So with a string of holidays and gatherings behind us for another year, I feel free to look forward to the future, to the “real winter”, the months of January through March 2010. My mind goes to the lists – lists of curriculum, lists of school expectations, lists of books. Lists of where we’ve been, lists of our goals ahead. I’m good at lists.

I’ve spent hours, days and weeks arranging our schedules, then end up using them for a guideline. Mostly, they help the boys to know what is expected of them each day along with their free time.

While living in Bend, we had so many choices of activities, that we chose a few for each boy, and then fit the academics around those events. There was a sense of urgency of making sure the academics got done. English, Math, Geography. Now – without activities in Lincoln City, we have an abundance of time for academics, and no opportunities for group activities.

This morning – my thoughts are towards January, praying about direction, discipline, taking control of our days.  So far – our days have been one at a time, feeling like a three month vacation. However, we have learned volumes about the ocean, tides, animals, geography, weather, math – and spiritually – several character issues that we needed to work on individually and as a family.

I am enjoying the unschooling season, and, even in three short months, seeing the fruit of it. I think – what I need – is a routine. The waking question of –“what are we going to do today” from my family, gets overwhelming, like I’m a tour director.

So if you are a regular reader, I ask for prayer, as I seek balance – discipline, routine, biblical, academic, family, and service. I’ll keep you updated as we  find our way through. If you are an unschooler of middle school boys, how to do you find balance? What is your experience? Do you blog about it? Let me know 🙂