Had one of those days today where I started off feeeling pretty useless and had this "I hope this autonomous education really works because I'm not doing anything" sort of feeling. I managed to sleep in till 10 for the second day in a row (at least I'm sleeping). The kids were fine and finally got back into bed with me to get warm! The spent the morning on computers- I got sick of cbeebies and neopets and found Sesame Street, which at least made me laugh. Freddie can now say "scaaree" in an American accent. Bert's bottle caps game seemed to be a favourite (!)
I went out to gather sticks as it was a dry day and no-one wanted to come with me, but at least I got the fire going. I made another poppy seed plait for lunch, as they had enjoyed the first one so much.
Joy made some paper snowflakes for the window and joined me in making these crystal/star shapes from tissue paper and card, which I've always wanted to try. Might get a better picture in daylight, now they have joined the snowflakes on the window. They are from this Christmas Crafts book. Joy also made some joined up paper figures in a row (what do you call these?) I like them, anyway. I made another crystal star and stuck them up on the lit glass kitchen cupboards. These were much noticed and admired at tea time and inspired them to make more things.
After a quick tea (cheesy beans on toast was all I could muster, but was redeemed by some banofee pie I found in the fridge- thanks Meg^^) I remembered that Fergus really enjoyed making paper chains last year. So after much searching for a stapler, while they all got out the their sketchbooks and drew, we started what turned into an extended paper chain making session. I started decorating the strips with crayons (in tasteful Scandinavian red and white stars and trees!) and this inspired the others to start crayoning and painting sheets of paper to be cut up into strips. I got out another book for more inspiration and suddenly it seemed there were no end of possibilities for our dark winter evenings.
I was so happy when they were all busy making stuff- I felt much better about it all. I sometimes think there is another me in a parallel universe, or another life, which I sometimes catch glimses of, in which I am so together and the children are all happily doing interesting things. In this fantasy I live in a house which is tidy, yet busy; bright and cheerful; full of creativity and fun; I am contented. I suppose it is not that far away from the reality; I just need to see it that way. Maybe I just need to find those rose-tinted spectacles....
7 comments:
It really works Rosie!
Zar's off to the library today to get psychology textbooks with a view to preparing for a college course in the subject. She's talked to a lot of people about courses and jobs and decided psychology is for her.
Tom's currently teaching himself CAD and is designing a 3D city, including info about building stress, weight-bearing loads etc.
Alix is using maps to discover new (old) footpaths in the local vicinity and taking a tree book with him so he can identify different wood with a view to developing his new skill (which he plans to make a living from) of hand-crafting pipes according to the grain and intrinsic characteristic of the wood.
Yes, he's taken up pipe-smoking but on that basis, I feel (kind of) ok about it.
They're all doing their thing, filling their time productively without ever needing to be pestered, worried about or nagged, and that's because of autonomous home ed. It's all I ever wanted for them and it's happened! Keep the faith ;-)
Gorgeous stars!! Ah paper chains, we had such fun making those last year. Might have to nip into town for more paper :D
I love the stars, think we might have to make some of those :)
Thanks Gill ;-)
Ok, I shall try and do some instructions- might have to make some more though!
I like those purple things. Too tired to remember the word. But will try some here and post if they look as good as yours...
OHHHH, sounds really cosy and healthy to me! Bet your kids don't switch off during everyone else's summer holiday, easter holiday, 3.30 onward, weekends, etc!!! Max 15% of time in school is spent on task I gather! Got to know they are getting a better education at home. It being embedded in reality turbo boosts it too. We all know how to become what we need to become as long as we are able to explore and no one tells us to stop thinking for ourselves. Equally, it never hurts to share something interesting you've discovered with them huh? Bet they are as grateful as the rest of us ... so how DO you make those stars!?????? LOL
Thanks, all. Can't wait to see your crystal stars! *If* I get round to it I'll post instructions!
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