The Heart of the Matter has been having some great topics for their Friday meme.  Unfortunately, I haven't take the time to do them!  I did want to briefly touch on last week's topic~How I Got Started Homeschooling~ before moving onto today's.....

(I think I've shared some of this  before, so I'll be brief)  Not long before Ashley was to enter kindergarten, there were alot of "issues" with the local school district.  The teachers had  been working without contracts and there had already been a strike the year before, with talk of another one for that year.  Ashley was an only child and she was already approaching her 6th birthday (her birthday falls in November and some family members had advised keeping her home with me for another year).  I had no desire to send my baby off to school, but homeschooling had never really crossed my mind.  It was like a "lightbulb moment" one day when the thought occured to me~ hey, I could teach her at home!  For one thing, I love her and I know her better than anyone; and for another, I'm committed to her education (unlike the local teachers who were more concerned with their salaries). 

I had attended a Christian school that used mostly Abeka curriculum, so we started out that first year with a boxed Kindergarten set.  Alot has changed over the years~ we've made a few mistakes, taken a few wrong turns, learned many lessons~ but, God-willing, homeschooling is here to stay!

Now, for this week's topic~ The Things My Child(ren) Taught Me During Homeschool Lessons. I added the (ren) above, because I've learned things from each of my children, and am still learning......

From Ashley, I've learned that I can teach!  She was my guinea pig, and homeschooling worked!  She learned to read, she excelled in math;  and we did all this without me having a college degree in education.  The love, time, and committment were there, and it worked.  Now, nine years later, I'm still learning alot from Ashley and she's still my guinea pig!  She's my first teenager, so I'm learning very interesting things from her these days!  I've learned that teenagers, across the generations, really aren't that much different (though they may have different taste in guys!)  Ashley and I have a great deal in common and really enjoy our one-on-one time.  Our next outing together will be to the CHAP convention in May~ this will be her first trip, and she's really looking forward to it (add to the excitement of the convention the fact that we'll get to see the Suarez baby, and Ashley's on cloud 9!)

From Gracie, I've learned that schooling cannot be a "one size fits all".  She took a very different approach to learning to read~ she didn't have time for phonics!  When she decided she wanted to read (at 4), she wanted to read NOW, and she pretty much did just that.  I've learned that you can't (or maybe "shouldn't) hold a child back with their learning.  I've also learned that I need to tolerate a bit of a mess, so that she can create her "artwork"!

And from Ian (though he's still 2 days shy of his 2nd  birthday), I've learned that my schedule cannot rule me.  He's thrown alot of clinkers into our school days, we've had to learn to work around his naps or times of quiet (which are few and far between).  Oh, and most recently, I've learned that little  boys love to get dirty, and that dirt is ok.    I know I have many more lessons to learn from this little guy over the years. 

Not only have I learned alot from my kids while we've been homeschooling, but i've also learned alot from our learning.  In other words, I'm learning things now that I never learned in school;  or, maybe I learned them, but they didn't sink in because of the difference in teaching methods, etc.  Who knows?  All I know is that I enjoy homeschooling, and that I learn something new each and every day.  As I sit down and read things with the kids, I often catch myself saying "hey, I never knew that!"

What are you learning?

Share Your Thoughts

Apr. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Those our great lessons learned! I especially liked the one about not letting the schedule rule you, as I have a two-year-old boy, too!
Celly B
www.cellybbusyathome.blogspot.com

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Wonderful

Posted by cricket

I love how children are all differetn. Thank you for sharing!
Be blessed!
Terri Sue

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Ruth

Heidi,
This is one of the best parts of homeschooling. I have enjoyed learning so many new things right along with the kids.
Ruth

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mamaof3

I have learned so many things from my children...

I've learned to not be concerned with what everyone else is doing and do what works for us - because that is all we need to be thinking about - and my children are the ones who taught me that.

My children have taught me to laugh more - I can be quite serious - and they tend to help make me more "easy-going".

I LOVE homeschooling and am so thankful that we are on this journey with our three incredible kids - THANK YOU, Lord!

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by andijeane

It was a great idea to go child by child. All of our children teach us so many things, and that is different depending on our season of life. I really enjoyed reading your lessons learned!

~Andrea

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Lessons Learned

Posted by Morning Rose

Those are great lessons learned from your children! I'm learning a lot of history that I either forgot or don't remember learning as a child. I'm also learning a lot of boy stuff like baseball, spy stories, and escape stories.

Thanks for sharing how you got started homeschooling. It's neat to see how different families start and then flourish with homeschooling.

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Apr. 18, 2008 - Great post!

Posted by Anonymous

I'm relearning everything missed during my school years also. Isn't it great to learn right along with our children. I think I get just as excited as they do over some things. :)

Kysha
http://humblemama.blogspot.com

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Apr. 19, 2008 - So many blessings...

Posted by proverbsmomof3

homeschooling. I learned a long time ago that each child learns differently and at different rates. It is so wonderful to be able to teach our children and to learn along side of them. Thanks for sharing your story.

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Apr. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by littlebrowngirl

Hey I really like your blog.
How did you get an image background .. not just colors?
And are you on my friends list?
-Hannah

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Aug. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Love the answers!! Thanks for sharing!! : )

Heidi @ Southpaugh Homeschool
www.jhcckkm.wordpress.com

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