Bumps

I knew there would be bumps in this highschool journey.  As the weeks roll along, Jane and I have been having discussions about how things are working.  Mostly, I'm just SO imressed with how well she is doing. So, what has not been working?  Consistency.  Consistently doing her work every day!

Her other studies are suffering because she spends much of her time focused on the co-op classes.  She cannot let her math, english, history and spelling (yes, spelling in 9th grade; she needs it!) suffer.  Mind you, she is still doing them, but not with the same attention.  I get nervous, then I get crabby.  But, I caught myself and instead of stewing about it, I sat with her at the school table and we talked about it. 

She told me everything she has to do (this gives her the opportunity to map it out and see it) and we added her piano and dance (like Thursday's she can't have too much heavy school work; she demonstrates 2 hours in the morning and dances up to 3.5 hours in the evening) and then we mapped out a "budget" if you will.  What days she's going to do math, what time is best for her science test, when is a good time for her logic puzzles, what can be done on Thursday afternoons, etc.  We both feel better and I think she felt empowered.  As I read what I wrote, it doesn't sound so bad, but I can assure you, it feels a lot bumpier!

I really feel panicky sometimes and have to remind myself that this is a journey and nothing will be solved in a day.  It's as much about the process as it is about the end result.  Jane will have learned far more from our sitting down together and mapping things out than she would have learned from me being all "crazy mom" nagging her.

It's also an opportunity for me to give her (and Ruth) good messages...teaching them to be patient with themselves and new things and processes that sometimes involve tweaking.   Understand that I HAVE nagged and really gotten on her sometimes.  I'm not always at my best.  

I'm settling into my work routine fairly nicely.  Marty takes Sam to school on Monday's and Wednesday's and picks him up as well (unless he gets a ride from a friend).  I work 7:30-4:00pm on Monday's and Wednesday's and the girls call me when they are up and running (usually between 8 and 8:30).  I try to leave a list of the things they need to get done; especially for Ruth.  Even Ruthie is rising to the challenge though and getting her stuff done and taking charge of her responsibilities.  Tuesday's are our quiet days; we get lots done.  Thursday, Ruth and I do school work while Jane demos dance and often end up at the library in the afternoon.  Friday is piano and co-op day; it goes by really fast!  

New chapters in our lives can be scary, but I'm finding this is turning out to be wonderful!