Our lives seem to be particularly erratic these days. We are homeschooling, trying to get some semblance of a routine, but that hasn’t happened yet. I keep thinking it will, any time now… Each morning I wake up with a plan, fully intending for it to be put into action and assume everything will fall into place. I’ve thought this since the end of May when we pulled Emma from her school. At a certain point I may realize my plans will not be realized, at a certain point I may even stop making them, but I’m not there yet.
Meanwhile I’m trying to figure it out. How is this going to work? Why hasn’t the ceramics studio, where I’m hoping to get Emma pottery lessons, returned my calls? What about swimming? I’ve totally dropped the ball on setting up swimming lessons. Then I spin off into a reverie about the word Schwimmen, which we’ve recently learned is the German word for swimming and why it is that in German all nouns are capitalized, and the stress mounts.
My latest brilliant idea is that yoga is the answer. I hate yoga. An emoticon does not exist for the expression on my face when I think of yoga. I am old enough to remember when yoga was a thing back in the 70’s. Perhaps this was my first mistake, thinking this latest craze would be similar. As I have an inexplicable dislike for yoga it made perfect sense that I would go online to see if I could find yoga for the Wii. Some things are better done in private I reasoned. The only DVD I didn’t already own was more than fifty dollars. No, I thought. This is not the answer. And then I had to have a serious talk with myself. This is a pattern for me. Looking for answers to things I already have the answer to. Yoga is out, redialing that pottery studio for Emma is in… Wish me luck.
Emma's Hope Book 
Why are you studying German?? Have you tried Rosetta Stone? I think I have the disks….Languages are hard unless you live in the country where that’s the only language you hear, or you are child, as I was, and grew up speaking 2 languages. Of course I’m so used to it that I think all nouns should be capitalized! It’s so much easier to pick them out in a sentence.
Mom/Granma
Emma asked to learn German. I kid you not. I asked her several times if she was sure, of all the languages she could choose, this was the one. She typed – Yes, please.
So we did a little investigating and settled on Rosetta’s Stone and purchased it back in the end of May, beginning of June. Choosing the correct photographs is perfect and her accuracy is well over 80%.
I love that all nouns are capitalized, personally!
I did German first too.
After German, all languages are easy.
Well, if this is at all helpful….most summer classes are winding down, and fall stuff hasn’t started up yet. This time of year is sort of…in flux. I’d say August is the least structured month of the year with things concerning classes and lessons. My prediction is that things will settle in in September. The school year will start up (even though Emma will not be attending), fall activities will start, and you will fall into a routine. Wishing you luck!
Thanks Beth. I think you’re correct. For now we are winging it…
I uunderstand the desire to yoga at home, I went to a yoga studio when I was in my 20’s. I had yoga for my wii it is for the Wii fit I dont have it anymore but it is great and easy to use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsP2kvYMLMM go take a look at it 🙂
I totally relate to all of this, A. I’m sure thousands more can, too, though many are too “up to their eyeballs” in it to stop and respond! ( I made myself, because I love you!)
It is true this is the worst month of the year to try to reel things in, (except of course, December), though it seems many decisions are required to made now. :/. (We are defying the laws of sanity and still have not decided which school Lex will attend! If that’s any comfort)
The good news is that you are doing the best you can with what you have. Right now and always. Ultimately you must find peace in that. I know Emma does.
Inhale. Exhale. Smile. Your love eminates from your peace.
Lots of love,
Wendy
On my phone so I can’t access the hearts and emoticons or I’d send you a whole string of hearts! PS loved the photos from Syracuse
One of the many arguments with myself against homeschooling..as my ADHD presents a challenge just limping by as it is. I guess we shall see when the time comes…one more year. In the meantime i almost laughed at the last team meeting when the owner/director assured me i had to do nothing when it came time for transition besides show up for a meeting…um no. I’m not sure who she thinks this parent has been for the last 2 1/2 yrs but not the one she refers to lol. I will be visiting the school, observing the self contained class just in case that is recommended, I will be studying the law, finding out what the usual IEP suggestions are for kids like E, asking questions about AAC use in the classroom etc.,..they should know me better than that by now lol.
I should have mentioned my median state is one of stress, it’s just a matter of how in the red I get. Homeschooling has taken me out of high alert in the red and now I languish in the far more preferable color of orange!
I hesitate to suggest.. . meditation? Instead of yoga? Honestly, I expect Emma already does some form of meditation but maybe together 🙂
I find it impossible to create a routine in the summer, every day is different! Hope you find your groove in the next few weeks, I believe you will. Emma is doing so beautifully!
