How Bach Saved my Sanity

     Yesterday calmness came to my home in a "Why didn't I think of this before?" kind of way.

     Let me preface by saying one thing I have discovered in my 5 years of homeschooling: If you choose to educate your children at home, you need to come to the realization that you will spend an inordinate amount of time with your offspring. I not only love, but  happen to really like my children, so I really do enjoy our time together doing our studies, reading to them, etc.   There are times, though, when this Mama feels like she might just loose it!  Yesterday, for example.  My boys were not being rude, disrespectful or any of that.  Just chatty and not "buckled down" to work.  Like a lot of kids in the afternoon, I suspect. 
    
     I had an idea. (From the Lord, no doubt.)  Something I used to do as a 6th grade teacher to help my students concentrate on their studies.   I put in our "Baroque Festival" cd.  Turned it up pretty loud.  Worked wonders.  Even made me feel better. 

     I'm not sure of the research concerning classical music.  I've heard that it is good for the brain.  I used to play it everynight when my boys were babies until they got to be older.  My oldest will still put in a classical cd on at night if he is having trouble sleeping.  I can't explain it, but somehow I think classical music helps to engage the brain in a calming way so that it can concentrate on other things-- like studying or sleeping.

     I just had to pass this on to my fellow home and/or school educators and parents!  Wouldn't want to keep a good idea all to myself!!!