Homeschool Memoirs #26: Fan the Flame

This week over at The Homeschool Post the theme is fanning the flame of waning motivation. Boy, does this topic ever come at a great time! Only yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed, behind, frustrated, and tired. Then, as I read the others entries on this topic, I realized I wasn't the only one who goes through this during this time of year.

I've gotten some great ideas from the others who posted on this topic. Thanks! Here are some things we are doing to get through it.

1. Re-organize! One thing I can't stand is to see papers lying around in piles where they don't belong. I tend to get distracted at times and so I don't always watch and make sure they put their school work in their binders. The shelves become a mess and it drives me up the wall!

2. Take some time and step away. I usually like to take up to a week if I need it. The girls get a winter break and I get some time to re-evaluate what we're doing, where we're going, and if I think they need further help on anything.

3. Give them something fun to do. We do a lot of textbook work so having something different and fun to do breaks up the monotony for them. I may drag out our art books and they can create anything they want, or buy some canvases and they can paint with oils...today, we're growing crystals!

4. Have a moms day. This is something I adamantly do every month with the moms in my homeschool group. We are with our children day in and day out, 24/7 and we must take some time for ourselves, even without our spouses. It really helps me to get other views from other moms who homeschool and see how they do it. There's always something I can learn or do differently.

So - basically, there's nothing spectacular here....at least until the Calgon lady comes. ;)