Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Different Scene...
Just so you know, I am writing this at a very unique time in my life. And to most it might not seem like much, whether we have nothing in common or in light of what I have been through the last several years. But, to me it is different.
There is so much involved when you decide to home educate. You have your normal "What will you teach them?" "Do you think that YOU can teach them?" "But, they won't have any friends?" And so on. Then there's the family questions, "Can you afford to be a one-income family?" "What is wrong with the school you/I/relatives went to?" "You're going to make them freaks!" Okay, the last one wasn't a question and has never been said to me, but you just know people think it!
Once you get past all of that and you have established your school routine, that's when you realized your child's WHOLE being is now completely resting in just YOUR hands! That is beyond daunting. But, seriously, who else is more capable than the parent? This is not a debate on home education/public school. This is the choice you have made because you feel it and now you have to live it.
So...you are going about your daily routine and you get into your groove. You will have bumps that are real and some are silly. You grow and learn just as the student(s) do. You get to know your kids in a way that you never knew was possible. It's not in the Afterschool Special cheese type of way. You can genuinely tell others you know your kids. Mine are the best kind of people. I can talk to them about anything and guess what? They can reply with words and emotions everyone can understand! The best of all is that they come to me the same way. As a parent there are things we wish we would never, never, ever, ever, EVER have to discuss with them...but, you do and you're happy they came to you. You realize them having friends and "getting out of the house" is not an issue - it is having to reel everything in once in a while!
Now you are a seasoned homeschooler, you got flow going and then guess what? AAAAHHHH! What? They're almost done??? When did that happen? I am just NOW able to say that I am 100% comfortable with all my curriculum, activities, teaching methods, etc and you tell me that I am on borrowed time??? Do you enjoy playing with my emotions???
Okay, I am now past the freak-out point - by a hair. You think it's hard when they're little and they are no longer needing mommy's help to walk, eat, etc. For me I had moments of bitter-sweetness when they didn't "require" bedtime stories because they could "read all by themselves!" and similar situations. For the home educator you have your time when you are not needed to instruct for every subject because they have learned to teach themselves (which is what you wanted - but it still stung a little, in a good way of course). I have been able to tell them their assignments and they're off & running. I am here for tests and any questions that come up, but they are becoming self-teaching adults; always seeking something new to learn about and are great about sharing/teaching others. House runs smoothly. We all know our departments and requirements (definite tongue-in-cheek comment) and the price for the incomplete. (Insert your own here ;)
I'm cruising now...even with all the health problems we have endured, teaching my kids has always been my life and I take it very seriously. You have to be disciplined, I am; you have to be dedicated, my motto; you have to be strong, I have God's strength and His wisdom. I have been knocked-down and almost out. One of my favorite things is that I love talking with other home educators and hearing about their journeys. I've been away from them for awhile (I'm coming back!), but never have I been away from my kid's education. God saved my life spiritually (a walk everyday) and physically (to be discussed at a later date :), and once again...feeling the groove...the adventure in homeschooling, my scene.
Guess what? I am now realizing that my scene is changing. Good...bad... I don't think that comes into play here. With kids you are ecstatic to see them walk, and then you realize "Uh-oh! He's running into the street!" You teach them to talk and then, watch out...they never stop! (Insert laugh here) Especially girls, wow! You love all of it and you're sad at the same time. That's where I'm at...I see where they are "walking/running" and where their "words" are taking them. Their futures look wonderful - they have plans. Now...what about me?
Don't get me wrong, I am not upset by any means. Usually I catch these things before they're on my heels. Maybe I should say that I am intrigued about what is coming into my view now. Do I have any ideas? Welp...I still see myself involved with the home education movement. We have a private school for home educators that my heart is forever in and I don't want that to go away unless we are not needed anymore. I hope my kids home educate and they both expressed their desire to do so. Certain materials and accoutrement have been put back as they have asked.
