Back to Homeschooling Week – Day Four
Today (technically tomorrow, since I’m writing this Wednesday night) is day four of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is
“If I had only known…”
~…that buying an entire “school-in-a-box” curriculum would not work for our family.
~…that each of my children has a very distinct learning style, and expecting them to learn the same way or at the same pace is just asking for frustration.
~…that it is okay to take a snow day even when you don’t have to drive somewhere to go to school.
~…that there will be bad days, but that doesn’t mean that I am a failure as a teacher.
~…that every homeschooling mother has difficult days, even if it seems that she is perfection herself.
~…that most homeschooling moms are grateful if you are honest about how hard it is sometimes.
~…that my attitude about learning will determine my children’s attitude about learning.
~…that nothing is more important than the fact that we are spending our days together – even if some days this feels like a bad thing.
This also reminds me of a post I did a while ago, about what one of our days is really like.
All very true!
On the attitude thing…I read an article once by someone who had just learned about “delight directed learning.” Enthusiastic, he decided he really wanted to teach the kids about physics and went on to really explore his favorite subject with them. Everyone loved it.
Later, he found out he had misunderstood. He was supposed to be following the kids’ interests, not his own! But it worked…because when we are enthusiastic, they tend to be as well.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:34 pmI LOVED your post about what your day is like. SO funny…sounds a lot like some of mine (especially the boys rolling on the floor to act out being drowned and needing help finding a tiny lego piece, we have a MILLION legos). Thanks for posting this.
August 9th, 2007 at 4:21 amGreat post. I agree with all you said. Thanks!
August 9th, 2007 at 4:37 amRhonda in TN
We have snow days, in service days, rest days, I don’t feel like teaching days…all sorts of great days around here. (Don’t worry, we still meet our maximum days required by state).
August 9th, 2007 at 5:51 amWhenever I talk to someone seriously considering homeschooling, there’s a whole list just like that, that I’m sure to tell them.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:18 amOh yes. I knew you’d shed wisdom everywhere
This is all so true. It was really hard for me when I learned that the reason my kids had a bad attitude had a LOT to do with MY attitude (or my actions)…
And it is hard to remember that some women are not perfect. Our preachers wife, she seems like she has it ALL together. But I am sure she has bad days too.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:46 amWhenever someone opens up and shares their struggles, I always feel grateful because there is something in common! Homeschooling isn’t easy, but it is worth it!
August 9th, 2007 at 7:07 amYour list is very practical, but full of wisdom.
I had to smile with the “snow days.” That’s us.
August 9th, 2007 at 7:17 amCarrie, so much good wisdom. I read the older post and was nearly crying from laughing so hard at the “extended” version…that was grand. Glad to know I’m not the ONLY one with kids who don’t want to do their chores, or for that matter with kids who end up doing weird things when they are bored in line at the post office…
August 9th, 2007 at 7:31 amSuch a great list, Carrie.
August 9th, 2007 at 10:34 amYep. You have summed up the whole homeschooling experience nicely!
August 9th, 2007 at 10:43 amDana – I love that story! I wish I could use that approach to get my boys excited about a unit study on Jane Austen.
Tracy – thanks for stopping by!
Sheri – hey, teacher’s get “mental health” days, right?
Andrea – I know – you’re one of the “veteran” homeschooling moms I like to think about when I have a rough day. I think about how great Addison turned out, and what wonderful young ladies Sarah and Meaghan are, and I know we’re on the right track.
Lawanda – I don’t know about “wisdom” – I learned a lot of these things the (really) hard way!
Randi – exactly. Life is like that, isn’t it – the hard stuff is always worth it.
Yielded – thanks for stopping by and visiting me!
Carrie F – I’m always glad to find out my kids aren’t the only really strange ones!
Crissy – thanks!
Birdie – thank you, too.
August 9th, 2007 at 12:45 pmWell, good… but I’m still not sure how that all happened.
(especially on bad days. YES they still happen.)
August 9th, 2007 at 3:08 pmI am so glad I wasn’t drinking anything when I read the post about your day – that was hysterical!
August 9th, 2007 at 7:28 pm