Homeschool helps
Interruption or Opportunity?
Today I was reminded how important it is to 'go with the flow of the day'. I had a great day planned for school, and of course, there were 'interruptions'.
Well, one of our interruptions...or rather, opportunities, was a group of turkeys that we could see right out our big picture windows!! We live in a wooded area with fields and lowland around, so we are blessed to see all kinds of animals. My 8 yr old son loves it!
Well, at first I thought 'sure let's look at the turkeys for abit, and then get back to our schoolwork.' Duuuuh!!!! A few seconds later I said 'grab your nature study book and pencils and draw the turkeys!'
I have been working at intergrating some of the Charlotte Mason methods, so we had begun the nature journals, but it has not yet become routine. But we had things handy. (HINT!)
My son thoroughly enjoyed watching their antics. And I loved that he was having such a fun entry in his Nature book to look back on! He did an awesome job, and I know he was really looking at some details.
And guess what that interruption...ahem, opportunity did to our day? We were still able to get almost everything else that I had planned for the day...with the only exception being science...but guess what...he DID do his science also...just not what I had planned! :) And, we did Art...that wasn't on the schedule today. The experience was definitely worthwhile.
God is so good to provide ALL that we need! Including time to do what we must, AND time to shift gears and enjoy his wonderful creations...even when we don't have plans to do so.
I encourage you to relax when these rare (or not so rare) opportunities arise throughout your school days. Seize the opportunity that lays before you to nurture the love of learning and the excitement that unexpected situations can bring! This is just ONE of the benefits of homeschooling. And we can teach our children to take the time to enjoy such simple, beautiful creations. | | northland_homeschool |
| | Baby & infant
Smile More, Comdemn Never
I grew up in a scolding family. When you did something wrong, you were scolded for it, and sometimes spanked so as not to ever do it again. My parents rarely encourge me with smiles and joy for just being myself. If I was exceptinally good or well behaved, then, well, that is just how I should be and got no extra praise. Even now, my parents, who are grandparents to my own children, tell me to sound harsher and ''get cross'' with them.
I am so sad to say that this is a struggle I don't have to be encouraged to do. Although my parents were great parents in a lot of ways, tis is one area where I believe they were dead wrong.
Now I am working hard to break the habit of being ''cross'' with my kids with smiling and praising more. I do spank for blatant disobedience, but I smile and praise more for good behaviour and just for them being my children and try to listen more too. I have noticed a huge difference in myllast child to my first. We as a family, now have to work at having a cheerful attitude and the joy of smiling more. This is not an easy task.
My encouragement to young moms would be to praise 90% of the time and criticize 10% and smile all the time, even if you have to correct your children. It is awfully hard to watch your children criticize each other hatefully because they learned it from you and then try to change the tone of your household. | | 1samuel15.22 |
Homeschool helps
Homeschool Objectives from Philippians
Part two of our training & education objectives, from Philippians:
- To grow in humility, counting others more significant than self; looking to the interests of others; serving
- To be genuinely concerned for the welfare of others, seeking the interests of Christ
- To keep our eyes on those who walk according to Paul's example…not on those who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ whose god is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, and whose minds are set on earthly things | | mejerrymouse |
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