Thursday, September 04, 2008


They've Driven Me.....

to Color Coded Charts again. ::snort:: I will eventually write about Tuesday and Wednesday.

I finally sat down last night and made a calendar with each family member (though I didn't input much of Mike's schedule) and all the outside activities that we are trying to do. Several things became obvious:

1. The old "one activity per person" rule is simply overwhelming this year.

2. There IS a reason I can't seem to fit a homeschool co-op in - I think we've created our own.

3. We are cutting WAY back - WAAAAAYYYY back!!!!

4. We're in danger of being so well socialized that we'll have no time for academics. (And to think that someone told my son, "homeschoolers have lots of time - they don't do anything." ::snort::)

Not to worry - this happens every year. There are so many WONDERFUL opportunities for homeschoolers to choose from these days that it is easy to bite off far more than I should. We end up sacrificing the style and tone of family LIFE (which includes school). This is our 19th or 20th year of homeschooling. I really need to figure that out because I think I'm close to earning some sort of tenure...and if this is our 20th year of schooling we really should do something amazing and out of the ordinary.....anyway....this is our 19th or 20th year of schooling, I've learned that our character, our tone, our time at HOME is far more important these days than running myself ragged to be at every "great opporunity". Great does not always equate to right or excellent for OUR family. ::snort:: Ohhhhh....I'm about to say it AGAIN! It's all about getting on my knees before God with Mike and figuring out what HE intends for us to do this year and saying NO to the rest of the activities.

I felt better after making the color coded calendar (after I figured out how to print it on ONE sheet instead of six). It helped me to see what could and could not be done. We'll have a family meeting and evalaute it further before the end of the weekend.

HEY - some of you may want a color coded family calendar so grab it and consider it another blogoversary freebie. LOL I found the spreadsheet idea in the files section of SHS....and added columns , activities, names and COLORS!!!

©2008 D.R.G.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

ok. I found an information here that i want to look for.

momma24 said...

Great schedule/routine! I am finding that I do better with a schedule written down. That way I don't have to rely on my memory, which is failing!

Michelle said...

De'Etta, I am right there with you on not running ragged with all the activities.

It's something I struggle with, moreso this year, because there are so many activities being offered to the children that are being gratuitously given.

Are there any activities that someone can come to your home to teach? That way you could work with another child or cook/bake, etc.? A friend of mine from church will be coming once a week to knit with the children. She's a retired school teacher who has a place in her heart for kids with special needs. Her children are grown and she gets lonely during the day. So she's helping us and we're ministering to her too. Just a thought...

Jodi @ SNAPPED said...

WOW!
We are entering our 7th year, and I feel like each year gets busier and busier with outside opportunites.

You have a lot of wisdom! How about penciling in some time on your calendar to write a book and share it all !

:)

Thanks for your sweet comments and support on my blog.

Have a wonderful day!
Jodi

Jodi said...

I like the color coded calendar. A good way to see what fits and what's insane!

momteacherfriend said...

I have been toying with the idea of charts for a week or so. I will have to check yours out.

Came by way of facebook. Enjoyed your blog.

Maree Johnson said...

Love the colour-coded chart idea!

I'll definitely head over and check out the files section.

Maree, Rotorua, NZ

Anonymous said...

SIS: Congrat's on being probably more qualified then some of the brand new teachers at this high school this year. :):):)

You and others like you who homeschool and do a good job as is shown via how our kids are doing, deserve diploma's and certification to teach etc.

You, my daughter, are amazing and so is you husband and kids!!! :):) Really!

class bell just rang so have to close.

l/p Mom T

Just me-Jerri said...

Love the idea...........as a Mom to three biologicals and a Foreign Exchange student.....I am always looking for an easier way to keep our schedules in order. Thanks!

Paula said...

I'm only in my first year of homeschooling and already I am overwhelmed by the opportunities that are out there. I have been doing a lot of praying for help in prioritizing my life and the ability to recognize and do the things that are most important--and let the others go.