Homeschooling my creative oldest child has been challenging.
I think it has been especially hard because I am a rule-following, box checker. I never sought to make our home like a school, but I still had expectations for how things should be done.
And my son didn’t follow my plan or fit into my mold.
I tried using a strict classical method with him. I figured out pretty quickly that I was going to have to relax or become a complete basket case.
So I relaxed… a little.
But I still argued with him over anything that involved drill or repetition. And writing anything down.
It was a constant battle.
One that I finally just backed off on. (mostly)
I often worry that I should have pushed harder.
Maybe I should have made him drill his math facts more. Maybe I should have pushed the Latin flash cards more.
What if?
Well, I didn’t so I don’t know how things would be different.
I do think that I backed off before totally destroying my relationship with my son. Maybe it wouldn’t have. I can’t say that for sure.
I didn’t require a lot time on our “official school”. He started spending a lot of time on the computer at an early age.
He taught himself a lot about graphics.
Then we bought him a very inexpensive video camera when he was about 10. He taught himself Windows Movie Maker and basic film editing.
We invested in more expensive software and more expensive camera equipment.
I’m amazed at what he has taught himself to do.
This is a video that he wrote, filmed, edited, and did all the animations by himself. He found the contest on-line, decided to enter, and spent a tremendous amount of time putting his entry together.
We don’t know the outcome of the contest yet, but this video is a winner regardless. I guess I didn’t do everything wrong after all.
This post is linked to the Let’s Homeschool High School Blog Hop. Visit and see how other homeschoolers homeschool high school!
By Kristen H.
Hi, it’s Jackie stopping by from the February Let’s Homeschool High School Blog Hop.
Your son and my daughter sound very much alike, and you and I sound alike in regards to schooling. I had to learn to relax quite a bit, and it wasn’t easy for me. Like you, I think I stopped before I ruined things with my daughter.
We became mostly unschoolers because of my daughter’s learning style and attitude toward schooling in general. The learning (unschooling) she does sticks with her because it’s what SHE wants to learn. I see all the things she learns that she isn’t aware of and that pleases me. She does also use Time4Learning’s High School courses, but not daily.
She does lots of animations and video things like your son. I think it’s great that kids like ours can teach themselves and be successful. I think it takes a creative and intelligent kid to do that, so kuddos to your son and my daughter.
Your son’s video is wonderful! I know you are so proud of him.
Thanks for linking up with us this month. I look forward to you linking up in March.
Joyfully,
Jackie
http://letshomeschoolhighschool.com/2014/02/04/homeschool-high-school-february-2014-blog-hop/
What a terrific video! I agree…regardless of the outcome of the contest, this one’s a winner! My boys are getting into claymation/stop-motion videos. I’m always impressed at what our kids can teach themselves. 🙂
Loved reading your blog for the first time. Found my way here from the LHSHS blog hop. 🙂
Katie
Coming to you blog by way of the Let’s Homeschool High School Blog Hop!
Kristen, I feel your pain…I too have a child who doesn’t like to repeat anything, and doesn’t like to write things down. I am trying to learn to loosen up! We use Time4Learning High School as our core, and I am trying to allow her to spend more time on her passions. One of those is playing the piano and organ, and as I allow her more freedom to choose the things she studies on her own, those two have really come to the forefront. Your post is inspiration to me! You must be so very proud of your son. Thank you for sharing.
I don’t think you did anything wrong. I think it’s great that he is doing so well, and it’s encouraging since I have son that is similar. 🙂
WOW — I loved what is posted here . . . but am concerned for our son if he doesn’t get a high school diploma . . . we’re doing a distance learning program right now and it is driving a wedge between us . . . HELP!