Sagerat Scribbles

• Apr. 18, 2006 - Staying Within the Lines

One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is keeping our children out of a mold made by the government.

So many parents have pulled their child out of the public school system because the teacher accused their child of not, "coloring the clown's nose red and staying within the lines." What difference does it make if our children don't color clown noses red? Maybe a cheery yellow nose, larger than life, is a sign of an abstract artist!

While we want to encourage our children to not follow the path of the world, there is something to be said for following the rules.

If you have a child that doesn't listen to the directions you give him, asks if she has to do everything on the page because she thinks it's dumb, or argues with you about everything, is that child an independent thinker or disobedient?

As parents we need to recognize when to allow our children free reign in their ideas and work, and when to stand firm about coloring that clown nose red.

If we as parents continually say that we aren't going to do something according to the written instructions because we feel they are ridiculous, then in a sense we are saying that the author of those instructions is not an authority. Why should our children then view other written or verbal instructions as something to be taken seriously?

Sometimes asking a child to do a seemingly meaningless task isn't really without meaning. What you are really asking them to do is to take instruction and apply it as it was put to them.

While I want each of my children to think for themselves, to recognize fallacies and to see that there is more than one way to peel an orange, I also want my children to accept the Word of God without question, to take it exactly as it is and to follow the instruction written within. The Bible is not a book where you can take out what you like and treat the rest as ridiculous.

Teach your children to follow instructions. It does serve a purpose.

• Apr. 19, 2006 - Exactly!

Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

Timely and well-written. We need to remember this at all times... Consistency is the key!
Blessings... Jacque

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• Apr. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CreativeHomeschooling

In the car today, I was just trying to explain to my 10 y.o. son how the ps want sheep not critical thinkers. I was going through the various hypocrasies (sp?) in our culture. In fact, i just posted a new satirical silly based on that. It is getting harder and harder to explain why things are to my dc these days...they say, "but that doesnt make sense"

Jennie von Eggers
www.TimesTales.com
www.CreativeHomeschooling.com

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• Apr. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by OreoSouza

Oh! Thought provoking article, Sage. Hmmm. Thank you. Yes. I'm sure it's thank you. LOL Ok. Off to mull this over.

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• Apr. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by heartmatters

Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.

I have a daughter who believes that everything has to be followed to a T. So when I'm doing a recipe, it's sometimes hard for her to watch me as I tweak it a little here or there. So it makes for interesting conversation when I tell her these instructions don't have to be followed exactly, but the Word of God is unerring and we follow it the best we can.
Jammie at /heartmatters

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• Apr. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by redmom

Just read your "sports" comment on my blog. I used to have the BEST "what about the prom?" article. I think I lost it somewhere along the way. It was SOOO good. Wonder if I could find it. I can't even remember the author's name.

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• Sep. 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KarenW

Some times you need to stay within the lines and sometimes you don't. My prayer is that God will give me (and my children) the wisdom to know which time is which! I enjoyed reading your entry!

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The politically incorrect ramblings of a sage rat den mother. As well as thoughts on adoption, special needs children, and My Lord and Savior.

About my Avatar: Tia Turtle is a character in a new book by Gena Suarez, "And Then Mama Said...It Takes Time to Learn to Read." Kevin Collier is the illustrator and he made me my special avatar, because yes, Tia Turtle is named after Me! (Okay, so I'm bragging. Leave me a correctional comment in love.)