The homeschooling blues

Emily(14) and Aubry(3)

It is that time of the year again! The time of year when, although I am glad that school is winding down, I feel disappointed at what we have accomplished: too many textbooks and worksheets, too little time spent reading and learning together!

I have an ideal image of what our homeschool could look like: my kids and myself, armed with field guides, sketchbooks and bug nets, traipsing around outside, learning about bugs, trees, animals, or whatever comes our way. Or all of us snuggled on the couch reading a great story together.

But too often (almost all of the time!) I get stuck in the "gotta get it done" trap. I take the easy path and do worksheets. Now, I believe that worksheets and textbooks have a place in learning, I just KNOW there is so much more!

Summertime is always a time for me to regroup and gear up for the next school year. I am going to try AGAIN to implement some more reading time and projects together. (Honestly, the reading time is more of a priority to me than the projects!) I think I just need a better plan.

I am curious how some of you do this! How elaborate are your plans, or do you just wing it? Do you spend time each day doing projects/reading, and if so how much?

I know that I expect too much of myself, but I don't want to give up on my ideals just because I am not naturally inclined towards those things! I want to pursue the things that God has placed on my heart and the things that are best for my kids!