I've been teaching for a number of years and home schooling for 2 1/2 years now. I know there is a process of teaching, though that I have yet to venture into. More than academically though, I've been learning to teach this through daily living. It's a whole new experience for me. The part of learning/ teaching I hate to get to: Letting them figure it out on their own. What that means is, that my child need to learn to make a mistake. Even fail. What mother wants their child to fail? Certainly not me, but I'm learning to let him fail as he learns. A harder lesson for me, than for him. I have an 8 year old that is beginning to stretch out his wings. It bothers me for three reasons: 1) I'm not old enough to have a child of age to explore independence 2.) I simply have to realize, that although I still am the parent, he needs to learn how to be a decision maker. 3.) I'm used to making a complete decision for him, rather than him make a decision, and I do not want to relenquish control! A prime example of this is this: His dad and he have been making significant changes to his bedroom. They tore down the drop ceiling, hung furring strips, painted the walls, tore down molding, and soon they will be finishing the project by completing the ceiling tiles, replacing and painting the molding and trims. The first major decision is which "theme" to go with in the room. We did 3 weeks of research and internet searching. We had pictures all over the place. I had my preference. I boldly and firmly stated my decision. No go. He had his mind made up too. Not exactly the same as mine. He went with the camo theme. His story, he's in the military in the special ops in the middle of a safari. So his room's walls are an "Expedition Khaki." They actually look really good. He has a plan to put a mosquito net over the bunk beds, paint the trims an off white color, and paint his door and window rolling shades in camoflauge. He has little green army men, tanks, etc. around his room displayed. So far, he's doing great. I wanted to put his desk next to his bookshelf so we could write a sign on the wall that said, "Research center." He wanted his desk over on the other side of the room. I one that argument because well, it didnt' make any sense to do it the other way. But his response was, "Mom, it's my room. Why can't I put it the way I want?" We talked about fluidity and asthetics and soon he came to the conclusion mom was right, but it wasn't the end of our "differences" in the room situation. As I sought guidance through prayer, because I was becoming annoyed... more or less because out of silly things that were not going to make a significant difference, I was losing the battle to his opinion. I believe I've learned this: - Allow my child to try and fail...or conquer. - My way is not always the best... - I may be right, but he may be right too. - I may be right and he needs to learn to trust. - He has an opinion he needs to explore. - He may, through his abstract thought, become an amazing inventor or innovative engineer - I need to teach him how to process his abstract thoughts into practical ways (Ie.. if you have an idea, write it down, draw it out, see if it works on paper, then try it. Think about what he wants to do, think about consequences (positive and negative) then try it. Will it work? Do I need to do something else first?) It's a long teaching curve and process, but it's something that needs to be learned. I may have another Einstein on my hands, or Steven Jobs, or Stephen Speilburg.

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