Well, the general consensus at the meeting was that avoiding burnout is far easier than dealing with it once it has set in. Here are some ideas that were discussed:
*It's important to keep expectations reasonable, and to remember that kids can learn things very quickly when they're both ready and interested.
*Keeping a housework routine with the kids helping with age-appropriate tasks can help keep you sane. Breakthrough Parenting was mentioned as a book with lists of age-appropriate tasks for children to help you get started. I bet Google has some good ideas on that, too. Consider approaching chores as a learning activity - "Here's what you get to learn to do this year, because you're old enough now!" Your children may enjoy checking things off as they learn them, and gain some confidence on the way.
*If you have pre-school aged children, perhaps giving them their own coloring books or other "workbooks" will help keep them occupied when you're working with an older child. Special toys that are only for playing with while Mom is working with a sibling can be helpful, too.
If things haven't been working as you'd like and you're actually getting burned out, a nice quote to consider was shared: "How long would you walk with a pebble in your shoe?" One of the greatest strengths of homeschooling is that you don't have to just continue on with a process that isn't working. There are more resources than you could possibly evaluate and try, so if what you're doing isn't working, try something else! Take a "library vacation" and spend days in the library looking for inspiration. Get outside and clear your minds. Reevaluate why you want your child to acquire a particular skill at this particular time. Talk to other moms (shameless plug - come to a SLHE meeting!). It's always reassuring to find that you're not alone (and you never are!).
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