ENCOURAGEMENT
This is a big time lesson for me which I unfortunately need reminding of over and over again.
Chosing to Home Educate goes against the tide and for what ever reasons you decide to teach at home REMEMBER those reasons. Of course you may consider and contemplate all forms of education which will benefit your family, but, remember you do not have to flow with the tide, no matter how hard the outside pressure seems to be.
As home-educators we are certainly NOT typical you do not have to 'create typical' at home to be accepted! You would still be different so go with the flow of your family and relax in your little stream
Typical! well you gotta call it something.
A typical day will vary from family to family and from situation and day. Some families are very strict and keep to routines and curriculum which helps by providing lesson plans and text and student work book. Other families keep to a loose routine and do more work some weeks than others (guilty!). Still others are hectic families with bubbles and life
I would dare to say in 99% of families homeschooling learning is an experience which is 'on the go'. Even after the exercise books are shut and the pens put away life is a learning playground. My local librarian recently said to me "Well you ought to take a holiday too, have a day when you say 'this is it our holiday begins'. " My reply would would now be "life is a holiday and the Summer is the best holiday to learn in, that is except for all the other holidays there are throughout the year"!
Of course we do want chidren to grow up responsible and able to work in what ever environment they choose. It is our responsibility to ensure that our use of time prepares them for what ever future they choose, rather than allowing the flow of life to guide and decide their future. So we need to consider 'what is life about?', 'does the school system prepare them for life or for a life?'. How can we enable our children to grow up as people of God who are able to have a strong family life, good working ethics, able to communicate with varies people on different levels.
I have seen all types of families and must say I throughly enjoy the vast difference of life which each family adds to this experience of home schooling.
