Chomp Chomp Chomp
Ξ September 12th, 2008 | → 9 Comments | ∇ Homeschool Stuff |
Besides a deep-seated violence, back to school time also brings out my insecurities.
See, I really believe that the benefits of homeschool include being able to work at the children’s current level and to study their individual interests instead of being forced to study what all the other kids are studying when they study it.
But that belief falters a bit when I start comparing my kids to other kids.
It’s terrible, and I know I shouldn’t do it, but sometimes I can’t help myself.
The kids just moved up a grade in Sunday School. Chloe is in first grade, and with her November birthday, she is one of the youngest in the class. We haven’t worked much on writing since she just can’t get herself to hold a pencil anywhere close to correctly yet. But I see the other kids writing between their little guidelines and I think, maybe I’m just not doing a good enough job.
Then I see Luke in his preschool class at Sunday School. With his November birthday, we chose to make him one of the oldest in his class. Yet there are still several kids who know all their letters and numbers and some of them can even write their names.
And I doubt myself more.
And then at home I watch Luke playing. He’s making some sort of spastic movement with his head and putting plastic trees in a large pile.
Wha???
And then it hits me.
“Luke, are you pretending to be a beaver?”
“Yeah, mommy! I’m chopping down the trees and making a lodge to live in. And this is my dam and when the danger comes I’ll slap the water with my tail.”
And I realize that it’s ok. The writing and the letters can wait because he’s learning something he loves.
What makes you doubt yourself?
on September 12th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Isn’t it great what they learn through play?!
I worry about the handwriting for sure. I have the same insecurities with JD’s Sunday School class. I asked one of his teachers recently, because she’s also a kindergarten teacher and I wondered about how to help JD with handwriting, and she was helpful but a bit shocked that I was starting him so “late”.
But then he’s doing multiplication already, just because he wants to (though not calendars or clocks yet like other 1st graders know – more insecurities for me). His reading is going great too though I haven’t a clue what “level” he reads at – he just reads. So I try to take a deep breath and remember that having him home and on his own timetable is best, even if other people think we are weird!
on September 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am
What makes me feel insecure? Comparing myself/my children to other people. NOT a good idea.
Funny you should write about handwriting worries today. I just wrote a handwriting post. Go see and stop worrying.
Kate
on September 12th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Oh good heavens, LIFE makes me doubt myself! I second-guess myself constantly and drive myself nuts. All we can do is pray and do our best, right?
on September 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
have you ever read Raymond and Dorothy Moores’ books? Better Late than Early is one of them. I highly recommend them, esp. for your boy. They advocate waiting for any intense, formal schooling for young children.
it’s hard not to compare. I do it. Don’t like it when I do. I really hate it when I compare MY life with another mom/wife/Christian woman that think has it all together. Never helps, just makes me feel bleck.
on September 12th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I had to LOL at the ‘not holding a pencil correctly’. My daughter is 28 and still doesn’t hold a pen or pencil in what I consider a normal fashion… but for what ever reason she holds it the way she does and it works for her – and I’ve noticed a lot of others hold it that way as well.
I decided long ago that I can only do my best to make the decisions I make and follow the path I follow. I won’t be right all the time – but I do try to make an educated decision up front… if later I learn something that effects my decision I’m willing to change or modify my path.
on September 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
As much as I hate comparisons…I do it. Myself to others. My kids to others. I get so frustrated with myself too.
I’m teaching in our co-op right now and my son is in my class – and oh.dear.Lord. The comparison meter is running rampant. He’s not…he is so…ahhhh…
I feel for you – but the thing I keep reminding myself is just about those moments like you mentioned with your son and the beaver.
Jolanthe
on September 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Well, it’s pretty easy for me to doubt myself… especially when I see my sinful reactions to my sinful children and vice versa.
Also, it’s hard when others who I hold dear to my heart (like parents lately) dodn’t seem to “get it” like I thought they did that we were serious about homeschooling.
on September 15th, 2008 at 7:59 am
We got lots of strong winds. There were a few tornadoes, but none close to us thank goodness. Our western coastal parishes received some major flooding. The newscasters are saying that the flooding is worse than it was for Rita. For the most part, I think we dodged another bullet. I am counting my blessings. I’m glad that you all fared well. Let’s continue to pray and keep our fingers crossed until hurricane season is over with.
on September 15th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Everything about having children makes me doubt myself…I think it is part and parcel of my life as a mother. I question whether I am doing the best for my children…should I or shouldn’t I homeschool/public school/private school? …am I feeding them healthy enough foods? Should I keep him home from school today, or send him and make him suck it up?
There are very few things in my parenting that I am certain of…and the biggest one…is that I am uncertain about everything.
The other thing I am certain of…it doesn’t matter how uncertain *I* am…God is still in control, and I know that HE knows what is best for my children, and HE put them in my family, with me as their mother, so He must think I can do a good enough job with them…