Comments on: Sometimes it’s okay to be a QUITTER

By: Shawnee

Shawnee — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:08:02 +0000

It’s nice to know there are other parents who understand when enough is enough. I had to swap math curriculum for my daughter, and I believe in getting my money’s worth for everything. It just wasn’t working for us and sometimes the money can’t be more important than the child’s learning experience. Homeschooling isn’t all about the money!
Shawnee´s last blog ..Ten Cheap Crafts Supplies to Entertain Children in the Summer

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:48:20 +0000

How many times I’ve done this!

It gets harder to do as they get older…I now have 2 in high school, and every course is a credit on the transcript. Nonetheless, in late December we ditched our literature curriculum, and early January began a new one…to be completed by summer! Both boys wanted to change so badly, so I made them promise that they understood the heavy-hitting-schedule they’d have to keep up with if we did it. We just don’t have time anymore to start and stop! But it’s been 100% worth it. I think they will do a bit of it through summer, but that’s okay with them, so it’s okay with me

Lori’s last blog post..What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:04:05 +0000

I can't tell you how many Math programs I have used. I relate to this article. I agree with Naomi that I don't think quitting is something they would get from this. I see it as problem solving-working on something until a better solution is found. Kathy’s last blog post..Tribute

By: Naomi

Naomi — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:27:37 +0000

Great article! I don’t think, when handled wisely and maturely, that a child in this situation would learn to quit. I believe that, with the learning style and lifestyle we choose when we educate our children at home, we can show them that there are alternatives in life when we hit a bump, and particularly that we can be reasonable and seek ways where the joy of learning stays intact. Flexibility is a must if we are to have success smiling on our efforts… Love the toothless grin – I have one of those smiling back at me everyday too… cute!

By: Beth @ Pages of Our Life

Beth @ Pages of Our Life — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:18:08 +0000

Great encouraging advice Marsha!

By: Bethany aka 40winkzzz

Bethany aka 40winkzzz — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:47:25 +0000

I sometimes find myself determined to make my kids “stick things out” out of fear that they might otherwise think it’s okay to “quit” something. (This may be due to my own tendency to leave projects half-finished and my desire for my kids to not be the same way.) But I realized long ago that it is good for a child to know that it is OK to quit doing something that isn’t working or isn’t productive or isn’t meeting the goal. There’s always a balance in life, isn’t there? I don’t want my kids to be quitters, but nor do I want them to be “compulsive finishers” who are afraid to say no or make changes! I’ve told them at times, “There’s a time to stay with something and a time to quit, and this is one of those times to quit!” There are things we need to stick out and things that are okay to quit or change, and it is good to learn the difference.

And having thus spoken, I really need to think some more about my 10-y/o’s spelling program. I actually switched from something that WAS working to something I thought would be better, and it isn’t. It works and she’s okay with it, but we both realize it’s just a lot of busywork and the other one really was better. I have stuck with it b/c… well, I switched once already so I should just stick with this now even if it was a mistake… nope.

Btw, Tank is really, really cute when he pouts.

Bethany aka 40winkzzz’s last blog post..Carpe Chicago

By: Nikowa@KHA

Nikowa@KHA — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:39:44 +0000

Oh yes! For "Bruce" it's Math-but no getting out of that LOL! & "Nemo" it's Reading. Sigh! Nikowa@KHA’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Cocoa Beach '06

By: Darnelle

Darnelle — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:49:37 +0000

Congratulations! I love it when Moms take control of their schools. You know your son and his abilities WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better than any program or book or curricula!! You are one wise Mama!!! Darnelle’s last blog post..if i were the devil - paul harvey

By: Karen G

Karen G — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:05:52 +0000

We’ve been there and done that–this year with writing/grammar, last year with spelling, the year before with math (I think). I hate the expense of quitting something, but nothing beats seeing your children ENJOY what they are doing when you find what works!

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:38 +0000

Absolutely! It's okay to stop, modify, regroup and just put it down for a while. Our trouble topic is most usually math. But you know what, if I pull out a deck of cards and play a math game, that's fun. The same problems on a worksheet? Tears. So packaging is so important. Bless you, Marshie! Love the pics in this! Jimmie’s last blog post..Reading Books