One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the school year is purchase new notebooks and binders for the kids. Empty when first chosen, then decorated with glue and magazine cut outs of their favorite animals, those 1″ three ring binders will house their entire school year. I imagine them filled to the brim with drawings, art pieces and self published books. Throughout the year I will have to throw away quite a few pieces of paper that they may deem treasures, but usually if I ask them and they can’t remember why they drew it in the first place, it isn’t a treasure after all.
I remember decorating my own binder as a child. One year I think I glued a cheetah on the front, or maybe it was a kitten. That binder was with me every day and it was mine to place all my schoolwork in. I look at how I homeschool now and I see that I mirror so many things my mom did. She encouraged the arts, drama, plays, writing and reading. She also made sure I excelled at math even though she knew I hated it. I’m equipped to homeschool my own children, not because of how “smart” I am because let me assure you, I have to learn right along side of my kids. I’m equipped because I was in the presence of a creative soul. I was prepped to use my imagination and to dig deep to find my own voice and not just a copycat of someone else’s ideas.
I always say we’re taking homeschool one year at a time, but I’m actually declaring an end to that this year. I can’t imagine not having my kids at home, I can’t imagine someone else providing their education. This is what our family was made for, and I know it is unique! I’m thankful each family can choose the best way to educate their own children. But I was made to teach my own kids. I was made to stay at home with them all day or on a whim grab our nature journals and go spend the whole morning at the pond.
That 1″ three ring binder may be full at the years end, but the true proof of what they learned all year will be tucked safely in their hearts, and I’m so grateful I get to be a part of it.