Home Schooling’s Black, White, and Gray Series 1, Episode 3
My Mom tells me that at age two I filled pages with squiggly lines because I already loved “writing.” My Mom modeled writing for me, and since her Mom was also a writer, the writing gift flowed down to me.
In our home school, Mom gave each of my siblings and I thick notebooks, which we decorated and turned into journals. This week I’ve been re-reading that journal, and it’s taken me back into the quiet home school life of when I was aged eight, nine, and ten.
I have journals that I started writing at age 8 and go to the present time. From about age 10 until age 25, I journaled about almost every day of those fifteen years, and I treasure those entries. Re-reading these journals gives me a stronger remembrance of my thoughts about being home-schooled, some of which I will share with you here and in future posts.
My Mom chose the type of parenting where she showed us how to do something (as much as she knew) and then, like releasing a boomerang, she let us go, and we would go out as far as we could, come back, touch base a bit more, and then go out farther the next time, eventually passing her skill level. With me she did this in the areas of sewing (she taught me how to use her sewing machine, and then let me sew!), cooking (I started helping her when I was two, and by age 12 I cooked a lot of our family’s meals), and writing. She still helps me with my writing at times, so we are still working together in that area. She catches mistakes and is an effective proofreader! The biggest thing my Mom has done as my writing teacher is being my encourager; she started when I was two and has never stopped.
This is a drawing of my Dad chopping firewood from my first journal.
By M. H. Campbell Copyright 2014
December 12, 2014 at 8:07 pm
Wonderful idea of your mom. Wish I’d have had it for my kids!
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December 12, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Yes, I’m glad she did this. 🙂 You probably did a lot of great things with your kids. How many do you have?
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December 13, 2014 at 12:28 pm
At least I tried to…. ;-)For example when I brought them to bed I always asked them what they did like best during the day. And I did not go away until they found at least one thing. Meanwhile I only do it with my youngest one. But also he is already 12. I am having three children: 12, 15, 19. I enjoyed the time when they were small but honestly it is so much of a new life since they grew older now. 😉
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December 13, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Yes, you are doing your best! That is a loving thing to do, and it has probably helped them learn to be able to express their feeling more.
Yes, teenagers are a handful–that weird tension where they want/need some independence, but still need nurture and accountability. May God give you the wisdom you need. 🙂
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December 13, 2014 at 5:35 pm
At times a prayer doesn’t hurt… 😉
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December 13, 2014 at 9:29 pm
Very true!
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December 12, 2014 at 10:22 pm
How beautiful and encouraging for me to read this. Can’t wait to learn more about your journey!
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December 12, 2014 at 10:56 pm
I’m so glad this is encouraging to you. Stay posted for more!
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December 12, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Reblogged it and added the link to you home schooling series on your guest blogger page.
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December 12, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Reblogged this on A Momma's View and commented:
The other perspective of homeschooling. Love to learn more about how it feels to actually BE home-schooled.
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December 12, 2014 at 10:30 pm
We Moms usually have no idea how much we’ve effected our children until we see “us” in “them.” Thank you for encouraging us, the moms.
P.S. Please have your friends follow my blog. I think they’ll find similar ideas and encouraging words about the wonders of being a teacher, whether in their homes or in a classroom.
patriciadorsey.wordpress.com
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December 12, 2014 at 11:02 pm
You are welcome, Patricia! I’m not a mom yet, so I’m glad I can learn from those of you who have already done it.
Yes, I look forward to read more of what you have written.
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December 12, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Looks like her plan worked.
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December 12, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Indeed! 😉 Thank you.
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December 13, 2014 at 12:35 am
I love this… I was home schooled and um now home schooling my older (2nd grader)
I look forward to more post!
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December 13, 2014 at 1:44 am
Wonderful! It’s neat to know you liked home schooling enough to do it yourself. I don’t have children yet, but by writing about homeschooling more, I’m selling myself on it even more. 🙂
Yes, there are more posts to come.
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December 13, 2014 at 3:38 am
I use to teach school too before I had my kids! What grade do you teach?
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December 13, 2014 at 4:11 am
Yes, teaching is a great way to express mothering tendencies before I have my own kids. Currently I’m an English tutor at a community college. What grades did you teach? Last year I was with second graders.
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December 13, 2014 at 3:40 am
You sold me. this sounds like the kind of Blog I like to follow, so I’ve already hit the follow button, and I’ve read this article (which was great), and I’ll be back for the next one if the follow button works the way its supposed to. Keep on writing, and I’ll read you later.
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December 13, 2014 at 4:12 am
Wonderful! I’m glad. Thanks for stopping by and stay posted for more!
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December 13, 2014 at 2:24 pm
What a lovely tribute to your love of writing and to your mom for encouraging you… Thank you for sharing!!!
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December 13, 2014 at 3:23 pm
You are welcome, Lia! I’m so glad she is an encourager–I think that’s where I got it. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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December 13, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Thank you and I’m glad I found your blog… Look forward to reading!
And thanks too for the follow!
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December 13, 2014 at 3:28 pm
You are welcome! Your photography is beautiful, so I’m excited to see more of your thoughts and photos as well.
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December 13, 2014 at 3:31 pm
I appreciate your feedback😃 !!
Have a great start to the weekend!!
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December 13, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Thanks! 🙂
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