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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter Oct. 2003
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dear Readers,
We are back to school everything is going
perfectly! Well, that’s a nice thought, isn’t it? But it
simply isn’t true. We have already had to make some
adjustments to our schedule and curriculum (the kids really
did not like the American Government I chose for them, and
I guess I couldn’t blame them). We’ve had to ‘fess up’
that Algebra is harder than we thought it would be and
we’ve had to make decisions about extra-curricular
activities that we just can’t seem to fit into the
schedule. But all of this is OK! It’s all part of the
process of the great adventure of homeschooling. If you
can relate, please read on for some ideas and tips for when
your homeschooling isn’t going perfectly.
Blessings on your day,
Charmaine
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*** Idea ***
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Most of us start the school year with great plans and high
hopes but it often doesn’t take very long to realize that
we just don’t live in a perfect homeschooling world.
Are any of the following true for you?
- Your children don’t like the curriculum.
- You don’t like the curriculum.
- Your meticulous scheduling isn’t working out very well.
- There too many interruptions during the day.
- You’re already feeling isolated and cooped up.
- The house is getting messier by the day.
- You are irritable and overreacting to minor issues.
If you see yourself in any (or all!) of the above
scenarios, don’t despair. Read on for some ideas to help
you move beyond these road blocks.
1.Be flexible.
If something isn't working, be willing to try something
different. If there are tears or tensions on either side,
put aside whatever you are working on and take a breather.
Try playing a game, reading aloud from a funny book or
going to the park. Remember why you are homeschooling!
This is a whole-life experience and if you stop for one day
it is not going to ruin any child’s life.
2.Limit scheduled activities.
When the schedule starts feeling overwhelmingly full, you
have the power to control it. Homeschool moms have a
tendency to schedule way too many activities both inside
and outside the home. Look over your schedule carefully
and decide what is really necessary. Say no to the ‘good
things’ so you can say yes to the ‘great things.’
3.Get support.
Get Dad involved (but you’re going to have to TELL him that
you need his support and help; he’s not likely to just pick
up on it).
Join and attend your local Homeschool Support Group. No
group in your area? Join an on-line support group or a
telephone support group. www.yahoogroups.com has many
homeschool related email groups. If you’d rather hear some
warm human voices, then join my monthly telephone support
group (see Current Events and Programs below).
4.Change your teaching style or curriculum.
If the curriculum isn’t working, give yourself permission
to stop using it. Mary Pride suggests asking yourself: "Am
I overdoing it? Am I making simple subjects too fancy? What
can I eliminate? Do I need to be doing this at all? Is my
child not ready for this subject? Should I give it a rest?
Are there other worthwhile things we would like to study or
do and come back to this later?"
5.Engage everyone in the household chores.
Don’t do everything yourself! Take time every day to train
the children to pick up their rooms, do simply chores and
keep the house in a general state of order. It is well
worth the time and energy it takes to get this part of your
homeschool life organized.
For more ideas on these topics see the following
Elijah Co. article:
http://www.elijahco.com/help/articles/hsburn.htm
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*** Tip ***
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When motherhood, homeschooling or life in general is
overwhelming, stop and simplify. So often when we see
problems in our life, our tendency is to try and do a major
overhaul. Take some good advice from Charlotte Mason:
implement only one new habit or idea at a time. With
focus, diligence and consistency you will soon see
improvement in this one area and you will not feel
overwhelmed by trying to change too many things at once.
When the new habit is solid in your life, go ahead and move
on to another one….but JUST ONE. Success in changing
habits depends on setting one small goal at a time and
achieving it.
To read more about "the one habit at a time” concept see
the following websites:
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/frugal/habit.html
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011231c.cfm
Learn how you can receive personal, one-on-one help to
make significant changes. Visit my website at:
http://www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** What’s New? ***
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Contest *Winner*
Last month I ran a contest for 3 Fr*ee coaching sessions.
And the *winner* is....! Jan Ford. Congratulations, Jan!
New Contest:
I'd love to hear about your favorite homeschool holiday
traditions. Email me with your best holiday ideas and
traditions and be entered into a drawing for 3 fr*ee
coaching sessions!
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** Current Events and Programs ***
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Please join us for:
Fr*ee Homeschool Moms Support Telegroup:
Join us to discuss your homeschooling challenges, ask
question*s, give and get support and encouragement from
other like-minded homeschooling moms.
We will meet by telephone for a one hour session on:
The first Tues. night of each month
(next meeting is Tues.Oct 7,)
8:00 p.m. Eastern time (7:00 p.m. CT, 6:00 p.m. MT, 5:00
p.m. PT)
If you’ve not been on a conference call, the idea may seem
a little strange and intimidating. Don’t let it scare you!
I have taken many classes and been involved in several
tele-groups and it’s actually quite easy and lots of fun
and you can even show up in your ‘jammies!’ Join us!
You must register for this fr*ee telegroup. Please email
me with your request to register at:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
I will then email you back with all necessary information.
The only cost to you will be the long distance charges for
the call.
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has homeschooled her own two children
since birth. As they enter their 12th year of
homeschooling, she is turning her attention to helping
other homeschool moms.
Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling
moms create their unique style and design routines that
include "recess time" for the teacher!
You are invited to try a complimentary no-obligation
telephone coaching session.
You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much can be
accomplished in just one session!
Simply send an email to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com and ask for a
FR*EE SAMPLE COACHING SESSION.
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*** Testimony ***
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"Charmaine has really helped me. She has given me
direction in several areas. For instance, the need to
have first time obedience from our children, what's
important for my son to study in 3rd grade, how I can help
him enjoy read-alouds more and what type of books he might
enjoy. She’s given me good book suggestions.
Charmaine lets you talk and then repeats back to you what
you have said and helps you see things you didn't see
before and where you might need to rethink something. She
does all this in a nice way. I found her very helpful."
Diane S.
Gravette, Arkansas
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*** Quote of the Month ***
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"We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to
it."
Winnie the Pooh
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***The Small Print ***
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If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward
it to everyone you know!!! Thanks!
Not signed up to receive this newsletter?
Just go to www.victorycoaching.citymax.com and look for:
“Subscribe Homeschool Tips”.
Honoring Your Privacy:
Your privacy is completely and utterly protected.
I will not sell or give away your name or
email. You have my word on it!
If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter:
please send an email with the word ‘unsubscribe’
in the subject line to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
I would love to hear from you! But please do not reply to
this newsletter. It is sent out automatically and I will
not receive your reply. Instead, send your comments and
ideas for future issues to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
Homeschooling Ideas and Tips
Copyright 2003, Victory Coaching
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of Homeschooling Ideas and Tips
may be forwarded in full without special permission
provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full
attribution and copyright notice are given. For other
purposes, please contact
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** In Our Next Issue ***
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Homeschooler’s Favorite Holiday Traditions
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