Today was our first day of really having school with the girls here. T, A, and M did school last week, but I was just evaluating the girls. I started the math program for next year with the girls and I am using some other literature things to finish the year. Thankfully, I found some spelling lists on line with some neat activities for them. They worked pretty well. One girl was very diligent. The other one was very tired. I found her asleep on the couch about 11 am. I wondered when all of the playing outside all day long would catch up. M actually fell asleep for a little while also. We did finish the school day. I finally made time to order two more rolling chairs for our school room. We have plenty of chairs around here, but everyone wants the one with wheels. The fighting over who gets the chairs gets old. Maybe I will have everyone stand while in the school room tomorrow. I guess that would make them do work in other rooms and maybe less arguments would occur.
This is a mentally exhausting task God has called me too!! I am so worn out by lunch!! I always have to be on my toes!! Until everyone gets trustworthy and comfortable..whew!!
We have had more meetings and devotionals in the last week than ever!! I have decided the best way to handle things right know is honest and up front. My husband read a great devotional at work today. He brought it home and shared it with me. We decided to have a devotional with all of the kids. Well, I think it went over their heads. T probably understood it. They all enjoyed reading their Bibles aloud. We are blessed that all five of the children can read!! I am thrilled about this as a homeschool mom!!
One daughter has slept two nights all night. She is very proud of herself and so am I. She really wants to please. The girls are starting to tell stories of things that have happened in their past. They are small incidences and you never know when they may share them. Another reason I have to always be alert on on my toes. They bring things up at odd times. I believe they are adjusting well. I believe the two way trust is building. I know this will take awhile.
It is hard to believe we MET the girls for the FIRST time two weeks ago today!! It feels like they have been in our hearts forever.
Please pray for Morgan. She commented to me tonight with tears that she is having to share most everything. I haven't made her share everything. Any clothes she has she can choose to share or not to share. Too me it is silly, to her it is huge. Tonight was a bath robe that is too little. It will fit the girls. She has a new pretty one that her Nanna made her, but she wants the small one just because. She is doing well, but I know it is hard. She is also having to share Mommy and Daddy.
Thanks for letting me ramble!!
Listen to Morgan. Don't blow her off BUT don't make a big deal of it either like "oh, poor baby". I made that mistake and two of my older kids ate up the "oh poor me" and turned it into a resentment almost. We are still dealing with some jealousy issues with them and it makes it very hard for them to get along with one of my foster/adopt children. It makes me so angry sometimes because my birth children should be mature enough to let their selfish ways go and be nice. I have tried getting onto them, I have tried bribing them, I have tried writing them a thank you card for their sacrifices, I have tried guilting them into being nice, I have tried grounding them, I have tried it all, I have tried ignoring it, I have tried pointing it out everytime they are ugly. Honestly I have run out of ideas. I have decided it is going to take time and maturity. Not sure how much more time but I still have hope. :)
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are with the exhaustion and the trying to build trust. I don't want to discourage you at all but please know it takes a lot of time to establish that trust. Even today, after almost 18 months, Beth broke the trust by doing something she knows is absolutely a no no. It is so discouraging some days but you must just take it one day at a time and hold on to the small victories.
It sounds like things are going great. Hope everyone sleeps well tonight. :)
hang in there and Kelly is right, be gentle with M but at the same time youare not asking to much of her - at least that is what it sounds like. Have a good week.
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