Shoved to Them
Yesterday the Computer Guy and I spent the afternoon hanging out with our neighbors. I would guess that there were twenty people or so lounging around the patio, eating burgers, swapping stories, and laughing. It was one of those rare gatherings that left us feeling more refreshed and alive when we left than when we arrived. It was just easy.
As we were on our way home, I realized why – there had been no serious discussions, no religion or politics at all, only the light-hearted fun of people who can tell a good story and others who like to listen to a good tale. There was unabashed dancing in the kitchen, and lots of good-natured ribbing. It was just fun.
It was the kind of time that you want to do over and over again.
Which made me wonder why we don’t have more times like that in homeschooling. We spend so much time discussing lessons and stressing out over due dates that we don’t often find the time for easy, and we should.
I’m not saying that we throw out religion classes or get rid of civics, but I can’t help but imagine what a blessing it would be to my children to have more school time spent on things that don’t require them to conform to anyone else’s standards. What if when we read a book together we didn’t always look for plot points and main themes? What if we just enjoyed the book and discussed it more book club style – no right or wrong answers, just opinions and thoughts? Would they learn any less? Plot points and character development are important, but so is the ability to form and express opinions. Does speaking their minds over mugs of hot chocolate at the local coffee shop hinder that? I don’t think so. I’m wondering if it makes it all a little bit easier on all of us to slip the teacher/student roles for a bit and just be fellow bibliophiles with a cup of cocoa and a point of view.
We’re beginning tomorrow to add in a little spot of easy into our school week. We’re making Grandma gifts for Mother’s Day. I originally had a long list of planned crafts that would all work together. Instead I’m going to throw open the craft cabinet and let them each create their own without any unsolicited opinions from me. It’s okay for my 3-year-old to paint the whole page blue without me suggesting he add a bit of color. The 13-year-old can write notes and poems without my critique of work choices and lay-out. These aren’t for-a-grade activities, these are personal expressions from them to their Grandmothers, and I think it’s about time that I stop telling them how that should be.
We’re looking for a little bit of easy around here, where kids get to be themselves and the laughter rolls through the house. We have plenty of work and stress to go around. It’s about time that I taught them it doesn’t always have to be that way.
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