Something New

I've had this blog for three years. This is my 204th post. I have not once, in all that time, ever changed my template or background. I usually don't think about it, since I cheat and check most blogs in google reader and don't ever see the hard work people put into making their blogs look nice. But for those of you who look at the actual blog, now you can enjoy something a little new. No promises on ever changing it again though. :)

Visitors at the Co-op

Today was a great day for our homeschool co-op. First of all was the Valentine exchange, which is full of excitement anyway. But besides that, a family was heading out of town right after classes, and needed to drop their chicks off at a sitter. In the meantime they brought the chicks to the co-op and let all the kids hold them.

William was hoping they'd let him take one home.

Esther couldn't stop talking about how cute they are.

I had to bribe Alex with candy to get him away from the bin when it was time to go.

And on a slightly different note - homeschoolers are awesome!

Whenever we're with a group of "normal" kids, there are inevitably a few (or more often quite a few) who feel the need to prove their greatness by pointing out the flaws of younger children or their own peers. For example, when one of my kids gives a talk or a scripture in primary, there are always eye-rollers in the back row, and often whispered remarks like, "That was really loud!" or "That was short!" or "That was long!" or laughing at mistakes. This also happens when neighborhood kids come to play at our house. There always seems to be a contest of who is in the higher grade, who has lost the most teeth, who is smarter, or who is the better athlete. The older kids NEVER want to play with the younger kids, and usually regard them as stupid.

I remember feeling the same way as a child and a teenager. I thought it was perfectly normal. In fact, the first time I met a homeschooler was when he started attending my Jr. High. I thought he was a real dope. I mean, when the teacher asked a question, he raised his hand and answered it coherently! Didn't he know better?! I was quite sure of my superiority then. I obviously knew how to handle myself much better than this kid.

I'm not saying ALL kids are like this. There are plenty of polite, well behaved children in this world.

What I am saying is that I have NEVER seen this behavior in a homeschool group. Not once. I have not been to every homeschool group in the country, though I've been a part of three or four. I've also heard this from other homeschoolers across the country, so I know it's not just a local phenomenon.

For example, the very first homeschool activity we ever attended was a Christmas party in Michigan. I was amazed at the politeness of the children. I started setting up chairs, and before I knew it several children had stopped playing and started helping without being asked and without complaining. They just knew it was appropriate. At this same party I witnessed a group of teenagers who were not above associating with everyone else. In the white elephant exchange they even paid attention to which little kids were sad about their presents and often "stole" those away in order for the little ones to get a second chance.

This sort of thing happens every week at our Friday Classes Co-op. William went up to boys who were three or four years older than himself, and told them all about his toy bat. Instead of demeaning him, or even brushing him off like I would expect, they listened and told him how cool his bat was. Alex wanted to play a game with some other older boys. Obviously he was too small, but they let him think he was playing for a little while, then found a toy for him so he would be happy without them. There was no getting grumpy at annoying little kids. They actually cared about his feelings. Esther is the newest and youngest in her crochet class. She receives nothing but patient assistance and compliments from the other members of that class. There is no need to prove superiority. I also see teenagers at these groups. They are happy to play with the little kids. Not because they are childish, and secretly want to play trucks and ponies, but because they are quite mature and confident enough in themselves that they don't feel humiliated by helping smaller children.

Again, my homeschool rant disclaimer: I AM NOT AGAINST PUBLIC SCHOOLING! I do not think myself superior if you send your kids to school. There are great public schooled kids out there, and there are some rotten homeschoolers too (though I haven't met them yet). It's up to you to make the best decisions for your family. All I'm saying is that homeschoolers rock.