I know we've discussed different aspects of this topic before, but just wanted to hear your thoughts about my particular situation. I've always taught my 3 older ones together for everything except math. Their ages are 14, 12, 12. I also have a 6 yr old eager, active little girl. This past year has been full of DIY projects to sell our first house and then in our new house in a new town. We will be moving in this weekend Lord willing. It's been a long year! I've also blown my adrenal glands which has made my chronic fatigue even worse.
When I was homeschooling, (before this break we've taken to move), I'd fizzle out pretty early in the day and could barely hold my head up. If any schoolwork depended on me, it often didn't get done. This included history, writing, dictation, writing (Write with the Best), grammar, read alouds, fine arts, nature study, etc.... To throw another factor in, we travel often with my dh's work. Although it is very possible to take our schoolwork on the road, what would really happen is that we'd have a mad rush to get everyone in the car in the morning. Then they would be so tired they'd sleep, except for my 6yr old who would get fussy and bored and would request a video. To keep peace in the car, we'd put one one but then the olders would not do their schoolwork. I'd say I would read aloud or listen to audio books, but this would be interrupted by my dh's phonecalls with work. Not much would get done.
Now, I'm getting nervous about my daughter starting high school. I am very unreliable latley when it comes to schooling (if it depends on me). When I get busy with something else (whether it's phonecalls I need to make for my dh or catching up on housework, or I'm not feeling well), the kids don't get to all their schoolwork. I have homeschooled for 10 years, and I love it. I have poured myself into my children, but life is getting more complicated and I'm just not able to keep up and I fear their education is suffering because of it.
I feel like for my daughter to get an good education, it cannot depend on me or our circumstances. I've considered maybe putting her in some online Christian classes that are more classical (for English and Science and Logic) but it would be expensive. There is Ambleside online, but for some reason I've never been able to follow their schedule or choice of books as written. Our life is very non-routine and unpredictable. I don't know if it will be changing any in the near future, but I get worn out so easily. The kids love to read at least and that makes it easier for the younger years, but now that we are entering high school, I feel like we need to get more serious and consistent.
I feel like I need to let go of some of my schooling of the older ones to make room to school my little one with my depleted energy. I've neglected my younger one for the past two years with all that has been going on and she is so ready to do school. I need to start making my older children a little more independent. How do I do this? What do you all use for high school? How do you juggle the older kids with the younger needy ones? I feel stretched so thin that I'm not doing justice to anyone's schooling. Do you farm any of the schooling out? I'm sorry this is so long and complicated. I'm praying that the Lord would allow me some time in the next month to get alone and really hear His voice about all this. I'd also like to hear your suggestions. Thanks for your patience!! Blessings, Betty