Our Fantastic Four!

We all get ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and Mark is headed for Field Training Exercises up North.
Above from left is Benjamin (5), Isaac (3), Katie (9), and Grace (10).

From the desk of Mrs. Twinkles...

Ok, I am Mrs. Twinkles. That is my homeschool pseudonym. I've been donning my apron and oversized glasses since Grace was in Kindergarten. The girls think it is great fun to be greeted by their quirky teacher each morning, and now the boys giggle about it too. Of course they forget and ask "Mom" for help sometimes. Thats when Mrs. Twinkles has to gently remind them that "Mom" has stepped out.
Its not easy wearing two hats, or aprons for that matter. Having Mrs. Twinkles helps me to infuse fun into the school teacher mode. But the reality is that I never stop being Mom. Mom is never truly "out" or "taking a break". Mrs. Twinkles gets to pull off the apron and lay aside the glasses, then she disappears. But Mom is on duty 24/7.
I take this task of homeschooling very seriously. It requires a lot of discipline on my part and cooperation from the kids. At the same time, Mark has to be 100% supportive (which he is). Recently, I did some research on homeschooling in preparation for a graduate paper I was writing. It was very enlightening and at the same time challenging. The title of my paper was Homeschooling the child with a nonverbal learning disorder. I found that not much has been written on that exact topic, but plenty has been written about homeschooling. I was intrigued by the research and then bemused by the diverse opinions expressed -both for and against the practice of homeschooling. It really caused me to examine my own views and ask (again) Why are we doing it? Why don't we put our children in public schools and let trained professionals teach them? Are they missing out on important socialization and educational opportunities? Wouldn't it be great (for me) to have some free time during the day?!
I was forced to take a long look at my children, our schooling program, and the pros and cons of the whole investment...And I decided........ that I wouldn't change a thing!
This research has made it very clear to me that we are doing the very best thing for our daughter with NVLD. But I am also convinced that it is the best thing for the other three as well. I am not a crusader against public schools. I have a great respect and appreciation for public school teachers. But I know that no one can give my children the individual attention that I can afford to give them. Yes, it has always been a challenge with a baby in arms or a toddler underfoot. Yet, even in the trying moments when everyone is clamoring for my attention, it gives all of us an opportunity to learn a lesson in patience, cooperation, and selflessness. I love the fact that all day long I have the privilege of spending time with my children, serving them, and influencing them. It is a huge challenge, an incredible responsibility, and one that I choose not to abrogate to someone else. Yes, I enjoy being the one they confide in, the one who answers their weighty life questions and shares their every little joy. I like the fact that we are learning together. We are making discoveries and laughing and ooing and awing together. I like how they crowd around (even the three year old) to listen to me read aloud a good book like Across Five Aprils or Caddie Woodlawn. Then we talk about it together. It thrills me when they get excited about science projects on the patio or cooking class in the kitchen. I love how homeschooling gives them practical life skills and provides so much opportunity for spiritual training as well. We talk about God in every aspect of life. And no one can tell us NO, YOU CANT. We are free. And freedom is precious. It is something to be held in awe and esteem...to be revered. But it is also something to be handled and tasted and touched and smelled, not to be rested on a shelf and visited in books or talked about in the ideal. I think that homeschooling is one of our ultimate freedoms here in the US. Our children are learning about that and about many other things that I'm afraid public school cannot teach them. Yes, I do long for my children to be bright and knowledgeable. But most of all, I long for them to be Godly and compassionate, wise and courageous. I want them to be brave enough to think outside the box of tradition and convention when its the right thing to do. And I want to enjoy every precious moment with them that I can....with a little help from Mrs. Twinkles!