Low expectations here too, I reinstated morning time this morning though and despite the 4yo's protestations at 'more poetry' it seemed to reset everyone back into a rhythm of productivity rather than constantly asking for TV. And I am celebrating that I was able to request 90% of our books for this term from the library. Saved me so much money.
I appreciate you speaking to the constant impulse to buy, especially as it relates to homeschooling. There is sometimes this funny relationship for me - the things I put money towards, I put attentions towards (gym memberships, better care of newly purchased items, etc). This spring I want to use well and give attention towards the things already purchased for homeschooling (of which we have plenty!), and when the impulse to buy a new workbook or manipulative comes, I want to think of pursuing experience, which sometimes costs nothing, or something, and that’s okay for me. Similar to other comments, books live on another plane of purchasing mindset. The library is my friend, the library is my friend - my 2024 mantra!!
Yes, one of my sort-of resolutions is to use the libraries more frequently, if only to save my aching back by borrowing smaller amounts, more often! I agree that book purchases seem to live on another plane, a bit like how there’s always room for ice cream no matter how much main course you had (just me?!). The sensible thing would be to create a separate book fund, so it’s not just in my head, but that might be an achievement too far for me at this point in the year!
I’ve recently had this realization that just buying the books is not the same thing as reading them out loud…🤪🤦♀️😆
I kid a little— the 9 year old reads everything. As we start back I want to be able to enjoy the materials we have and focus on a few key rhythms. I am exhausted but hopeful that leaning into some of the things I most enjoy about homeschool will help the burnt toast feeling I’ve got going.
I actually think there’s something very freeing about deciding to enjoy what you’ve got for a while. It’s nice not to have to constantly decide whether or not to make a purchase, because for now the answer is just ‘no’. And it’s amazing the difference a few key rhythms can make (or even just one) - making the effort to clean the kitchen each night definitely has knock-on effects beyond the kitchen in our household.
This is all very relatable - but I will confess that I succumbed and bought several new books this week! I can’t say I regret it as it’s been lovely to dip into some new books with eldest vs watching Home Alone again for the umpteenth time. Low expectations are certainly key here though! Especially during these dark, cold days. Wishing you and your family a very happy New year.
And I have to confess that yesterday I completely forgot my ‘no buy January’ rule and made several purchases in a secondhand bookshop. Oops! Although there were 14 Whizz Pop Bang magazines for 10p each which it would have been madness to leave behind even if I had remembered. And anything that inches you away from Home Alone has to be good!
Low expectations here too, I reinstated morning time this morning though and despite the 4yo's protestations at 'more poetry' it seemed to reset everyone back into a rhythm of productivity rather than constantly asking for TV. And I am celebrating that I was able to request 90% of our books for this term from the library. Saved me so much money.
I appreciate you speaking to the constant impulse to buy, especially as it relates to homeschooling. There is sometimes this funny relationship for me - the things I put money towards, I put attentions towards (gym memberships, better care of newly purchased items, etc). This spring I want to use well and give attention towards the things already purchased for homeschooling (of which we have plenty!), and when the impulse to buy a new workbook or manipulative comes, I want to think of pursuing experience, which sometimes costs nothing, or something, and that’s okay for me. Similar to other comments, books live on another plane of purchasing mindset. The library is my friend, the library is my friend - my 2024 mantra!!
Yes, one of my sort-of resolutions is to use the libraries more frequently, if only to save my aching back by borrowing smaller amounts, more often! I agree that book purchases seem to live on another plane, a bit like how there’s always room for ice cream no matter how much main course you had (just me?!). The sensible thing would be to create a separate book fund, so it’s not just in my head, but that might be an achievement too far for me at this point in the year!
I’ve recently had this realization that just buying the books is not the same thing as reading them out loud…🤪🤦♀️😆
I kid a little— the 9 year old reads everything. As we start back I want to be able to enjoy the materials we have and focus on a few key rhythms. I am exhausted but hopeful that leaning into some of the things I most enjoy about homeschool will help the burnt toast feeling I’ve got going.
I actually think there’s something very freeing about deciding to enjoy what you’ve got for a while. It’s nice not to have to constantly decide whether or not to make a purchase, because for now the answer is just ‘no’. And it’s amazing the difference a few key rhythms can make (or even just one) - making the effort to clean the kitchen each night definitely has knock-on effects beyond the kitchen in our household.
This is all very relatable - but I will confess that I succumbed and bought several new books this week! I can’t say I regret it as it’s been lovely to dip into some new books with eldest vs watching Home Alone again for the umpteenth time. Low expectations are certainly key here though! Especially during these dark, cold days. Wishing you and your family a very happy New year.
And I have to confess that yesterday I completely forgot my ‘no buy January’ rule and made several purchases in a secondhand bookshop. Oops! Although there were 14 Whizz Pop Bang magazines for 10p each which it would have been madness to leave behind even if I had remembered. And anything that inches you away from Home Alone has to be good!
That’s a brilliant find!