I personally am not the most structured person. Unfortunately for me, I don't think structure is optional for the kids. Pondering the plethora of age levels living under my roof and all the stages of development going on, from dreaming of retirement, to not quite potty trained and all the teenage behavior in between, is pushing the envelope with me to insist on calendars and more routine in the house. I thought it was good enough to simply get done what we could get done but am realizing how there is only one of me and that the older kiddos need to learn how to use a calendar and take more responsibility for their own lives.
I cannot begin to explain the dragging of feet and their blaming me for not knowing what they can do next in their home educated journey or in helping around the house. Helping is not an option either. I have visions of faces coming at me asking me questions in my not so distant past. I am going to attempt to have calendar, goal making meetings weekly and try to make it fun. That lovely phrase in probably all parenting/teacher books is that kids like to know what is expected of them. Even though I feel I have given them what is expected, I suppose it is too wishy washy for them and black and white check lists will help. I will have to have a fight with my own 'laid back' self to persevere with this.
Extinguishing whining will be a whole different goal but not really. I think I am going to have them track their whining on the calendar to see how that is going for them. Can I do this???? Hopefully. Stay tuned. Perhaps I will have my blog keep me more accountable on this one......
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