Tuesday, August 19, 2008

searching and learning

Well, here we are. We're beginning a homeschooling journey. Maybe for half a year, maybe for a year, maybe a little longer than that. Wow. We have had some wonderful times so far, my five-and-a-half-year-old and I. Here he is on Monday, searching for God in all the cracks of our wooden floor. The conversation went something like this.

Mama, when do we see where God lives? Do you have to die to get there or can we go there now?

Um, well...God doesn't only live "out there somewhere," God also lives in you and in me and, well, God can be found everywhere. God is with us right here and now. [That must have been way too unclear a remark; not quite the description of panentheism I was going for].

Well, Mama, I'm going to find God because I need him to help me find my Star Wars Lego people.

Back to the homeschooling topic, I'm feeling lonely and excited. I'm most attracted to an unschooling approach, plus, I just feel too poor to try Waldorf or some of the interesting-looking reading-based curricula out there. But trusting that we will find our way through this with joy, and that the three of us will know when/how we need to make changes, and that I really do have the right to be Henry's primary teacher when his dearest friends here in town all have a blast at public school...but his Wichita friends have a blast homeschooling. I want to offer him something precious, but I don't want to withhold what he needs. I plan to write more (for myself) about our take on homeschooling so that I have a mission statement of sorts to look back on.

Thanks for listening, friends!

9 comments:

Melisa & Erik Nielsen said...

Sounds like you are a great mama, searching for what is best for your child. Keep seeking!

I just wanted to drop you a nore and say not all Waldorf is pricey - we aren't, come by and visit our blog (www.waldorfjourney.typepad.com) and our website for free stuff - we also see the lowest priced full curriculum on the market... a fraction of others but every bit as Waldorf!

I love the exploring moments... that is what home education is all about! Many blessings.

Melisa Nielsen
www.alittlegardenflower.com

Melisa & Erik Nielsen said...

Edit that a bit... I can spell... just not usually this late at night!

Blessings!

Lisa Anne said...

What Melisa says is true, Waldorf does not have to be expensive. There are so many beautiful toys and books that can really add up to a lot of $$. You don't need those things. Just some simple gifts from nature, capturing special moments, living rhythmically in the year (festivals), and honoring where our children are-now; not rushing them academically. There is a yahoo group hosted by a woman in Oregon. She has tons of files that outline all the curriculum you will ever need (until 6th grade), you can access them for free!! She is really doing a service to Waldorf Homeschoolers, especially those who cannot afford it: "Waldorf Home Educators" (there is a link on my blog sidebar). The beautiful thing about homeschooling is you can blend many different educational philosophies and call it your own, you are not limited by any one dogma- I call ours Waldorf Inspired because it is more the way we live our life rather than following one "rule".

Enjoy your time with your son, I find God in all kinds of unexpected places and people (I never found God in church, though) I am sure he will find him in the cracks.

kristin said...

oh, i have been wondering!!!

what a wonder-FULL experience this is.

i love knowing that Henry is exploring the world as he knows best.

Beverly said...

What helpful comments! Thank you Melisa and Lisa Anne, for the resource suggestions. I am in the process of checking them out.

Beth said...

Wow! Good for you all, and how exciting and fun. Your story about looking for God in the cracks reminds me of once when Emma was about 4 I was working late at Shalom house and Everett was upstairs working on something and Erin was scolding Emma for leaving daddy upstairs alone. Emma responded "he's not alone. God is with him!" kind of in a DUH voice :)

kclblogs said...

oh, it sounds like the route you are taking is one that honors henry -- good for you!

Libby said...

Oh, my dear sister! This is so beautiful it makes me teary. You know that Leonard Cohen line... "There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Sounds like there's some great resources out there. You DO have the right to be Henry's primary teacher. A thousand times yes!

Lizz said...

Yay! I'm just so very happy for you all!!