Getting to know you...

I planned on easing into homeschooling so that the boys would get used to me teaching and seeing me as "teacher" and not just "Mom". Turns out I need just as much time getting used to them! Their learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses are all as individual as the boys themselves. I thought I knew them but I know them as my boys, not as students. I knew Max loves math problems but didn't know he has a hard time writing his numbers. I knew Ben has a great imagination but not that he hates creative writing. I knew Cole was a slow and steady kind of guy but not that my desire to stay "on schedule" would make that so frustrating for me! So we are all getting to know each other.

The one thing I did know is that boys love to dawdle...and day dream... and procrastinate... and side track. I did not know the extent to which Ben has used the public school day (ie clock watching!) to his advantage. He will wriggle and sharpen his pencil and get a drink and ask questions and and AND until time is up and he doesn't have to finish things he doesn't like or isn't in the mood for. Poor lad is starting to learn that one of the CONS in homeschooling is that Mom has all the time in the world.  Math isn't over because the clock says so, it's over when you're done.  Dawdling is starting to have real world consequences for him.  Ones that an 8 year old boy cares about!  Getting done late means you cut into your free play. It means you don't get to play on the computer. Making Mom repeat herself and keep you on task means you don't get your Xbox controller back when the school day is over. This is going to be one of our biggest challenges for sure!

I do see lots of the hurdles I expected already popping up. I see where I need to tighten rules and expectations; where to add rewards and incentives and where I need to change rights into privileges. I know that like any other major changes to the way you parent or run your household things could get worse before they get better. Hopefully I can keep that in mind and keep my sanity. I pray that if I remain consistent in our destination and  flexible on the road(s) we take to get there our journey will be fun and rewarding for all of us.