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When I picture a homeschooling parent, I can’t help but vision the über-caregiver; a person who is so lovingly in-tune with his or her children that they know exactly how to cultivate these young minds and give them a superb education. Through intuition and grace, homeschooling parents help their children to sidestep the emotional trauma experienced by so many victims of the conventional education system.
I tried to hold that vision in my head this week as I sat on my hands to avoid shaking Saoirse when she couldn’t grasp how to add 10 to a number in her head.
The remainder of this essay has been removed for editing and inclusion in Shannon’s forthcoming book, Homespun Mom Comes Unraveled
Comments
January 26, 2012 9:47 PM EST
I love how you share the raw-ness of homeschooling. Most blogs don’t get that honest. The struggle of homeschooling is that they get all ranges of our emotions because they (and we) are always there. But it is also the beauty of homeschooling because they (and we) are always there, learning how to love and forgive each other. Way more important than filling in bubbles on a test.
– Meg
January 30, 2012 3:03 PM EST
That is one of the sweetest, truest blog posts about homeschooling I’ve ever read. Ah, so glad you write about your life so I can see myself echoed in you. 🙂
– Marie Goodwin
February 1, 2012 7:57 PM EST
Love does trump math, and all things. Nice to of you to share such a good moment. So good to read your stuff, finally had a moment to myself to seek your writing out. I know you told me you wrote, but being a homeschooling mom and just dealing with life I am slow at getting it together. We also struggle with math, slow and steady wins the race is my motto, I do so love turtles. No matter the turtle they seem to mostly live long and get through life’s problems. Every time I try to rush and go back to worldly ways instead of what is truly needed, total chaos occurs(we will leave that little demon in a well guarded box).Bless you for the patience to learn the abacus, my dear brother and his wife sent us one a year ago, and I like the slow poke I am just keep staring at everytime I go in my drawer begging the Good Lord to give me the courage, mind, and moments to get it going into some good use in our lives. Hope all is going well, many blessings to all.
– Tatiana
February 9, 2012 8:25 AM EST
Your writing is always so honest and true, and, always when I need to read it. The day I read this post we were in Florida, I had awoken before everyone else, read your post which stuck with me all day. I walked through Disney- our one venture into mainstream life a year & probably our last, we just don’t fit- all day thinking of you & wanted to tell you (and needing it myself) “respect he chicken-ness of the chicken” because really isn’t that the reoccurring theme of all we are doing? BTW- my husband and I now refer to our 4 year old “the chicken”. We’re doing our best to respect her chicken-ness.
– RPL
February 22, 2012 4:01 PM EST
Shannon, this is wonderful! Your honesty is much appreciated. We’ve “graduated” from homeschooling now, and I miss it. The memories of those struggles and triumphs are vivid in my mind. The way you and Saiorse worked through the challenging situation is an inspiration to others. One of the great things about homeschooling is that it can allow members of a family to work together to deepen our relationships and learn valuable life lessons, not only school lessons, in the context of a safe and loving home. Kudos to you!
– Jennie