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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

We’re getting ready for the new homeschooling year here at Earnest Parenting.

Okay, let’s see.  What’s our progress on the todo list?

Books ordered – check

Supplies purchased – check

Calendar ready – check

Positive attitudes in play – nope.  uncheck

This morning The Mercenary asked me if we could have a half day our first day of school, “just like all the other kids”.  Ooooooh, I didn’t like that.  The request was made in a whiny voice, which didn’t help.  TechnoBoy has been griping and displaying the angry eyebrows for a couple of days as well, especially in reference to the large pile of schoolbooks that is waiting on the counter.

Sigh.

I just don’t comprehend why they hate it so much.  We could have such a good time, we really could.  Already the younger boys have asked if they could do their school work and have been slightly apprehensive but cooperative and proud when we did a little work early.

The older boys just don’t seem to accept the notion that their purpose in life is to work.  At something.  Somewhere.  Right now, that’s school and contributing to family.  I told them that this morning, adding that it’s up to them to decide where they’ll be working when they’re adults.  But they are expected to contribute something to the betterment of the world.

I don’t mean they have to save the planet, and I’ve explained that in detail.  We expect them to do their best at whatever is before them.  They have rarely made any such effort when it comes to learning.  And trust me, I’ve tried every strategy, trick, gimmick, and approach I’ve ever learned in my years of working with children.  After 8 years of teaching the behaviorally disordered, you’d think I have some clue how to motivate children to learn.

Granted, they’ve gotten slightly better each year.  And I’m very grateful for that.  I think this year in particular I’m sensitive to the garbage attitudes because of the younger boys.  I do NOT want to repeat any of this experience.  Once is enough, thank you.  The younger ones have already learned many more skills by this age than the older ones so I’m hoping that trend will hold.

I’m also hoping that having the older ones help with the younger ones will reinforce any lessons they’ve lost or refused to learn in the first place.  Hubby and I have also pledged to have private reading time with the older ones in the evenings where the boys read to us.  I’m hoping that will help them learn to at least enjoy reading.  Right now it’s something that is avoided.  Of course, this means that the TV and computer are going to be turned off.  They won’t like that too well.  That’ll work in my favor in the long run, because they can earn screen time by completing their work.

So.  Pleasant, positive attitudes and everyone’s best effort is now the order of the day.  I’m thinking about making a huge banner to hang up to remind us all.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who struggle with homeschooling.