Welcome
This site is a compilation of my thoughts, ideas and research on the many facets of homeschooling.
Homeschooling is not school at home.
It is a way of life.
For me, it is one of the many unique challenges that goes along with parenting.
I have often heard many parents say, " I couldn't possibly teach my own children." I find this strange, and a bit alarming. Aren't we teaching our chldren everyday? Isn't that part of being a parent. How do your children learn to walk, talk, eat, tie their shoes? How do they learn to laugh, cry, smile and hug? How is it they learn to be who they are? Have you ever seen a daughter mimmic the actions of her mother? And, isn't it addorable when we see a little boy pushing his lawnmower, "just like daddy"?
A very wise man I knew always said that our children are our little echoes. That is so very true. Whether you realize it or not, you are teaching your children. What does your echo say about you?
As
it is with anything, there always comes a time when you don't have an answer
to what could seem to be a simple question asked by a toddler. Does this
mean you aren't qualified to be a parent? I hope not. Not everyone has all
the answers. Knowledge isn't necessarily knowing all the answers all the
time, it is having the ability to find the answers. And being able to say,
"I don't know, but let's see what we can find out . . . "
Often times even if I know the answer, I'm not going to give it to them. I'm going to see if they are learning to become resourceful. You bottle feed and infant, you hand food to a toddler, and you set a place at the table for a young child. If you bottle feed your toddler, what will he do when he is expected to set at the table as a young child? He will still expect a bottle and you will expect him to have abilities you haven't taught him. You both are frustrated and dissapointed.
I have seen many parents not want to let their children gain their independence, especially in the areas that almost often require many trials and errors, not to mention messes.
People would think I was crazy to wait, and wait, and wait, for my two year old to zip his jacket, or buckle his seat belt, or let him pour a drink knowing he was more than likely to spill it. Yes, it is frustrating, all my furniture has fond memories of tasty spills, and at times I would ask myself, what exactly was I thinking. . . .but, there is nothing that can replace that look in there eyes when they finally accomplish what they've been working so hard to do.
If we train our children as we walk along the way together, when it is time for them to walk alone, they will walk the way you have taught them. They have had the opportunity to try and fail, over and over, until they learn that it's okay to make mistakes and they learn it's okay to try it again. They develop their sense of self and learn to value their strenghts and develop their weaknesses. With a parent's care and sometimes frustrated love and guidance, they learn how to work through lifes ups and downs. We can hope that our children have a happy and successfull life, but in all reality, life has its way of dealing some hefty blows. We won't always be there. It is our responsibility to teach them how to find the right tools they need to be successful.
It's definately not easy. But it is rewarding.
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