I think our biggest trial in homeschooling right now is getting over whining. An interesting response to my cry for help from a friend who taught in public school said to me that she often found it easier for the kids to stop whining when the other kids would remind them of the rule to not whine. I suppose it is a lot easier with other kids around doing work, for a child to work without complaint. When I channel my school days I can remember the feeling of doing my work while others were doing it around me and I liked it. I never considered this. However, we've made up our mind about homeschooling and about our homeschool philosophy (we knew we would have to before we started), so this advantage is just out of the question for W. He is the oldest and he will just have to learn to stop whining. My goal: to be as patient as possible and act as if it the first time I am asking him to be happy, every time I ask him. THAT will be so tough! Luckily, this newfound knowledge brings me a bit of contentment about our homeschooling future. It will get easier as they are all sitting at the table doing their work. They'll be in it together.
Also, I'm looking for ways to make it just a bit more exciting for W, so he won't whine and complain much of the time. If anyone out there who reads my blog has ideas, please share. Fellow homeschoolers, what do you do, in your attitude, or your simple approach, to make school work less uninviting to your little pupils?
