Contemplating the ways that homeschooling has changed for me over the years, and why I might not be feeling the same enthusiasm for educating my little boys that I did when my oldest boys were small, I realize that lately, I’ve eliminated most of the fun. When our schedule gets really full, I pare things down to just the “necessary” for the sake of time. Homeschooling becomes less and less inspired, and more a series of boxes that I try to check off in an effort to get what is deemed the most important finished. I think this is one of the ways that I get burned out. Homeschooling feels like a chore that needs to be dealt with and we are all affected. It’s not fun for me or them. And winter weather just exaggerates everything. There’s no moving the school day to a quilt in the grass, or spending hours in the woods.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to bring some fun back into our days and to find ways to make learning a more creative endeavor. To encourage writing, I remember purchasing little lined blank books for Seth and Keats. The books had lined space to write and open space to draw. The boys loved them, but they were so quickly consumed that continuing to purchase them didn’t make sense financially. Recently, it occurred to me that it would be pretty simple to make my own using a template for the lined paper and sewing simple cardstock covered books. You can find basic instructions in this post from many years ago (and here’s another way to bind the books if you don’t have a sewing machine), and you can download my simple template for the blank book. It is designed for double-sided printing so that the pages are lined on both sides. If you don’t have access to a printer that prints two-sided pages, just print page one and create books with less lined pages, and more space for drawing. The spacing is similar to what I remember the blank books I purchased having (with younger children in mind), but you could easily create a page with smaller spacing for older children, as Beatrix requested that I do next. I sewed a stack of them and my little boys have been writing all sorts of stories.
The candlemaking project was one I meant to do before Candlemas, but didn’t. Rolled beeswax candles are simple for even the youngest children to make. I buy kits from Sunflower Candles (I’ve also purchased their Advent candle making kits several times over the years.) All of my younger children loved making these and they are lined up on the mantle now, waiting to be lit at special times.
We had a very short-lived snow last week. We woke to snow covering the ground one morning, with more falling. The forecast for the following day had a high in the 60s. It was easy to drop all school work and spend most of the day playing outside, especially since the snow canceled all the day’s activities! I am gaining a new appreciation for snow.
I’m still trying to find rhythm and inspiration for our homeschooling days, while also accepting that this might not be the year! It may be that I don’t find a good rhythm with my younger children until our schedule simplifies late this spring. In fact, I just came up with what might be a good idea. While my older kids have a break, maybe Silas and Job will have summer school, and I’ll be more available to create a consistent and fun daily routine. In the meantime, we’ll keep reading good books, and I’ll sew another stack of blank books for them to write in (and keep encouraging Silas to do pages in his math workbook). Next year, the older kids can drive themselves, and maybe the summer routine will carry into the fall. But, I better not get ahead of myself. One day at a time….
p.s. The quilt was my fortieth birthday gift to myself. It was made by my friend Sara, someone I have long followed online. She makes quits by hand using fabric she dyes with natural dyes. This quilt was the first she offered for sale, and it reminds me of New Mexico, a place where a bit of my heart resides. The rust brown reminds me of the mountains and the turquoise of the jewelry that I’ve always loved. The quilt sat folded on a shelf in my closet for over a year, as I waited for the walls to get painted and for Jonny to make a quilt hanger for me. He used a cherry log that was salvaged from our previous property and created the perfect hanger just last week. Our living room has a vaulted ceiling, which is quite the opposite of the very low ceilings in our previous home’s living room. I’ve had a hard time feeling cozy here. The quilt on the wall was just what it needed. Between it and a few photos I recently hung, it’s finally starting to feel like home.
Karen Trefzger says
Gorgeous quilt, and your children playing in the snow look lovely!
I homeschooled my kids from birth until they went to college…but I only had two, and they’re only 3 years apart. I’m sure I would have felt overwhelmed and a little burned out if I had several more children a decade younger who still needed my time and input in their education. You’re doing a great job, Ginny. Take heart.
And happy 40th birthday!
