We are all home-schoolers

Dear Neglected Blog

I have been overwhelmed by motherhood lately. Three children is a beautiful thing. But it can also be a frightening thing to face when everything isn't running smoothly. Lets face it. Life isn't smooth with infants in the house.

But the colds are getting better and the sun is shining this afternoon so my head is clearing (and the possibility of sleep tonight is promising). So here's what's been going through my head a lot lately.

Every parent should consider themselves a home-schooler.

I have been exploring lots of blogs for ideas to keep my little ones happy, busy and inspired by life. and as I delve deeper into many of my favourite sites I discover that they are often put together by home-schooling mums. Yet much of what they are doing is exactly what I do at home.

I believe a child's education begins at birth.

I believe a child's most important teachers are their parents.

I believe that school should not be relied on to cover everything!

So when our new preschool teacher this year seemed a little uninspiring compared to last year's gem, I panicked, then I stopped to think. What is important for our little man at preschool. A safe environment? Yes. A caring teacher? Yes. Social experiences outside the home? Yes. Social experiences without mum? Yes. Inspiring craft and play activities that require thought and creativity. Yes. And it was this last that had me worried. Then a dear friend suggested I look around the room and see what I am doing at home. And I realised he has it all. His early literacy, art, numeracy and other concepts are being fully explored at home. His social needs are being extended at school.

So I congratulate myself in switching off the tv and giving my children an inspiring home environment. And I appreciate the interactions that are occurring with friends at school. And just a little piece of me wishes that last year's teacher will come back.

Back to what I was trying to say - it is our responsibility as parents to educate our children. I still believe in a school education. But it is just one piece in the puzzle.

Gone fishing

By far, their most favourite summer activity so far. Who would have guessed.

Boys will be boys hey?

All it took was sticks, string and the cardboard from an empty tissue box. The fact that the fish have flowers on them seems to add to the appeal. Fun to be shared. Or as an excuse for some solitude.

101 things to do on a hot day

To continue on with the anti-tv theme...

Here's what the boys have been up to since the weather warmed up:

• squirting the plants (ie each other) with spray cans
• watering the plants (ie each other) with the hose
• watering the plants (ie each other) with watering cans
• watching ice melt, and eating it
• wriggling their toes in the breeze
• taking all their regular toys outside to play with
• walking in other people's gardens to admire and discuss
• helping with our slowly improving garden
• playing with balls, sticks, bats, nets
• collecting rocks and sticks 
• throwing rocks in the water
• washing their toys (ie each other) outside with soapy water
• hiding in makeshift tents in the backyard
• eating outside
• parks
• forests

Ok... so its not 101. But you get the idea. And did I mention I'm too pregnant. So most of this has been while I lie on the couch wondering if I should really be out there supervising! There really is no time in summer for the tv. 

Life outside the box

So I have no proof that these sorts of things may not have happened anyway, with the TV on... But I am conscious of how much TV seems to drain the energy and creativity out of small children.

I know many mums "use" TV to entertain the kids while dinner is being prepared. Ours doesn't get turned on, at all, during the weekday. As I was pottering in the kitchen this afternoon I could sense boredom setting in as the boys were begging me to read a book. I suggested they look at the books themselves until I finished cooking. So there's my big 4 year old "reading" to his little brother about bees and hives and honey and little Mr 2 is getting restless. Then he jumps up and announces "I want some honey for us". Minor panic - don't often offer honey as an afternoon snack! 

So I ask if he would like to pretend to give his brother honey. And off they go. Containers are coming out and the boys are "buzzing" about the house "collecting honey". 

Would they have dragged themselves away from the TV if a similar topic came up?

More TV thoughts later. Just wanted to get this thread going....