Mama needs help

[Mama3boys]

Hi or should that be G'day

Yes, I am an Australian mother of 3 boys (8yo, 4.5yo and 1.5yo) who I homeschool so that they learn to think for themselves and not just follow the crowd. I am a little off centre myself.

I have read Og Mandino books since young, Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill, Steven Covey, and more. Most of the big names more commonly available.

The problem I have is truly acting on what I have read. I am overwhelmed by simple things like doing dishes and despite trying to do visualisations of achieving my goals seem to hit mind blocks a lot. I want to learn how to stop procrastinating and I intend to figure out how to achieve my dreams. I am great on the planning (thanks S Covey) but action is where I fall short.

I am hoping that the wisdom here on this forum can help me to figure out my stumbling blocks so that I can move on to create the world that I deserve for myself and that I know I am capable of doing.

Thanks for reading,
Jen in NSW

[dorothy hanna]

Hi,
Have you seen the movie, The Secret?
You've done a lot of work, and you've taken a big step by (INTENDING).
How'd you find Steve's site?

[TechnoGuyRob]

"Yes, I am an Australian mother of 3 boys (8yo, 4.5yo and 1.5yo) who I homeschool so that they learn to think for themselves and not just follow the crowd. I am a little off centre myself."

I like the concept of homeschooling, but I don't like your rationalization. By that rationale, when kids are homeschooled, rather than following a crowd of many, they follow a crowd of one.

[Mama3boys]

Originally Posted by TechnoGuyRob

"Yes, I am an Australian mother of 3 boys (8yo, 4.5yo and 1.5yo) who I homeschool so that they learn to think for themselves and not just follow the crowd. I am a little off centre myself."

I like the concept of homeschooling, but I don't like your rationalization. By that rationale, when kids are homeschooled, rather than following a crowd of many, they follow a crowd of one.

A little more clarification needed! I am using a method called Classical Education. The main idea of this method is to teach a child to think for themselves analytically. Check out Trivium Pursuit: The Trivium In A Capsule , be warned it is a Christian site in case that would offend. Also this quote comes from The Well-Trained Mind "Our culture is saturated with "reactive thinking"; "reflective thinking" is becoming more and more rare. Reflective thinking is what produces real insight, valid opinions, and original ideas. A child that can master both kinds of thinking will be way ahead of the game."

The current public education system works on the students in a classroom all being at the same level (which they wouldn't be) and taking information in to regurgitate at the next exam but because there isn't the time in a class of 30 the teacher can not teach the children to think for themselves. It is just rush through the material, remember it for the next exam and move on.

I am making an effort to teach my boys to question me in an appropriate way, for us to explore together the bias that may be in a History or Science book and then to make up our own minds what we believe to be true. To question and ponder things for ourselves, rather than be led blindly by others.

I do fear that they will get a very narrow perspective of the world when I am their only teacher but as I am a questioning sort of soul I will encourage the same in my children. Really knowing what they think about something and having an opinion based on personal reflection can only help them IMO. I don't want to create drones of either myself or the teachers/public education system so that is why I chose this method of schooling.

Thanks for your concern, did I give you something to think about?

Respectfully,
Jen in Oz

[Norman]

Hi Jen,

In terms of getting things done, here are a few ideas I'm trying to integrate into my life. You can experiment with them as you see fit.

1. make lots of to-do lists and cross them out as you go

2. log how you spend your time throughout the day - just try it for a few days

3. plan the next day the night before

4. listen to classical music when I need to concentrate, e.g. Handel's Water Music


Cheers,

Norman