7 Quick Things I was soooo snooty about before I had more than one kid
I wrote this post before I read Kelly's most recent non-7 Quick Takes post about enrolling some of her children in school and I was so touched by her transparency. I always appreciate it when homeschooling bloggers don't just disappear under a rock if and when they choose to use a school (as though there is a reason to be ashamed of enrolling one's kids!) I feel such solidarity when I encounter such posts (in fact Blythe's post was actually part of my epiphany; she even used that word in her own title).
While our reasons for choosing to enrol our own children were different, I related to a number of things Kelly said (such as a fear of being judged for having attempted homeschooling, as well as the happy realization that that fear was unfounded. As well she mentioned how she needed a break -- yep, relatable -- and how it feels like a part-time job managing her kids' schooling outside the home -- also relatable, although again, for different reasons. {Not a week goes by, I think, that I am not called in to do something, bring something, pick up a child who is feeling sick, etc.})
Anyway, I just wanted to thank Kelly and say hi to any of her readers who may stop by, and let you know I had planned to rant about not homeschooling anymore BEFORE I read what she said ;)
Happy coincidence!
Without further ado,
I really couldn't understand why someone would shell out so. much. money on disposable when cloth were so economical, be a boon to the environment AND be so cute. I mean, what's another load of laundry, right?
Bahahaha.
Enter Baby 3 who only wore cloth maybe 8 times ever.
Enter Baby 4 who has never, ever worn cloth and I am currently ready to sell my stash.
Que sera sera.
"What exactly are we celebrating? The fact that they can stand in line and hold a pair of scissors properly?" I'd joke oh-so-smugly. You see, MY kindergartener would be brought up on a beautiful cornucopia of Greek mythology, Latin declensions and fun art projects in our own cosy homeschool.
Ahem.
That was in my idealistic (and smug! and naive) homeschooling days. Now that we have enrolled our kids in the local Separate school, you'd better believe I was not only enthusiastically applauding my son when he graduated from Senior Kindergarten two weeks ago, I also was the class' parent volunteer who made all the Bristol board graduation caps!
Why the change?
Because I now see just what immense changes and development a child undergoes in their two years of Kindergarten (we start at 4 here). My own son in particular had a lot to adjust to by being in school and he has done spectacularly in the end. We are so very proud of him.
And yes, learning to hold scissors properly and stand in line are huge accomplishments for excitable squirmy little people. So are sharing, taking direction from someone other than Mom and whole bunch of other things. Why NOT applaud the accomplishments of kids both young and not so young? It wasn't like it was some fancy to-do. Just a lovely affirming way of acknowledging their hard work, and maybe helping the parents realize Grade 1 will be a big transition for everyone (hello, homework!).
And you know what? We still embrace being primary Educator's wholeheartedly -- they still DO happily leaf through their Greek mythology books and listen to Song School Latin when they come home if they want -- and they often do. We are just quite happy to be outsourcing some of the work of the Three R's.
And we are all better off for this arrangement.
I've always wanted a mini-van. I'm not one of those women who disparaged them as though they were a sign that the parents had "let themselves go" or had become decidedly uncool. Some of my fondest memories involved being in a van with my siblings when I was a child, and I was excited to embark on this with my own family.
But red mini-vans? I chuckled at when I was a teenager. "Who are you kidding? You're not driving a Corvette. Stop trying to make up for how frumpy your vehicle is."
We now drive a Salsa Red Toyota Siena. And I looove it. Well, I am indifferent to the colour but I am pleased as punch by my Swagger Wagon which completely renders the colour moot.
I thought the cliche of the latte-sipping mini-van-driving pashmina-wearing soccer mom was so... silly. In fact I made fun of the idea of women putting themselves on such a pedestal that they "needed" expensive coffee to make it through the day.
I still don't NEED fancy coffee, or really any coffee at all, to survive. But it makes me feel like an adult when I drink it. It's a comforting little ritual to make myself a cup (or to swing through the drive-through in that previously despised red van) that reminds me I'm not just a Mommy but a grown-up lady who has her own interests. Especially if said coffee is enjoyed before my kids wake up.
Let's call it an extrinsic motivation, okay? After a tiring day of school + homework + chores, the kids are cheerfully motivated to put away their toys and craft supplies when a tv show awaits. Plus it seems like a way to relax them before dinner and our evening routines. We don't do that every day but I now feel zero guilt about it and regret my naive and judgemental days when I thought it was less than ideal parenting.
We would only observe All Saint's Day, I'd say, because I hated the way Halloween had creepily distorted this feast day. Our kids would dress up as saints and go to a saint party with fellow Catholic kids.
Well...
Not anymore.
I still really hate about 75% of the way "the World" celebrates Halloween. But there is truly something magical about Halloween; for us, our kids can pick whatever costume they like (with some direction and suggestions, and veto power, too) which is so fun for both them and me. They traipse around our neighbourhood in one of the few opportunities to interact with everyone on our street, and get free candy. From people who think they're as cute as a button.
It's delightful.
We actually still do a quick costume change to take them to an All Saint's Party, too, but it was too fun, too delightful to allow them to choose a 'secular' (non-creepy) costume as well.
In the world, not of it, yada yada.
Otherwise it's an angry panda situation... either me or the kids, I'm not sure which.
