Posted in Lifestyle of Learning

Been thinking lately about what I would do differently if I had it all to do again. I feel a bit remorseful and I find myself wishing I had a second chance, wanting to start over and try again. Not productive thinking, I know, but maybe I can glean from such thoughts and come up with goals and strategies to put into practice now!

So what are these things I wish I'd done differently? Focus on my homemaking skills--I did try off and on. I found the Sidetracked Home Executives--a good start. I wish I'd stuck with it and kept my daughters by my side so they, too, would feel it was/is an honor and a privelege to be a homemaker.

Wish I'd spent more time having fun with my kids, teaching them to be cheerful, to enjoy work, to appreciate simple things. And to develop a servant heart. These are obviously all things I need to nurture in myself!

One thing I did right--not worrying about any academics until age eight. I'm not going to say enrolling in our district's alternative learning program was a mistake; I think I needed it then. But if I could start over, knowing what I know now--I would skip it. (Providing my husband agreed!) Dealing with the public school is such a sticky mess. And I would stick with AmblesideOnline--with Charlotte Mason methods, at least!--all the way through! I think if we'd been honing narration skills all along, my daughters would be having no trouble in school right now--they'd be able to focus on what was necessary. And if we'd been "CMing" all along, creating that love of learning, they might even be interested in biology, in history, in geography. That is something I'm really regretting now......

While I can't go back in time and homeschool my kids all over again, I can work on my current relationship with them--growing in myself a cheerful grateful attitude, nurturing a servant's heart. I can develop my homemaking skills and find creative ways to enlist their help. I really really hate to think I'm done homeschooling. 'Cause I'm not ready to quit!