Our Father who art in heaven...

So it dawned on me a few months ago, since they no longer recite the Lord's prayer in public school (which is where I learned it), that it would be up to me to teach it to my children. (This was before we had decided to home school Theo).

Anyways, I started praying the Lord's prayer each night when I put the kids to bed, after their more personal prayers were said. This evening for the first time, Theo started praying it with me and recited the whole thing. He had asked questions sometimes about what words meant, so I knew he was listening, I just didn't realize he was absorbing so much. It warmed my heart.

Oh and just for some comic relief here... he is- as I type this- doing his nightly sleep walk back and forth along the hallway.

A Reflection on Two Weeks of Homeschooling

A Reflection on Two Weeks of Homeschooling

It’s a lot of work.
Or at least it feels like it right now. But of course, the work is SO worth it, because I am preparing for my childs education. I am actively planning out what I will be doing with my son each day. This feels good. To be purposeful about our days- instead of just letting the days pass us by, and adding a few adventures along the way. And of course, once all the “work” is done there is lots of time to play. Like the wonderful moment of fort building on the Dyke this week. It was just one of those moments, those blessed moments that feel like a pure gift from God.

It is fun.
Interacting with my kids in new and different ways. Devotionals are now a structured routine, instead of something that happened when the morning rush was going somewhat smoothly. We sing together everyday, we get out for adventures everyday. I get to watch my kid learn new things. Witnessing that joy and be a part of that joy is a blessing.

It’s hard.
I have yet to figure out a balance between playing with the girls, and working with Theo. I have been so busy; trying to make sure that Theo is enjoying the beginnings of this adventure that I have mostly been putting him first and the girls second. Thankfully the girls play well together. Eva has not been as interested as I thought she would be in “school”. She would still rather do her own thing. She of course joins in when we do a science experiment etc. but is not so interested in sitting down and doing any math or printing. I have a lots of guilt about the huge loss of one on one time I have with Kezia. This something that I still need to work out. I miss my baby!

It is rewarding.
No matter how hard the day; no matter how many fights I am interrupting; no matter how many negative attitudes I encounter; I know that I am investing in my children. I know that I will never regret this time that I am spending with my kids.

The planning.
I’m not sure if it’s because I am a teacher and I am used to having yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily lesson plans; or if it may just be my personality, but I never feel organized enough. Week one I made sure to have at least one fun and interactive lesson a day. Week two I had acquired a few more resources and was able to develop a few more essential routines and units. I planned each day and had a shape of the day. This week, I am trying something new. I planned each subject (at least 5 lessons in a row). I will give Theo a bit more choice about the shape of each day, and have the week’s goals in mind to make sure we accomplish everything by the end of the week.

Overall.
I have felt both supported and pushed down. I have felt alone and like there was a troop of friends cheering me on. I have wondered, “what am I doing?” and “thank you God for guiding me down this path”. It is a journey a Team Schmidt journey and I am going to make the most of it.

Day One of Homeschooling

The day started with me waking before the children, which is always a treat (not to get woken BY them). After dropping Eva at preschool (she goes one day a week now- she used to go twice), Theo, Kezia and I went grocery shopping. Theo brought his allowance spending money ($1.25) to buy something. At the check out, it was hard for him find anything for less than a dollar (I warned him about taxes). In the end he got some mini eggs with a little help from his mom ($.08). Then we set out to the dollar store to find a change purse for him as he has been using Eva’s hello kitty one.

Once home we had snack together. Then we started math. I decided to start with money since he is interested in money right now, and has been given his first allowance. We played a game where we roll a die and then take the number rolled in change from the change pot. He had to say the number, and then say what he was collecting. For ex. if he rolled a 6, he had to say I am taking 6 pennies, or 1 nickel and 1 penny. After each roll, you have to trade in any change that can be made into a smaller number of coins. For example if you have two nickels, you have to trade them for 1 dime- and state what you are doing. We went all the way to a dollar. It was fun and a challenge at the same time; the perfect start to homeschooling. I am sure we will play again.

Next we moved on to journaling. Yesterday, we were at Science World and so I thought he could write about what he saw, learned, and did. He drew his picture first but was not interested in writing any words along side. So I said he could write about anything he wanted. But for some reason, (still unknown) he had a spazz. He scribbled over the picture and then came into the kitchen where I was preparing lunch and he threw the book and the pencil on the floor.

I set lunch out for the three of us, and he refused to come and eat. He just wanted to go on the computer, so I used that opportunity to let him know he wouldn’t be allowed to use the computer until he ate his lunch. Eventually he came and ate. During lunch Theo’s wiggly tooth came out. He has been quite anxious about it, and so I was thankful to be able to be there for him when it happened. It bled a little, and like his father; this made him feel uneasy.

After an unsuccessful attempt at putting Kezia down for a nap, I started on dinner preparations. I asked Theo to peel the carrots and he obliged. While peeling, one of the peels landed on his forehead. We both laughed. I cherished that moment. As he was peeling, he said, “Sorry I was bad before mom.” I cherished that moment. Then I let him do some chopping of veggies.

Next we set up an email account for him. He was thrilled to receive emails from family and typed many replies. We decided to take a photo of the missing tooth and send it to everyone. During the photo shoot, Kezia (who was having some diaper free time) decided to get the potty out. She put it on the bedroom floor and then pooped in it. So again we had another laugh. Thankfully it was solid!

Then it was time to get Eva from preschool. As soon as she got in the van, she noticed Theo’s missing tooth. Then Theo got talking about a friend who had many missing teeth. I said, “who is this friend?” and he replied, “It is a boy in Ms. S’s class.” I was amazed that he didn’t say, “my” class. I thought that it would take more time for him to transition. I realize that this is not necessarily a definite indicator of his transition out of traditional schooling, but it was a comfort nonetheless. The whole day just felt right. I am also thankful that it was just Theo and I (and Kezia) today.

All in all, I feel like today was filled with a pretty accurate picture of what homeschooling will be like: mostly a wonderful experience of spending time with my kids; being involved in their learning; sharing in their joys and frustrations.

A book I read

Out Live Your Life- You Were Made to Make a Difference is Max Lucado's newest book. I was given a copy of it for free from Booksneeze.com. In return I am to post a review of it on my blog. I am not forced into writing a positive review.

Out Live Your Life is about making a difference in this world. It is a very easy read. Light, sometimes convicting, definitely eye opening. The book takes you through several passages of the book of Acts, and retells the trials of Paul as fought to bring Christ's message to people. Lucado writes sixteen chapters, each with it's own topic of how one can make a difference in today's society. He starts out with an inspiring chapter on our once in a lifetime opportunity, followed by a call to the ordinary everyone. Then he gets into the meat of the book by taking up topics such as hospitality, working together, identifying the poor and not ignoring them, giving generously quietly, and breaking down cultural walls.

Personally, I found this book to be somewhat inspiring, a nice reminder of the potential I have to make a difference. It was not a life changing book. It seemed to be a bit shallow. I suppose I feel that anyone who sat down with this topic in mind could have come up with a book as impactful as this. I don't mean to discredit Max Lucado at all. His personal stories are great, and his message true. It just isn't a book that I would rave about to my friends as a must read.