Surviving February

I hadn't realized just how difficult February is for homeschool moms and I hadn't realized the trap I would fall in to. February is cold, and seems like winter is going to last forever. We're half way through by this point, or more than half way, and are eager to complete a grade level. It is easy to feel that not enough progress is being made, and that all the daily work isn't going anywhere fast enough. We see all the follies of our current methods and have higher hopes for next year. I suffered through this February, but I will be prepared for next February. I've learned my lesson and I have a survival plan.

* Use January to access whether I will make our completion date. Once I've determined that we are still on-course for the year, I need to keep on going.
* Stay the course: don't ditch the curriculum, don't increase the speed of the curriculum, don't try to make it all happen faster. For February, at least, keep on going..."I think I can, I think I can"
* Take a vacation from "school". When planning ahead, schedule a really nice long break for February. Take the time to get re-acquainted with the children, as loving mother, not as "teacher". Spend the time off snuggling together with a good read-aloud, making projects, playing games. Maybe use this time to organize around the house a bit. A clean room always uplifts my spirits.
* Make a list of all the products you'd like to try next year, but then put it away. Maybe seal it in an envelope and don't open it until you are done with the current year. Limit research time. The endless time spend sifting through billions of curriculum choices almost killed me.
* Put on blinders when seeing other kids. Seeing a public schooled kid zoom ahead of my daughter in reading progress started a downward spiral of comparing. This led to other negative problems -
*Public school is NOT an option. At least, not for the month of February;) Pretend that there is absolutely no other option for your child's education. Public and private school hasn't been invented. This prevents the "grass is always greener" syndrome that strikes in February.

In conclusion, February is a rough month. Wait it out. After February is over (and maybe March and April, too!) then reassess your curriculum strengths and weaknesses. Pour over a friend's latest and greatest curriculum, and decide if it is right for you next year. If you are concerned about your child's progress, give a test to see if they've made progress. If you aren't a testing sort of homeschooler, jot down little notes of accomplishment, keep writing samples throughout the year, etc. - then you can see the progress that has been made, and just how far your child has come. But do all of this stuff after February. Use February is a down-period; a time to rest, replenish, and restore.