Rae of Sunshine

Today has been one of those stupendous days in the life of a homeschooling family.  It’s not that anything “big” happened.  It is instead that so many beautiful, small things happened which worked together to create a great big fabulous day.

I have shared quite often the struggle I face in creating that delicate balance between the lovely vision I have of unschooling and the rigorous classical education that I wish for my children.  I put my faith in the concept of classical unschooling and began moving in that direction – completely on faith.  Today is the first time that I have felt deep down in my soul that our family could make this work.  We have struggled.  Today, though, the cloud of doubt lifted.

After doing some math work  and a bit of reading on cheetahs this morning, C asked for a break.  She went outside to explore for “just 30 minutes.”  I checked on her a few minutes after she had gone out and found her raking leaves – voluntarily.  She and E found an injured bird awhile later, so a bit of life science naturally occured.  That was a nice bonus.

I used that time to create a poster.  (Yes, I know.  The teacher in me just won’t settle down.)  We have talked here at our house about making good choices regarding how we spend our days.  It seems that I hear “I’m bored” or “I’m hungry” much, much too often.  Although I am well versed in the proper answers to those complaints, I am weary of hearing both the complaints and my answers.  So, I made a poster.  On it I listed about 50 activites that the girls can choose throughout the day.  Some of those activities are educational, and some are simply play (which in itself is educational). 

I introduced the poster to the girls, and C and I read each item on the list.  Then, just like it was the most natural thing in the world to do, they each chose one of those activities and got down to business.  Happily.  Without being asked.  I sat, watching them and thought, “Wow.  This unschooling thing really could work!”  I cannot describe the peaceful feeling that came over me.  It was a feeling of coming home to what I know is right for us.

For what seems like months the past three weeks I have been working to create the best possible environment for a classical unschooling life.  I have cleaned and organized and strewn my children’s paths with learning opportunities.  Finally, I can see the benefits and the possibilities.  I can truly see that this vision of classical unschooling can actually be a reality for us. 

This is the best of both worlds for us.  I can follow through with these days full of give and take, days full of both structure and freedom.  I can parent and teach in all the ways that allow us to be true to ourselves.