Words of Wisdom From an 18

Words of Wisdom
From an 18-Year Veteran!

We have been home schooling now for over 18 years and have had challenges and successes along the way. Let me share a few of the things we find successful in making our home atmosphere more conducive to learning.

1. Keep a smile on your face ~ it is contagious.

2. Be up and dressed before your children. (This necessitates going to bed at a decent hour! How hard this can be when the only quiet time you may have is after the children are in bed.)

3. Spend at half an hour a day reading something you like ~ this accomplishes two things ~ It gives you a time to enjoy a book and it sets the "reading is fun" example for your children. Make sure that your children honor your "alone reading time" by establishing gentle rules for respect of your time. Perhaps there is some task you may set for them when you read alone. If they are little tell them that after you have your reading time you will spend time reading aloud to them.

4. Have a morning and evening routine and set aside enough time to complete the routine without rushing. Build in a few minutes of "Oops" time. Creating a smooth morning and evening routine in which children can gradually increase their autonomy is very important to their growth and development into responsible youth and adults.

5. Sharply limit television watching. We don't watch it at all during the week and don't encourage it on the weekend. There are many studies about the effects of TV watching (even good shows) on brain waves. It is a completely passive activity requiring little brain processing. Instead encourage physical activity. This increases metabolism, brain functional ability (thinking), and creativity. Do exercises or physical activity with your children.

6. Have frequent family time. We set aside one evening a week for games, fun family activities and just to talk. We try to plan creatively so that it is exciting. One cold winter evening we "went camping and enjoyed a campfire" by clearing out most of the living room furniture, pitching our tent facing towards a blazing fire in the fireplace, toasted marshmallows and sang songs. It is something we all fondly remember to this day. Even our married daughter!

7. Keep a "date night" with your spouse once a week. THE most important thing you can do for your children is to love and respect your husband/wife. Show affection and appreciation for your spouse everyday. If that is not happening now, make it happen. Remember the things which attracted you to your mate and overlook those small shortcomings. They will then overlook yours! A good trade off!!

8. Always begin with the end in mind. Think, "What is it I want to accomplish and what is the first step to reach that ultimate goal?"

9. Don't yell . . . if you do then someone else is in control!! Instead of conditioning your children to respond after you scream, condition them to respond to a very lowered voice. To do this set the rules and follow through the very first time the rule is broken. They learn quickly with consistency!

10. Keep learning. Always have something you are studying, even if but for 20 minutes a day. That totals over two hours weekly! Keep your mind alert.

~D.S.~

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