. Perfect S's all over her board. Alrighty. I'm not needed basically. We've seen this over and over again. She teaches herself whatever she wants/needs to know. She doesn't want anyone teaching her, sitting there telling her to do something this way. She usually gets interested in something, asks us for some guidance/input we give it ONLY when she asks and that's pretty much it. Unsolicitied advice is NOT wanted. Boy, does she get mad. She works on her missions on her own until she "gets" it. Hmmm. Ryan said, "Don't stress about it. I think you can take the year off."
24 Comments October 16, 2007
