Our kids are all so unique. My pastor recently debunked the idea of "well rounded" individuals. No one is good at every thing, but all of us are good at something. My goal as a mom is to find that thing for each child and help them reach the sky with that particular talent.

Our daughter is a writer. She dreams of writing a novel that becomes part of Sonlight's curriculum. She often asks if she can go write (she is working on a novel and several stories -just for fun ya know!). Reading is her great love - she just read the "Sister's Grimm" series - took her about 2 weeks to devour the 6 book series in addition to keeping up with her school work. She is so much like me - give us a good book and we are lost till it is over! It was funny to hear her debate whether she wanted to finish the series or wait so "it would last... I don't want the book to end!".

Math though, not her thing! She read a this poem today...

Mathematics by Arthur Clement Hilton (1869?)

I've reallly done enough of sums,

I've done so very many,

That now instead of doing sum

I'd rather not do any.

I've toiled until my fingers are

With writing out of joint;

And even now of Decimals

I cannot see the point.

Subtraction to my weary mind

Brings nothing but distraction,

And vulgar and improper I

Consider every fraction.

Discount is counted troublesome

By my unlearned pate;

For cubic root I enter

A strongly rooted hate.

"Apply yourself," my master said,

When I my woes confided,

"And, when you multiply, bestow

Attention undivided."

She said she could totally relate to the author! We have used different curriculums through the years for her. This year, at her request, we got her Teaching Textbooks so she could do math on the computer like Preston. She started off the year loving it because it was new. Around November she began to dread it and take nearly THREE hours to complete a 10 minute lecture and 20 problems. She was getting frustrated and I was beyond frustration! So what does she suggest, she wants ME to teach her because supposedly she understands my explinations better. All I do is read the exact script that the guy on the computer reads! I have to remember to be flexible - now that I am "teaching" her math, she is done in less than an hour - lesson, interruptions from brothers and problems - all of it DONE, with a smile. It is truly amazing!

The lesson for me: one I have to constantly apply, be flexible - if it ain't working, fix it or change it!