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
