ForgottenWoman

Homeschooling Moment

Whether you choose private education, public education or home education; the truth is that the role of parents and grandparents who are actively involved in the lives of students is crucial! We all know that intentional involvement is so important today – a day in which cell phones, computer screen time and electronic games can easily occupy our attention ahead of personal interaction! The complaints of many adults about kids’ addiction to these things abound; but honestly, look around next time you attend a meal in a restaurant or even a sporting event. Adults who are supposed to be there to support the athletes are often so absorbed in their phones they aren’t even aware of what is happening in the game. I’m reminded of a scenario that I witnessed quite often in the life of one of my sons’ friends. Each time we attended a game where this teen was participating I would end up fuming over the fact that his father sat in the stands with his nose in a book – unaware that his son was even on the court. (Shame on me for judging – but I did!) Today, it’s not just one father reading his book, it’s every spectator in the gym with a phone in hand. But I digress!

Just this morning I was reminded of how many moments can be teaching moments if we are paying attention – listening! I was at the tennis courts with three of my grandchildren. The two older ones were in a heated match and the 8 year old and I were sitting on the ground watching and chatting. He asked me if we could go to Wendy’s for lunch when we finished playing and I told him we would have to see. (He loves the baconator meals). His wheels began to turn and it was obvious he was thinking deeply about why I may not take him. I think he decided it was a money thing so he asked me how much a baconator meal is. I pulled my phone out and we looked it up. $11.75. He then asked me to subtract 11.75 from $30. I did. Then he figured out how many times he could go to Wendy’s for a baconator meal within a month if he did all of his chores and earned his allowance! The discussion then turned to the value of working for what we really want. I couldn’t help but smile as we talked and the expressions on his face changed as he thought through all that we were talking about.

Just a few minutes later we were driving to town (to Wendy’s, of course) when we were discussing the clouds, the forecast and if we were going to get to swim before the rain came. During these learning moments, I was able to just listen as big brother explained to little brother how the clouds weren’t following us down the road, how the earth spins on its axis and why it is so hard to predict weather.

For a few moments it was quiet as we rode along and then the 13-year-old decided to inform the rest of us that French drains were not “invented” in France, but that they were named after Mr. French! And you guessed it – little man (the 8 year old) then needed to know what French drains are. We discussed these for a while until we arrived at our destination and I thought, “Wow! So many teaching moments today already!”

My point? Choose the educational setting that works best for your family – and then be intentional to make the most of the moments you have together. It’s really, really easy to unintentionally let the opportunities escape us if we aren’t ON PURPOSE making the most of our time together.