Theresia McLain shared a beautiful piece she wrote about home-schooling on the Family-Centered Learning yahoo group. She has graciously allowed me to share it with you.
When people think of homeschooling they think of many different things. But for me it means TIME. Time with my children. Time for my children to spend with their siblings. Time for them to pursue interests outside the regular curriculum. Time for us all to grow in love, knowledge and service of our Lord. Time to really delve in to subjects. Time to spend on areas of difficulty. Time to spend outdoors, in nature, in energetic play. Time for ‘real life’ learning. Time to get to know my children’s strengths and weaknesses – and for them in turn to know mine. Time to talk. Time to play. One-On-OneTime tutoring each child at their own pace, in their own style of learning, for the greatest success. Time for a tea party in the afternoon while we read poetry aloud. Time for the children to contribute to the family in the way of chores and care of their younger siblings. Time to read, and read some more. Time to play together, cook together, work together and pray together. Time for learning in the ‘real world’. Time to work on developing character and virtues – the children’s and mine.
It also means MY time. Time to plan lessons. Time that I can’t spend leisurely at coffee with friends after a bus has picked the children up. Time browsing through endless catalogs of curriculum and manipulatives. Time grading papers, checking math page after math page, and endless hours discussing grammar. Time cuddled up on the sofa teaching a little one to read. Time, after time, after time of cleaning up manipulatives, crafts and paper, paper, paper. Time worrying and fretting over each child and their successes and failures. Time to watch and listen as the children play. Time for me to learn right along with them. Time to break up squabbles and fights. Time to try to encourage and motivate a teenager. Times of multitasking – nursing a baby, watching a toddler play, giving a 2nd grader a spelling test, redirecting the distracted 6th grader, grading an algebra assignment, thinking about what to make for dinner and breaking up a fight between two kids. Time that I can’t devote to hobbies or outside interests. Time when I ramble on and on to my husband about my fears, concerns, and the sorrows and joys of life. Time to weave our faith into our curriculum. Time to love and time to serve. Homeschooling is FAMILY time – not ‘quality’ time. For us, it is a way of life.
I think that is so beautiful!!! Thanks Theresia for allowing me to share it!!!
Beautiful thoughts from Theresia, thank you for sharing them here Heather!! I found myself nodding yes to everything she said and more!