What do you do to encourage yourself and your family when you're having a bad day?

When we are having a bad day we stop and pray about it and ask God to help us. Bad days are going to happen and with us they usually happen when we haven't started the day off with God. Step back and take a little break and try again .

Sometimes I let me kids SEE me pray. I pray for patience and strength. Then they see Him answer my prayer. That's powerful!
Do you ever pray for patience in front of the kids?

My boys are 15 and 17 and ever since they were babies they have seen me pray and we have prayed together. I remember a time when my oldest was 2years old and his brother was sick and I saw him lay his hand on his brother and pray. I couldn't believe it. I do pray that God will help me to have mercy with my boys. You know bad days happen but that is a part of life and thank God his mercies start all over with a new day!!

It's a powerful thing when your child sees you pray for them in front of them. What a model! Of course, it can go both ways. Once, I prayed for my daughter (LD, ADHD) and asked God to help her to obey. She turned right around and prayed aloud, asking God to help me to not be so mean! We were both praying needed prayers!

Well, today I am tired!!!!!
I turned on Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney, and had my son watch it for school, while I laid, and "vegged out" on the couch. I did make him do his spelling words, and a math and phonics paper, but I did no teaching today! Is that bad? I think it might have been good for my son, and I know it was good for me!

I have found that I don't teach math well. Sam is a 2nd grader and is beginning division, and I cannot seem to get it across to him. Anyone else ever feel like maybe you aren't the best teacher for your children after all?
I'll check back later and probably be rested and have a much better outlook on things, but please if you have suggestions let me know!!!!
Thanks, and have a good,(and restful) day!!!! Julie

There is nothing like a little rest to regain perspective. Give yourself a break! Even school teachers get sick days!
As for teaching subjects you're not comfortable with, do you ladies have any other suggestions?

When I'm feeling tired.......and alittle burned out, I find
that we need a change of scenery. I'll plan a field trip
with friends and get us out of the house for a day at a
museum........or Library or play, etc.......pack a picnic lunch
and off we go. We call can begin to feel run down after
the holidays and during the 2nd semester.......I suggest
you take an outing and enjoy your kids apart from the
"textbooks!" Also, about the difficulty teaching a subject.... when they just aren't understanding something
for you.........farm them out for subjects. We can never
be expected to know ALL the subjects........the ones that
are most difficult are farmed out in our home school. There
are lots of ways to do that........co-ops.......or tutors......or
sharing subjects with friends. Are you in a support group?
I suggest seeking out some other moms in your area to
share your load.

Aren't ya'll sweet (and smart)! Thanks for the encouragment and the suggestions!
This is a great place!
Julie

quote:

Originally posted by Juliek:

I have found that I don't teach math well. Sam is a 2nd grader and is beginning division, and I cannot seem to get it across to him. Anyone else ever feel like maybe you aren't the best teacher for your children after all?
I'll check back later and probably be rested and have a much better outlook on things, but please if you have suggestions let me know!!!!
Thanks, and have a good,(and restful) day!!!! Julie

I noticed a break in understanding when I try to teach a math concept at times. I find that if a family member (preferrably Dad) will explain his understanding or way to solve a problem, the different perspective and change of approach will get things going again.

Yes, sometimes another person can approach the topic. Julie, does your husband have time to try to do some math?
Also, sometimes waiting for readiness in the answer. I remember trying to teach my first daughter to read - I tried at 2 (because I wanted to be super-mom), at 3, at 4, and at about 5 she taught herself! When she was ready ...
Christine

Yes! My husband can teach math. In fact I asked for his help last night. I'm no good with fractions, and he is. So he is the new fraction teacher!!!! I'm so happy!!!HA!

Another person teaching helps sometimes, even if it's an older brother, sister or friend! Attacking it from another angle can work as well, like using FOOD for fraction lessons (oreos, pizza, M&Ms) and eating the results for a great positive ending!

When my 10 yod wasn't getting long division, we took a month off and didn't talk about it at all. When we came back, something had "clicked" and she got it the first time out of the gate. Sometimes just the pressure of not getting it used to turn my brain off and made me absolutely resistant to learning!

This may seem very weird but...
Yesterday I was cooking about 4 days worth of supper dishes when my son came up to me and started acting like we were on a cooking show. So I went with it. I was able to each him a few cooking basics and also quiz him on measurements(pt, qt, cup). He held his head up high, because he was pretending to be on tv, and spoke slowly and meaningfully ( a good speech lesson). It was quite fun.
Just an idea for those days when nothing seems to go just right!

Hi Julie!
Too cute! Thanks for sharing.
We used to do something similar when we were teaching the kids to do new chores. We pretended we were doing a TV documentary about how to made a bed, or how to take out the trash, etc. It was fun!
Hey, how about having them do a radio show? More verbal, less visual....
Blessings,
Christine

Hi everyone - I'm posting ideas even though no one has been on here in a while - I just read all the above - maybe someone else will too
I have a GeoSafari and a MathSafari, sometimes it just nice to do something different. We also have pajama days where we stay in our p.j.'s and read all day long (maybe a craft or art). We especially like these types of days when we can lie in front of the fireplae all day!

Ann Marie,
Can I leave my pjs on all day tomorrow and do crafts with you? Tee hee.
Christine

quote:

Originally posted by christinefield:
Hi Julie!
Too cute! Thanks for sharing.
We used to do something similar when we were teaching the kids to do new chores. We pretended we were doing a TV documentary about how to made a bed, or how to take out the trash, etc. It was fun!
Hey, how about having them do a radio show? More verbal, less visual....
Blessings,
Christine

What a great idea!!!!