Lately I've been thinking a lot about the little "bubble" I live in with my happy little family. I too easily forget that we are part of a minority when it comes to home-schooling and family time. Most of my friends are stay-at-home-moms who home-school and we are blessed to be attending a church with mostly the same type of family structures. I realize now that I am super blessed to have this life with my little ones and that it is a gift I can help share with others. I do get asked a lot how we do what we do at home. Just the other day in a restaurant an older couple was talking to our older boys and enjoying conversation with them. The lady commented to me on how well-behaved, etc they were (thank heavens they were acting appropriately :-) ). She then asked what grades they are in and where they go to school. My six yr. old answered for me that they are home-schooled. That's when the single woman sitting behind them piped in that "Oh, they are?" and then began the questions directed from both tables as to "Well, do they have to take tests?" "Do you get their schoolwork from the School Board" etc etc. It was like fielding questions at a mini press-conference. Good thing I like to talk to strangers! :-)
It made me further realize how odd our way of "schooling" may seem to those so unfamiliar with the concept of mom and kids at home all the time TOGEHTER. We do use books, and computer programs, and other various resources but we are very much NOT bound to any specific curriculum. I have looked at many many curricula and have found them to either be very expensive or lacking in material I desire the kids to learn (or both!). Recently we have begun a series of projects that occupy a good portion of our school time that are incorporating our "subjects" all together. For example, this past week we made a family board game. It is a compilation of different themes all thrown together (Bible trivia, animal trivia, family information, spy adventures, super-heroes ). They used extreme creative-thinking skills to decide how it would work and what it would look like. They used their art skills to design and decorate it. They used writing skills to create the cards and board instructions. I helped them a lot, but a lot was their doing too. Then we all played it when Daddy came home. He thought it was so great he wants to come up with a way to market it. :-) (I think he's biased).
Anyway, this is just a great example of how learning just comes so naturally to children. Their creativity is just constantly wanting an outlet. It can be daunting for a parent to try and harness that creative energy and direct it toward productivity - but it can be done! We take walks to srudy animal tracks in the snow, and we discuss all manner of world events and geography. We don't take too seriously the mundane bookwork although I am inclined to require some of that as well. I endeavor for us to read more outloud together as we have yet to make this a consistent part of our day. They really enjoy our singing/Bible times in the morning. We make it fun. Try to anyway. Sometimes I have to coax them to do something they assume will be boring but usually they tell me later that it was way more fun than they'd anticipated. We also do a lot of activities that can incorporate many ages. I have a baby, a toddler, and two in different grades so we take many lessons and adapt them to everyone's needs. We are currently in a study on Blackbeard the pirate, for example, and everyone can participate at some level. Some things they do completely on their own; and others we pair off and work one at a time with mom. I think they like that time best. I know I do.The proof is definately in the pudding. My kids like being with me - even though I'm not a perfect mom or teacher (by a LONGSHOT!). They still love being home with me and I them.
I write this as an encouragement for those that are currently educating their families at home and as enticement for those "on the fence" regarding the matter. Enjoy your families today!
