Ugh, my seven year old, (actually both my children) are giving me major ‘tude when it comes to doing their school work. Not at the start of the day, but when something comes up that is complicated, or looks like a big work load. I am sure this behaviour is no different for many school children in the history of the world, I remember feeling the same way as a child with the same lessons. An example of one would be looking up the meanings of my spelling words in the dictionary. The difference is, when Mom is the teacher, my children feel it is OK to whine about being “overworked” and to attempt to find ways to have Mom do their work for them. I am pulling my hair out.
As the school year progresses, getting back into the routine will help, but a secret between you and me (do not tell my kids) that homeschooling can be as much hard work on Mom as it is on the kids.
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I’ve homeschooled for 6 yrs now and here’s a few things I’ve found that helps with ds and his complaints about the workload.
Do everything in 30 min intrevals with 10-20 min inbetween. It makes our day a little longer, but gives ds (and mom) the needed breaks.
Don’t make them do every single item. What I mean is if there are 20 problems have them only do 10. Or if they have proved they “know” the material, just move on instead of doing every lesson.
Don’t do every activity for a lesson…if the child can get it in one, why do 3? Most currics. have too much listed anyway.
If a written answer is required let them do it orally instead, spelling test outloud instead of writing.
If they are reading outloud, but still not well, read every other sentance for them. They will still learn to read and you model the proper way to “read”.
Don’t worry about getting “behind”. There is no such thing in homeschooling when you do it at the pace of the child. Take it from me, I’ve learned the hard way.
Julie W in AR
Thank you for the good tips.:)
Your welcome.
Doing just a litle less (and taking the above advice from more experianced hslers) has taken ds from the child who was surprised each day “what?….school AGAIN!!!! waaaaaa I don’t wanna do school!!!” as if we had never done it before to one (who still does not want to do school) who gets it done without being a drama queen about it.
Julie W in AR