Motivating

 

Learning what interests you is motivating as you are driven to explore related topics, see connections and experiment with your findings. When kids (really anyone) is allowed to deep dive into a particular subject the extent of learning and true understanding is endless so the individual is enticed to continue.  Strong motivation. 

But how does this motivation appear for others?

As the main homeschool parent, observing the passion to continue learning a topic motivates me to invest in the area for my child.  This could mean invest time, energy, or money. But in most instances, it means all three.  Lessons, supplies, books, tools, trips, videos, and patience are just a few ways this motivated investment appears.  

The one way I pour into each pursuit is discussion. One on one discussions where my child and I examine an interest happens daily.  Purposely, I listen more than I speak as he/she hashes out the latest discovery, question, or problem. Motivating me is my desire to build our connection and our relationship. 

Play in High School

 

Scientist have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain UNLESS it is done through PLAY in which case it takes between 10-20 repetitions. -Dr. Karen Purveys

Wow!  This tells me when all need more play in our lives, especially our over scheduled, stressed out teens.   We all know what play looks like for young kids, but high school kids enjoy play as well.  It just looks different. Play at this age appears in interests and passions that  promote growth and learning.  

Here are a few ways:

• Boardgames
• Card games
•  Writing fan fiction
• Making videos-reels
• Creating content on social media
• Movie watching
• Book club
• Hiking
• Acting
• Sewing
• Handicrafts
• Rebuilding a car
• Adding accessories to a truck
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Painting
• Craft kits
• Welding
• Online games with friends
• Baking
• Cooking
• Refurnishing furniture
• Quilting
• Singing
• Photography
• Poetry writing
• Digital Art
• Web design
• Animal car
• Cosmetology 
• Wildlife study or management

What other ways to your teens play and therefore truly learn?  Pause.  Value that time.  Protect that space in their days, weeks, months, and years in you home. 

Rewarding

 

Rewarding.  The wins experienced by homeschooling/unschooling is rewarding.  Knowing your kids inside and out is priceless.  Being the one person they come to in joy, fear, and everything in-between makes hard and difficult times worth it. 

Today, it is rewarding to see how kids who needed me present constantly in the early years transitioned to operating independently in the teen years.  Now using me to bounce ideas of, problem solve with, and return to for reassurance.  This is the big reward of years spent navigating the world with them.  Smiles, laughter, jokes, knowing glances are the everyday rewards shared without acknowledgement you can look back on realizing homeschooling/unschooling delivered this prized connection.  

Challenging

 

Homeschooling is:  

Hard. Difficult. Challenging. All these words.

There are days you want to pull your hair out.  Days you find yourself crying as you hide in your closet eating chocolate.  Days you are convinced you are doing it all wrong and ruining your kids.  This only means you are doing it right.  

Now, of course, it should not always, everyday feel challenging, difficult, and hard.  But if it does from time to time that only means you on the right track.  

You care the most for your kids.  You want what is best for them.  But you also trust that they know themselves and are tuned into their inner compass.  On these hard days, let them show off their navigation skills.  During difficult days allow them to speak their ideas and desires to your heart.

After a challenging day, ask for their insight.  Your children will recenter you, bringing you bak to your why.

Why you chose to homeschool.

THEM.