Oct. 4, 2007 - The end result!
Last week, I went with a friend of mine to a Smoothing the Way class. The classes are meant for first year homeschoolers, so some of it was really basic. I was homeschooled as a child, so even though it is my first year to (officially) start homeschooling, I was ahead of the game. We talked about managing our time and the two ladies teaching us had some really fun stories about how they use their time with their 7 or more kids.
There were several things that stuck out to me that made me want to really implement in homeschooling my girls. One, teaching the young children family habits. One mother shared how she did not leave her house much during the week, so she could spend time teaching character training and basic family habits and how to do them correctly. Now that her children are teenagers, they are such a big help to her in the house and a joy to be around. If you are constantly running around town and not spending time at home it is hard to teach your children routine in helping with basic chores and good character. In the past, I liked the idea of teaching my children how to do the dishes and laundry, but in reality I wanted to get the job done by myself so I could move on the next thing on the never ending list. I also did not have the patience to deal with the "I don't want to do" attitudes. I would think to myself, let children be children and play, for they will be grown soon enough. However, it is my job to train them how to be an adult and they learn by me working together with them. So, I really worked on this this week... now I still need to work on my patience levels. It is so hard. These women looked so patient.
Updates on Ryen: We put all her school work in a binder to show daddy every night and for review. She loves to look her progress. We also finished Anne of Green Gables and she cried when Matthew died. She loves read aloud time with me. Cursive handwriting is not fun to her. Well, she likes it if she can do the letters easily. If not, she hates it. If I see she is not getting it I make her do extra. She is doing great though!
Amaris: Wow, little ball of energy this week. She has not been taking naps for a long time now, but this week....almost every day. I NEEDED a break!! Whoo! She LOVES school and on Sunday asked why we did not do school that day. With Amaris and Cami, I have been making them have rest time in their beds with books. Amaris ends up going to sleep. I just make Cami do this if she gets too demanding on me for nursing. I am trying to wean her.
Cami: She is really loud now. I am reading to her a lot and she LOVES it. She also loves to color with the girls. She thinks she can keep up with them in what ever they are doing.
So my thoughts this week have been this:
I love the end results of homeschooling. I was homeschooled 6th -12th and know that the bond between mother and child is so unique and special. I am so close to my mom and I appreciate the huge sacrifice she made for me. It makes me sad that all parents don't want to spend every moment training their children. It is so special. I am not trying to be judgmental, because I know that under some circumstances parents feel that sending their children somewhere other than home is the best option. I just look at how fruitful home schooling can be if the parents are committed. It causes children to be very strong adults. I love it that I can shelter my children from the world. My best friend is a Kindergarten teacher in the public schools and they cuss at her all time. I thank God I get to teach my children about the wrong in this world and not other children.
Then, my thoughts went to....man, not fair, so-n-so got to drop off all their children so they could go get some personal things done. My neighbor is furthering her education for her career so she will make more money, my other friend gets to work out in peace with only one child in tow (easy) and the other gets to make up her own schedule to work with her husband all day in their family busy or go get her nails done. I look at these women and I think, oh, how I would LOVE to have some "me time". I would love to get more education, go back to work and talk to adults. Or , how nice is it is have a place to send the children off each morning, come home to a nice quiet house and organize the closets or wait, forget that...go get pampered and get my nails and hair done. Then, I came back to reality!! Praise God. You know what, I hated worked and having some boss tell me to get up and be a work at 8 am and take lunch at 12 and get off at 5pm. No way. I hated it...don't want it back. Then God reminded me how special and sweet it was to have only one precious baby and we lived in a precious, little, yellow house surrounded by pecan trees. I told Him, "Oh, how I loved those days, they were so sweet and perfect." And He told me," You will look back someday and think to yourself how precious your time was with your three little girls." I had tears in my eyes. I want to take this time to spend every moment with my children. I will never have this time back. I have plently of time to get more "Me time".
So, gotta run. Peace! Love! And Patience!! :) 
Comments
Oct. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolingmommaof4
What a great post! I especially liked your thoughts at the end. I often have some of those same thoughts but God is gracious in reminding me how quickly this time will pass. Enjoy every moment with those littles.
Have a blessed day!
JoAnn
