Posted in Schooling

I must admit that I have been more of an unschooling mom lately.  I am too much of a control freak to go completely unschool but the relaxed atmosphere has been good for all of us.  It has seemed to work for the kiddos pretty well this semester.  They tend to want to just do educational stuff without me prodding and I am grateful for that.  We have incorporated more computer stuff this semester and I have just made a variety of books available to them and it has been a success.  We do the daily requirements and then I let them do stuff they enjoy.  Our state requires that they get 5 things in each week...  (Reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship)  We do math and read and write (spelling, handwriting and creative writing) and then the day is their's to read on their own, crochet, play, draw, etc...  and then they do chores and piano practice and help mom.  We throw a little state and USA history and citizenship in along with scouting and we get it covered. 

It has been cool to see D(7) show a real interest in all the science type books we have.  We bought a lot of those for J(13) and he is a very science minded kiddo.  He (J13)is also TOTALLY INTO algebra... he takes after his dad I must add.  LOL    Anyway, D(7) is heading that direction, too.  E(9) is really incredibly good with numbers, too.  She is more of the creative writer and artist type though and is very into using her hands.  She is quite the songbird, too.  We are still waiting to see what J(3) is into but for now it is  EVERYTHING!!! LOL  My days are full but more enjoyable all the time with the kids.  The stress level has dropped drastically for us.  I felt guilty for that after J(13) went to PS but I see now that he really did need that routine and has really benefited from that time with his dad a great deal.  He is such a social animal and really enjoys the band and football for the team aspect of it all.  He is also working on a big project in social studies that totally has his interest.  He is thriving and I am glad for it. 

I still get the evil eye response from some homeschoolers who think I made a mistake but, just like my impending surgery post I made yesterday, people need to realize that all of these decisions are quite personal and with God's guidance we make these choices that are best for our families and our children.  I have stopped explaining myself to people because it really is not their concern.  God has a different path for each of us and I am responsible for how I respond to God and nothing else.  Am I being obedient?  If I can say yes to that then that is all I have to do.  I cannot please everyone else so I won't try to...  I wish more moms supported one another instead of judging one another all the time.  I have been guilty of it too but I think that I am changing on that a lot lately.  We all have our path and our call and mine is not yours and yours is not mine.  My way is not the best way for someone else and your way is not the best for me and my family.  You get the point...

Got off on a tangent again...  LOL  The point is that we are still growing and changing and finding our way in this thing we call parenting and schooling.  Do I have all the answers?  NO WAY... I am still seeking them...  This new experience of letting some things go and getting more relaxed has been good for us and I, for one, am the most surprised.

Anyway, we are enjoying this year very much.  We are very relaxed and I think I like it that way.  Who knew???  LOL