Andrea’s note: I find this article by Laura Bankston of HomeschoolingLibrary.com to be incredibly timely right now during the holiday season when we are all rushing about to get as much done as possible and can easily fall short of our own impossible standards.  This is especially true of the single mom, but the article gives excellent advice for married homeschooling moms, too!

I know this Mom.  She homeschools her 5 children, plus she tutors several other children that are dropped off at her house.  AND she’s a Pastor’s wife.  AND she’s working on fixing up the fixer-upper they just moved into.  Whenever I’ve been in her house, it’s been immaculate.  Her children all have perfect manners.  They all seem to be way ahead of their grade level.   She’s definitely gotta be a Homeschool Super Mom.

You’re probably thinking of someone like this too, right?  Someone that made you think, “Man, my son isn’t reading as well as hers.” or “My house isn’t as clean as hers.”  Or a million other things.

And you probably discovered her when you were new to homeschooling.  When you were already feeling uncertain in your new endeavors.  You were already putting high expectations on yourself.  You were constantly analyzing to be sure you were doing everything right.  And as a result, you tend to be a little over-sensitive about what other’s are accomplishing around you without giving enough credit to yourself.

So, it’s really important that you remember (as a new homeschooler or a seasoned one) these basic principles that we all so easily forget.

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I got this from my newsletter for Florida homeschoolers, and it seems like a great resource.  I completely agree with her that it’s important to introduce chemistry and physics in the lower grades so they don’t seem so scary and alien in the upper grades! Her approach sounds really fun, and bi-weekly – how painless could that be? Here is the original email:

I am starting a free series of lessons on the elements of the periodic
table. I strongly believe in introducing it early to children with a table
on the wall and beginning to show them and teach them about the elements. It
is what their world is made of. It teaches them not to fear science or to
feel like Chemistry is a “harder” science. That way they don’t grow up to
fear it. It will feel normal to them. I also help teach parents how it works
so you won’t fear it either.

The lessons will be in the form of a newsletter that will come twice a
month. Each one will cover one element on the table with the history of its
discovery, facts about it and information for the advanced learner. They are
made to apply to ALL ages. Plus I include anecdotes and jokes that are
common in the chemistry field or that pertain to that element. Each
installment also has ideas for presenting it to your children and links for
further reading and information about all sorts of topics, some about
discoverers and some humorous. This is my passion and I want to share it
with everyone…

You can use this link:

http://www.howtoteachscience.com/newslettersignup.html

Bless you and may you be increased continually in your work!

Thanks,

Teresa Bondora