Titus (8), Levi (6), Micah (3), my hubby, and myself,
are in the first days of our new endeavor: Home-schooling!
I was told earlier this year, when Titus was diagnosed
with Autism, I would need to become an expert in this category (Autism). I
spoke with a Psychologist about this statement not long after, and she smiled
and said, “No. You will become an expert on YOUR child. And that’s half the fun!”
Well, by golly, she’s right!
Now, I’m only speaking for myself when I say this,
but while my children were attending a public school I let their teachers be
the experts. I mean they were the ones who have a degree to handle my kids,
right? That is what I thought…and I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As we know, each child is different and unique in
their own way, and as a mother and teacher I must understand that their
learning styles will complement their individuality. Therefore, part one of my
grand adventure is discovering my children’s inner learners, and opening up that
barrier between myself and them so that we have unity and understanding.
I made a decision to change, from allowing others to
know and understand my children above me, relying on them to teach and direct them
on their journey to education and life outside the four walls of home.
Personally I didn’t enjoy not knowing my sons’ friends, or their friends’ parents,
family members, and other significant people in their lives.
Now, before I go any further, I want to say that I
am NOT harping on those who place their children in public or private school…AT
ALL! Why? Because it’s also successful, for them. This is just my decision, my
family, my life, my children, and my heart’s desire to have them close to me,
which is also what my children desire.
In the process of making the decision to turn to
home-education for my sons, I sat down with them and discussed school, what they
liked about it, didn’t like about it, and began to form a new observation about
myself. I did not really know my sons as well as I thought I did. Yeah, I know
what their favorite color is, favorite food, what gets them excited, happy,
upset, or sad. I know their birthdates, their clothing and shoe sizes, and all
of their general information. I also knew what they were doing in school, when
they told me, and what they thought about the individualized subjects. But I
sat there and got to KNOW my kids that day. What did I find?
I discovered many things that day that I will expound
on in future posts. At this time, however, I just want to say that I am going
to be an expert! Will I be perfect? NO! Experts are not perfect…but they study
their subject in the finest of details. They learn the highs and the lows, the
ups and downs, the good times and bad, and they enhance that which they study,
to the very best of their abilities! Then, they get to see their work develop
into something more than they even dreamed…
I am setting up for myself a higher standard that I
had before. No, I’m not going to be a child hoarder, unsocial, or create for my
children a life of no socialization. I am not going to hide away in the trees
of some dark forest, just because I have announced to the world that I am choosing
to teach my children at home. I will practice what some of the best teachers
and examples could have ever shown me. I will educate, instruct, and encourage
my children to grow, learn, and expand their dreams and desires to become
realities. This is what it’s all about. Teaching them to fly. Teaching them to
build their own nest. Encouraging them to make their own mistakes, and help
them up when they fall hard.
I am excited! I am scared! But I am encouraged. I
have a support system that is just HUGE, and although I do not feel “ready” I
know that we can never be “ready” for life changes such as this. What is in
store for me in this adventure? Work, sweat, prayer, tears, work, laughter, commitment,
dedication, work, fear, excitement, joy, pain, work! See? I’m already an
expert! *smiles*
No comments:
Post a Comment