About a month ago, a friend of mine, who is involved with the local homeschool group, asked me if I would contribute to a panel discussion. This panel, which they do every year, is made up of homeschool graduates and parents who homeschool.
This friend of mine said it and the book fair are the two most anticipated events of the year.
Parents who are interested in homeschooling can hear from the homeschool graduates themselves about the pro's and con's of homeschooling. (of the latter there are few)
Parents who already homeschool gain insight and encouragement as they listen to the experiences of the graduates.
I really enjoyed being able to be a part of that. Helping to encourage people to do something which I think, and experience has shown, is so beneficial to their children, is something I love to do.
I'm sure I didn't say all I had wanted to in the way I had wanted to say it. That takes talent and/or practice, of which I had neither, but I spoke of my experience and what it has meant to me. I pray God let the main point come across: "Teach your own."
One question asked of me was: What would you change about your homeschooling experience? First I said, "A more structured schedule would've been nice, but our life just didn't work that way, especially with having a disabled brother. Instead I learned how to do school in various waiting rooms, driving down the road, sitting at a horse farm where my brother had hippotherapy and even up at the hospital. I learned how to be flexible. That's a lesson you don't learn from a text book and which is so very important for real life."
Second, I simply said, "I now wish I had been pushed to write more."
I don't know about other people, but for me, I get my thoughts best straightened out on a piece of paper. When one writes I think it helps one better learn how to express one's self. It helps your opinions take shape. You can feel a certain way about something, but until you express those feelings with words, they're just feelings.
This past year for his schooling, my brother has been required to write something everyday.
It could be about any topic and the length is only limited by how short, at least a paragraph.
It has been astonishing to see what he comes out with. Some have been like research papers, others like mini-sermons. But it's because of the daily writing assignment that any of those have been committed to paper.
So, all that said to say this, I'm challenging myself to a writing assignment. My aim is to write whenever I can. Everyday if possible. They will be about any topic and I will try to make them thoughtful. I always have the tendency of just reporting about events. I want to strive to share my thoughts.
I won't be posting everyday on my blog. In fact, I plan to post one of my writings every Thursday. I think I'll call it "Thoughtful Thursday". Any other time during the week I can post pictures and talk about things going on.
So, stay tuned...this may be entertaining...it might even be enlightening.
