Odd really that the accusation most oft lobbed at us HEers is the socialisation one. Yet if I was to read through previous blog entries (not that I’m going to you understand, blimey I write so much it would be a full time job to read back through them!) it is probably the one aspect of our life that I give least headspace to. The children had a wide variety of friends of different ages, both HE and schooled, they carry out these friendships in various venues and social circumstances and I certainly do not feel isolated, lonely or even particularly unusual in my day to day life and our choices. Indeed, HE has been instrumental in introducing me to some of the people I consider my closest friends nowadays. 🙂
Conversely I seem to have totally neglected any sort of educational activities of late. Not beating myself up over this or even considering it particularly an issue but I am vaguely aware (well ok very aware!) that as Davies would be starting school in September we will be slightly more under the spotlight (be it imagined, a possible or a real danger) and that I am possibly doing the children something of a disservice by not at least attempting to guide them toward slightly more academic pursuits.
I do still favour the autonomous approach. I still read the accounts and blogs of those who are workbooky, following curriculums or otherwise structured approached and know that it would not work for us. But that said I think I have slipped slightly into apathy and a little more focus on ticking some boxes and feeling like we are at least on some sort of path however far from it we may have wandered would do us all a favour.
This is coupled with a couple of possibilities of work for me which have come along and would require rather more discipline of my own time. I think I need to work a little on that Ed Phil, have some sort of written approach for me to be aiming toward and have a clearer idea in my mind as to what direction I want to take if and when I am contacted about a visit. I know that ‘well he plays a lot with his two year old sister’ will not quieten any concerns about his age and ability education being met at home and at the moment it seems to be the best I can manage.
A shake up of myself is in order and I feel the consequence for the rest of the household will be positive too.
Um, you can’t be under any spotlight until after he hits 5 – when is that?
I’ve realised that in the last six months what we do has changed radically, and most of it is now initiated by Big with a specific aim in mind. In other words, it’s working the way I’d really like it to 🙂
Comment by jax — 11 July 2005 @ 10:56 pm
September 14th. So I know I still have ‘the summer holidays’.
I also know that a real honest ‘autonomer’ would consider I don’t have anything to change but I seem to spend a lot of time on my computer while the children play unsupervised. Also we spend so much time out and about that I think we just need to give the time we spend at home a bit more thought…that said how you have just described is how I would like us to be. But I think he needs to be introduced to our resources and shown where they are for when he is ready to go and get them and do stuff himself.
Comment by Nic — 12 July 2005 @ 7:57 am
And the christmas ones. It’s the start of the term after they turn five, so the legal obligation would start in January, not September, assuming that your schools start back before Sept 14th, which I would guess they would.
Hm, to the computer time, she says, typing while Small has breakfast and Big stares at the adventures of the wishing chair and the tv burbles in the background…there are a variety of levels of presence for a parent, if that makes sense, and I try to keep an eye on how present I am.
Comment by jax — 12 July 2005 @ 9:44 am
I wouldn’t call us structured. At least not anywhere near as structured as I’d actually like to be. As for curricula, I guess it’s down to how you use it (or let it use you). We do have a basic skeleton, but the best days are when it gets thrown out the window and we go off on a tangent. But then if we didn’t have it as a starting point, we wouldn’t end up on so many tangents, if that makes sense. I do know how you feel about September though, as that’s how I felt last year with E even though she wouldn’t be 5 until the January. And then I went through all those same feelings again before Easter (as you will before January). I do think that once those scary dates pass, you will relax again. I still haven’t started on my ed phil yet. And I’m still making new resolutions about being more disciplined myself on so many levels. But I’m not so hung up about what E (or indeed B…) is learning or her provision, as she is so obviously doing OK.
Comment by Barbara — 12 July 2005 @ 1:26 pm