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The Journey
Feb. 18, 2007
An answer ro why I homeschoo .....
I think its hard for people to understand that learning a whole lot of facts is not all that valuable. There are homeschooled kids that do exactly what they would do at school... only AT home. They are busy, yes. But they are also bored and hate school! One of my main goals is to get my kids to develop a love of learning. I can only teach them so much. Eventually they will be on their own and they will get to decide whether to continue their education. A love of learning, wanting to know more and knowing where to find it is so much more precious and long lasting than knowing the exact dates that Henry VIII beheaded and/or divorced his 6 wives.
FYI for anyone who cares to know - I decided to homeschool only after I went through exhaustive surgery, 6 months of chemo and endless tests and doctors visits. I thought I was going to die. To be honest there were times I would rather have died (but that is neither here nor there). But having so much time to think, to do nothing but think, let me think about things I would normally not question. Having cancer didn't and doesn't change how long I have to live. I could die in a car accident just as easily. Nobody can change those things. But what I do with the time I do have - that is my choice. And I know I'm called to raise my kids the best way I know how.
My oldest was in a private school when I was diagnosed. She was at the top of her class. She was ahead of the average ps kid. I never questioned whether she was getting a quality education. She was also learning many other things though too. Like how to show disrespect, how to treat others badly if they weren't "cool", and many other traits that left her in her room in mandatory 'quiet time' more times than I can count. These kids ... my kids .... they are my legacy. Gosh there are so many things. How do I want my kids to remember me? How important are test scores, manners, social activities? If I don't teach them what is important, who will?
You know what is priceless? That I can tell when something is wrong with my daughter because I can recognize that she chews her nails differently. Both of them will talk to me about anything - and I do mean anything! My preteen says she would rather be with me than anyone else in the world, that there is not enough time in the day to spend with me. My youngest loves to surprise me by doing everyone's chores without them knowing. They love God and are constantly looking for ways to help the homeless and others that are in need.
They are busy. All day they are learning. They are learning about life and about how to live. Some of that can be taught with a text book. Some of it can be taught through videos and cds. But I have found that so much more is taught through us just being together, talking about everything and taking each day as it comes. |
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Posted by
Feb. 18, 2007 - I am excited that you are blogging.
You totally reminded me why I am homeschooling. How I am going to keep my stress down without you sitting at the pool reminding me about relationships is beyond me.
You are so sweet to me. I am overweight- not a lot but I want to get back to where I used to be prior to C. Who is turning 4 on Saturday!!
Maybe while he is gone you can come up for a visit in OK? Also, if there is a way to make it work I think there is a hs convention in June or July in OK City and we could meet there. Maybe your Mom could come and stay with the girls and you could drive up to meet me there. Just thinking....