20 Years of Homeschooling a Houseful

7 September 2006

Sometimes It's the Little Things

Have you ever noticed that often it isn't some earth-shattering realization that makes life noticeably easier, better, or more joyful? Lately, a bunch of little ideas or helps have all built upon one another and things have fallen in to place exactly that way! (If you're experiencing the opposite feeling...like it's all falling apart...be aware that this same principle can work in reverse. It may be the little things you can't quite put your finger on that are wreaking havoc in your home.)

So, here's one of the simple little ideas that is making life much easier. When I have children who are learning to write, I have often "dotted" out the letters that I want them to practice. Later, I found a cool website that would make writing sheets for me, but they weren't in the style of handwriting I use, and I was always forgetting to print them. Enter my wonderful friend, Martha, who benignly suggests that I simply use a highlighter and let Sorche go over it with her own pencil. I am pretty sure there was an audible "duh" heard 'round the world! Better yet, let's imagine the hallelujah chorus!

This one little trick has improved her handwriting exponentially, and lowered my stress level. I can print anything for her to write "on the fly". Even older children who have difficulty with writing can use this method to practice spelling words. I like the retractable highlighters with a finer point. Now, if I could just find one that comes on a lanyard! I'll just buy in bulk.

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!

Comments

7 September 2006 - Nifty idea!

Posted by ThoughtfulMom

I must admit, a highlighter had not crossed my mind. I found an acceptable font on AppleWorks that I use to make tracing sheets for my little guy by printing in a light gray. Why I could come up with that and not a highlighter, we'll never know. Then again, my handwriting leaves something to be desired.

• Permanent Link

7 September 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ReneeM

what a great idea!! even though we are about done with our handwriting "curriculum", his hand is really not ready for all the moves, so he has trouble doing it himself... I think we will do this! Thanks.

• Permanent Link

About Me

When I was a young mother and homeschooler over 20 years ago, I searched for a mother of many as a mentor. I found a few women along the way that helped me with parenting, but I was blazing my own trail for the most part with homeschooling. I see now how God used that situation to draw me closer to Him. It also forced me to develop my own vision and legacy of homeschooling, rather than simply copying the plans of another. Other than simple teaching experience, I have been mostly heavily influenced by the philosophies of Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson Education (Oliver DeMille). I have read extensively about all kinds of homeschooling, and have enjoyed or endured brief forays into other methods. Later, as more books were available, and especially when I went online in 1993, many doors for fellowship and sharing ideas were opened. Now that I have moved into a new stage of mothering (no babies or toddlers, children moving out and marrying), I wanted to capture some of those things I most wished I had known when I had a houseful of small children. I want to encourage other moms to "stay the course". I have never regretted these years spent homeschooling. It was the best decision I have ever made. I now know that choosing a philosophy and curriculum need not be the basis for educating my children. God gives the vision, and we just need to get out of the boat and start walking toward Him.