September week4
Each week I stop and think what are my goals for this week. As I set the goals I try and keep in mind my philosophy of relationships first, then responsibilities and then academics therefore when I assess my week I must use the same benchmark. To be honest it is easy to set goals making relationships first, it is not so easy to look back and your week and not be stressed by the apparent lack of academics. This is where I have had to renew my mind of the definition of education, and build my understanding of discipleship as that is what I want in my family.
Having the Grandparents here is a bit of a relational distraction! But I wouldn’t replace it for anything!
I asked my older two what they had enjoyed the most with their grandparents first week. Josh knew straight away that it was the discussions that he has enjoyed the most. Josh and I then talked about some of the character isues of having a healthy “debate”. We need to have self control at all times, especially with our emotions and tone of voice – it is just a discussion with someone who loves me afterall! We need to be humble and not want the last word. We need to be flexible and allow ourselves to see things from a different perspective.
Jessica’s high was that they were here for her 13th birthday.
As for the goals I set last week
Bible Study / Devotions – we are all managing to find somewhere quiet and have our personal devotions though family devotions have been few and far between! Talking over breakfast is such a distraction! I will continue to work towards this goal of 8.00am Family Devotions.
We have had no structured table time which has also meant Character studies is not happening. Though of course there are plenty of opportunities to work on our character in our day to day situations. Obedience is always the first to slip when we have visitors – when you start to focus on the fun side of relationships then it is easy to slide. We had a little reminder talk and the kids have responded well. It was purely a matter of realigning everyone’s hearts back. When your visitors are only around for a day or two this slide doesn’t generally matter but when the visit lasts for 3 weeks then we can do better.
Must Do….Oh dear – so much for using the word “MUST” because it just hasn’t happened. I’ll be trying to get into the office today.
We have kept the house tidy with the basics routines – morning, lunch and late afternoon – happening every day. The house needs a few “spot fires” put out – mainly the kitchen table and all it’s paper piles.
Zones – Yay!!! I did a little ironing – compared to what needed to be done it was only a little amount but step by step I will conquerer!
Training up my children:
Relationships: Already mentioned areas of relationship training.
Responsibilities: Considering the amount of “free” time the children are getting we had an issue of Initiative. It is easy for the kids to do what they are told to and rush back to their game. I have encouraged them to show initiative though and go the extra mile. When asked to bring the washing in, the extra mile is to put it away. When asked to wash the car, the extra mile is to polish it. When asked to clean the bathroom sink, the extra mile is to tidy up the bathroom in general.
When Nomi wakes up the first thing I remind her of (after a cuddle) is her little chart. She works through her morning routine by following this chart. She is doing well, though it is not a habbit yet.
Interpersonal: The children are doing well with not over-lording it at the dinner table. Admittedly over the weekend – due to all the football finals – we did eat dispersed as a family (boys with the TV/football, girls with jigsaw puzzles and books in the family room, and Mum and I at the table talking!!)
Talents: I have spoken to Jess about some of the creative things she has dabbled in. She is without motivation for much creative at the moment and I want to try and help her over that. One of the things we have decided is that she is going to start a new scrapbook album and she can select current photos, which we will print specifically for her, though she needs to plan her pages. I will specifically teach her design and colour concepts as she goes along. We sat down and scrapped on Saturday. Both girls created very good pages.
Grandma has begun to show them how to make fabric dolls. The girls have chosen a very small doll so it will be a challenge to their machine sewing skills – which is good!
Daniel has wafted a bit this last week – I need to gather activities for him to work on.
Joshua has created platforms for his soldiers to help him in his strategic battle games he plays by himself. It was good to see him with a paintbrush in his hand as Joshua generally spends his recreational time more in the math areas of strategy games or reading.
Academics: I can’t say that we have reached the academic goals I set but once again as I let my kids relax and enjoy their childhood I do see academic areas being worked on and improved.
Daniel – A few months back the kids put stories in the Library Book Making Competition and they all received a reward of some level. Straight after Daniel finished making his book, he started on book 2 of the same series! Daniel can’t read or write so he draws pictures – he has the story in his head and he draws a series of pictures. This is hard work for Daniel and it takes him probably the best of two weeks. This week the pictures were all finished and he has been verbalizing the story to any one who will listen as he shows the corresponding pictures. I am in the process of typing the words for him and we will then bind it all together as another book.
Nomi– Nomi is itching for more challenging books to read. I have given her Stewart Little – and though it isn’t challenging reading it will be a good book to encourage her in her Reading Journal.
Jessica – Jess has continued her music practice – and though that is a talent we consider her daily practice as a part of her discipline studies. Jess has been blogging more frequently which gives her plenty of writing practice.
Joshua – One of the things I enjoy about a lifestyle of learning, about discipleship, is that there is learning going on regardless of what you are doing in your day. Joshua was struck with a concept during his personal devotions, he shared it with his grandmother who was reading a book on a similar thought so they discussed that for a while, he then came and shared it with me, who encouraged him to blog it.
Joshua has been diligent with working on his Math and Science throughout the week.
So though we haven’t had our structured table time there is opportunity throughout our day to be learning and improving our skills.
