Welcome to Home Education Week, hosted by Principled Discovery. Today I'm supposed to share something, like something that my kids have done - a project or a craft, etc.
I've long since stopped with the preprinted coloring or predesigned craft type of things. When the kids start into a project of some kind, and it's not turning out very neat or pretty or "like the picture," or things are getting messy, I've started to privately whisper to myself, "Come on, Christine! What does it matter?"
So, I'm finding such wonderful fascination in the little things that have nothing to do with anything that I've planned. For instance, the kids got little tiny fans in their Christmas stockings that look like flip phones. Of course, it took approximately four minutes for the little fan blades to break off. Yet, I have watched in utter amazement as they have found out, literally, how many things could possibly spin upon, cram on, or fly from that spinning piece of metal that still protrudes from the crazy thing.
We went to plant our vegetable garden this year, and the kids desperately wanted to pick and plant their own seeds. So, I let them. Yes, they all came home with about 20 seed packets! Yes, they planted WAY more than they probably should have. I gave them each some stones to dig up and build a border around their own little private plot. Things are growing. My daughter's corn is already taller than mine! Will the plants continue to do well because they're all crowded and such? Probably not. I could have insisted and instructed and forced more information upon them, instead of just answering when they asked. However, they really, really, REALLY wanted to do it themselves, and do it in their own way and on their own time. They will learn more out of this experience than they ever would have if I had turned it into an organized lesson and insisted on certain parameters. Not to mention, their little stone bordered plots make our side yard look a lot like a cemetery. I like to give the neighbors something to chat about. I'm good that way.
By letting go of my (need to) control, I have allowed my kids to really experience more things and create more things truly on their own. I'm getting better about letting them ask for help, instead of always teaching and insisting. Let me tell you ... it is HAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDD to do that, especially when that is the way you've always been taught. Yet, it's possible. Just whisper to yourself, like I do. If the voices in your head talk back, that's okay, as long as they're on the same page.
5 comments:
I just wanted to thank you for this weeks post. It has been just what I have needed to read.
You know if you have too much I'll be more than happy to take some off your hands. I'm generous like that. Wouldn't want you to strain yourself with all that corn and broccoli. You wouldn't happen to have peas would you?
BTW, found this and thought of you. Tin Can Herb Gardening
Did you notice there was a PBS special on home schooling in Oklahoma this week? I didn't. A friend of mine told me about it the next day-rats. I think it's replaying on the 15th if I remember correctly. Have a dandy weekend! xox
Hear, hear - my kids make the most amazing things out of craft sticks, duct tape, and string. If grown-ups interfere with our ideas, we take the fun out of it. For a while they were making swords (out of the above-mentioned materials) and pirate capes (out of scraps of felt). So my sister-in-law kindly made them some really nice pirate capes to use. But somehow, the kid-made ones were more fun. The nice capes are in the attic in a box, waiting for Halloween.
I totally agree - - it is SUPER HARD to let go of the "control issues."
That is one of my on-going goals!
Thanks for sharing!!
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