Erin H says
Yep, I soo relate! in our 21st year of homeschooling and it just doesn’t look the same as when we started out. Trying to refind our fun too
Summer says
I too have lots of children at homeschooling this year – high school to preschool. I’d like to second the recommendation to check out “The Good and The Beautiful.” It has made a tremendous difference in our school days. I truly love it! I too miss the days of crafts and creative schooling when I had only littles, so this curriculum has been a balm to our days and my mommy heart. I love your photos and blog. In Christ, Summer
Loretta says
Ginny, I always found February to be the hardest month to homeschool because the weather can be so gloomy and dark. What a good idea to incorporate more fun. I am so impressed that your little boys enjoy writing stories as my boys disliked writing so much. Your little books are a wonderful idea and will be so fun for you to read when they are older.
My homeschooling days are long over, but I so enjoy reading your blog and enjoying your photography.
Blessings to you.
Leslie says
That quilt really talks.
And I’d love to hear more about the bunny resting in the basket.
I didn’t homeschool and admire the courage and dedication of mothers who have taken on the challenge.
I’ve followed you for a long time.
You feel like a friend.
karen says
the quilt is beautiful!! The home made books are a great idea to bring ‘fun’ back into learning.
Nicola says
I only have three children and I found it hard to be as enthusiastic about things the third time around so I can only imagine how you are feeling. I think it is natural to feel a bit burnt out at times and I think you are on the right track in looking at ways to bring the fun back. I think you are an amazing mom!
Susan Plant says
Your house looks very homely to me. A very happy home.
Marilyn says
Those candles are so pretty. The children look like they are admiring them and all the different colors.
Marilyn
Marion says
Mabel sure looks like she is having a good time in the snow. She is a regular snow bunny.
Marion
Joan says
Ginny that quilt is beautiful. Enjoy.
Joan
Tisha Friesen says
I can relate to the loss of fun as homeschooling years pass ( I think this is our 16th year homeschooling with 18 more years ahead of us). I always let the creative stuff go first but there is a loss of joy with this. With my younger children I also tend to shy away from things that seemed like failures when my older children experienced them, but why?
Beautiful quilt! Is your husband going to make any more quilt hangers to sell? It is difficult to find nice quilt hangers. I would love, love, love one for my living room.
Martha says
I love this idea of making little books for them to fill. My children will love this! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. And your quilt + family picture canvases look perfect in your space.
Kim says
Have you seen “The Good and the Beautiful” language arts curriculum? We’ve just switched to it and have been very much enjoying it.
High ceilings are a wonderful blessing to have! Things to make it more cozy might be: house plants, a rug, “cheerful lights” – tiny white incandescent mass lights, or just simply more natural elements – maybe just some pretty flowers? I think it looks beautiful like it is. I love natural wood. (Not to say that I don’t love paint, too, ha!)
Cassidy says
The candle making kit is such a good idea! I just purchased one from the shop you recommended since we have a birthday coming up and I think it would be a fun festive activity. Thank you for a great idea!
Theresa Boedeker says
I so feel what you are saying here. Often the first thing to go from our routine is fun. We must make time for it for us and our children. One of the reasons I home schooled was to instill a joy and fun of learning. But if I am not careful it can be the first thing out the door.
Dawn Harris says
I have to admit that sometimes I am guilty of doing the fun stuff and letting the more “serious” stuff fall off. But, finding the balance is a life-long pursuit and one that will not end when my boys are grown. I agree wet and rainy winters can make it harder to find the joy in our home schools. I rejoice when it snows and we have had plenty to play in this year, thank goodness. But, the daffodils poking their heads out of the ground tells me that the days of quilts on the grass and splashing in the creek are coming. We also found a large amount of frog eggs in our pond a week or so ago. Signs of new life everywhere make me ready for changes, too. Peace and Blessings!
Emily says
That quilt is GORGEOUS! And I love the bunny! I almost thought it was real for a second!
My current place has vaulted ceilings and you’re right, it’s hard to get cozy, ESPECIALLY In my bedroom. I can’t wait to get to my new place (two weeks!) where I won’t have the insanely high ceilings and it will be much more Hobbit-hole-ish. When I take the Hogwarts Sorting Quiz, I’m always a Hufflepuff, and their dormitory is half-underground, so it seems like wanting to be snugged in and cozy is part of my DNA. 🙂
Laura M says
The quilt IS beautiful and I’m obssesed with the rabbit!!!!!!
Cathy says
Oh, Ginny, your home is just lovely. When we are older and our nest is empty( as mine is), I dream of having books, socks….just about anything showing signs of my kidlets. Seeing the scattered books on the floor in your home, made me reminisce of days gone by….reading…….reading. Just lovely! Ty. Cath??????