Homeschooling | Page 9 of 12

Examine Advice

May 2nd, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

“I can’t tell you everything we’ve learned. You’ll compare my friend’s children to mine, and penalize them. She isn’t teaching as much.”

When I reviewed homeschoolers’ portfolios for the local public school system, I was shocked and saddened to hear this disinformation. The only standard for evaluation was the state homeschool law.

“Why do you believe this?” I asked about this and other erroneous statements.

“The leader of my support group warned me,” or “I read it in a magazine.”

What did I learn along the way? Respected leaders both knowingly and unknowingly gave bad advice. Most expressed legitimate concerns, but some operated out of fear. Others had agendas: increased membership or profits from their products.

Our public school system did not want conflict. Neither did it have the resources to make homeschoolers’ fears come true. My supervisor believed in the value of homeschooling.

What did I do? I became wiser in my carefulness. I particularly examined advice that produced fear or advised secrecy. It’s common sense but easy to forget when you are passionate about a cause. Even homeschooling. I did.

Be wise as a serpent, yet innocent as a dove.
Matthew 10:16 ESV

What advice have you questioned?

Homeschooling, Parenting

Deprivation Becomes Desperation

April 25th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

One of my most embarrassing parenting moments was when a son grabbed five snack packs of chips after a t-ball game—one of each variety—which was as many as his six-year-old arms could hold. I admonished him to choose one and put the others back.

My son’s teammates seemed content with their single pack. After reflection, I realized they were not more righteous, but less desperate. We were a chip-free home.

I had seen similar reactions in other children. Sisters who were only allowed cake at holidays and birthday parties stuffed themselves silly at my son’s four-year-old birthday party. Why didn’t I stop them? They were too quick.

Deprivation leads to desperation.

As parents, especially if homeschooling, we can become so caught up in academics, sports and discipleship that we allow deprivations to creep into our children’s lives: unscheduled time, pure mom and dad time, activities that seem frivolous. The consequences can be as harmful as food deprivation.

Deprivation creeps into our own lives too. We deny ourselves rest and fellowship in order to meet parenting and homeschooling demands.

Which “chips” and “cake” do your kids lack to the point they are desperate? What about you?

Basics, Homeschooling, Parenting

Rest Is Not Optional: Guest Blog

April 11th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

Along the way, I learned not to ignore taking a break when the children—and I especially—needed to rest.

Below is an excerpt from Beth Sterne’s website Put Off Procrastination. Put on Peace. Here

Some years ago our son entered the front door and saw me sitting on the sofa reading a book. He stopped immediately and said, “I want to see more of that around here!”

He knew the path of my feet should take me to rest along the way. And he knew I most often ignored that truth.

Since “rest” is “to cease work in order to relax or refresh oneself,” we see rest as self- serving. Let’s realize it means being a good steward of the heart, mind, and body God has given us to use on earth.

What are two “rest busters” that steal our refreshment?

Viewing activities as requirements instead of opportunities. We don’t have to participate in every educational, church, business, or social function.

Not setting boundaries. Sometimes, by taking on every project or fetching whatever is wanted, we’ve “taught” colleagues and family we don’t need rest.

If appropriate, we can say, “No, not now. These are Mom’s Minutes to be quiet.”

Homeschooling, Parenting

What Is Your Focus?

March 28th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

I knew I couldn’t run a half marathon. I occasionally wondered if I could power walk 13.1 miles if not constrained by a time limit. When Covid-19 forced in-person races to become virtual races, the time limit was removed. I signed up for my first half marathon and then a second.

I decided the best way to meet my self-imposed time goal was to keep a consistent pace. My focus became my Fitbit, tapping the screen regularly to display my pace. I rejoiced when I beat an 18-minute mile and became disheartened with a 20-minute mile. My emotions followed the numbers for too many hours. Eventually, I fell while checking my Fitbit.

For my second half marathon, I focused on my walking, An app announced the pace at the end of each mile, which was sufficient. How did I do? I enjoyed it more, didn’t fall, and beat my previous time by almost seven minutes.

How is this relevant to parenting and homeschooling? When we become too concerned about moment-by-moment progress, our emotions can rule, we can stumble, and we can cover ground less quickly.

What is your focus?

Art, Homeschooling

Art: Play Name that Painting

February 28th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

Do you need a short break from structured learning or want easy art appreciation? Naming works of art will accomplish both objectives.

I started this game to distract a five-year-old while her family wondered through the National Gallery of Art.

As a warm-up, I asked my restless charge to name an object in a nearby painting. After she said “girl” for Cassatt’s Girl with a Straw Hat. I praised her and asked, “What is she wearing?” followed by “What kind of hat?” Rachel was pleased when I read the title, and she realized that she could guess a painting’s name.

Choose well and your student will be successful. Consider Girl with a Watering Can by Renoir; The Mill by Rembrandt; Sunflowers by Van Gogh.

If you get “I don’t know?” explain that some artists also didn’t know. Their works are “Untitled.”

Extend the activity by asking your child to think of a different title or a subtitle.

Identifying a painting’s main idea extends to choosing topic sentences and recognizing themes in literature.

Tip: If you don’t live near an art museum, buy art calendars when they are discounted after Christmas and use them.

What games have you quickly invented ?