• May. 27, 2005
Installment #2 from January 2004
What I Know For Sure
* I am not perfect and will make mistakes.
* God is the one who ultimately has control over what we do each day.
* Each child learns differently and needs different things.
* I must teach each child the way that learn best.
* Homeschooling is a lifestyle - we do it 24/7
* If there is a conflict I have to win unconditionally - so I pick my battles well. (most of the time ;-) )
* The children have their whole life to learn and I do not need to push them when they are not ready to move on in their studies.
* There are stages and when they are not ready, they are just simply not ready. (ie. Potty
training, tying shoes, reading and certain math skills are quite developmental and you must wait on them)
* Christ is the only thing that truly matters.
* There are no perfect people, no perfect families, no perfect home schools, and no perfect curriculum.
* Homeschooling is a very personal choice that is not for everyone (some families have much better public schools than others for sure or private schools may be an option they might choose).
* Reading to your children is not optional it is mandatory.
* Turning off the television is a must.
* The library is an invaluable resource for the home school family.
* As the parent, you never stop learning and growing while schooling your children.
* I have learned more teaching my children than I ever did in public school as a child.
* They do not have learn everything under the sun while you are teaching them - they just have to learn self-education so they are lifelong learners.
* Take is all one day at a time and bathe it all in prayer!!!
* If both parents are not on board with home schooling it is nearly impossible to succeed.
* Sometimes all family members are not on board but if hubby and wife are in agreement then that is all that matters - although it is tough to be continually subjected to the negative comments. Bathe that in prayer, too.
* Get ready to listen, listen, listen!
* Games are great teaching tools.
* The best learning is most often hands-on experience. Field trips are never a waste of time.
Coming up…
* Books that have been quite helpful to me and Dan.
* Curriculum choices we have made and philosophies we subscribe to most often. (it is rather eclectic in our home)
* Links to my favorite websites (information sites, curriculum sites and magazine subscription sites)
Questions are always welcomed and if I do not have the answer (which I often do not) I will try to direct you to someone who does. Also feel free to e-mail me from my link above marked e-mail.
I will see you guys on Monday. Have a great weekend!
