I AM A TEACHER

We have successfully completed 3 full days of homeschooling. I must say that I am enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. Today I turned my kitchen floor into a science lab and conducted experiments about how temperature affects molecules. We caused air to expand and shrink, we made a quarter "jump" on the top of a wine bottle. My kindergartner now knows how to find Germany and Italy on a world map, and can tell you all about Martin Luther and how he discovered the truth that is in the Bible. Miles has blown through a full 2 weeks worth of his math lessons, and can explain the concepts we covered in those lessons. He even tolerates our Language Arts studies with a positive attitude (so far). I suspect part of his motivation for learning to read is simply so he can understand the words on his Sponge Bob video games (but who really cares as long as he learns to read).

As I look back at my previous post, I must ask myself "why was I so scared?" I am equipped to do this (I majored in early childhood education for gosh sakes). I think that I was feeling overwhelmed by the huge responsibility that I have chosen to take upon myself. And please don't think that I now consider it a light burden, it is simply less overwhelming. I am gaining the confidence that I need in order to achieve this goal. I also realize that I cannot yet consider myself a "seasoned homeschooler" (I mean really, we have only done it for 3 days). But I am much more optimistic of our potential, as Miles and I take on this grand adventure called learning.

There are, however a few things that I never really considered. Just a few minor details. Now that I am spending my day being Teacher; who is doing the laundry or cleaning the kitchen, or fixing lunch (not to mention dinner for my hubby who has been at the office all day)? And let's not forget the sweet little person called Elizabeth, who has been enjoying her mommy's relaxed supervision by discovering the stray crayons and who knows what else under the table. She has figured out how to use her big brother's step stool to reach all kinds of interesting things on the kitchen counters. We really must do something about our little explorer.

So, my goal, first and foremost will be to find some balance. A way to keep all of these "balls" in mid-air without having them all come crashing down. I must learn which of them can fall to the floor without catastrophic results. I must learn which of them I can safely let someone else handle.

It is truly an adventure and an experience of a lifetime, one that we as a family will have to learn how to navigate our way through.
Without the help of the latest GPS technology.