AskTracy

I have a hard time getting through Mondays, especially when summer is right around the corner.  My mind is like a fidgety 8 year old who's stuck in a boring classroom!  Thank goodness we're not stuck in a classroom otherwise I'd be labeled ADD real quick!  So I have to remind myself to keep homeschool fun, keep it light, and change the view every so often.  You know, like the way learning and teaching should always be!   TM : )

Homeschool encouragement... hmmmm... I'm not feeling it today.  How about my view on why teaching your kids history is so important instead?  There has been so much going on in our crazy world that I have not thought about writing encouragement and I have been thinking about current events only and what it means to us.  I am a big fan of getting information from all different sources and I encourage my kids to do the same.  History is so important as the more you know, the less likely you will be fooled.  The media tries to fool us all the time.  So how do we know which news source is correct?  By knowing your history!

I am so fortunate to have a husband that has majored in world history.  He helps me decipher the news by letting me know who is telling the truth and who isn't based on his knowledge of the past.  He also is able to explain why certain policies make sense, and why others will never work based on that country's history.  I'm always appreciative when he gives me his views, as, well, I didn't care for history much when I was a kid, but now as an adult, I realize how important it really is.  So get out the history books (I am) and read a few biographies on some of our greatest thinkers from the past (this too!).  With what's happening in our world today, let's teach our children to move forward and not to repeat history.   TM : ) 

"If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience."
 George Bernard Shaw Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)

It's Monday and I can feel change in the air.  Thank goodness we homeschool and change can be made swift and accordingly.  I like to think of us homeschool Moms as speedy, little, convertibles when it comes to teaching our children.  We can change gears to pass the big rigs (traditional schools), we can maneuver around the corners ("Mom... can we read instead?"), excel as fast as we want to go ("Hey Mom, I finished my 4th grade math and I'm only in 2nd grade!") and when we're in park, all others look at our rims and tires and shiny paint and wish they could be like us (We have smart, respectful, and well mannered kids.  Most of the time!)!

So bring on the change... My engine is ready and the count is on... 3, 2, 1... GO!   TM : ) 

Okay, so I had a conversation with another homeschool Mom today and while we were chatting, I said something that at that very moment it came out of my mouth, I knew I had to share it with you.  We were talking about subjects that our sons liked and didn't like and how we would teach them and how we didn't like certain subjects ourselves.  Then it occurred to me that I can't stand math.  I mean, I always knew I didn't like math, but what I realized is that when there is a subject that I don't like, I avoid teaching it. The conversation reminded me that just because I don't like a specific subject, doesn't mean I need to run away from it and take my kids with me!  

We are so lucky to have as many resources as we do from Google to tutors and our best resource yet... each other.  So when a subject that you don't like starts interfering with teaching your kids, don't avoid it.  We're too resourceful to not find a way.  We're homeschool Moms for goodness sakes!  We are outside of the box thinkers, we're creative, we don't give up easily, and we're not going to let our dislikes discriminate what our kids need to learn and they might really, really enjoy.  And if my kids really enjoy math, then I did what I was supposed to do, stop running.   TM : )

Today you will breathe, you will teach your kids, and you will be successful.  How do I know this?  Because I've been doing this for almost 9 years now and everyday I breathe.  Everyday I teach my kids.  And everyday as I look back over the years and compare it to today, I see the growth, the maturity, and the intelligence of my kids and I know that I am successful.  You will be too.   
TM : ) 

Today is the day that I pat myself on the back and say a little cheer... "Hip, hip, hooray!"  What's all the fuss about?  I teach my kids about persistence and perseverance and today AskTracyAboutHomeschool.com is a year old!


I couldn't have done it without the wonderful readers from all over leaving me kind words in the form of comments and sending me encouraging emails.  For those of you that have picked my brain about homeschool, Thank You, as the questions you have asked have stretched my ability to help others.


I hope the words you read here encourage you to keep on going.  To help teach your children to be the best that they can is an accomplishment that no person or place (traditional school) can ever take away from you.   TM : ) 

It's raining, it's pouring... Hey!  Let's talk about the weather, let's talk about clouds and rainbows and lightning... Look around you, there is so much to teach and so much to learn from NOT a text book.  Enjoy the conversations with your kids.   TM : )

Monday again!  Gosh these weekends fly by.  I hope you are well rested and ready to take on the world!  Okay, maybe not the world, but at least ready to take on your kids education.  Remember to stay positive when teaching your children and take deep breaths when things get a little hectic.  You can do it!   TM : )