I am prepping for our summer homeschooling cycle. We will be doing our normal 6 weeks from July through August. This week is my big prep week… from the hospital.
I was healthy and out of the hospital for a good long run. Last week I had to go into the hospital for what is called an EMU (video monitored EEG unit). I have been watched by a little camera on the wall nonstop since last Wednesday!
I am SO over being on camera. I have even cringed thinking about taping a series of e-courses I have in the works. I just want to sit in the closet for a while with my cat and be alone. I thought having 5 kids meant no alone time. I was wrong I know a whole new level of invasion of personal privacy.
The EMU is over but I have a blood infection now. BOOOOO I am once more awaiting a surgery late today or tomorrow to replace my central line.
NOTE: For those that are new and wondering- A central line is a line placed normally in your chest area that leads to your heart. It allows doctors to administer medications, TPN, fluids etc that need to be given via IV over a long period of time. For me I need daily medications, TPN (total parenteral nutrition), IV fluids, and for the next few weeks antibiotics. This is a life saving measure for me not optional.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my health and a smooth surgery. Please also remember my family in your prayers. It’s so tough to be a mommy saying good night over the phone…
I want to go home!
While here, when I am up to it I am working on the last of our prep for the summer semester. One word.. GREAT ECLIPSE! And the grand plan for the kids through Christmas.
My Summer Goals:
- I am detailed down to creating our spelling word lists for the summer lessons.
- I will be outlining therapy goals, life skills, and learning disabilities needs goals.
- I will be rounding out our unit studies with additional media and extras.
- I will be making sure each child’s weaker areas at the end of last year are addressed and if needed worked on my fall.
- I will be making sure each child has a fun large project to do. (For FUN!!! Working on skills like time management over a long time period and responsibility of taking control of their own learning)
The fall lessons are vaguer just a structure at this point. October and beyond is well a bit murky. This year I have 2 high schoolers so murky will not do.
Now it’s time to fall on my sword and admit my failings for the last year. I didn’t keep up my normal organization of the kids work. That translated into over a week more than necessary pulling together a year’s work for all 4 homeschooling kids for their yearly progress meeting with the teacher.
Shame on me. I knew better. I have been homeschooling for well over a decade and 5 kids. Why didn’t I get organized?
I started out in and out of the hospital last year. Daddy did a great job homeschooling but I was too hands off to get my organization system (using that term loosely) started. Once the year got going I was more in the moment then going back and cleaning up the first couple months. That meant I felt guilty about the pile of papers, projects, and workbooks looming on the bookcase.
Then I pulled a move that just makes me shake my head. We had people over several times for the holidays so I put the paperwork into a box swearing to myself I would put it away in the week after Christmas. Nope. That week was a prep week for the new year’s cycle. Again I knew better.
THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!
My organization system really isn’t a system or method it’s more the same old way I have done paperwork for years so it seemed good enough. I am considering Kristi Clover’s clever organization method. Thinking about what a special needs homeschooler with 4 kids will need to add or adjust to make any system work for us. Trying to clarify my family’s goals for the coming year.
While I still have a quite a way to go to be under control and well organized. I am on the path to it. Do you have a special organization method? Are you trying to create one too?
Starting homeschooling your special needs child? Want a book filled with experience and information to help you start out on the right foot? I have written, Homeschooling When Learning Isn’t Easy and right now it’s on summer sale.