Just Breathe!

I have to remind myself to do that quite often lately. I have been feeling so overwhelmed with everything. I have to take stock and decide what is important to me and my family, and the rest must fall by the wayside.

School and my children's education took a fall during the holidays. It got over taken by the demands of holidays, outside activities and family obligations. Therefore, I have focused my attention on making sure that I feel their education is foremost in my priorities right now.

To do that I have become more organized and focused upon the subjects I deem important. I have a homeschool planner that contains everything I need in one 3 ring binder. It was well worth the time putting it together. I plan on adding sections as needed to suit my needs.

I also need to determine which extra curricular activities are actually beneficial to our needs and discontinue the rest. Right now our commitments are just a few but one has become very taxing on my time, patience and energy.

TT's only commitment is Boy Scouts. In the beginning this seemed like the perfect outlet for him to explore the outdoors and other activities. However, it has not turned out to be as we hoped. Not much learning occurs in these meeting and outings. I and my son have been disappointed in the educational part of Boy Scouting. TT being homeschooled has not helped matters. He does not share the same attitudes of many of the public schooled boys in the group. I am also on the committee of the troup. My feelings on this are ones I do not feel like sharing at this time. Yet, I will just say it has not been anything like I thought it would be.

Poogie's commitments are not very taxing. The only one I will discontinue next year will be Daisy Scouts. Unless, we find a homeschool troop of Brownies we will not continue. I would like her to spend time with other children who share the homeschool lifestyle. And that goes ditto for me. I have nothing in common with the other moms in her group.

My hubby and I have just about decided to spend our money allowing the children to explore their passions. TT would rather take art and guitar lessons than Boys Scouts and Poogie wants to continue her ballet lessons and add voice. She loves, loves, loves to sing. She has even began to "write" her own songs. So next school year this is where our focus will lie.

Finally, I hope to also find time to take care of myself. Since beginning this homeschool journey my needs have been tossed aside. That was fine for a while. I now know that my short temper and feelings of anger at times are linked my need for self pampering. I want to work more on my physical health and mental well being. How, I will accomplish this is an ongoing search.