Math lessons

Yesterday was a tough math day for Josiah.  In the curriculum we use he went from + 2's to this week learning the + 9's.  We watched the video, did a few examples with the blocks, and then moved to paper.  That's when I could see that it wasn't really clicking.  I sat with him as we worked through the problems on the paper.  In frustration and being the dramatic person he is, he threw his head back and moaned, "I'll never be smart in math."  Sometimes it's all I can do to not laugh at his drama and calmly give him the "you are smart, you are still learning, we'll try again tomorrow" pep talk.  We worked our way through the problems, step by step and then put it away.  I have to admit I had the "I'll never be a good homeschool mom" thoughts go through my head, though I generally keep it inside and try not to display it with the same dramatic flair of my youngest son.

Fast forward to today.  I thought I'd have him start with math just to get it out of the way.  I asked him if he remembered how to do it and he said he did, so I went on to help Ethan with something.  About five minutes later I hear moaning from the kitchen, "Oh, I'm sooo tired.  I can't hold my head up..." etc.  So, I do what any mom does and sent him straight to bed, no lights on, no books in bed, do not pass go do not collect any money.  He was there a few minutes and came down (amazingly) all refreshed and ready for the day.  I gave him my serious voice "talking too" about getting our work done, doing our best, etc.  He agreed with me (of course) and I offered to help him get started.  We sat down at the table and worked the first few problems rather quickly.  He declared, "I got it.  I think I got it."  So, I told him to finish up the page and then I'd check up on him.  He was done faster than I thought possible and I thought, "oh great, he just filled in the numbers" (he's done that before).  I was so happy to see that he had them all right...he really did get it.  He was SO proud of himself...and I was proud of him too.  We celebrated with a happy dance in the kitchen singing, "ooo yeah, he got it, oooo yeah he got it, got it."