Prayer Request from Sonya

So glad you are preparing to share about this Sonya. It is something more people need to hear and take to heart. (Myself not least of these)

I will pray for you as you prepare for this, and as you continue to present it. I wish there was a way to get this out to more people than just the homeschool community. It saddens me to see so much pressure put on parents, and through them to the children. Here is part of a quote from an increasingly popular online program:

“Research has shown that children learn more from birth to age five than at any other time in their lives. Children who complete the curriculum of …. during those all–important formative years will be very well prepared for kindergarten, and that can make a very big difference in the rest of their schooling.”

Keep up the good work Sonya, I appreciate everything you and the SCM team do.

Adding you to my prayer list!

Rachel

I’m praying for you too, Sonya, and appreciate the comments on this thread.

I was talking with my brother the other night and the conversation wandered into exercise and fresh air (for us and for our kids). He was saying he read about a man who got his whole family to spend 20 minutes outside every day, no matter the weather, and what an admirable goal my brother thought that was (and yet, kind of a “too late” feeling for him with his two kids being teens now).

His story actually made me think of a few families here who keep to the “get outside no matter the weather” mindset. And when I read about what other families do (just outdoor time like that), I end up feeling guilty that I don’t do that more and kick my kids outside more often, lol.  

I mentioned to my brother, just in passing, that my kids were excited that it was in the 40s and were out earlier that day until it got too dark, basically until dinner time when I called them in, and it was about 1.5 hours. My brother was actually shocked (and impressed, lol) and asked what they do while they’re out. We don’t really have a lot to “do” outside because it’s just a small yard without any woods or anything, but there are always a few balls of different sizes and that type of thing, and then…idk…they just run around, play, make up stories and adventures. And then that’s when I remembered when my now-college-age kids used to just make up all these adventures and what fun they had for many years…doing “nothing” by most standards. They may have had more nature around them than my younger crew, what with the woods and all, but outside is outside…and there’s something special about that which no structured activity or instruction or lessons can replace.

I guess I just need to remind myself to let go of the guilt and embrace life where it happens. I am so grateful for the joy and growth that comes from my kids doing “nothing.”

ETA: There was a talk I heard/read many years ago that addressed the relationship between what is good, better, and best — and that sometimes we may need to forego some current practices/activities in our lives that are “good” so that we can make room for things that may be “better” or “best” for us. For many of us, at least at times, the enemy of the BEST is the GOOD. I have found many, many applications of that in my life. I look forward to hearing your talk, Sonya! And for now I think I will be reflecting on this topic and seeing where we are at with this….

I will be praying too, Sonya. I would love to hear what you will say. Will this be recorded?

@TailorMade — ah yes! the rocks! I heard that lesson from Stephen Covey years ago, but hadn’t thought of it applied to homeschool life. Thanks! I love this topic because, although it’s nothing new, it somehow needs to be revisited regularly in my life at regular intervals. 😉

I would also love to be able to hear this workshop if it’s recorded!!! I am like many others , trying to figure this all out . Working to achieve a healthy balance . Feeling out of whack, lopsided like a tricycle with a flat tire. This sounds so refreshing Sonya!! I will keep you in my prayers as you prepare & gather your ideas about this 🙂

Blessings,

Jamie

Mrs. Sonya, could you possibly address the common practice of supplementing curriculums with additional materials in your seminar? Maybe you could provide some tips on how to recognize when supplementation is necessary and when it is simply overload due to worrying that “it isn’t enough”. It’s almost as if we don’t give the materials we purchase (after all that research!) a chance to work for our families before adding even more things to them. 

I am new to homeschooling but I keep hearing about this and seeing this done. It affected my purchases for my children and as a result, I completely overbought (and spent too much money).  I was overwhelmed because it was too much to juggle scheduling-wise. It seemed like the popular thing to do and I, unfortuanantly, didn’t know any better. I have since sold much of it and recovered some of the spending.  We have finally transitioned to an all CM homeschool and things are 100% enjoyable. We got rid of everything that was not useful and being used. It cleared my mind to clear my shelves and my child’s schedule. Now we can breathe and we have cleared the path for much more learning. 

I just hope this maybe helps someone fight the urge to “supplement” without giving the materials they have purchased a fair chance.