Dear Mom, Bless your heart, dear one. To my mind your feelings of frustration and burn out may be due to your continuing with schooling throughout the summer months. I believe that the axiom 'all things in moderation' not only applies to the obvious choices of food etc. but to lifestyles as well. It is very important that children in particular see tasks as having a beginning and an ending. They lack the maturity to see beyond the work at hand. To explain: a small child sees year round school as a tedious task that has no ending. This mindset applies to their thinking that school is 'too long, too boring, and too much effort'. However I do want to add that some children do not mind summer school but the majority of young children will become easily frustrated and lack the motivation to continue in fervent efforts of study. One of the greatest advantages to the homeschooling lifestyle is the ability to work through learning difficulties at the pace which bests suits the child. Certainly the fundamentals of reading and comprehension are necessary in order to move forward with the assurance that the child is able to digest each new skill. To repeat a grade is not a failure in the sense of the word because to go forward without fully comprehending the material is the real failure. We fail to see learning as a process and instead are focusing upon what a child can not do. I would suggest that you repeat the areas of grade one that have not been mastered by your son. Take your time and assess your son's strengths and weaknesses owing to the desire to help him develop learning skills that will serve to help for his entire life. As far as exploring the option to place your son in public school or private school I think that this may be a response to the frustrations that you are experiencing at the time. If you truly believe through prayer that you are being called by the Lord into the homeschooling lifestyle then allow that the present difficulties are bumps in the road not a reason to abandon the path. Sit before the Blessed Sacrament and allow the power of Jesus' desire to guide and direct your efforts wash over you and comfort you. Pray with your husband and allow that the powerful sacramental graces of your union empower the two of you to make the correct choice for your family. Form a plan of action and remember to take things slowly at first. Identify the real priorities and then ask that Jesus empower you to move forward. I admire your desire to listen carefully to the needs of your son. You are correct in that that there is a certain amount of energy in the classroom experience however your son may be telling you through his actions and frustrations that he needs more playtime and more structured school time so that school is school and play is play. School time that feels like an all day affair is hard for a small child. Remember that play is also the work of children. Keep up your efforts and do not lose heart. God finds you worthy and holy for He has given you this lovely child. God will guide your parenting. Go to the Lord and seek His guidance. Let us prayer together for all the families that are suffering the effects of displacement one year after the tragedy of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Lord, we ask that all families find their comfort and shelter within Your tender embrace. Lord, allow that all may reach out and be Your messenger of hope during times of sorrow. Lord, we love You and long to see Your face. Sending out a prayer,
Rita Munn |
