The Magical Tree
One of the greatest things about being a Mom is you get the chance to experience childhood all over again. Yesterday among our busy activities of school, playground, Jr Team Tennis Practice and Awanas, we somehow stumbled upon the perfect climbing tree. Let me just say we have encountered many trees among our hikes and camping trips but I can honestly say this was a tree in a league of it's own!
It's limbs were large and strong, stretching all the way to the ground as if extending it's hands to the children. It's overhanging limbs with leaves created a magical playground hidden from the rest of the world. As we climbed underneath into this special place, I couldn't help but feel like a big kid. My children giggled and squealed in delight as they climbed, hung upside down like monkeys and ran from limb to limb as if they were in an enchanted forest. They gave big hugs to this tree, although there little arms could not even cover the front of his enormous trunk. They discovered that this tree looked like it had a face (it really did appear that way!) so they began telling it their wishes in hopes the tree could help make them come true. They whispered to each other, eyes wide and full of wonder as they waited for this tree to talk to them. When the wind blew the leaves would shake they would take that sound as the tree's voice. There giggles echoed among the small forest and I know that sound will be forever recorded in my heart.
It is such a wonderful feeling for a Mom to see the innocence of your children believing in their own imagination. For those precious few hours everything else went away except the pure magic of childhood. Too often in our world today children are forced to grow up, stop dreaming and understand how the world really works. I cannot imagine wanting that for any child. Childhood is so short and so very precious. I say let them play, let them wander, let them dream, simply let them be the small innocent children that God intended them to be. I know that yesterday we made a wonderful new friend, one whom we will visit very often in the near future. I am going to make sure I have my camera in hand on our next visit so I can capture a portrait of this very special tree that will most likely always be rememberd as part of their sweet childhood!
Our Adventure
I have decided to start a blog of our homeschool life. I think that it will be wonderful in the years to come to look back and reflect on our journey.
So I am going to start at the beginning of our journey which began last year. This is an overview of our first adventure in becoming a homeschooling family...picking a perfect curriculum.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Okay, first let me say that I have never been the best at making decisions. I tend to over-analyze, over-think and over-research every single one I make. So of course when it came to my kid's education this was the case as that decision is one of the most critical ones I have ever had to make. I began homeschooling a little clueless of what exactly I was doing. Scared, confused and excited all at once, we set out on our new adventure. It was overwhelming with all of the different types of curriculum that are available now. Of course we all want the best for our children, so I felt obligated to explore each and every one. I spent countless sleepless nights on my computer researching methods, looking at blogs, and reading millions of reviews.
Hind Sight is always 20/20
My advice for new homeschooling moms would be this: When you find something that feels right, go with it and quit researching! The wise old advice of following your heart could not be more needed in the decision of homeschooling. I stumbled upon the teachings of Charlotte Mason and instantly felt at home with all of her ideas on education. I however kept researching and in the end was too scared of trying the Charlotte Mason way. I felt that I needed something safer for my first year, even if it was not my style. By doing this I ended up spending a small fortune on a "box education" that did not fit my style or the style of my children. If I had just followed my own heart I would have gone with the right one to start off with and saved myself not only money but the time and trouble. After a few months, I found my children moving on with their lessons but not with the passion that I knew was inside of them. So after some deep soul searching I have gone back to my first choice and could not be happier.
A PERFECT fit for our family
We are now a Charlotte Mason Homeschooling family and my kids are thriving. They have become so passionate about learning that I find them reading their books (event their math ones!!) by flashlight after bedtime! I have found the perfect fit for our family and could not be more excited about it. It so wonderful to be teaching a method that fits so well with my own style. We are all loving our new schedule and our new curriculum choices. The kids are actually doing school for longer because they want to continue after the lessons are done and that makes me one happy homeschooling Mommy! :)
