Oliver and I went for a very long walk today in Santa Monica. It was a blustery day and incredibly beautiful. He actually skateboarded while I walked briskly, and I called it Home-school Physical Education. My sister, who lives in St. Louis, texted me the question how is the homeschool thing going? The meaty stuff?
I told her great. I told her that we would be doing another unit of history when we got home and then some English Language Arts. The more I do this, though, the more I realize that it might be the best way to educate, even to live. I wake up every morning in some bit of existential distress. What's it all about? I think. How do we keep on keeping on? There's so much suffering. I'm getting old. What if Sophie lives forever? What if I do? What if I don't? What if the world melts? What if the Republicans win in 2016? How will I afford college for Henry? Who's going to take care of this world? How do we go on? Why are we so lame? You know the drill. After working with Oliver, though, and learning myself, going on these outings, opening my eyes to the very real goodness that is my life, the existential angst recedes. I move outward, see blue.
On the way home, we faced the mountains, covered in snow. I decided that was all the snow I needed to see at just the right distance.
#IloveLosAngeles
Some people really do find the place to live where they thrive. I think you have done this. You surely did it beautifully today.
ReplyDeleteI think you and Lloyd go together in much the same way.
DeleteLove this! Ah that angst---- so relatable. But that real goodness so relatable as well.
ReplyDeleteMary Lou -- I know you know both!
DeleteSo jealous of your blue skies....
ReplyDeleteI wish you'd come visit!
DeleteLove this.
ReplyDeletegradydoctor -- It's so good to "hear your voice!" Thank you!
DeleteBeautiful post about the magic of homeschooling. I'm glad you had this day.
ReplyDeleteYour decision to homeschool Oliver is one of the best. How rich his life is now. How creative and free. And I'm sure the bond between you has only deepened. I continue to be in awe at how you give each of your children just what they need. I'm glad LA and blue skies support you!
ReplyDeleteYou said exactly what I was thinking!
DeleteEvery time I start asking "What If" questions, Dave says, "There are no 'What If' questions in my classroom." Which is his way of limiting what could be a runaway exercise in prophesying doom. I think "What If" questions can be useful but only in limited quantities.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like home-schooling has worked out really well for both of you. There's something to be said for a less regimented, experiential approach. I am so impressed that you've made it work so well. About the time I had to teach any math beyond basic addition, I would be dying inside. (Do you have someone to help with the harder stuff? I can't remember.)
Steve Reed: I DO NOT, under any circumstances teach math and now, science. Oliver takes a life science class from a wonderful private school here that works with kids with all different schedules. If it weren't so expensive, I'd add math, but until I can afford to do so, I've farmed out the math as well. He goes to an interesting homeschool math and STEM program twice a week.
DeleteI love the homeschool PE class! And I agree that the way you're doing it with Oliver just may be the way to do it. At the very least, it is absolutely the way for you guys, isn't it, and that is all that matters. What is it about the anxious questions that happen in the dark as we lie in bed before getting up? Is it some ancient impulse in our brains that prompts us to get up and get moving? I have similar questions that rattle around in there and make me nuts until the moment that I swing my feet over the edge of the bed and head to the bathroom. Somehow, the act of getting up and doing something tangible often dispels the questions and I am often amazed at how useless the ruminations seem as I go about crossing things off my list during the day. But they come back every morning.
ReplyDelete