I feel as though I just can't wrap my head around all of this. What am I suppose to be doing? I have an 9,8 and 6 yr old that I am schooling. ALso in the house are a 4,2 and 1 yr old. I tried to plan on Sunday and sat there for 3 hours and couldn't tell you anything that we are suppose to be doing. I feel so dumb that I can't seem to grasp this. We have basically just been reading the reccomended books. I can't even figure out how to put the lapbooks together as there is no instruction on the cd. Please help...

Hi--as a newby too I feel your pain. We started out doing what you're saying (I am schooling a 15, 11 and 7 yo). As for me, inputting the reading assignments were all that I could handle doing, along with all the other components of our schooling. We are in week 3 now (we stretched week 2 over two weeks b/c my dh had emergency surgery) and I am just now adding some of the "extra" stuff. I don't think there is anything wrong with starting out slow and adding as you can. As long as the kids are reading/being read to, they are learning SOMETHING, and the rest will come along.

This is my 1st yr too, and we're in Y2U1 wk 4. We are just starting to add the "extras" and I've decided that that has to be okay. Maybe I've reached that pt. b/c this is my 8th yr. hschooling. The 1st couple of wks we didn't get much accomplished. I keep remembering stories I've heard of families where, for whatever reason (health issues, a move, a new baby, etc.) they haven't had much "school", yet the parents were amazed at how much their children had learned. Be encouraged that God will do His work in our children, sometimes in spite of us. Eph. 3:13-21

I am a first-timer as well schooling a 10, 8, 7, & 4yo with a 2 & 1 year old adding some spice on the side...I am in week 8, and I began by spreading weeks one and two over two weeks each so that we didn't have to feel rushed, and I could relax and adjust as well. We are finally into a groove, and absolutely loving it! Let me encourage you with one thing - with TOG once we get into a groove, we will transition seemlessly from one year to the next, since they are set up the same. So, as you establish your system, organize your notebooks, remember you won't have to reinvent the wheel each year. God bless you, and give you peace and clarity so that you will know exactly what you need to do.

Be encouraged!

And remember to take time celebrate the small things in your heart. Some examples:

Are your children enjoying their studies? Was there 1 book that delighted them?
Commenting about something? or Making connections?
Continuing beyond the prescribed "school time" in an activity?
Laughing and joking using terms and concepts learned?
Having fun doing projects? Working together?

For me, these are the real indicators of success - not a check mark in a column. They are getting more than you realize and you are creating memories that can never be taken away.

It is so easy to end the week wishing you did X or Y or Z, but what you did do was sufficient. I do get encouragement from those more experienced who regularly remind me that we can't do it all.

I wish you much peace as you find your unique groove and rhythm.
educaring