Introverts homeschooling introverts (or the let’s just stay home in our pajamas post)

by on April 1, 2013
in a mom's education · 16 Comments

gifts to offer your introverted child ~SimpleHomeschool
Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

It wasn’t until years after becoming a mother that I really understood myself. I grew up feeling “different,” but I never understood my differences or how to handle them.

My well-meaning dad would sometimes say “Why don’t you go out with a few friends?” Yet that didn’t appeal to me at all after a long day at high school, followed by hours of dance practice. I wanted to stay home, read books, and watch movies–which wasn’t what supposedly interests your typical American teenager.

personalities at home

I took personality tests in both high school and college. I found them fascinating, but the word “introvert” always seemed like a negative to me. Thanks heavens, we now live in the midst of an Introverted Renaissance.

I not only understand myself, I love how I was made! I finally appreciate the giftings I have that others don’t. Want to know the best part?

I can help my own introverted child love and know himself from the start. Here are a few gifts we can offer the little ones who share this aspect of our personality.

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Q&A Friday: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

by on March 29, 2013
in a mom's education · 26 Comments

qa
Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

For the past month or two we’ve been chatting about personality. The blend of temperaments within our four walls profoundly impacts our homeschool and family life.

Combine introverts and extroverts in the same house, tell them to live and learn and love together, and you’re pretty much guaranteed never a dull moment!

personalities at home

If you’ve missed any of the personality posts so far, here’s your chance to catch up:
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How to deal with (your own) anger

by on March 22, 2013
in a mom's education · 88 Comments

how-to-deal-with-anger-SimpleHomeschool.net_
The following is a guest post written by Charity Hawkins, author of The Homeschool Experiment.

It was a late Wednesday night after church. I had planned to give my three kids a snack then send them immediately to brush their teeth and get ready for bed. My husband was working late, and I was ready to be done with the day.

Then my eight-year-old son asked if he could play “Jingle Bells,” for me on the piano, and I was so thrilled that he was finally excited about piano that I said yes. Then my six-year-old daughter begged to play. Of course, my three-year-old son wanted a turn next.

The minutes were ticking by and I thought, why did I ever agree to this anyway? We were an hour past bedtime already. I could feel my blood pressure rising. Then my son and daughter started bickering—one being bossy, the other whining. Nobody was listening to me.

“Stop it!” I snapped. Like a whip.  “Go. Brush. Your. Teeth. You’re done.”

Eyes wide, the kids stared at me, frightened, then hurried to obey.

I won. But at what cost?
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Homeschooling saved my kids’ lives: A personal response to Newtown

by on March 18, 2013
in a mom's education · 22 Comments

nowwhat2Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

It started off like any other normal day.

I woke, showered, and made breakfast for the kids. During the Christmas season I usually read from a selection of holiday books during meals–that day we began The Story of Holly and Ivy. We enjoyed it so much that I postponed our regular post-breakfast routine so we could keep reading.

holidaybooks

We took a short break to make some hot chocolate and start a fire. I had no idea that while we were getting cozy, children a few miles down the street were literally running, or hiding, for their lives.
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On the introverted mom homeschooling extroverted children

by on March 11, 2013
in a mom's education · 21 Comments

on the introverted mom homeschooling extroverted children ~SimpleHomeschool
Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’m a firm introvert, but that I’ve learned how to thrive around my little people in the midst of a busy homeschooling lifestyle.

What about my children? Are they doomed to a monotonous, dull life due to the fact that they have an introverted mom? I say that jokingly–because as we’ve already discussed introverts enjoy socializing, they just don’t get fueled by being around people:

“Introverts … may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.”
~ Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

personalities at home

You may see your way forward clearly if you’re an introvert homeschooling introverted children. But what if you have lively extroverts under your roof?
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Responding to the homeschooling critics

by on March 6, 2013
in a mom's education · 54 Comments

coffee talkWritten by contributor Sarah Small of SmallWorld at Home

I am blessed to live in an area where homeschooling is not at all unusual. Everyone knows at least a few homeschooling families; nonetheless, we aren’t immune to the naysayers, the critics.

I used to be outraged. I used to bristle. I remember one of my first encounters with a lady who was quite vocal about her disgust with homeschooling. I had just moved to town and was attending a new church. Here is how my conversation went with this woman:

So where does your son go to school?”

“I am homeschooling him.”

“Oh. Well, I would never do that. We have the best schools in the state right here.”

That was the end of the conversation. She actually turned her back to me, quite literally, and never engaged me in conversation again for the decade I attended that church.
[Read more...]

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