Why do we say that and then never actually do it? “Even pulling teeth would be easier than (insert frustrating thing here)!” Even pulling teeth would be easier than homeschooling! And here I sit, homeschooling. Why? Why not just pull the blasted teeth (mine, not his)? Because even today, when he can’t seem to focus on the simplest of tasks, I believe that our decision is sound.
Perhaps it is the teacher (me) who is flawed, who needs flogging (don’t worry, I don’t ever flog him), who needs to practice what I preach, who needs to pray, who needs to prepare better, who needs to be less selfish…who needs to take a gigantic deep breath and remember what it’s like to be six years old.
And you know…when I stop to really think about that (like right now), it’s such a sobering thought to realize that I’m treating him like he’s twelve—expecting so much and providing so little in comparison. This is first grade. Say it again: “FIRST GRADE!!”
I’m looking around the house and notice that there are not many surfaces that are not filled with his art, and as I tune into who my son really is, I realize that the worst thing I can do for him is hand him an assignment (no matter how clearly defined or within his grasp), and expect him to stay focused on it. Among his myriad gifts, this is not one of them (focusing on something that doesn’t interest him). Come to think of it, I don’t know many, if any, people who have that particular gift. Gifts have to do with passions, right?
There simply must be a way to focus on these while also providing a solid education that leaves my son’s mommy with a mouthful of teeth. I think I’ll go chew on that thought for a while…