While our reasons for choosing to enrol our own children were different, I related to a number of things Kelly said (such as a fear of being judged for having attempted homeschooling, as well as the happy realization that that fear was unfounded. As well she mentioned how she needed a break -- yep, relatable -- and how it feels like a part-time job managing her kids' schooling outside the home -- also relatable, although again, for different reasons. {Not a week goes by, I think, that I am not called in to do something, bring something, pick up a child who is feeling sick, etc.})
Anyway, I just wanted to thank Kelly and say hi to any of her readers who may stop by, and let you know I had planned to rant about not homeschooling anymore BEFORE I read what she said ;)
Happy coincidence!
Without further ado,
7 Quick Things I was sooo snooty about
before I had more than one kid
1.
Disposable diapers
I really couldn't understand why someone would shell out so. much. money on disposable when cloth were so economical, be a boon to the environment AND be so cute. I mean, what's another load of laundry, right?
Bahahaha.
Enter Baby 3 who only wore cloth maybe 8 times ever.
Enter Baby 4 who has never, ever worn cloth and I am currently ready to sell my stash.
Que sera sera.
2.
Kindergarten graduation ceremonies
"What exactly are we celebrating? The fact that they can stand in line and hold a pair of scissors properly?" I'd joke oh-so-smugly. You see, MY kindergartener would be brought up on a beautiful cornucopia of Greek mythology, Latin declensions and fun art projects in our own cosy homeschool.
Ahem.
That was in my idealistic (and smug! and naive) homeschooling days. Now that we have enrolled our kids in the local Separate school, you'd better believe I was not only enthusiastically applauding my son when he graduated from Senior Kindergarten two weeks ago, I also was the class' parent volunteer who made all the Bristol board graduation caps!
But look how cute!
Why the change?
Because I now see just what immense changes and development a child undergoes in their two years of Kindergarten (we start at 4 here). My own son in particular had a lot to adjust to by being in school and he has done spectacularly in the end. We are so very proud of him.
And yes, learning to hold scissors properly and stand in line are huge accomplishments for excitable squirmy little people. So are sharing, taking direction from someone other than Mom and whole bunch of other things. Why NOT applaud the accomplishments of kids both young and not so young? It wasn't like it was some fancy to-do. Just a lovely affirming way of acknowledging their hard work, and maybe helping the parents realize Grade 1 will be a big transition for everyone (hello, homework!).
And you know what? We still embrace being primary Educator's wholeheartedly -- they still DO happily leaf through their Greek mythology books and listen to Song School Latin when they come home if they want -- and they often do. We are just quite happy to be outsourcing some of the work of the Three R's.
And we are all better off for this arrangement.
3.
Red mini-vans
I've always wanted a mini-van. I'm not one of those women who disparaged them as though they were a sign that the parents had "let themselves go" or had become decidedly uncool. Some of my fondest memories involved being in a van with my siblings when I was a child, and I was excited to embark on this with my own family.
But red mini-vans? I chuckled at when I was a teenager. "Who are you kidding? You're not driving a Corvette. Stop trying to make up for how frumpy your vehicle is."
We now drive a Salsa Red Toyota Siena. And I looove it. Well, I am indifferent to the colour but I am pleased as punch by my Swagger Wagon which completely renders the colour moot.
4.
"Good" coffee
I thought the cliche of the latte-sipping mini-van-driving pashmina-wearing soccer mom was so... silly. In fact I made fun of the idea of women putting themselves on such a pedestal that they "needed" expensive coffee to make it through the day.
I still don't NEED fancy coffee, or really any coffee at all, to survive. But it makes me feel like an adult when I drink it. It's a comforting little ritual to make myself a cup (or to swing through the drive-through in that previously despised red van) that reminds me I'm not just a Mommy but a grown-up lady who has her own interests. Especially if said coffee is enjoyed before my kids wake up.
5.
Screen time as bribery
Let's call it an extrinsic motivation, okay? After a tiring day of school + homework + chores, the kids are cheerfully motivated to put away their toys and craft supplies when a tv show awaits. Plus it seems like a way to relax them before dinner and our evening routines. We don't do that every day but I now feel zero guilt about it and regret my naive and judgemental days when I thought it was less than ideal parenting.
6.
Trick-or-treating
We would only observe All Saint's Day, I'd say, because I hated the way Halloween had creepily distorted this feast day. Our kids would dress up as saints and go to a saint party with fellow Catholic kids.
Well...
Not anymore.
I still really hate about 75% of the way "the World" celebrates Halloween. But there is truly something magical about Halloween; for us, our kids can pick whatever costume they like (with some direction and suggestions, and veto power, too) which is so fun for both them and me. They traipse around our neighbourhood in one of the few opportunities to interact with everyone on our street, and get free candy. From people who think they're as cute as a button.
It's delightful.
We actually still do a quick costume change to take them to an All Saint's Party, too, but it was too fun, too delightful to allow them to choose a 'secular' (non-creepy) costume as well.
In the world, not of it, yada yada.
7.
Baking with kids
I bake very rarely now, because gluten-free baking and my minimal skills don't mix, but when I do, there may be one child involved, tops.Otherwise it's an angry panda situation... either me or the kids, I'm not sure which.
Great post! Absolutely fabulous. I had no idea of your thoughts on red mini vans before reading this. To me, having a nice colour of mini van is a bit like having one's toes nicely painted. Both make me feel good and a bit more put together! On a side note, a couple that we brought through marriage prep bought our old red van from the dealership. Truly, this was an answer to a prayer of mine that my beloved van would go to the right people.
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