In the early part of 2022, I learned about and fully embraced the "FunSchooling" method of homeschooling.
We started out as "unschoolers" with Lucas & Vinnie both getting to unschool for most of their elementary years. Then, when it was time for Vinnie to learn to read (because he wanted to and he was 8 years old) he struggled, so we started trying to find ways to help him. Eventually we learned that he is profoundly dyslexic and started using curricula that would help him with his specific style of learning.
When we moved to Colorado in late 2020, we started using digital school for both boys. We had them work from the lowest levels of Acellus up, so that they covered any gaps in their learning. Lucas really excelled with the online school. Vinnie eventually maxed out around 3rd grade level, because his reading and reading comprehension were keeping him from being able to complete the work, so we quit it for him and moved to a paper curriculum. Then, in the winter of 2021, the little kids broke our tablet and Lucas couldn't get access to Acellus any longer, so we needed something new for him as well.
That's how we began to use the Funschool books to supplement our school!
I invested quite a bit in the books and got the boys both set up with a nice curriculum to meet their needs and make school time fun!
Then in early March, the founder and author of Funschooling, opened up a Research Study for moms with symptoms of Brain Fog.
Prior to using the brain fog books I had been dealing with issues replacing words when speaking and forgetting things quite often. It had been going on for about 6-8 months and my doctor could only assume it was from stress or fatigue. I'm constantly tired, since at the time I had Percy still nursing and co-sleeping, and Lucas and Sulley both don't sleep through the night. I rarely get a decent night's sleep at night. I'm fortunate to be able to take naps, but that doesn't replace night time 8-10 hour stretches of sleep.
Within a week of starting the books (2 pages a day, for 6 days a week) my family began to notice that I was misusing words MUCH less frequently. After 2 months using the books at the same frequency, I was almost never misusing words! I did really well using the books all the way until we went on vacation in June & July and then I slacked off. Within a couple weeks my family was complaining that I was using the wrong words all the time again! So, as soon as we were home, I started back to doing 2-3 pages a day and the issue seems to be almost resolved again!
I started Lucas and Vinnie with the brain fog books shortly after I began using them. Vinnie loves them. He enjoys doing the activities and the coloring pages. He willingly completes his 2 pages a day, daily. Lucas is not as much of a fan. He has dysgraphia and such a writing strong program is hard for him. I only ask him to do one page or even part of a page a day and even that is a struggle.
BUT, both boys have showed a better ability to complete their school work and improved hand writing after starting the brain games books! We are hooked and will continue to use our books regularly!
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