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<\/a><\/p>\nIn the middle of our remodel mess<\/a> we took a weekend trip to Ohio. \u00a0I could not believe how perfectly the timing worked out! My cousin, Tiffany was due to have a baby and scheduled for a C-section on a Friday. \u00a0Instead, she went into labor meaning a Monday birth. \u00a0We were stalled waiting on countertops anyway so David got to go with me. \u00a0It was the most delightful weekend, taking pictures of a darling baby girl<\/a> and just resting \u00a0in a clean space! \u00a0My uncle Marvin and Aunt Jan spoiled us completely. \u00a0Their house is so clean and restful and refreshing. \u00a0After working so hard through dirt and inconvenience, you can only imagine how it felt to sit in a clean room on a comfy couch and be served marvelous food. \u00a0Saturday night they took us out for pizza at a local diner that serves gluten free pizza. \u00a0Liam pretty much thought he was in heaven! \u00a0We never go out for pizza because he’d be stuck so it was incredibly special for our entire family.<\/p>\n We arrived home, finished up the kitchen Monday and started school on Wednesday. \u00a0It was sadly minus the normal fanfare and special feelings. \u00a0We just kind of did it.<\/p>\n In spite of the lukewarm feelings floating around, school has been going pretty well. It’s a bit of a crazy juggling act some mornings trying to teach fifth grade, first grade, and taking care of a baby. Zara is a charm though and since she loooooooooves to be held, I can usually keep school going as long as I can keep the flash cards and spiral bound books out of her reach. \u00a0Thankfully she still naps in the morning so when she’s asleep things feel pretty calm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We made a few curriculum changes for Adam this year that I’m hoping will be positive. He’s still doing Saxon Math (I am sold<\/em> on Saxon!) and Abeka Language Arts and Spelling. \u00a0We switched to Apologia Science which he and I are both loving! Because I was completely unconvinced that I could manage two grades and a baby and the life that is ours, we chose to do the Bob Jones video course for Adam. \u00a0He loves it!<\/p>\n David looked at my load and thought it might be wise to enroll at least one of the boys completely in the Abeka video program, preferably Liam since first grade is the most intense. \u00a0I was dubious for several reasons. \u00a0While they get rave reviews, I know what too much video time does to our boys. \u00a0During a psychology class in college, our instructor explained how much our brains are affected by screen time. \u00a0Did you know your brain waves slow down even more when you’re watching a video than when you’re sleeping? So I’ve never hooked up the boys to EEG’s, of course, but I do know that a lot of screen time makes them really restless and much less focused. \u00a0I kept wrestling with a few questions I don’t have answers for:<\/p>\n How does video learning affect long term retention?<\/p>\n What does it do to their eyesight?<\/p>\n How does it affect their social IQ?<\/p>\n If it’s true that increased screen time can be related to certain behavioral issues<\/a>, how does doing school that way not fall into the same category?<\/p>\n I also did not like that Adam has been getting the lion’s share of attention ever since our homeschooling saga started and Zara’s normal baby needs mean she gets second slot. \u00a0Putting Liam into the video program felt like I was putting Liam smack into neglected middle child syndrome. \u00a0I wanted the chance to spend that one on one time with him. \u00a0We talked about it some more and decided to give it a try the traditional way. And if it didn’t work, we could always switch next year.<\/p>\n At 9:30 when I am trying to teach new concepts to Liam and Adam has a question and I’m holding Zara while she squirms and fusses because she’s tired and I really want to push through a few more minutes so Liam has a tiny bit of independent work and the washer is beeping because it’s done and ready for the next load …. let’s just say I question my idealistic views a lot. But then an hour later Liam snuggles up against me on the couch and carefully sounds out, “All have joy,” while Zara snoozes upstairs in her crib and Adam announces his signature, “Fini, fini, finished,” as he sticks one textbook on the shelf in exchange for another and the towels flap outside in the sun …. let’s just say some moments I think life couldn’t possibly be more idyllic. But Tuesday and Thursday afternoon when it’s time for History class and I get to head upstairs to make lunch, I KNOW we made the right decision for this year.<\/p>\n I don’t feel that video schooling is automatically a bad thing. Not at all. \u00a0In fact, some of the most intelligent homeschooled people I’ve met have used it. \u00a0I suspect it’s much like other things. \u00a0There is a risk \/ benefit ratio to everything. \u00a0Different children respond differently and learn differently. And while the above may be valid concerns, there is NO WAY I can compete with the teaching style and amount of information and review that is presented by someone who has a degree in teaching and an interest in a particular subject. \u00a0Adam makes fabulous grades in History and I KNOW it is because they present the information so well and review facts in fun ways. \u00a0It’s amazing! I also think the screen issues<\/a> lessen somewhat as children get older.<\/p>\n I would love to hear from you if you’re doing online or video programming for school and to hear how your children do with it. \u00a0And if you’ve done both, I’m especially all ears to hear the pros and cons! Perhaps I could lay all my fears aside and enjoy an easier life! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n