Homeschooling is about…

Homeschooling is a very unique learning situation, a very special privilege. Because so much of my children’s lives involve them waiting their turn, waiting for Mommy and Daddy to minister, waiting for us to finish a conversation, waiting for church functions to end, etc., homeschooling is my special time to tell the world to wait.

I rarely answer the phone or check email, and I make an effort to let my children know that this is Mommy-time and that everyone else must wait their turn (except Daddy, of course). But there was one more way in which I wanted to be more intentional with my kids. Affection. Having them in my lap during reading time, holding their hands during chants and memory work, a hand on their back during handwriting—I’ve been trying to intentionally think of any way that I could physically remind them that I was focused on them.

holding hands

Middlest especially responds to this. She sits in my lap at every opportunity; she plays with my hands as she skip-counts by 5’s; she gives big hugs at every success. And one morning, as she came into the kitchen for her breakfast she said, “Mommy, do you know what my favorite part of Monday is? It’s about school.” When I couldn’t guess, she said, “Spending time with you!”

shaping hearts

Homeschooling isn’t as much about filling minds with knowledge as it is about shaping hearts.

Christmas in July

I recently had an opportunity to get a glimpse of my daughter’s personality. My friend invited us and another family to her house for a spontaneous “Christmas in July” party. We read a Christmas story and iced Christmas cookies. Each child iced two cookies and quickly devoured their artistic endeavors.

Christmas Cookies

 

Christmas in July

 

Christmas in July

Then, as the other children rushed from the table to play, Middlest asked for a few more cookies to ice.

Christmas in July

Then she asked for a few more…

Christmas cookies

…and a few more.

Christmas in July

In the end, she iced nearly a dozen cookies all by herself.

Christmas in July

My butterfly, who usually flits from one activity to the next, sat for half an hour (the only child) and contentedly iced cookie after cookie. I knew she liked to bake, but I truly had the opportunity to see just how strong the desire is for her. Middlest LOVES to be in the kitchen.

We finished our party with some caroling, sharing the bounty of Christmas cookies and singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy July!” It was a fun break from our normal pace and a memorable day, not only the fellowship with other mommies and their kids, but the sweet moment God gave to get to know my little girl.