This school year has been a little rough. We started out good and strong, and all this sickness has slowed us down. And when I'm sick, things fall through the cracks and are left forgotten.
After we started back up after Christmas, things were still rough concerning homework and reading. Max would fight me everyday for homework time. And he hated (with a passion) reading. Every day I would dread homework and reading, and sometimes not even having the patience or energy to say "time for homework".
Even once we got started there was so much complaining and whining. I had to sit by his side and read everything to him, or he would just complain. I had to have all my attention on Max, that poor Ava was being pushed aside. And then for reading...well, that was just as painful. By the time we were done with homework, I was wiped out, so reading was not something we looked forward to. I felt like Max was falling behind in reading, because he didn't like it. And I know he didn't like it because he needed more practice, and he didn't think he was a good reader.
So, I started praying. And prayed a lot about the subject. How could I help Max be more positive about homework (let's be honest, no one likes homework...but we did need 'like', just a positive attitude!) and how could I help him get excited about reading? And how could I help Ava with her homework and reading?
One day the answer just came to me. It's a really easy solution, and I feel kind of dumb that I wasn't doing this from the start. And my answer was this:
1. Start homework right when Max gets home from school (I was letting him watch a show and relax for a while...but that turned to 2 shows and then longer...because we all got tired, and then I just didn't want to do it).
2. Have Max read at night (with either Dave or me) in his room after everyone is in bed. So he can have a quiet place and one on one time. (I was having reading time after homework, which was so hard because by then Lia was awake from her nap, it was time to make dinner, and it was crazy)
These 2 little adjustments have made such a HUGE difference! I can't believe it! When Max's comes home from school, he gets right to his homework...no complaining. And he's actually doing his homework by himself (with a little help here and there). This is allowing me to help Ava with her stuff.
And the night time reading is going crazy good. Dave found some fun books for them to read, and guess what...Max is loving it and can't wait for his reading time. He has come so far in his reading and we can tell a huge difference. And the best part? Max can tell he's getting so much better. He told me the other day "mom, I'm getting really good at reading, because I read at night, and now I like to read". Such a blessing.
I've now been helping Ava, she too is reading. I'm so amazed at her! She is sounding out words all on her own. Her writing is better because she's getting more practice and she's even doing simple math problems. Who knew we had this little book smart girl just waiting for help to get started. She is so proud of herself, and we are on cloud 9.
I'm so thankful for prayer. As a mother, how could I survive this journey without it? I feel so at a loss sometimes about what to do, and feel so blessed that Heavenly Father listened to my simple, insignificant prayer, and answered it with the simplest solution. We are on a good roll now, and I feel so lucky.
