I wish that I had known and picked the brain of a veteran homeschooler before I embarked on this journey. It seems like we've been flying by the seat of our pants for a while now and while I'm happy that we are, I wish I had other's experiences to draw on before we'd even started this road. And that, my friends, is the problem with choosing the road less traveled.
But I'm rectifying this situation now, I am surrounded by people who are at the same point as we are, just starting out, and those who are closer to done than us. Sure, we talk about the big issues: What curriculum is best for Language Arts? How do you deal with the younger sibling who isn't of age to be actively involved? Who has a homeschooled teenager who will watch the kids while I go to the dentist? When is the best time to go to Disneyland? But its the little things that are catching my attention.
A friend mentioned in passing that someone had suggested that they fill their shelves with field guides. I have never thought about this as I'm not a bird enthusiast (that is the nice way of saying I'm terrified of birds). Sure, the man has field guides to rock and mineral identification, but that is work related. I filed the idea away in my head and decided to at least take a look at it. You know, we can always use more reference books... For Easter this year, we bought the kids each a small field guide. The Angel thumbs through hers in her spare time. The Boy sleeps with his. We had a chance to use The Princess' guide the other day when we came upon a bird that was nesting in the gravel.
I really wish I had known of this great idea, which seemed so insignificant when it passed in conversation a few months ago. Maybe when new babies are born to those around me, I'll give out field guides instead of Pat the Bunny.
No comments:
Post a Comment