My current scene has been so blessed, can you imagine what God has planned for my next scene? I am not scared or worried. God has been with me this whole time, why would I doubt His love now? I don't. I am very interested in what is coming.
There is so much involved when you decide to home educate. You have your normal "What will you teach them?" "Do you think that YOU can teach them?" "But, they won't have any friends?" And so on. Then there's the family questions, "Can you afford to be a one-income family?" "What is wrong with the school you/I/relatives went to?" "You're going to make them freaks!" Okay, the last one wasn't a question and has never been said to me, but you just know people think it!
Once you get past all of that and you have established your school routine, that's when you realized your child's WHOLE being is now completely resting in just YOUR hands! That is beyond daunting. But, seriously, who else is more capable than the parent? This is not a debate on home education/public school. This is the choice you have made because you feel it and now you have to live it.
So...you are going about your daily routine and you get into your groove. You will have bumps that are real and some are silly. You grow and learn just as the student(s) do. You get to know your kids in a way that you never knew was possible. It's not in the Afterschool Special cheese type of way. You can genuinely tell others you know your kids. Mine are the best kind of people. I can talk to them about anything and guess what? They can reply with words and emotions everyone can understand! The best of all is that they come to me the same way. As a parent there are things we wish we would never, never, ever, ever, EVER have to discuss with them...but, you do and you're happy they came to you. You realize them having friends and "getting out of the house" is not an issue - it is having to reel everything in once in a while!
Now you are a seasoned homeschooler, you got flow going and then guess what? AAAAHHHH! What? They're almost done??? When did that happen? I am just NOW able to say that I am 100% comfortable with all my curriculum, activities, teaching methods, etc and you tell me that I am on borrowed time??? Do you enjoy playing with my emotions???
Okay, I am now past the freak-out point - by a hair. You think it's hard when they're little and they are no longer needing mommy's help to walk, eat, etc. For me I had moments of bitter-sweetness when they didn't "require" bedtime stories because they could "read all by themselves!" and similar situations. For the home educator you have your time when you are not needed to instruct for every subject because they have learned to teach themselves (which is what you wanted - but it still stung a little, in a good way of course). I have been able to tell them their assignments and they're off & running. I am here for tests and any questions that come up, but they are becoming self-teaching adults; always seeking something new to learn about and are great about sharing/teaching others. House runs smoothly. We all know our departments and requirements (definite tongue-in-cheek comment) and the price for the incomplete. (Insert your own here ;)
I'm cruising now...even with all the health problems we have endured, teaching my kids has always been my life and I take it very seriously. You have to be disciplined, I am; you have to be dedicated, my motto; you have to be strong, I have God's strength and His wisdom. I have been knocked-down and almost out. One of my favorite things is that I love talking with other home educators and hearing about their journeys. I've been away from them for awhile (I'm coming back!), but never have I been away from my kid's education. God saved my life spiritually (a walk everyday) and physically (to be discussed at a later date :), and once again...feeling the groove...the adventure in homeschooling, my scene.
Guess what? I am now realizing that my scene is changing. Good...bad... I don't think that comes into play here. With kids you are ecstatic to see them walk, and then you realize "Uh-oh! He's running into the street!" You teach them to talk and then, watch out...they never stop! (Insert laugh here) Especially girls, wow! You love all of it and you're sad at the same time. That's where I'm at...I see where they are "walking/running" and where their "words" are taking them. Their futures look wonderful - they have plans. Now...what about me?
Don't get me wrong, I am not upset by any means. Usually I catch these things before they're on my heels. Maybe I should say that I am intrigued about what is coming into my view now. Do I have any ideas? Welp...I still see myself involved with the home education movement. We have a private school for home educators that my heart is forever in and I don't want that to go away unless we are not needed anymore. I hope my kids home educate and they both expressed their desire to do so. Certain materials and accoutrement have been put back as they have asked.
My current scene has been so blessed, can you imagine what God has planned for my next scene? I am not scared or worried. God has been with me this whole time, why would I doubt His love now? I don't. I am very interested in what is coming.
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