Ok, just remember that I said it was a solution, not necessarily a good solution.
Basically, we are going to spend the morning working on what I want them to work on and then the afternoon working on what they want to. I'm not sure what, but they will each have something to work on. Alex's will have to do with "outer space stuff" and Christian's will probably have to do with one of the careers he is interested in - like finding him someone he can apprentice with or a project like building a piece of furniture or rebuilding an engine or something. (He is interested in either woodworking or auto mechanics.) Not sure about Ethan yet. He needs to decide what he wants to do. If he doesn't pick something, I will choose for him. I agree - kids need to learn things that they are not interested in. How many of us would really sit through math if we didn't have to? LOL
I am sure none of you know this, but I am a teensy weensy bit of a control freak. I know. Hard to believe. I need to lighten the heck up. This all started when the neighbor across the cul-de-sac asked me if I would be willing to talk to her daughter about homeschooling. She mentioned that her granddaughter was losing her love of learning and her creativity because of school. (Her grandson is however thriving.) After talking to her I started to wonder if I wasn't doing the same thing to my kids.
It doesn't help that Christian still isn't sure what he is interested in as a career. As his mom I say "Who cares? He is only 15!" But as his "teacher" I think "Geeze! How am I going to prepare him for whatever he chooses if he doesn't choose?" When we have discussed it I have told him that as long as he makes enough money to support his family and is happy with his choice, I will be happy. Hopefully, that is true.
2 comments:
You know, I think the "love of learning" stuff is over-rated. You hear about kids who "LOVE" to learn, and you wonder what the heck you're doing wrong. Sorry, the majority of kids aren't going to LOVE to do long division.And, as much as they enjoy writing, at some point re-writing a paper becomes drudgery.
I think it's more important that they learn good working skills,and know what to expect (if they plan on going to college) - what it takes. If they think school is all fun, I tell ya - no matter how smart they are, they are going to hit that wall in college.
The rewards of education are not "good times" but - success; a sense of accomplishment; the reward of knowing you did something well.
You know, you could be right. I waver back and forth between "Do what I say when I say." and "But they are only kids!" I need to find a nice balance, which I hope the new plan will be. I don't want to be a taskmaster, but it seems like if I am not we don't get anything done.
Damn my indecisiveness!
Post a Comment