A wise person once told me, “no real work gets done in the summer.” Also, pffffft, you are a total yogi – you practice devotion. And by intently watching the waves of your mind as you move through this life and see/hear truth where others do not – you practice beautifully. When you communicate like you do you teach union – mind/body. If you want to add some postures to the wonderful work you are already doing, may I recommend http://gretchensherman.com/ Tell her I sent you. Also http://www.samchaseyoga.com/ Also if you ever want some suggestions of postures email me and I would be happy to send some ideas. Start with this: Sit down, close your eyes, relax your shoulders and jaw, and breathe deeply. Take five deep breaths. Notice what comes up – what you see, hear, feel in body and emotion. Yep that’s yoga. Pretzel body not required (but can be fun if that’s what you want to play with). ❤ (Yep I'm a yoga teacher =).
The fact that you teach yoga and did not take offense at my declarations makes me far more curious about the links you so thoughtfully included, than had you insisted I go do a downward dog somewhere. Such a great example of being nice and kind and thoughtful in the face of an opposing opinion! (Something I struggle with). Thanks for being such a great example of gentle nudges… (Insert grinning emoticon and hearts)
<3!
I laughed reading your post today, thanks.
I have done home school with Katrina and in a way I am doing it now, since I am her only direct support professional and we spend six hours/day 4 days a week with me doing one on one supervision and coaching. The best thing about Home school is that you are the master of your day, and you can be flexible. Most of the moms I knew that home schooled their kids, spent about 2 or 3 hours on academics and the rest of the day was spent on experiential enrichment. In regular school you have lots of interruptions for announcements, switching classes collecting lunch money etc. In Home school you can focus on the job at hand. Also life experience is valuable. Having to take your car in to get the tires rotated is both interesting and boring, but it’s real life, and it’s got to be done. A yoga routine that is easy and fun is the Five Tibetan Rites. There are free videos, and the routine takes 10 to 20 minutes. There are only five easy exercises and they are weight bearing on every bone in your body. They also stimulate the lymphatic system and help to detox your body. Emma is soaking everything up by osmosis. Trust her. Mostly relax and have fun. That’s the whole point of home school 🙂
I’ve not heard of the Five Tibetan Rites, but I like the name. Will look into it. PS Your example of having the tires rotated, as appealing as that sounded, reminded me of why I’m so grateful we no longer own a car, I know that wasn’t the point (I loved the larger point!) but it made me smile all the same.
(((Ariane))) Gads! I love you!!
I just had to say that!!
I soooo get this!
H just found a foot long section of I-beam at a junk store to use as an anvil. That part of his self-directed ‘curriculum’… and I have to sometimes (okay- often) remind myself to step back. Homeschooling is awesome – but I feel so “responsible” and if I don’t keep myself in check – I can easily slide into eyeing as desirable the exact crap we are trying to avoid.
So I kinda feel like ‘winging it’ maybe should be called ‘being responsive to the learner and giving room for self-direction and self-care…’
But I do so struggle with this ❤
“… if I don’t keep myself in check – I can easily slide into eyeing as desirable the exact crap we are trying to avoid.” Oh thank you for this reminder… yup, I think that’s part of the problem. Will step back from this thinking and reexamine. XXX
Great Wisdom
Thanks for the reminder to all of us.
This might not make much sense, but when it comes to homeschooling, I’ve found the best approach for us is to wait for the pattern to present itself and to have broad goals instead of set in concrete plans. The best laid plans of mice and men don’t really belong to home learning. The rhythm of the days… it flows naturally without trying to direct it.
and after a time, a routine falls into place
-autistic momma homeschooling 5, three on the spectrum.
Your current blog Ariane reminds me very much of the internal arguments I carry on with myself almost constantly. Is this something we all do I wonder or a great many of us at least? I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember and I’ve always attributed it to being an only child with no siblings to bounce ideas off of. Wishing you luck with the pottery studio.
I think Emma has a rhythm all of her own, and everything will fall perfectly in place as you go along. Good luck!
I remember yoga from the ’70’s too, and can’t help but shudder when I see people carrying their little mats with them.
I often find myself wondering what will my son like, what will he do that he connects to and wants to do again. I don’t know if it’s similar to the yoga vs. pottery choice.
Is having someone else teach some things at all doable?
I worry if it all falls to you that the stress will mount.
Love this – it could literally be our house – right down to trying yoga with H. Replace German with ASL and it’s eerily similar. I will be in the city at the end of the month to move Liv into Fordham.. Will call with dates to see if you’re in town . Xoxo
I hope the pottery works! Keep us posted. 🙂
Rosetta stone, for the ipad version for touch screen, is amazing. Worth a try. For the ipad you have to buy a subscription.