We've had a super start! I don't know how everyone else's transition went ..this might be completely normal... But I'm overjoyed to have had a smooth start ...they knew since October that this would be their last year in PS. The girls were super impatient ... Especially the oldest! My son was good with it until the last month of school and the teachers started asking about summer plans and moves...he's my " whatever other people think I think too" and it drives me insane. He hasn't thought twice about it since summer started (THANK HEAVEN!) They decided they wanted to do a chat at the end of each day..so we've been doing that...it's actually pretty cool...they say what they liked most about the day or what they learned ...with giggles and silliness and then we're done. I write what they said on our "board" so their dad can see it...I'm just LOVING this moment!!
YAY! Treasure these days, because EVERYbody has "that day" once in awhile where it didn't pay to get out of bed....
Hey Butterfly, awesome enthusiasm! So nice that you're sharing part of your kid's school day with Dad...Dads need that! They really do feel more left out than they lead on, and it's a wonderful way to keep family close and involved with each other. Love it! Congrats on your first week Enjoy!
We had sort of a similar tradition...where at dinner, we'd each tell about the best and worst parts of our day Was really cool, cause we each would have a chance to vent a little and celebrate a little with each other. Kept us feeling close and supportive. Good stuff!
I'm avoiding the "worst part of your day"...this is a work in progress...I have enough on my plate than to worry about how to make it PERFECT for them. LIFE isn't PERFECT..but if you focus on the good...the bad won't take over and bring you down. So for now..we only say what we loved. Besides...what they wouldn't like is getting in trouble for doing something they shouldn't have in the first place...and in the words of Sweet Brown "ain't nobody got time for that!!"
No...perfect...is not the goal. You're dead right that life isn't perfect. Wow, are you right! LOL. We talk about the worst parts...because it's a great way to communicate feelings and events that might not get discussed otherwise. And I think it kinda builds empathy for each other. Dad might say....The worst part of my day was getting stuck doing an emergency repair instead of being home like I said I would. I might say....The worst part of my day was getting angry at everyone because I'm really sad my mom's health is worse. Elle might say...The worst part of my day was a big fight I got in with my boyfriend, and kinda taking it out on mom when I snapped at her over the laundry. I dunno...I think it gives perspective. Helps you to understand where each other are coming from, and helps you to be supportive because you have more information that you might not have gotten otherwise. I think it helps people to listen to each other. Might not work for everyone, but we've used this to open some really important discussions over the years. Even in the little kid years... I remember Elle, at six or so, saying...the worst part of my day was when no one listened to me about the water leaking in the basement. I'm little. I'm not blind. LOL. Was a big wake up call that she was growing up and trying to be helpful...and that we really did need to work on listening to her, too. Would have saved us a heck of a bill with the carpet cleaners! Sometimes talking about the bad stuff doesn't bring you down. Sometimes it actually makes you feel better?
Oh for sure CrazyMom...as a general rule in our house the children are always encouraged to speak openly and honestly ...with respect of course. Respect in our house looks very different than a lot of other homes...for instance we were raised calling our patents by their first name I know I know... But it worked and continues to work.so my kids call me by mine. A lot of people would consider that disrespectful..here it's not. Children are just young people ...I don't believe in children should be seen and not heard... Or talking AT them instead of WITH them...I like to know their reasoning process..why they did the crazy thing they did...most times they had a clear thought...but lacked the ability to properly execute it...and other times (the times they get disciplined ) they did it out of sheer spite or total disregard for the consequences. We aren't focusing on the negative of our homeschooling day at the moment because none of us know what we're doing... Lol... They can add the negatives when they can also provide a positive solution
