tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post114662782263083847..comments2024-03-25T02:43:49.115-05:00Comments on Karen Edmisten: Slo-o-o-o-ow down (or, Why I love our read-alouds, Part III)Karen Edmisten http://www.blogger.com/profile/04446214835142625161noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post-1146840150312503692006-05-05T09:42:00.000-05:002006-05-05T09:42:00.000-05:00Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. I th...Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. I think we all go through these times of assessment/reassessment/tweaking, etc. It's somewhat seasonal, too ... the ebb and flow of life and homeschooling. <BR/><BR/>Alice, with a new baby arriving soon, you'll probably have to fall into some new rhythms. Though, I could also see you continuing to host teas for 100+. :-) And Sophia, I think you're right that we have to take our own weaknesses into account when making these decisions. <BR/><BR/>Tim, you said, "I find myself thinking again and again that we've changed a focal point of the family to the children, which I don't feel is quite right." <BR/><BR/>I think that's it EXACTLY. What I find us losing when we're always running places is our *family.* We're less connected, less in touch, less sensitive to one another, to needs and to possibilities. <BR/><BR/>So, we'll see what a season of pulling back looks like ....Karen Edmisten https://www.blogger.com/profile/04446214835142625161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post-1146714989646888192006-05-03T22:56:00.000-05:002006-05-03T22:56:00.000-05:00Karen, this post is so timely for me as I think ov...Karen, this post is so timely for me as I think over all the things we do and will or will not continue to do next year. I think I need a scaling back time. It is amazing to come to your blog and read exactly what has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now.Alice Guntherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998555457432426192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post-1146713852570946052006-05-03T22:37:00.000-05:002006-05-03T22:37:00.000-05:00This reminds me of the post you wrote awhile back ...This reminds me of the post you wrote awhile back from "Little Women" about the goodness of just taking the time to sit and reflect. I know I always get bad feedback from other parents when I don't have a list of activities my kids are in. They think that esp since the kids are homeschooled, they should be involved with some social or sporting activities. So, I battle with it. I LOVE having a clear day with no outside activities, but I am also one who needs a little structure and outside motivation to get us going. My daughter has always liked activities, but she also likes the freedom and time to pursue her hobbies and passions as a homeschool student.<BR/><BR/>I decided to take this week off, and the boys and I went fishing. After we realized that only one rod was functional, we took turns fishing. My 7 year old who was waiting for his turn said, "Mom, to me it is worth it to just come and sit here and nature, just watching." Something in this statement and the statements of your girls resonates deeply with me. Indeed, what IS living? I think true living consists of moments like these. <BR/><BR/>Though for me, with my somewhat slacker disposition, I need some activities to push us a little bit. Everyone is different, but I love the way you have let the spirit lead you to step back and pull back some. I bet this will be a wonderful year of memories for you all to cherish.Sophiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12939844185975201232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post-1146694517672010172006-05-03T17:15:00.000-05:002006-05-03T17:15:00.000-05:00Karen, this has always been something to make me w...Karen, this has always been something to make me wonder. You know my sister, she has five boys and each one of them is in an activity, maybe two. (Well, I'm not sure the 6 month old's activities count.)<BR/><BR/>My wife was raised going to ballet 6 or 7 days a week. And this was DRIVING. We're talking Los Angeles driving, upwards of 30 minutes each way. And I was encouraged to take up activities like my siblings, but I've never been much of a "joiner", as they used to say of kids who didn't join things.<BR/><BR/>We've gotten my son into one sports activity a season, so that means practice on Mondays and games on Sundays, which is, in many ways, just too much for me. And it's just going to get busier when my daughter needs an activity. You can imagine if it's hard for homeschoolers to meet those kid-centered demands, how it feels for two working parents. Yet, all the two working parents seem to have their kids in all sorts of activities. <BR/><BR/>I find myself thinking again and again that we've changed a focal point of the family to the children, which I don't feel is quite right.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I look forward to seeing what your year brings!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612036812212996656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17019672.post-1146673736565603522006-05-03T11:28:00.000-05:002006-05-03T11:28:00.000-05:00I feel a bit like this too. Outside activities can...I feel a bit like this too. Outside activities can easily get out of control and life rushes along. Of course we're learning all the time, but need to slow down the pace a bit.<BR/><BR/>And I often experience exactly what you are saying about God providing when we need something. I turn around and just what I thought we needed happens.<BR/><BR/>One day my husband was going out the door and I asked him to buy a T-Ball bat. He said he couldn't at that time, but when he came back, my daughter was carrying one. It was free, left out by the trash bins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com