Status Report

How are you all doing out there?

I have to admit, I am having my moments. Let's call them "Covid moments." Where you suddenly need to cry or take a walk or find yourself screaming about something that really isn't that big of a deal.

Some of this is really tough.

Our menus and our homeschooling have continued. (If anyone wants ideas, please let me know. I can share what we've been doing.) We have relaxed some things since the school is sending home activities. And we are not by any means "rigid" in any of our approaches here. My preschooler is the one who really seems to fall off the wagon lately mostly because after I'm done with the older three, I don't have much time or energy left. If he gets a book or a game or something online that's educational and some outside time, I'm calling that good enough for now. Sometimes, somethings gotta give.

Mostly, I'm enjoying time at home not rushing around to our crazy schedules and spending it with the people I love the most. I mean, everything I "need" is right here, minus my extended family, who I miss.

But I also miss my friends. My kids miss their friends. And it's so easy to get caught up in all the headlines. My goodness, I think the devil is having a hay day with this and we're letting him. Fear can do that, I guess.

Besides worrying about the virus, not for myself but for other family members. I worry about what affects this is having on my kids. The older ones get some socialization through video games. But the younger ones don't get to see their friends. And my youngest knows all about the c-o-r-o-n-a-v-i-r-u-s. (That's how he says it.) And may be come a giant germaphobe and scared of human interaction if this continues much longer.

I try to give my worry to God and know he's in control. And that showing grace to everyone is what we need right now, including myself when I fail at preschool homeschooling. ;)

Hope you are all hanging in there!

An Oldie But a Goodie- Kitchen Warrior

Found this in the archives and thought it might help some of those who are cooking up a storm during this time.

Homeschooling

This homeschooling thing has hit me hard here in this house. Whoa. Trying to make lesson plans for four different aged children is a real thing. Hopefully this week will be better than last.

My kids have been pretty cooperative, which is good since they don't want to get sent to the principal's office. :) They have commented that it makes the day go faster, so that makes me feel good that I'm helping them.

It makes my work time a little bit of a mess, however, since I have four kids asking me questions about every second. So I have been trying to work more after "school" is over and at night. I am lucky that my work is flexible enough that it can be done when needed (unless I'm pushing a deadline). And for that I'm grateful. I know many of you are not in the same boat.

Does anyone else feel more busy now than they were previously? I swear I barely have one second of time in the day! I mean, the evenings are free, sometimes, when I'm not working. But I feel swamped!

Here is what we did for our first week of homeschooling. I am trying not to make it too hard but somehow keep their minds working. We all did the same workouts, lifeskills (the preschooler does what he can) and Friday we mixed it up a little and we all did the same lessons, just to keep us motivated. The kids have done a really good job on their chores. But it's week two. We'll see if it continues.

If you have any great suggestions, please shoot them over. There's a reason I don't normally do this. Ha!

We can do this!

Happy homeschooling!