I hate school. I'm not 100% sure which part of it I dislike so much. I know I would almost die any time I heard the words "pop quiz"! I loved homeschooling...being able to work at my own pace (which varied between not getting anything done, and getting it ALL done on Monday so I could play outside and read Nancy Drew all week!), knowing my teacher (Mum) and classmates (sisters, and my brother for a while), but what I loved most about homeschooling was that knot was gone in my gut; that "school knot" I used to get everyday before school. I went to some other schools (Bible College for a year, and a Summer of Dance 'school'/missions trip), but those felt different because I choose on purpose to do those things. I'm in school again now, and have been for the last 10 years....the school of Motherhood. This school is chock full of pop quizzes! And I often get that knot in my stomach from the unknown about the day. I had heard that having kids can teach you a lot, but I really never knew how much. So, just as in school where (even though I was scared!) I still wanted to do my best, I want to do my best here too. I want my kids to grow up to be smart, and being able to think for themselves. I also want them to know who they are and where they come from, and to feel confidence in that. So, I give to you a syllabus of sorts to the course of Motherhood. O.k, it's not really a syllabus at all (because I'm not telling you what to expect, as a syllabus would), but it is a list of things that in my time as a Mother, I want to do. I have flunked a few (a-hem...a lot) of the tests of this course, but I still want to do my best! Motherhood Syllabus Movie & Treat Night: Once a month, when my husband is working his weekend of night shifts, the kids and I pick a brand new movie on the Friday night, turn off the lights in the living room, grab some great snacks, and "go to the movies". I like it because I am usually too busy/don't want to just sit and watch a kids movie, but I purposely set this aside, and stay and snuggle with the kids. They look forward to a new movie and great snacks, and I know they think it's special that I stay to watch it with them. Interviews: I've done this with Caleb, but I really want to do this more often with all the kids. I want to set up the video camera and interview the kids, maybe just once a year, but at least a few times in their life. I want to do this because I want to remember their hilarious little voices (especially Keziah's loud and shrieky voice!)), the things they were thinking about at that point in their lives, and just to have it as a treasure because they really, honestly do grow up and change so fast! Going on Dates: My husband does this, but I am bad at setting aside the time. The idea is simple: each child gets to go on a date with you! Pick a place your child would like; it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. In fact, most kids think it's fun to go to a coffee shop and have some hot chocolate! To them it feels special, and it will give you one-on-one time with that child to ask about things in their life. If you want to be a willing student to this little teacher of yours, you will take alone moments like this to get the inside scoop on the 'curriculum', so to speak. Goods and Bads: At bedtime I like to ask the kids "what was the best part of your day?", and "what was the worst part of your day?". Sometimes the answers can be the same day after day, but every now and then one of the kids totally surprises me, and I get a glimpse into what they think makes a good and bad day. It's often the simplest thing (Abby once said the best part of her day was that I only gave her two pieces of potato to eat at dinner! haha!). The point is to give them a chance to A: think about their day, and B: share about their day. Love Languages: Learning about love languages is important. If your child has a love language of quality time, and all you do is buy them gifts to show love, they might feel that you don't understand them, or even love them at all. As an adult example, my husband has a love language of gifts. He loves to give gifts, and he loved to get them. I have a love language of acts of service. You want to show me you love me? Do the dishes. For years Adam was buying me gifts, and I was doing acts of service, and we were both feeling mis-understood. Our love was being "lost in translation". We finally figured it out, and as our kids have been growing, we have been figuring out their love languages too. So, getting an idea of what kind of love language your child might have can help us Moms show a very direct, true to each child, kind of love. Read about this "love language" idea here. If you have any things that you do as a Mom that help you make the best of this school of Motherhood, please do share them with me! Seriously, please share!!! And stay sharp for your next pop quiz! :)
2 Comments
Sarah
6/17/2014 04:05:03 am
LOVED THIS!
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Gracie
6/18/2014 10:46:16 am
Love these idea Amy-lyn! fun!
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Hi, I'm Amy-Lyn! I am the lady behind this here blog! I live in the sticks with my animals, my super handsome husband, and my
3 amazing kids! Here you'll find things from recipes (gluten-free, paleo, and strait up junk food!), DIY ideas, thoughts on raising a son with autism, and whatever else pops into my brain! : ) Read more about me by clicking here! Want to Stay Connected?
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