Today is a day that I am thankful I homeschool....

Today is a day that I am thankful that I homeschool. It is a dreary Monday morning in May. It is 20 degrees colder than it was yesterday. It looks as if it rained MOST of the night. It is very dark and cloudy. AND, Shayna woke up on the "wrong side of the bed."

She is not being "moody" at all. She is simply frustrated with everything she is doing today. If she was in school, she would not be allowed to be herself and work through this frustration.

Honestly, the frustration came out of nowhere. She is trying to practice some math (to finish our decimals unit) this morning. She knows HOW to do the problems, but is simply making some "silly mistakes" like we all do. I am trying to convince her to put it aside, however, being a "Type A" personality (which she is... I am .... and my husband is) she is refusing until she feels confident. I keep reminding her that she can do it later or tomorrow... that this is one of the "perks" of homeschooling. If she was in a classroom today - her mood simply wouldn't "matter" and she would need to do all the math OR "pay the consequences" (whatever they might be).

I keep on walking over to her and giving her those "snuggle hugs" that she needs today. If she were in school today, there would be no one to do that. I even ran out to the store and got her a favorite breakfast treat of "powdered doughnuts" hoping that would perk up the mood. She had a few bites of one and didn't finish it - obviously that didn't work.

I am hoping that she will move onto something "creative" or just "want to read" to put herself in a better mood. This type of a day - we "shift" into the "unschooling" mode and let her take over the decision making. There is no reason to attempt to follow our usual routine. We would just end up "butting" heads.

She just put down her math, and moved on her own to her "Living Wax Museum" project on Nathan Hale for American Revolutionary Coop. She is lying down next to her "tri fold board" coloring in Nathan Hale's famous quote in color pencils. Hopefully, this will be theraputic for her !

When adults or kids get in these moods, we just need to let them come out of it naturally. I am not sure how the mood began. She probably didn't sleep well last night. Or it is the dreary day ! Maybe she is already thinking soccer practice MIGHT be cancelled this afternoon and that is throwing her off. Whatever is causing it - it is OK. Being flexible is the one of the biggest perks of homeschooling ! Homeschooling allows Shayna to do what she needs to do and be "real" on her "off days". I am so thankful we homeschool !