When you’re done laughing, I’ll continue…

I have 5 boys. Been homeschoolin’ 15 years. I teach workshops, blog about homeschooling, and create learning packed for others to teach their kids. I never have bad days. My kids are perfect.

Not.
Today, was one of those days. We had just come out of a long weekend and on of the kids simply could not get his attitude together.

Every single activity and lesson took hours rather than minutes.
I am not proud of how frustrated I became.
The entire was a total struggle.

In the end, grumpy child overcame his attitude and completed his last lesson just as Daddy was walking in the door after work. It was a long day. We started at 8:30. Ended at 5:30. (Actually another child, our 11th grader is still working as I write this…)

I have been sitting here reflecting on the day.
Why was it so hard?
What could I have done differently to assist grumpy child so that negativity would not have claimed his sweet heart all day long?
Should I have called it a day early and then started over tomorrow?

Truth is, I do not know.

I am really cranking up the level of schoolwork the boys are completing this year.
We have exciting ground to cover together.

Since there are 3 kids doing the same lessons, I honestly cannot afford to skip a day just because someone does not feel like working. What about the kids who had a great attitude? They would be frustrated the next day while they wait for the other to catch up.

All i know is that today, I needed to win the battle.
 Child does not want to work… Tough cookies.
Work anyway.
Harsh? I don’t think so.

After 15 years, I have learned to pick my battles. I could clearly see that today’s bad attitude could not be rewarded with time off to play. While it was painful, making him press through until he was done was the right thing to do; hard, but right.

So, I know I am not the only Homeschooler that has “hard days”.
How do you handle days when your kids are off balance and grumpy, grumpy, grumpy?