This Month Goal:10 Points of Joyful Parenting

I am currently reading One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.



It has been on my "To Do" list for a year and I am determined to finished it. There has been a lot of strife, anger, depression and loneliness in our lives this year, but there has also been great strides, joy and progress. I want develop my ability to focus on the gifts of life and live in mode of Jesus.

Also she has a wonderful short study about the joy of parenting. It is a great reminder that children are a blessing and the act of parenting is joy-filled.

Homeschool View - Dealing with Loneliness in an Only Child

A good read for those rising super singletons from Alpha Omega.

Homeschooling Only Child: Panic Attack Number 554

It has been a couple of months since I have freaked over homeschooling our "super singleton". Because he loves people and is super social it never really get the feeling of him being lonely. Everyday we leave the house post school time to do something with friends park day, filed trips, three days a week co-op classes, birthday parties, church and when we have time play dates. This week was no exception we are on the move, but I decided that today I needed a day at home. This has not gone over well at all.

He is an extrovert who loves people. He is open and caring to all kids, which has been tough because some kids are just down right mean. He plays with kids of all ages and doesn't mind playing the prince with his girl friends as long as he can have a light saber and slay something.

He is innocent, because we believe children should enjoy childhood. He really can't get way some kids are mean to him. He is Texas loud and enjoys life.

But I worry does he need to be around children all day? What would be the benefits? He could not downshift to do age level school work. I know because he has told me last week "Mom okay I got verb and nouns...way are you waiting let's do some adjectives and essays." He like most boys doesn't have the social skills to be grade skipped in a traditional class room. Boys tend to find the tender heart, youngest, innocent and small in size boy to pick on.

In public school he would have to sit still and learn. His energy level is to high for that at his age. He just doesn't fit the program. My husband didn't fit the program either and spent so much time in the office he knew how to answer the phones.

A great private school with a small class that moves and learn would be great. But who has twenty grand a year for private school?

Most importantly AGAIN I have prayed and God said this is our journey. Right now he plays with roughly 20 kids everyday. His lessons are individualized and at his pace. He is full of joy and thriving. Sure he would love to play all day, what seven year doesn't? He is strong willed and determined but knows how to work with a group.

In the last year he has had classes in:
-Castle Building (learning about communities)
-Emergency Responders (safety classes with visit from firemen and police officers)
-shop classes (he knows how to hammer )
-cooking from the food pyramid
-newspaper writing (the final was a newsletter)
-Masters of Art
-science co-op (experiments & lessons on the planets, simple machines,light & weather)
-Puppet Class (writing a script and performing)
-Free classes from the Smithsonian on flight
-A tour of the Capital with passes into both the Senate and House Chambers
-The Smithsonian Natural History and Air and Space events
-Free concerts

So as I write this my panic attack is wearing down. I can breathe, God has provided faithfully. I again need to work on trust and real faith. Which is not unique to having one child or ten.

Also I am becoming slightly frantic about planning next year and stressing about finances. I think it all coming to a weak point which is my confidence about homeschooling an only child. Fear is a cancer that can eat at you and take over all your sane thoughts an actions. Maybe this which my memory verse should be:

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

¹³ For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

—Isaiah 41:10,13

Renae wrote an excellent article on "The Faith It Takes to Homeschool".

Homeschool The Very Social Only Child

Today was a great day. I actually stayed at home. Normally we do work in the mornings, have lunch and are out the door from 1pm until about 4pm. This leads to rushed dinner preparations, piles of unwashed dishes, undone chores and inconsistent quiet times. Logic would dictate that I stay home, but I am praying through Super Social Singleton guilt. I felt like I had to get him in the presence other children everyday.

Some may ask “So why not send him to public school?” Because he is not a public school kid, he has been blessed with a curiosity, energy and intellect that does not thrive in a public school environment. He is his best in a homeschool environment, after much prayer, we know that to be the truth.

I was not an only child, far from it in fact. I grew up with a sibling, a younger cousin who lived with us most of the summers and enough first cousins within walking distance to put the Duggers to shame. I use to hide in my bedroom closet on the phone just to have a private conversation. I do not really understand the only child life style. TS is so social that he wants to see kids other kids every hour or every day. We do not have many kids his age in the immediate neighborhood and most of his other Singleton friends are school kids or recently got new siblings. (That is has brought on a major case of sibling desires.)

However, I cannot successful homeschool in a chaotic household. Therefore, after much prayer I have instituted “Home Days”. These are the days we bless our house (dust, sweep, fold), do the experiments and just enjoy each other.

After three weeks, I feel less rushed and so does he. We are making progress on learning; schoolwork, self care skills, discipline and enjoying each other. It makes the other 3-4 days that we go out a lot less hectic and more relaxed because we have things done at home. Plus the weekends are jammed with birthday parties, kid concerts, church and friends.

Today we took an hour walk together, just observing (TS’s new word for Sid The Science Kid).

We saw ducks, turtle, geese, tadpoles, leaves, funny rocks and cranes. It is great to slow down and enjoy homeschooling my only child.

Homeschooling An Only Child

Amy of one of my favorite blogs Milk and Cookies, has written an insightful article on Homeschooling an Only Child for Heart of The Matter Online Magazine.