Woohoo, first assignment of Blogger Friend School Year Three! A whole new blog just for Blogger Friend School too. Check out the new assignment.
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:19 KJV
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
OH WHAT A FEELING - being a homeschool mom.
In 1992, while still pregnant with Trent, my friend Sandy experienced her "BOX DAY" while I was there picking up my Amway products from her (Yes, I'm in Amway). It was her first year homeschooling and so her excitement lead to my curiosity. What was all this stuff in the box? Which of course led to the questions "Is that legal" and "What about socialization?" and "How many hours a day do you have to do that?" I got the whole rundown of what a homeschool family looked like over that year.
Well, that was interesting, but I was far from being in the market to become a homeschool mom, I was a working mom, and my son was just an infant. but 3 years later, as I longed to be a stay at home mum, and baby # 3 was on the way, I took a look at our oldest son, and realized he was above the curve on learning. At just over 3, he already had all the names of the letters learned and was starting to learn the sounds. He couldn't even go to Kindergarten until he was nearly 6 because of his birth month - he was going to be bored! Meanwhile, I had already been to the Dr to discuss Myles behaviour, and the concept of ADHD was brought to my attention and I was beginning to read those kinds of books. I knew I didn't want to drug him, and knew he
would struggle in school. I reached back into my memory and remembered Sandy's homeschooling - there was the solution to my problem for both of them.
I didn't start homeschooling for Biblical reasons, but for academic ones. I did jump in with both feet for kindergarten and just bought books from the dollar store and the book store. We used the library lots too. I remember that spring before Trent turned 6 preparing for grade 1, talking to other homeschooling mothers at a meeting asking "where do I buy curriculum" and "what do I buy. Of course Abeka was the first thing everyone suggested and later that summer at a conference, I bought thre Abeka subjects and the Five In A Row books. OH that first week of grade 1 was horrendous. I hated Abecka and by day 6 threw out the math and decided I'd plug away at the spelling and language arts. It took me a few months to find a new math program - Mastering Mathematics - and I love it still to this day.
Well, 11 years later, I am completely fulfilled as a homeschooling mum. I've never looked back. I've had moments of wishing they were in PS during the frustrations of learning the times tables, or feeling like I was failing at teaching Myles to read - but they were fleeting. Our homeschooling is really just an extension of our parenting, it's just a small part of my daily job to get my kids from birth to adulthood. But as I realized that the boys were getting well on their way through our homeschool, I really started to think about those days when they would be grown and gone, and worried that I'd suffer terribly from empty nest syndrome. And that's when we decided to have more kids, a retirement job for me once the boys were educated and grown, a second set of kids to fill in the seats.. lol
Some people define themselves by what they do for a living. I guess I do too, though I don't do it for a living. I'm a mom - fully and completely a mom. Today someone said to me when they saw I had 5 kids "you have your hands full" I replied.. not yet, but almost. I love our life, I love the pace of my life, I love being responsible and involved in not just the academics, but in the character building of my kids.
This is my new schoolroom. It's in my livingroom/diningroom, but there is now space for two computers, and storage space all in one area. The boys will still use the diningroom table and their desks in their rooms, but it's all centralized nice and tidy now.
Favourite Verse
I've taken this from my Sidur, my prayer book
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Shema Israel, Adonai, Eloheinu, Adonai Echad; Baruch shem kevod malchuto, l'olam vayed.
Hear O Israel; HaShem is our God, HaShem is the One and Only. Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity. You shall love HaShem, your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your resources. Let these matters that I command you today be upon your heart. Teach them thoroughly to our children and speak of them while you sit in your home, while you walk on the way, when you retire and when you arise. Bind them as a sign upon your arm and let them be tefillin between your eyes. And write them on the doorpost of your house and upon your gates.
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Sep. 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
It was wonderful reading about your journey into homeschooling! I'm sure that "Box Day" was a day to remember as your friend shared her excitement. I never thought to maybe invite a friend over on Box Day to share homeschooling.
Your school room looks wonderful!
Have a wonderful week!
MrsTamara
BFS Teacher
PS....I changed your MrLinky to have ** around your name.