Kayinmaine recently wrote an entry asking about our childhood memories. I decided to comment but as I "Commenced to think" (thank you Grandpa) I realized that my ponderings were to long for a comment and became my own entry.
I have some wonderful memories of my childhood. Most of those are from the summer when we would retreat to our summer cottage on a very private pond. Here I could escape the confusion of the public school life. I dreaded fall and the return to school. Although I liked new school clothes they didn't ease my anxiety of returning to the 'mill'. We would, by choice, hang out there. When young I would make pine needle villages in the pine grove. Sometimes my cousins would come over and we would create very elaborate villages from nothing but pineneedles, twigs and stones. This would go on for hours until someone would inevitably get the idea to 'add water'! Every village needs a water supply so down to the pond we'd go with a bucket hoping to add a mini pond. Okay moms, are you thinking of what dead pine needles, a little dirt and water equal? Besides lots of fun? A mess! That would lead us to the pond and the rock where Mom always kept a bar of ivory soap. Yes, ivory because it floats! She wanted people to know that she did try to keep us clean and if our soap floated over to Grandma's camp it would be proof she attempted!
Water and soap would lead to a game of throwing the soap and racing to get it which would lead to getting a little further and further from our camp which would lead us to a great place to catch frogs, which would lead us to...... Amazing! No beeps, clicks or electronics all day and we survived!
Rainy days we'd make fudge or cookies and play cards. We'd listen to the rain, read a book, sew and talk. Yes, it sounds idyllic and I do remember some bickering and arguing but mostly I remembered the dread I felt when the "Back to school" sales started. I had never heard of homeschooling when I was a kid.(Remember this was a 1/2 century ago-- ahem... only a 1/2 kids not a whole!) and saw no other alternative. Public school was the norm. I just dreaded it and hated moving back to our winter house. I remember being awake nights before the start of school, not being able to sleep. I look back at the anxiety and wonder, "WHY?" If you were in my situation do you remember people telling you that your school years would be the best memories of you life? Are they? I was involved in band, cheering, clubs etc... but I think of that part of my life like a soap opera! Who is dating whom? (This included some teachers too but we weren't suppose to tell our parents!) Who is 'kissing up' to get what they want? Which bathroom to use to avoid the cigarette smoke? Which hallway has few 'couples' making out in them? etc... etc.... Gee with this attitude I wonder why I homeschool!?!?
Memories and the work we do now for our children doesn't end at 12th grade or even college graduation or marriage. It is sorely disappointing and grievous to me to watch Moms who give up their guidance and spiritual growth when the children leave home. They seem to say, "My job is done now I can ignore the principles I've raised my children by and do what I want." I wonder if this contributes to Empty Nest Syndrome? I know it's caused problems in many families.
Last night as I was driving home from youth group with a car full of girls ages 12-16 I was wondering if I was out of my mind! It was Friday, hubby has been away all week and traveled home ahead of me because the girls wanted to get something to eat and it was 11:00 P.M.! As I listened to their giggles and antics I was reminded of Kayinmaine's blog. It's not just the teaching and books but the time and love spent that trains our children to be who they will be. We need to make sure we're training them in ALL ways to be servants for HIS Kingdom!
Teaching household skills to my girls is especially important but where will ferreting out that last particle of dust rate with taking a more leisurely morning in the middle of the week by inviting them all to snuggle under a big quilt and reading "Little Women"? Of course this isn't just a reading time. You know when it's over no one wants to leave so the tickling and giggling ensue and.................
When my oldest was born "old people" told me to guard every moment because it would go so fast. I wasn't thinking of it being gone, I was thinking of getting through diapers! (Yes, we used cloth ones back then!) Now I hear myself telling people, "Don't turn around or they'll be 20 years old!" I know it sounds so cliche but it is so true. Where does that time go? Make the most of your training time and memory time. You may be exhausted but you'll have eternity to rest!
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Posted by KayinMaine