The weather is slightly cooler, and that back-to-school feeling (as well as Tropical Storm Ernesto) is definitely in the air. It's the end of August, so we -- like so many other moms and kids -- just did the obligatory trek to Target to buy markers, pens, notebooks, and backpacks. Except my kids aren't going off to school; we're starting homeschooling on Tuesday.
I have many reasons why I'm choosing to homeschool my kids (currently 5, 3 and 1 1/2 years old.) I'll focus now on 1 simple reason: I want my kids to be kids.
Kids aren't kids anymore, at least not in the D.C. metropolitan area where we live. Have you noticed the trend? Kids are stressed out more than many adults I know. Their schedules are so full, it takes their own daytimer to keep them straight. One mom just told me her daughter's travel soccer team has 6 weekend tournaments between now and Christmas, and 3 are out of state (1 in Florida.)
Rewind to my life as a child: Riding bikes. Sitting in the tree in my front yard with my cat composing songs. Going to the beach (we lived in Miami.) Reading books. Laying on our trampoline and finding shapes in the clouds. Playing with neighborhood kids for hours -- often all day. I don't remember any schedules, soccer tournaments, cell phones, playdates per se, or tutoring, for goodness' sake. I was a kid.
Now, I am not. Come to think of it, I haven't been a kid for a long time. Gone are the carefree days of playing and playing some more. Last I checked, once you grow up, you don't get a chance to have that kind of carefree life anymore. Why should I deprive my kids of their only opportunity?
Recently, two little girls moved in to the house down the street -- ages 3 and 5. My kids were so excited. We've seen those girls twice in the past 4 months, I kid you not. Kids don't play outside like they used to, at least not many besides mine (on our street.) On behalf of their childhood, I'm out there with them everyday. I just wish there were other kids, too.
Kisses,
Lucy
Could not agree more! Didymus
Posted by: Didymus | August 31, 2006 at 11:36 AM
I'm wondering if this is why so many adults fail to "grow up" in their later years. Adolescence seems to extend way beyond the teenage years these days. Are people trying to recover a childhood they lost too soon?
Posted by: Philomena | August 31, 2006 at 01:35 PM
Philomena,
I'm not entirely sure this is the case. I had a great childhood filled with outdoors, backyard sports, fights, and endless adventure. I loved my long and full childhood, and yet I refuse to grow up. Perhaps I just won't accept my current culture's definition of "growing up". 9-5, shirt and tie, 2.5 kids, mow the grass, bored out of my skull, no thanks. Then again, maybe I'm just immature.
Nanny nanny boo boo,
Timothy
Posted by: Timothy | August 31, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Thanks for offering a rationale for homeschooling that actually makes sense (mine are 3 & 4 so it's an issue for me right around the corner). One of the things I appreciate about parenting little ones is the freedom it gives me to just play -- at least a little bit. If nothing else, my husband and I are home for dinner most nights. I agree that childhood is being taken away from kids in our culture, but so are the healthly disciplines of rest, true recreation, sharing meals together, just playing. It's all of our loss -- and a high price for the mere 'stuff' we gain.
Posted by: Maria | August 31, 2006 at 07:06 PM
I homeschool 6 very creative, funny, and energetic kids. I love when I look out the window and they are drawing town centers in the dirt with sticks and making the buildings out of sticks, pebbles, and leaves. Sometimes they surprise us with talent shows and circus acts. They learn from catching bugs and using the internet to research their diet and habitats. Of course, we cover the basics(math, reading, writing), but the learning is more in everyday problem solving than just completing a worksheet.
I love home schooling. We take off Aug and Sept so that we can vacation once everyone has returned to school.
Posted by: Lori from Texas | August 31, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Very good and interesting comments from you all. Lori, you give me hope (as I'm just starting out.) Sounds like a rich, educational and FUN experience for your whole family. Timothy, more power to you until you settle down. But how do you pay the bills?
-Lu
Posted by: lucy pevensie | September 01, 2006 at 05:09 AM