Today was day 1 of home educating and it went swimmingly well. Of course, yes, it is only day one and there are bound to be many challenges ahead, but I was kind of expecting we would have a challenging day based on how my son handles change, but not only were both children keen and enthusiastic to “home school”, we also got a lot done. I’ll do a proper home educating post soon, but typically in a day my son (when at school) managed to get 1 piece of school work done, and my daughter completed about 3 pieces of work in a whole 7 hr day at school. All the other children in their classes get between 5 and 9 pieces of work done, and today, they both got 8 pieces of work done each and are now tucked away happily at a one hour community art program with four other children. I’m getting a blog post done, making dinner and then dashing to pick them up!
FYI for any parent out there with children with ADD or ADHD, or if you suspect your child may have it {I’ve been receiving comments and emails about it}, please get a copy of “Raising Your Right-Brained Child in a Left-Brained World” from the library, or purchase one if it is in your budget. I’m not finished reading it yet and when I do I will give it its own blog post, but it is really worth a read to help both understand your child and unlock their potential!
Back to today…
I was off work {I’ll answer the work comments once I do the home educating post} and let me just say how much easier it was. I decided we need to stick to a routine so made sure everyone was up on time, but we sailed through not only our day, but things on our list, had healthy meals and were not tempted to spend. A win-win-win for sure. And tonight, while there is the time crunch of finishing the community art program and bedtime, plus I promised my daughter she could practice typing, I was able to actually think to get a wonderful squash dish (gifted to us by the godparents) out of the freezer and add some warm veggies and rolls.
Tonight I’m going to plan out our meals for the week. I’ve decided I don’t want to go grocery shopping until the weekend, which will make the $49.96 have lasted for 10 days. So I need to get planning as to what we will eat and make sure everyone will have a minimum of 3 fruits and 3 veg a day, as well as protein and carbs. After that I plan to organize my desk area, as well as do something to connect as a family, maybe a walk in the snow, or a few games.
And do you know what the ultimate blessing is tonight? No homework!!!! I am certainly breathing easier! And I’m sure almost every parent out there knows exactly what I mean. For children like my children with a host of special needs, attention challenges and poor fine motor skills, the writing and concentration work required with homework means it takes them triple to quadruple the time of more typically developing children and there is nothing worse than greeting two little children at the end of the day, when everyone is tired and just needs to be together, and having to spend two hours on homework.
Temptations to spend today? Nothing. Progress! 
.Woohoo. Love a positive report. Cherrie
Will def look out the book – it will be really helpful – thanks !! Sounds like today was amazing x
Yay for a good day! I am very much looking forward to your home educating post! Keep up the good work. I have another no spending day. I think perhaps I will keep track of how many no spending days I have this month. I have so many different “areas of improvement” in my life at the moment that I think I need to concentrate on one at a time. This month I am concentrating on healthy eating. Funny though…one sort of follows the other. By concentrating on healthy eating, I am not hitting up the coffee shop, which is saving calories and money. Same with going out to lunch everyday. And I am also saving time…I am no longer stopping on the way to the office, saving 10 minutes or so!
Congrats for being off to a good start!!
I am enjoying the daily post and if you think no one is taking heed …..wrong. Today at the supermarket I was double checking……..” need or want?”……I could hear your posts echoing in my head LOL!!!. So thankyou I am back on track saving money by only buying what I need
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Sounds like you are doing a great job as a Mum!!!! I have a right brained adult son who has ADD although as he has grown into adulthood it has got easier. But I completely understand your challenges with your son. Change is not something they cope with well and routine is great for them. I homeschooled in the end too, it was so much easier on everyone.
And finally I am inspired by you to set weekly goals too. Simplified into easier segments I achieve much more. Thanks for being a great inspiration and a great role model as a Mum
Wow, Adrienne
Thank you for such a lovely comment and the encouraging words. You’ve made my day start well!
Blessings.
p.s. I’m glad your son is doing so well!
Here, here….
If FT had not posted about her children and their learning styles, I would still be going round in circles with my daughter and not been inspired to do something about it. Ironically I have tested as right brained, so it’s no wonder she may have the same. My beautiful, funny, musically, thespian orientated girl is having her first private singing lessons tonight! I suddenly feel hopeful for the future for our family. X
Mum of three you are completely describing a right brained child – my son sounds just like your daughter!
Well done for your girl! I’m sure she will shine!!!
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I will also look out the book too. Thanks for the recommendation! I will be VERY interested to hear how the home educating goes. Best of luck!
Is this the book? http://www.amazon.ca/Raising-Left-Brain-Child-Right-Brain-World/dp/1590306503 or is there another one similarly named?
Hi Connie, no another one similar named. I’ve put the info in today’s post. Thanks for asking!!
Congratulations on a great first day of home schooling! Gotta love the no homework routine!
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