I received some great news! Tomorrow I will play hooky and head to the coast for 3 days! We usually start school the Monday following Labor day weekend. Now Monday has come and gone and due to some business following our camping trip last weekend we were already starting late. My girls are old enough to dive into some of their curriculum without me but I won't have them do that. If we had only gone ahead with our first day there would be no problem. But truth be told, that first day is too important to just throw at them. We must have fun! Something crafty... something yummy... something out of the ordinary. Once we get that out of the way I have no guilt about setting them off on their own. So, we wait another week.
That's the beauty of home schooling. We can start when we want to, end when we want to and holiday when we want to. We set our goals and if it means hitting the books on a Saturday, or working a bit in the summer, it's worth it to have the flexibility of enjoying what comes along unexpectedly. The only guilt that I have is that it's just me going to play.
...I know... I'll bring them back some shells and sand (for making sand candles), some salt water taffy (delicious), and we'll take it all to the river (we should visit it more since it's just around the corner) when I get back. Something crafty, something yummy, and something out of the ordinary. Our first day of school. Whew, it's a good thing this trip came up. I don't know what I would have done. The things I do for my family...
Blessings, Debbie
Your are so right Debbie, that is the beauty of homeschool. I have had many lessons on a rainy Saturday! Go, enjoy and come back with lots of pictures. xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like I don't have to say, "Enjoy yourself, Debbie"! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourself!
ReplyDeleteenjoy your trip, sounds like your going to have fun!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! And, then tell us all about it! blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteDo have a wonderful trip, how lovely. If you have a moment, I would love to know what homeschooling curriculum you use. My emai is lindadawkins@mweb.co.za
ReplyDeletexo
Linda
Have a great trip:@)
ReplyDeleteFirst Do not feel guilty you so deserve this. Happy Mom's are better Mom's. Take this time and think of yourself for a change you will be amazed how you will feel and be after. Kick the guilt and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSecond I love that mug pic.
Oh I guess third Your family have been taught very well by their Mom they will be fine and probably love the shells you bring them back.
Have a great time. B
Have a fun trip. You are right, it is one of the beauties of homeschool.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the book in the second photo? The artwork is lovely, Little Women perhaps?
Have a fun and safe trip Debbie! A trip to the coast sounds like a fine thing indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou are so self sacrificing! What a Mom!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time!
Deanna
Yahoo! I hope you have a wonderful little get away!
ReplyDeleteLOVE saltwater taffy. Bring some home for Ratty, Mole, and Toad!
(BIG HUG!)
Have some fun for now and then seriously get to it.... JB
ReplyDeleteHave fun, Debbie - have fun!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time!
ReplyDeleteSurely your girls are OK with waiting a week more to start "real" schooling. And you just could not have done that spectacular first day you have planned without the supplies you are going to pick up on your trip...so, really, it is a working trip! teehee
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time!
I love the flexibility of home education, I'm sure your girls will do just as well starting their schooling a little later this year........enjoy your trip and knock that guilty feeling firmly on the head, lol. x
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, can't wait to see pictures
ReplyDeletePaula
Enjoy your beach trip!
ReplyDeleteThat is the beauty of home schooling. I think of the real life experiences my kids had to deal with and they did, like the year I had to fly to Oklahoma because of my Dad being sick and dying. I had to leave them here and they had to do school on their own and run the house and my youngest was just barely 5 and the oldest ones were able to do all of the household without me.
ReplyDeleteThat is when you know that God gave you such a incredible gift.
Yep, not for the fainthearted but always worth it. Have a blast at the beach!
Enjoy your trip, can't wait to hear about it when you return. It is a blessing to be flexible. xo,
ReplyDeleteit's a sacrifice you'll have to make. chin up! :)
ReplyDeleteThat was my favorite part of being homeschooled - We could change the plans if we wanted to. So glad you get to go! Have fun! :D
ReplyDeleteMe too! I LOVE homeschooling! For so many reasons actually...including the flexibility that you are benefiting from today (and tomorrow). I'm glad you're not missing an opportunity for sand and sea. Autumn is sometimes the best time for the seashore. Have a wonderful time of relaxation and rest and restoration!
ReplyDeleteAnd...shhhhhh...the outdoor autumn decorating that I didn't tell you about? Well, just between you and me (and the people who read your comments, I suppose), those were pics from other years...so you're really not behind after all! Yay! :-D
P.S. I did do my indoor fall decorating over the weekend, and hope to buy some mums and pumpkins this week...
Oh, this is why I love homeschooling so much. It is so flexible and it shifts the focus to what is truly important in life. Have a great time! I wish I was coming with you! =D
ReplyDeleteJust read a comment you made over at Tanna's and loved it. Thought I'd check out your blog. Hope you are having a great time. Sandie
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Enjoy your get-away! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful, guilt free time.x
ReplyDeleteHave a fun safe trip :)
ReplyDeleteWish you a wonderful trip! I love to read about homeschooling and I am so sad that it is not allowed here in Germany... but we currently think about to move elsewhere...we will look what God brings us..
ReplyDeleteWarmly
JenMuna
Dear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYay, and boo hoo (yay that you get a vacation, and boo hoo that you can't be at home at the same time)! You have such beautiful girls; it is nice when they're big enough to do the work independently, isn't it?
You are blessed to be close to the sea. We're about as far as we can get here in Missouri! :)
Love,
Marqueta
Have fun Debbie and don't worry about things at home. Make the most of it and everything will be waiting when you get back. Not that you need to be told by me of course! Hugs maa
ReplyDeleteI am just like you about "first days". It just needs to be special. I love the fact that you can be flexible without MAN MADE constraints.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great time at the shore.
You just have a great time!!! As I look back over 23 years of home schooling one of my biggest mistakes was not taking time out for me to play...it would have helped so much on the burn out and in that way my kids would have benefited so much.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your freedom in home schooling...I am missing that with one in school...it is so different, but it is also sooooooooooooo right...God is so faithful.
I can't wait to see those pictures from your trip and all the fun of your "first" day of school.
Have a good trip. Never feel guilty. Parents take their kids out of public and private schools all the time for vacations, and they don't bother to make up what their kids missed! (and I know you are going on your own this time, but believe me, teachers seem to always have off!) love,andrea
ReplyDeleteI hope you had lots of fun !! Clarice
ReplyDelete