Lisa Bugg

So, tell me...what am I
> doing wrong? I need help!
>
First.. you are not doing anything wrong. Nothing in life ever goes
smoothly for too awfully long, there is no *just getting it right and then
everything will always be fine forevermore*. That's an illusion and we need
to stop spending our time trying to grab hold of it.

You are in the midst of growth, that's all. You have children around you
growing and changing every day. If you are lucky, you are growing and
changing every day.

>I have to say I haven't
> been behaving much better myself lately. My temper has become incredibly
> short, and I find myself yelling about the smallest of things. I don't
have
> much time for myself, and I usually don't mind too much about that, but
it's
> been a real source of irritation lately. When I try to sneak off to do my
> own thing, it never fails someone finds me, and seems to take delight in
> disrupting me. I love my family dearly and I'm commited to making
> homeschooling work for us.


Every parent on this list is nodding their head. Some are smiling that
irritating smile of rememberence, some are grinning from ear to ear because
misery loves company, others are smiling so they don't cry and they are
hoping you get some good advice. Today I fall in the misery loves company
group. Almost every Saturday I get up early and head out for time alone,
but last weekend we had two different family things to go to and my time
alone didn't happen. It's bleak around here today.

Mothers must remember to take care of themselves first. You need to get
your time alone somehow. You didn't say how old the other children are.


We've only recently begun to experiment with
> unschooling...maybe that's part of the problem.

Yes,it's part of the problem. You feel disoriented and not sure of what to
do next. Let's brainstorm ways you can establish a routine that both
nourishes you and the children's need to explore and grow.

Lisa

[email protected]

In a message dated 05/04/2000 2:57:23 PM !!!First Boot!!!, JodyeB1@...
writes:

<< So, tell me...what am I
doing wrong? I need help!

Jodye >>


Oh, you're probably not doing anything wrong! You are, however, tired!! You
have kids (how many?) and a new baby. You are taking care of the house and
meals and errands, etc., and trying to be a good unschooling influence.

You are tired!

Maybe a break is in order. How could you arrange it? Husbands can take the
kids off sometimes. Neighbors could have them for a visit. Relatives to
lend a hand? Just enough so you and the baby are alone and can just sit and
breath. Wouldn't that be nice. Just to sit quietly!

Also, if some things don't get done that's OK too. Dust won't kill you! And
kids can surive on less-than-gourmet meals for a looooong time.

How can you give yourself a break??

Sorry, I have to go now. My daughter just walked up and screamed that she
hates me. You see, I wasn't too sympathetic when she got hurt (yet again)
from wrestling with her brother (yet again). She gets bumped and wants
sympathy and yet she's the one who starts it up with him or jumps on top of
him or some such silliness and I just remind her that this is the Xth time
this has happened (today). Brother does the same sort of thing. Go as fast
as you can on your bike and then get all ticked off when you fall and get
hurt.

One day they were playing a game to see what would happen if they ran really
fast and crashed into each other. This was in the front yard and so the
neighbor girl joined in. The only comfort was that it wasn't only my
children who were so incredibly . . . whatever -- and these are bright kids.
I think. :):)

Well, good luck to you in getting some rest.

Nance

B & T Simpson

sorry Jodye, it seems as if you an I are on the same ship sailing the same
endless ocean!!!!!!! I feel like I will never reach the island of
sanity!!!!!!! and sharks are circling they have names like Morgan Alex
Allison and jack! wish I could help you but I am beside myself with the same
problems. I feel over bearing , mean, nasty, tired and worn out my kids are
13 1/2 , 11 1/2 , 9 , and 1 1/2 and the other is due on the 4th of July!
good luck!
Tanya


>Okay...I'll just say it...my kids are driving me nuts. I guess it's them -
>maybe it's me. Everyone seems so lazy, and I'm not just talking about when
>it comes to so called educational stuff. They won't pick up after
themselves
>and when I ask them to, they act like I've asked them to cut off an arm or
>something. My son argues with EVERYTHING I say, and he complains about
>almost everything we do, even if it's something he'll end up enjoying. And
>the kids fight constantly. I don't think they used to fight as much as
they
>do now. I'm not sure, but it seems like it's gotten worse since the baby
was
>born 15 months ago. It's hard for me to ignore the constant bickering,
>believe me - I've tried, and I just can't do it. I have to say I haven't
>been behaving much better myself lately. My temper has become incredibly
>short, and I find myself yelling about the smallest of things. I don't have
>much time for myself, and I usually don't mind too much about that, but
it's
>been a real source of irritation lately. When I try to sneak off to do my
>own thing, it never fails someone finds me, and seems to take delight in
>disrupting me. I love my family dearly and I'm commited to making
>homeschooling work for us. We've only recently begun to experiment with
>unschooling...maybe that's part of the problem. So, tell me...what am I
>doing wrong? I need help!
>
>Jodye
>
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Lynda

I've just filed it under Spring Fever. Seems everyone's kids are this way
right now. Maybe because of the weird long crummy winter, who know's but
it seems worse this year than the usual fidgets.

Lynda

----------

> sorry Jodye, it seems as if you an I are on the same ship sailing the
same
> endless ocean!!!!!!! I feel like I will never reach the island of
> sanity!!!!!!! and sharks are circling they have names like Morgan Alex
> Allison and jack! wish I could help you but I am beside myself with the
same
> problems. I feel over bearing , mean, nasty, tired and worn out my kids
are
> 13 1/2 , 11 1/2 , 9 , and 1 1/2 and the other is due on the 4th of
July!
> good luck!
> Tanya