A Summary of my last week
October – Week 40
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.
My parents are still here and that has changed the dynamics of our day. We are thoroughly enjoying their visit – with lots of laughs and lots of time talking deep and meaningfuls.
I didn’t get to set any goals for last week – too busy talking!! – but there was plenty of learning going on.
Bible Study / Devotions – We are not being as diligent with our family devotions as I would have liked. It seems we get together on Monday and then the rest of the week slips away. Still trying!
We have changed our evening routine. At 7.30ish we gather the children in the lounge room and have a time of prayer. This is replacing praying at our children’s bedsides. I initially did this to break the habits of coming out for drinks, toilets etc after lights were turned off – a bad habit we seemed to have slid into. But there are greater benefits of sitting together this way. The children are praying, prayers that are reflective of their personal walk with Jesus, rather than goodnight routine prayers which were becoming a little rote. And yes, it has broken the habit of coming out after lights out!!
Must Do….
I did complete a little office work, and a few webpages but not enough. Still more paperwork to sift through – it is never ending!
Training up my children:
Relationships: The biggest area of training this last week was in being a “bigger” person – though I am sure there is a better word for it. You know the situation, there isn’t a right and there isn’t a wrong but someone has to be the “bigger person”. Someone has to decide that they are going to think of the other person first. This is always challenging.
Responsibilities: Nomi has made progress with following her morning routine chart. She still has areas to work on but the chart is in her mind first thing without prompting.
Talents: Grandma continued with the fabric dolls and we also had another scrapbooking session together. Daniel has been building – we collected a carful of empty cardboard boxes from the grocery store and he made a rocket which turned to a submarine which turned to a car. He is eyeing off some old bike wheels we have over in the shed – not sure about that! Daniel has wafted a bit this last week – I need to gather activities for him to work on.
Academics: I did envisage the kids spending 1-2 hours a day on academics (table time) while the grandparents were here but that just hasn’t happened. I’m not too worried about this as I can see the children learning from the family activities that are happening anyway.
Daniel – Daniel has asked for his phonics lessons again so we have been consistent with that. He is doing well though it is a slow road.
Nomi – I don’t think Nomi has had a very “academic” week. Her focus has definitely been elsewhere.
Jessica –Jess has updated her blog – learning html as she goes along. She has had a lot of fun this week with creating signs and changing her template.
Joshua – Joshua has been working on his Math and Science throughout the week.