This Is How We Homeschool

Homeschooling just isn't for us.  But we had to do it to see that.  I love the freedom that comes with homeschooling but organizing, planning and executing is hard.  I secretly wish we were wealthy so Duke could have a private teacher because I'm dreading sending him back to public school next year.
I haven't been feeling myself lately and it is just harder giving him my 100% attention with a baby around.  Granted, I'm probably giving him more attention than he would get in a class with 29 others but still... I feel guilty.

A typical day for us starts off by laying around in bed with a crawling super baby.  We line the perimeter with pillows and blankets.  After an hour, I lay a blanket on the floor in the living room and border it with pillows and blankets.  That keeps Omie busy while I teach Duke.  We work on English and Math.  Then retreat back to our bed where Duke reads to us.  Duke and I have lunch and then it's Social Studies and Science.

Some days we watch movies and discuss it.  Other days Duke will build with Lego or create amazing tracks with Thomas & Friends.  He really loves our field trips - everything counts as learning.  That's the best thing about homeschooling - you can turn a trip to the grocery store into a lesson.  My favorite way to teach Math is taking Lego minifigs and showing him how to add and subtract.  He's an ace at English and really loves Social Studies.  He is thriving.  

Life is a lesson.  

Make it fun!  

 
Duke lost his first tooth - He was so excited to get 2 quarters from the Tooth Fairy

Some days we go to the park...

Omie giving brother kisses.  Love when he does this, so precious!

Duke was worried about our New York friends during Superstorm Sandy.  He was lucky enough to facetime Gabo before it hit.

Duke is a great sport when Destructobaby is on the loose

Homeschooling Gets Real. Really Real.

Homeschool was supposed to start last Monday but that didn't happen.  I was in New Orleans from the 23rd-26th and honestly, needed a week to get back into the groove.  This is our first year of homeschooling, Duke attended Kindergarten and we just didn't feel comfortable sending him back for 1st grade when I would be home bonding with Omar (among other things that happened during the school year.)

Homeschooling is overwhelming.  It is not easy.  It is nothing like I thought it would be.  We're slowly getting into our routine, experimenting everyday to see what works for us.  Thank goodness for the flexbility of the program!  If you like your free time and sanity, homeschooling isn't for you.  You need an abundance of patience.  Which I'm finding out I'm short on this week.  Too bad I can't just walk into a store and buy me some patience!

The problem is that my overbearing, possessive 6 year old wants to be a helicopter parent to our 4 month old.  The line in Omar's Huggies diaper barely turns blue and he's yelling at me to change his diaper.  Omar loves just hanging out in his crib but Duke will yell at me, "Mom! Omar is up!"  My child is on my ass about his baby brother!   Majority of today's lessons were spent in mine and C's bed because Duke wanted to be with Omar.  I didn't mind one bit.  It was actually a good idea because Duke read to Omar and Omar enjoyed time spent with his brother and I.  I loved it.  Today's vocabulary word is: cozy.  Duke said cozy is warm and comfy.    

I need to stop feeling overwhelmed with Homeschooling.  And stop feeling scared I might be doing something wrong.  Yes it's a lot of work but we parents are our children's first teachers.  I just need to keep telling myself that.