Peeking in the Minivan Windows Part 1

I've been reading posts over at Melissa Wiley's blog Here in the Bonny Glen about her "Tidal Homeschooling". It is an interesting read and I highly recommend reading the entire group of posts.

She poses a question, "What does homeschooling look like in your home?" Here is a glimpse into our home. Be for warned, there are toys on the floor and the carpets need to be cleaned. The dishes need to be loaded (hey, I did empty the dishwasher) and the floor mopped. There are three loads of laundry on the floor behind my desk. Here is the first in some posts about how we homeschool. Feel free to peek in our windows.

Our enrichment group meets 10 Fridays during the Fall and 10 Fridays during the Spring. The last hour, I "teach" (and I use the term lightly here) 3 and 4 yr old Play With Me. I basically take them out on the wonderful playground at the church where we meet. Today there were some moms who go to the church with their preschool children playing. One very beautiful, well coiffed, and dressed mother asked if we were a Mother's Day Out group. I explained that this was our homeschool coop and these were the little brother and sisters of school age children.

The next words out of her mouth just floored me. She said, "I could never do that, I just don't have the patience." I very kindly smiled and replied, "Neither do I but daily the Lord supplies me with patience and whatever else  I need to teach and care for my children. I love being with my kids, matter of fact that one (pointing to Hopalong) is mine."

I am grateful for what I do have that has prepared me to homeschool. As a single adult,  I taught special education in the public and the private sector. I have state credentials to teach regular education K-6 and special education K-12. I also have a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Neither of these fully prepared me to teach my own children. What these degrees mean in my life is that I do not have to do as much research into curriculum, teaching methods, correcting reading difficulties, math methods and assessment. I can teach off the top of my head because I have had years (11 to be exact) of teaching experience before I had children. Any homeschool parent can learn these things it just may take a few years. I just had a head start.

My training for teaching Butch, Sundance and Hopalong started from the day they came into this world. I began building a relationship with them from day one. I know their likes, their dislikes, and their quirks. I love them each with a passion built on late night feedings, nursing them through illnesses, potty training, all the twin antics, seeing them taste their first cotton candy, teaching them to swim, being there when they asked Jesus in their heart (Butch and Sundance), tears, laughs, walks, movies, vacations and uninhibited playtime.

It was through this relationship that I knew my children's hearts and spirits so well that it became obvious to me(with the Lord's help) that homeschooling  was the best option for them. I am not sure how I knew, I just knew.  I know their hearts and I did not want to break their spirits.  I know when Butch is upset that he didn't  get to go first and can gently teach him that he does not always have to be first. I know that Sundance needs extra help with fine motor skills and I know how to teach them to him without embarrassing him or pointing out his difficulty to 20 of his peers.  I can kiss and hug them when they give a good effort and I can lovingly correct them when they would rather watch Pokemon than complete phonics.

God gives children to parents. I am the best parent and teacher (along with Honey) for Butch, Sundance and Hopalong. Some days I do not feel like I have the patience to teach and parent. It is a full time job to homeschool just as my teaching jobs were full time. Homeschooling is not a short cut to my children's education. I am grateful I get to be there when the light bulbs go off. I am glad I get to discipline them. I am grateful I get to teach them to read. I am thankful that the Lord supplies all my needs to homeschool especially patience.  Now Lord, about that helper for the housework......

Comments

[Donna-Jean]

I met a woman recently who, upon learning that I homeschool, said "I could never stand to be with my children that much." And this was a loving mother. It made me sad, to say the least.

Thank you for a wonderful post - and your answer to that woman was so true!

[DebD]

Hi Athena! Its been such a long time and I'm so glad you stopped by to say 'hi'.

What you've written here is so encouraging. I also love being with my kids and really don't understand those that feel that way. No, I often don't have the patience I should - but do me that is a different issue.

[Cindy B]

I think it is great that you homeschool. To be honest, after knowing you in college it surprised me. I am probably one of those mom's who has thought (though not said out loud) "I dont have the patience or couldnt be with my kids all day to homeschool". And I think Im a pretty good mom. I found after some time as a stay at home mom, that Im better at mothering when I have a job to go to. Im fortunate that I work in education and am home when my daughter gets home from school and we get all the same holidays and breaks. While I do miss out on somethings I know we are doing what is right for our family. Any time I hear about the "mommy wars" or discussions about the best way to educate children I cringe. There is no right way to parent and most of us are learning as we go. I for one learn from many people, most who are different and do things much differently than me. You are doing a great job raising your boys. Keep it up.

[Deborah]

Hi!

I hopped over from the Carnival of Homeschooling today -- thanks for giving us a "peek" into your homeschool!!

We also homeschool and are somewhat CM-ish. We have three boys, ages 9, 7, and 5.

I LOVE the Green Hour banner in your right-hand column. Did you make it yourself? I couldn't find one that cute on the WWF Green Hour website! May I borrow yours, if it is yours to give? I'd love to like from my blog.

Deborah