Beyond the Academics

I'm not all that keen on thinking about our curriculum right now. Probably it's because Sweetheart's math curriculum, which has worked very well for us the last 2 years...isn't working anymore.

It could also be that Little Bit has dropped out of Pre-K. Yep, she just flat quit. Last week, husband asked the girls, "How was school today?" and she said, "Fine." I looked a bit surprised at her and reminded her that she hadn't set foot in the classroom all week. (Not that I care--if she wants to play instead I let her. She's FOUR!) She informed us that she wasn't ever coming to Pre-K again. Not ee-ver at Christmas! (her words)

Well. OK then. My very kind friend asked, "So, she dropped out of Pre-K? In HOMESCHOOL?" Um, yes. Apparently so.

But Mrs. Fuentes over at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home reminded me in this post that there is more than just academics to concern ourselves with. I have daughters and they have much to learn about homemaking! When I was in 8th grade, "Home Ec" was an elective you could take. It was very popular because you got to cook and it sounded like a blow off class. I didn't get in. In high school, the only people who took Home Ec were the girls who got pregnant. That's how it seemed anyway. I always heard they had to take it. Truthfully, I think EVERY girl should have to take it. WHOA! What's with all this crazy talk, Brenda??? That's sexist. That's not politically correct!!!

But seriously (I know I've said this before), everyone asked me "What do you want to be when you grow up?" but no one mentioned that no matter my career choice, I was going to have to live somewhere. Thinking like the world will get our daughters on the wrong path very quickly. So let's stop with the arguments society uses. Let's look at God's word:

3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5

It really isn't that part about being homemakers that makes the whole argument either. It's the understanding that we are our husband's helpers. We are the managers of his home. And folks, there is a LOT to that job! If you hold this view, then you know that you must parent differently than the world does. Even differently than how many, many Christians parent.

I must teach the multiplication facts to my daughter. But I must also teach her to sew, cook, manage finances, etc. I don't think 18-20 years is enough time for everything I must impart to them! If you follow the path of the world, you are pretty much finished with most of your parenting job when they hit the teenage years. Then you just hand them a cell phone and try to keep up with where they are. No, I know there is more to it than that, but if you have your children at home more than the average American teen, then you will have loads more time to work alongside them, helping them practice the things they will need to know when they are grown. Who knows? You might even get the chance to show some of their friends how to cook as well!

This week we are going to explore some ways we can teach our children the "other stuff." This is your responsibility, by the way, whether your children are homeschooled or not. WE don't have to do all the teaching though. My aunt had a little sewing class in her home a few years ago with several 12-14 year old girls. They LOVED coming to her class and each of them made a quilt. That was something their mother couldn't do, so she found an older woman to teach them. Pretty cool. And don't feel excluded if you have sons--they have a thing or two to learn before they leave home, too!

Oh, and our topic for Fitness Friday this week will be: What Are You Snacking On These Days?