Nearing the end of a dedicated school year

With the addition of baby J, we've had a smooth experience with our homeschool. The kids have stayed on task for the most part and they're learning and thriving. Some days are hard, but baby J is such a perfectly easy baby. We think he likes learning too.

E can pretty much read fluently now. She caught up so fast. She still struggles here and there, but she's shown evidence that she will become a VERY good reader. For Christmas she received the whole set of Little House books, and she likes to sit and read them during our quiet times. She will take quite some time to read the pages, but she is proud to be able to read.

L is finally getting better at number and letter recognition. She is 3, and she has worked on a few workbooks during the year. Mostly she plays while we work, but we like to let her play Starfall.com too.

W is full fledged into all the subjects. He complains from time to time, but after some really rough moments he has learned to turn from complainer to cooperater quickly. I have some studying to do in preparing for his studies next school year. He has finished the first phase of learning already and is ready to move on.

I've learned some things too. I've learned that patience must have place in my attitude toward my children and their learning ability. I've learned that repetition and consistency is absolutely KEY. I've also been able to channel little-me and remember how I came to know very basic things as a child, and that it wasn't as easy as adult-me expects my children to come to know things. I've also learned that I have some things to work on as a mom in general, mostly about having peace and faith and to rely on the Lord.

It is getting so close to our being done with our serious studies for the year. Some subjects will trail off because we got a bit behind. But I think we're all feeling the fever. The weather is nice and I think we are all tired of the routine and ready for a break. Soon, though... soon. I hope for the summer to bring us a lot of learning adventures as well.

I think over all, the conclusion I've come to over the past year is that I want my children to know and learn things, but I ultimately want them to be ready independent adults, knowing that they have abilities and have the tools to figure things out on their own. I want them to know their strengths and talents. I want them to know how to learn and self-educate and mostly to use the spirit as their guide. If I can accomplish this for them, then I won't worry about them. It just means that sometimes, while they're still little, I have to let go a little and be ready for them to make mistakes and not expect them to be perfect. That's the hard part for me.

I just don't believe that all the extra fluff that some parents get trapped into is really that important. It isn't worth the stress and time away from family influence. Teaching them that they can do and be whatever they want, and giving them the knowledge to do that, and teaching them to do it in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, is all that that Lord needs me to do for them.

I know these kids are so special and have so much to offer the world. I'm excited to see the people they turn into, but I'm also so happy they're still little for now.