May Garden

• Jun. 5, 2008 - Our Journey With A Relaxed Homeschool

A friend of mine recently sent me this book:
The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook : a creative and stress-free approach to homeschooling / Raymond and Dorothy Moore.

When reading this book I was reminded of the two other Moore books that I was lent when Luke and Timothy were toddlers. I'd know from the start of our marriage that we were planning to homeschool BUT what did that mean? How would we walk this out? Well after we struggled through our first child having a speech developmental set back and even a long period of severe stuttering I realized that RELAXED was the only way for us to go. There was no pushing a young boy with such road blocks! As bright and interested in life as Luke was I had few major worries about intelligence or willingness to learn but to become a reader just was out of the question. And for me at least at the time reading or preparing for reading WAS EDUCATION! I am not a mathematical mind I am emotionally driven and love to learn from reading and being involved in relationships.

Now we walk through a phase of him having ability to learn to read but as he is so accustomed to learning through observation, discussion, videos, educational games, and personal involvement in projects at 8 years old he seems reluctant to learn the mechanics of reading. I was becoming stressed thinking of all the responsibilities we now have after almost 10 years of marriage with an ever growing family. How can I give Luke the personal one on one time he needs to learn to read so he can grow more on his own with all the subjects he loves? How can I better ready Tim for his reading years? How can I care for the young children 3.5, almost 2, and a new baby coming in the Fall and all their many true needs for guidance each day?

The answer comes full circle STAY RELAXED trust the creativity and personal interest in life and learning they already have developed and by all means do not let myself become stressed!

I haven't had much contact with other homeschooling families. The church I was active in has a Christian School that most of the young people are sent to so I felt very much like we are moving through uncharted territory... UNTIL I read wonderful books from the true pioneers of homeschooling.
I was so encouraged by the proven style of a relaxed education that is the focus of the Moore books.

Here are some other titles I noticed I can get through my library interchange!
Home built discipline, Minding your own business : a common sense guide to home management and industry, Home school burnout : what it is, what causes it, and how to cure it, Home made health : a family guide to nutrition, exercise, stress control, and preventive medicine, Home-spun schools : teaching children at home--what parents are doing and how they are doing it, Home grown kids : a practical handbook for teaching your children at homes, school can wait, China doctor; the life story of Harry Willis Miller, by Raymond S. Moore.

I would really encourage any homeschooling parent using any approach to read the Moores' writing!