May-June 2002 Homeschool Notes

A page for parents of homeschoolers to share their thoughts.

A List to Grow On

   Ahhh... a quiet day for reflection. I'm spending a peaceful morning in my backyard. Today is Mother's Day and my daughter's twenty-first birthday. I remember her as a baby, my rocking and nursing her and thinking about homeschooling. I dreamed of what her growing up years would be like and what the future would hold. Homeschooling made sense to me, and I made a list of what I hoped for her to learn before she left home.

   I still have that list, and twenty one years and three more kids later, I still aspire to meet these goals.

• First, and most importantly, always keep the joy of learning and natural curiosity alive.
• Second, discover the natural world and develop a deep understanding and love for nature, natural process and laws; the deep mysteries of all life.
• Third, practice one art form whether it be music, drawing, photography, dance. Enjoy the process of creating.
• Fourth, solitude is important. You can't be truly happy and grounded if you are not content with yourself.
• Fifth, study hard. Find the connection of subjects to the world and each other.
• Sixth, learn at your own pace with your own learning style and natural intelligence.
• Seventh, develop common sense and everyday living skills. Learn how to change a tire, cook from scratch, balance your checkbook, mend and wash your clothes, get to places on time.
• Eighth, fill your heart with love. Share that love whenever and with whomever you can, because love doesn't divide, it multiplies.

Click here for the previous issue's article
or here for the May-June 2002 back issue index