I asked the kids how they felt about how we homeschool, and
the first thing they said was that we’re relaxed. So I asked them what that
meant, and they gave me quite a list. Sam said, “Not having to do school when
we don’t want to.” I’m not sure exactly what he meant, but I know they don’t
mind doing school. Well, sometimes they mind doing math, but I accept that as
the family hardship. Maybe he meant what Sarah said, “We don’t worry if we
can’t do school.” You know there are plenty of days like that with my
migraines, fatigue, projects at the old house (we finished painting the stairs
today), and Jeff’s schedule.
Rachel likes the not worrying aspect too. She’s glad we
aren’t worried about requirements (too much anyway). She said that we could do
a lot of good school-type things from some list, but if we don’t do them, we’re
still ok. I love that. She also said that she’s glad I don’t worry about grades
as much as she does. It’s kind of funny that the girls think about what grades
they get, because they really don’t get any. I only give a percentage grade on
science tests so they have some idea about it, but for some reason it matters
to them what they get. I haven’t figured out why.
They said they like that we don’t separate living from learning. I just put the learning of any subject
in the same category. It’s been my job to teach them to get dressed, use the
bathroom, cook, clean the house, read, write, multiply, understand government, manage
money, be respectful, and serve others. What’s the difference? Why would I
decide any of those things shouldn’t be done by me? Sarah was thinking that
other people probably don’t do a lot of academic learning at home. They don’t
have science experiments in the freezer or Egypt in the basement or China in
the den. Sounds boring to her.
Then we talked about how we’re together all the time, having conversations. We talk all day every day. Sometimes we don’t get much
else done. This is one of our favorite things about homeschooling. We know each
other so well, we can tell what each other is thinking. It’s like we don’t need
to talk because we talk so much! Sometimes they just say one word and it means
this whole big thing, which totally cracks them up. We’re going to have to do
one of our comedy sketches about it. Something they appreciate about my knowing
them so well is that I can figure out ways to explain things to them so they
get it. I admit that sometimes it takes a few times or a few dozen, but we get
there eventually. Also, they get to help each other understand things.
They like how we sometimes have a great idea and start
planning and get excited, but then we don’t do it. If we lose interest
or momentum, it’s ok. Like when we read Murder on the Orient Express, we
thought it would be fun to have a party with the teens at church and act it
out. Rachel started writing parts and we talked about who would be good for
each part, but we never did it. It still sounds like fun, but we’re not worried
about not doing it. Sometimes it’s good to be able to quit something you don’t
want to finish. That’s just real life.
Rachel said how she likes that they are influenced by our
family culture and not the high school culture. This is the biggest reason we
started homeschooling all those years ago, and it has worked out wonderfully
for us. Sure, sometimes they’ve felt like they don’t know anything other kids
know. But I tell them other kids don’t know all the things they know. Everyone
is that way. All the kids that go to school don’t know all the same things either.
Adults sure don’t. I tell them that nobody ever wants to compare what I know
with what they know. As adults, we just talk and learn from each other.
Everyone’s so different, and that’s what makes the world interesting.
See you tomorrow!
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