Monday and Tuesday we did the basics for school. I have been really struggling with CC#1 not being very motivated to do her work. I give her certain assignments that I can't do for her. She has to do it. I can't and won't give in and make it easy for her. (I'm stubborn, I guess) I can understand the tedium to some of the work. I can understand her resistance but I feel a need to be persistent.
I prayed about what I could do to help her and received and an answer. The solution that came to me was that since she is always asking "when is snack? when can I go outside? I need a break!" then I will make her in control of when she gets to do those things and other "fun things."
I made a checklist that she gets to monitor and check off as she goes. Today I gave her the list and she TOOK OFF! She was so driven to get to the fun activity or the playtime break after doing certain tasks that she was saying, "Spelling, mom. it's time for spelling!" and when it was time for bed she said, "no mom! I want to do more school!" and it was all because she hadn't gotten to the craft part yet. I assured her we'd start earlier tomorrow so she could be sure to get to everything.
Seeing what is ahead for her on the list is excellent. She was happy all day long. She told me she was tired at one point but looked at her tasks then did what was needed instead of whining about it and then got her break as planned. It was great.
So we actually got EVERYTHING done today! WE did history, french, reading, language and more, plus two extra fun activities AND piano.
Today was also partly a success because my sister Aslinn had come over. We exercised and ...other stuff. But she was such a great help checking on the kids, helping when CC#3 struggled or needed a cracker, even changing baby's diaper when needed without me even asking! She also held the baby when I needed it most.
