Unschooling…. I think of many things when that word comes up in conversation. For a long time, I would refer to this as the unchecked home. Where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. That is the Lord gives wisdom to those who ask for it. Praise God!
I believe we have attempted once or twice, this thing called unschooling. But if I am honest here, we really didn’t do it right. We did not go all in and how can you really do anything well if you’re holding something back?
This year I am intentionally planning to go all the way in. We still have some work books and there are some programs we will follow, everything has been chosen by each child. While I hope that each thing on their list will be completed, I remind myself to be open to the fact that these things may change. We will be fluid; we will be like that river of living water!
Because I need perfect faith to cast out all my fear and anxiety, I will be blogging much more regularly in an attempt to intentionally capture and see oh that they are learning and doing. I am also hopeful that this will be a good way to show and share how we engage in our community with various service project because we need to reach out.
I remind myself daily but I have to not focus on the faces of my children. Paul what I can say this when he was preaching. They can get so caught up focusing on faces (bad attitudes, etc ) let me forget to just share the message. Whatever program or documentary, we cannot judge their knowledge off of what we see on their faces.
A few weeks ago my younger son build a tank out of cardboard and hot glue. He did not have any instructions or a pattern that he followed. He was inspired and so he created. Pretty amazing too.
My oldest son has finally been given an opportunity to be a part of our church’s youth group music ministry. He even has someone willing to mentor him in areas where he struggles. So we are back on drums and keys and even guitar. He actually found a voice instruction program online he is interested in trying out. I love music so I am very excited about this new journey before him.
How about the younger ones? My girls are seven and three. They do everything together. Literally. My oldest daughter has taken to making her own hair bows and headbands. She has become interested in sewing and crochet, so we are on the lookout for a friendly face to help us get started. There is so much they are learning just by playing together.
For my three older ones I came across a really neat printable that allows them to write down those things they want to learn and do. Even unschoolers need some goals, right? These can include all sorts of things. On our list we have gymnastics and making marbles (there is a great hot glass studio open to everyone) as well as using a kiln for pottery. I am sure we will witness growing change as the year progresses. Every month we can look to our goals and see what’s worked and what hasn’t. We can add and take away. We can grow our goals as we grow. Together.
And in all of this I am working on a list, with my children, a book that I’m going to read this year. Together.
This is about finding our peace and our rest. It is about slowing down and letting our kids be kids. I will not rush them through a crazy list of requirements and standards just because some stranger says that is what they must do. Instead I will love and encourage each of my children explorer and follow those things that speak to their hearts.
God made everyone of us in His image for good works that He has for us. The good works He has for me are not the same as they are for anyone else. As we slow down, as we seek stand together, He will reveal to us great things. We can do all things in Christ strength – that includes the teaching of the children He blesses us with – All for Jesus.
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Thank you to Jennifer K @ A “Peace” of Mind for sharing today.