There are certain times – in a homeschool mom’s life – that being alone all day is really really lonely. One of the reasons I blog is selfish. I like thinking that I’m sitting here with you, chatting away, sipping coffee. I’m writing this in the evening. Maybe we are sipping a glass of red while pondering the day well spent.
I’d ask you if you ever thought there should be a party website. A chat room? A Forum? Where one could go to shout and scream and laugh and giggle when a mile stone is reached. Where the moms would understand that pride was not there – but relief and joy. Another notch of trust of His plan in the belt.
Long Division. Seriously. We came really close to just showing him how to do it on the calculator and calling it good. Then, one morning, I took a walk and he showed dad his work. I came home and he knew how to do it. WHAT? I found out I was using the wrong word.
Mom – How many times does six go into 27.
Son – quickly – 4.
Great. How what is 6 times 4? What’s the remainder.
Son – slowly. Huh? What do you mean times?
Mom. Um. Ya know. You said six goes into 27 4 times.
Son. Ya!
Mom. So what is six times four? What is the remainder?
Son. Slower. Huh? What do you mean?
Sigh. This conversation has happened over and over for more than a week. Waiting for the steps to click.
It came down to vocabulary. OF vs TIMES.
Dad – If you have 6 of the 4’s how many do you have.
Son – 24 (in that you’re an idiot for asking such an easy question voice) with 3 remaining.
Mom. THATS NOT FAIR!!!!!! Ya. I didn’t use my indoor voice. At. All. But –
We did get through a page of long division in less than 5 minutes. And I was doing the happy dance of mommyhood. We’ve made it though all four functions – in 3-4 digits of Adding, Subtracting, Multiplication and Division – with carrying, borrowing, lining up, and getting the right answers. Before November. Seriously.
So that room? Where we dance around in joyful glee? Without anyone thinking you are bragging? Just recognizing the Joy? Relief? Faith Fulfilled.
This evening I listened to Jon read himself to sleep to dad out of his new story bible. The words are accurate – but the bible focuses more on stories, than the entire text. Seriously. Listening to your son read himself to sleep to his dad.
Where is that happy dance room?
+Angie Wright
Pebblekeeper 
Wonderful Angie!! I’m doing the happy dance with you! And it’s great that he got there in his own way, without being tied to a chair (for long I’m sure :). It is a lonely job but so worth it for these moments.
Awesome! We all love to read stories like this so brag away! 😀
I found out the same thing about times vs. of. I think I would have said something about that in my outside voice also!
I often wish for a soundproof room. For me, not the children!
Yay! I for one NEVER think of a mom as “bragging” when she talks about her child! What mom isn’t proud of her child, whether struggling or succeeding? I’m so happy for you and for your son!
Seriously, I have felt that feeling of *didn’t I just say the same thing and he didn’t get it and you come along and sweep in with your explanation and it rings the bell?* It can be a struggle to be happy that the thing is learned while feeling a little inadequate at the same time. I think it is part of being a mom.
Homeschooling has taught me so many things about communication and love within the family.
You start to live for those light bulb moments and when they come they are sweet. Then the day comes when they know more than you do and you are humbled once more.
Thanks Barb! We have quite a few moments with older brother where he knows more in the math department, He patiently waits while I catch up. Younger son Jon is that way with logic games. He waits for me to figure it out. 🙂 Hubby. Good Gravy. There will be a plaque in Heaven on his Door that says Patient Man’s House. He doesn’t get mentioned alot on here – but he’s the glue that keeps us 3 crazies together. 🙂
ha ha ha… well it sounds like you have fun in it all… one-on-one… well worth the pain.
Thanks Mominah! Nate struggles in the same way I remember that you did. If only all the kids had one on one attention!
Can I slap a high-five at ya?
Thanks Tristan and Phyllis! I knew I could create my own party. 🙂
Hooray! So happy for you! Those moments are wonderful, and you’re right, sometimes others think you are just bragging but they’ve not been the ones struggling through for days/weeks/months. It is relief when those moments come, pure relief.