I've had the privilege of interviewing Megret from the blog Muses of Megret where she chronicles her homeschooling adventure with her children, shares recipes and tips about family life, and also has weekly reviews and giveaways. In this interview, she answers some questions on homeschooling as well as how she aims to share her faith and creativity with her children.
FN: Everyone has different reasons for homeschooling. Could you tell us a little about your homeschooling decision, especially what you see are the advantages and disadvantages?
MM: I suppose I have been "homeschooling" from day one. Ever since my oldest could climb up onto a chair beside me in the kitchen, he's learned to help me while I cook. We made our first crafts for President's Day when he was just a little over a year old, though it was mainly me making them and him scribbling on them for added pizzaz. We only recently began formal school sit-down time, and even then, that only happens 1-2 times a week. I try to make our entire day learning-based--hands-on helping with chores, errands, etc.
My husband and I are undecided what we will do after preschool. We see advantages and disadvantages with homeschooling, public schools, AND private schools. A lot of thinking and praying will be happening in the next year or so!
I believe homeschooling is great for children, especially for kids like our son, who is showing signs of giftedness and who is far beyond guidelines for his age in math and science, complex thinking and analytical thinking. I fear he may not get the challenge he needs from a public school classroom. I say this only because of what I experienced growing up. Our daughter, aged two, is similar in that she's ahead of her age as well. She is further ahead in regards to alphabet and sight word recognition (literary/reading skills) as well as foreign language aptitude.
I think a disadvantage of homeschooling is having to work hard at socialization. We have weekly playdates, but it's not the same as daily interaction with other kids. I also realize now how much of a sacrifice it is for the moms--lots and lots of planning, as well as difficulty switching between "mommy" and "teacher" roles.
FN: Being a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling on top of that is not always easy. How do you prevent burnout and/or getting too stir crazy?
MM: Well, I'm a homebody, so stir crazy isn't a terribly big problem although it's nice that when the boredom does hit, we can just jump in the car and go somewhere. I don't have to worry about them missing school -- the benefit of a parent-led schedule.
Burnout? I came close to that recently, but then I realized it was self-inflicted. I was trying to expect too much out of the kids too soon. Since I've adopted a more flexible schedule and "learning through play" approach, they are much more happy and I feel much less pressure myself.
FN: I notice you and your kids spend a lot of time outside in the great outdoors-- a goal I aim for and try to do myself, but am not always successful. Would you mind sharing how you foster the love of nature in your kids?
MM: Well, I'm not a huge outdoors-y gal myself. I was when I was growing up -- believe me, but I'm much more cold natured now, and so going outside in temperatures below, say, oh, 60, makes me grouchy. I do bundle us all up, though, and go outside as often as possible because I don't want them to be "inside kids." By the time they're 8 and 10, I want them to love going outside still and ask to do it all the time. I know these are the impressionable years!
We take family trips to parks, mountain trails, and other various "nature inspired" spots whenever we have a free weekend. It's also fun to bring another family along to share the fun with us. I grew up with an artist father, a nature man himself, and he took me hiking, nature sketching, and wilderness scouting all the time. Those are some of my fondest memories, and I want our kids to hold memories like that, as well.
FN: In Muses of Megret, I see that you're always busy doing something creative. What influenced you to be so creative and how do you foster creativity with your own children?
MM: I came from a very creative family overall. My mom is crafty and good with words and thus came my love of writing. My dad is also a brilliant writer and very eloquent with speech. He is an artist/illustrator by trade, and though I did not get his outright artistic talent in regards to painting and drawing, I did receive a lot of his abilities such as an eye for color, design know-how, etc.
Growing up, my sister and I were always making things -- backdrops dioramas for our Barbie houses, Christmas ornaments, and even dress-up costumes. My parents encouraged us to use what we had and found -- and we did -- and I think that talent is being lost in today's culture, the "if you don't have it and want it, BUY it" culture. I am so thankful my parents and other family members encouraged ingenuity and creativity in me, especially now as I pass it down to my own children.
MM: I read a devotional each day from Daily Light on the Daily Path. It was recommended from the writer of Biblical Womanhood, and it is wonderful. It is not so much a devotional but more of a collection of similar, topical selection of Scripture verses per day. When time allows, I delve into more specific, topic-oriented Bible studies or Christian books, and those differ depending on where I am in life.
With the kids, we don't have a set time for a devotion, but we hope to implement that soon. I do read Bible stories to the kids from The Jesus Storybook Bible while they're eating lunch or at bedtime. We've found this to be our favorite Bible for the kids -- but I am always on the lookout for new and fun books to teach them about Jesus.
FN: Thank you Meg Wilson for sharing a bit of your life with us. With Christmas only a month away, stay tuned to Muses of Megret as she shares tips and ideas for the Christmas season and how to make Christmas meaningful for our wee ones.
2 comments:
I heart Meg! :)
me too!
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