Tuesday, September 8, 2009

What makes your homeschool day a success?

Mr. Monk missed a couple of questions on his math homework today. I asked him, as I always do, if he understood why he missed them. His response was, "Yes. I did them completely wrong." After he corrected them I asked whether he could work them the next time. He said, "probably." Not the most encouraging way to start our day!

The reason I relate this story is that I've been thinking lately about what makes a day of homeschooling successful. In the old days, when I would pick one of my little ones up from school, I would ask them about their day. My concerns were 1.)did they stay out of trouble, 2.)did they make good grades, and 3.)did they have a good time- in that order. Now that my kids are at home, have my goals for them changed? I find surprisingly, yes. While I do still expect my children to behave, I find that I'm not as concerned about academics as I once was. Maybe it was my competitive nature of wanting my kids to do as well as or better than other kids. Maybe I felt how well they did was a reflection on me and wanted the teachers to think well of me. I don't know for sure, but I know that academics is not my top priority with my kids.

Today was a great day of homeschool, despite Mr. Monk's struggles with math. Today was a success because Twinkle Toes wanted to read to her sister without being asked and her little sister basked in it.

Today was awesome because the Measle wanted to pack her little brother's lunch for his first day of "school". She took the job very seriously and told him to be sure and eat his cherub tomatoes from Daddy's garden because they were his only vegetable!


Today was great because we read our Bible at lunchtime.

Today was a success because we grew closer as a family.

Academics are important, too. I want my children to be used by God to their fullest potential and for this to happen they need an education. But, I've known a lot of smart people who were fools. I want my children to love the Lord and love one another. When I see that happening, it puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step!


DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT ON THE BOOK GIVEAWAY POST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A BOOK FOR KIDS ON THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD! I'LL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS FRIDAY. THANKS!


1 comment:

  1. That's the truth! Homeschooling is not always about the day being without struggles. Sometimes, its the little things, like a big brother reading Superman to his little brother or a little girl making lunch for her family without being asked or a baby girl being taught sign language from all her sibblings.

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I'm an on-the-run mom to 6 kids who studied and taught exercise science in a previous life. I love all things running, nutrition, and health-related. I usually run at zero dark thirty in the morning and am often quite hungry before, during, and after my run, but I live a rich, full, blessed life with my children, family, and friends. My faith in God is my anchor, and looking to Him and His promises allows me to live fully even when life circumstances are difficult. While running gives me an appetite, my desire is to hunger and thirst for righteousness more than for physical food.