As we start into the new year I'm finding myself trying to tie together the loose ends of all that I have been pondering about our home school. The questions of how to work with each child. This is taking precedence over the structured –unstructured debate.  

There is however also the truth that we will model to our kids the things we enjoy without the stress. Science and Bible discussions happen around here with the slightest excuse, cooking skills get learned by osmosis. Nature study sidetracks us constantly but Math’s, Latin and Grammar are much more difficult.   

If we head down the child directed path, even within my favorite curriculum choices, the kids find themselves constantly caught in black holes. Places where they simply don’t want to move forward. The structure gives them an ability to keep working on something so that it doesn’t become scary or overwhelming.

On top of it all I am seriously aware that we need to take fun, play and creativity seriously this year and enjoy doing the things that each one of us loves. Even if I would rather sit in front of the computer than take that walk, go for a swim or play a game of cricket in the park the kids need the time to play.

It has been that balancing act that I have been enjoying working through in the last couple of months. Trying to work out what we do for our home school rather than the standard one size fits all. 

My challenge heading forward is to learn the art of teaching my individual artist, engineer and academic - socialite without overwhelming or frustrating them. With being comfortable in the freedom to work their own pace.

It’s the last idea working in freedom that find so difficult to work through. I struggle with trusting that we will get there in the long run especially as I am increasingly aware that “there” is not necessarily a defined point. Not a a quick fix that this long and windy road.