23 Years!

Yesterday was our 23rd wedding anniversary.

It would be so easy not to reach it! So easy to think I am perfect, not see the faults in myself. Easy to look at the faults in my husband and become irritated.

Even the most perfect person in this world has faults. That is a biblical truth!

I think that is why so many marriages fail. When one becomes selfish it is bad enough, but two people? Well, explosive springs to mind.

Everyone says the honeymoon period doesn't last, and of course that's true. Who can deny it? The Bible condemns fornication, and has instituted marriage as to help prevent this. People think marriage isn't special, but it is a special commitment before God, instituted in Genesis. No man can change that. The trouble is with the new trend of people living together, is that it is so much easier to just move on to someone else when the going gets tough, and it is women who are often taken advantage of. There is not really any real commitment.

It hasn't always been easy, but the Lord has blessed us. We also have ten children. I would love more, but that just hasn't happened.

If I was to give one piece of advice this year it would be; laugh a lot, and laugh at yourself. Laughter is medicine, especially in marriage.

Unschooling?

One thing we have to remember as home educators is that we are not trying to replicate the school situation; rather we are trying to prepare and educate our children for life.

A major reason we rejected ACE. Why have children seated at desks where they can't see what is going on? At least in school I was able to look out of the window. Also, I have found a workbook only approach can be very dry.

I also like to change things sometimes. It can get tedious going through the same stuff with multiple children. Therefore I tend to look at the child's personalities and needs. For that very reason I have just started Singapore Maths with my ninth child. Refreshing? Yes.

One major thing I have definitely learned over the years is to be be free and relaxed. Not to worry too much about how much, or what they cover. Maintain your priorities. For the Christian home educator this will be putting God, and the Bible at the centre. A reason why I get extremely uncomfortable when people mention autonomous education. To the Christian, the word 'autonomous' should be a major flag; basically meaning the child is in control, and they answer to self. No! We are answerable to God only. The Bible says that children are young, impressionable, and that foolishness is bound up in the heart of the child. Proverbs 22. Now, whether or not you believe in corporal punishment is irrespective; children need correction and guidance. They need to learn discipline.

So, what do we do? Well, they have set work they are expected to complete, but when they are older they get to concentrate on specific subject areas. Now, for one son this has been the sciences, Maths, English, and Engineering. For another it has been English, story writing, composition, and film making. It really does vary. Remember, every child is different! Don't be afraid to mix and match curriculums, scrap book work in some areas, and take hands on approaches. I am quite strict about Maths and English,and Bible studies so require their bookwork in that area. However, the other subject are more free. After all, anyone remember how we used to walk around museums, as children with clipboards? It killed my enthusiasm. Dead.