I've been ill for a while and can't seem to get motivated and jump back into school. I need to mentally prepare and excite my mind! How do you all get out your funks? I'm desperate so any tips are warmly welcomed! :lol:
New books! And new toys to play with for science I'm also starting something new with art, and something new with music this year that I think is going to be fun for all of us. It doesn't hurt that my 7yo dd is constantly asking if we can start school now I also have new supplies coming or to buy for myself: a new chalkboard to set up, some posters to make. I love paper shuffling, so even getting the schedules ready is exciting for me. Not sure if any of that helps you, but that really is what is exciting for me right now The kids have spent all afternoon and evening playing with our new prism... and our sci unit on that doesn't start for months LOL
I'm with Meghan. Getting the bookcases organized with the new curriculum, making schedules, and buying supplies all gets me excited to begin the new year. My almost 7 year old is asking for school to start, too. She's eyeing all the new stuff, too! I know what you mean, though. The last 3 years I felt really overwhemed about alot of things (we'd lost our home, had to move away, lost job) and I could not get going mentally. As for tips, I really don't have any. Just don't give up! My husband kept telling me that-Don't give up! This year I feel much better and am out of my long funk. I actually feel excited to start on the 15th.
Same here! Supplies and books excite me. I totally sympathize with how you feel. I have been dealing with chronic illness and pain along with so many other things over the years. Some days just getting out of bed is a battle won. If I get discouraged, a break and re-thinking about WHY I am doing what I am doing helps. :wink: I don't know if you are still dealing with illness or if it is something that is past, but having a back-up plan is a good idea for bad days. Simple work that can be done with little parent involvement is be a life saver when things are down.
Thanks for the tips. My illness is ongoing with surgery in the future. I really need to set things up for my kids to work without me, but Ive never done that so I don't even know where to begin! Any ideas on independent work?
This thread could've been started by me. We have had some significant illness issues the last 6 to 8 mos. I am just now feeling like I can get my head wrapped around school. One thing I am doing is taking it slow. I am in the organizing process right but it has been slow and steady. I do have some lesson plans done and others are in the works. I am also working on making things more kid and mom friendly. Been getting the kids involved in that process. I am making "schedules" for the next 6 weeks and see how that goes. I don't want the kids to have to depend on me for too much. I have been looking online for ideas and found some great ones. I don't want to stress this year. Things will get done. I just have to work around the bad days, which I hope will be farther and fewer between.
I have not been ill but am worn out between not having a car to use and trying to get back to normal after camps, whatever normal is. I too need to get motivated> Today I looked at the 'school desk' and thought, YUCK I have to get going through all this-- Problem is I can't do anything with any of it cause I have no way to get to the Library to pay my over due fine ( Not sure how that happened but they say we lost a book so paying for a book) Trying to get motivated by visiting the spot cause usually I can get inspired while trying to help someone else. So hoping today I will sort books, and clean up school stuff.. find a way to get to sorting through what ds will work with for first year of HIgh School and figure our time schedule... I get excited about what other people are doing-- so share what you are doing this year and we can all get inspired to do more! Maybe we can help one another?
what ages are you kids? That will help, then the box system seems to work independent working. Or having pockets to find work lists or pages in, etc.
I think it would depend on the ages of your children and what they need more help with. For us, handwriting, math practice (not new math), reading, and writing can all be tailored to be done with little help from me if I'm not up to it. Workbook style curriculum helps with that as well: CLE, ACE, Lifepac, etc.... My kids love to go on educational web sites as well. Numbernut, Starfall, MathABC, etc... If you need to be in bed or resting in a chair, you can still read books and be there to guide while they are working independently. For instance, when my son was working last winter I would show him which books he needed to work on, and he would come ask for direction or help when needed. I saved science, history, new math, difficult topics for days when I felt better. Personally, I feel it is good for kids to work on their own at least some of the time. So don't feed bad if you can't participate and lead each activity. It is good for them to learn some self-direction and work a little more at trying to figure things out on their own. :wink:
Motivation can elude me for very long periods of time. I heard someone speak once about the difference between motivation and discipline. Motivation gives me the will to start something important, but it fizzles out rather quickly. When something is routine, you have to learn discipline. It's a constant battle. This woman was asked how she kept motivated through a large weight loss and her simple answer was, "I didn't!". She said that she just did it anyway. I can't tell you how that comment revolutionized things for me. I'm seldom motivated, but since I've made the choice to do something, I just do it anyway. It works for me for most things *except* exercising, lol!
