Funny how when I am in the middle of a random day these worries creep in just because Captain Papa and I have a conversation about physics and the space-time continuum. Are we doing enough? Are they being exposed to enough? Are they learning enough?
bubble solution making
I have a preschooler and a toddler so we are basically unschoolers at this point. They are still just babies so I have no secret agenda as far as reading or math or science. My only agenda is for them to find joy in exploring and to hopefully foster a love of learning and discovery. So for the most part I remain calm and confident.
Still. The worries. Creep. In.
Physics! Space-time continuum! So many fascinating things my husband and I can have conversations about because we learned about them at some point. How does a child go from learning to count to ten to knowing stuff like this? You mean I'm in charge of making sure he learns everything? You mean I have to be sure he can add and subtract in order for him to learn the next thing? Good grief, it seems daunting. I'll have to spend a lifetime teaching the Mates all the stuff I know. I better get started! Quick! Panic!
Deep breath.
I'm a perfectionist at times. This is both a strength and a weakness for me. I also have this terrible habit of getting stuck in what I call "the forevers" which means I'll start imagining how small choices I make now will impact the rest of our lives. It is crazy making because it is all just speculation. I have to just look at now because now is all I have. I also have to remember to look towards them when the worries creep in. Are they happy right now? Are they learning right now? The answer is always yes.
body painting
I think often about the different methods of homeschooling. Traditional academic approaches for example. Should we be doing more? Will we do more when they are older? It all feels like such an unknown at this point in our journey but I've come to realize that this is our strength, not our weakness. We are fortunate that we don't have their academic path carved in stone. A stone cracks and shatters under pressure because it can't adapt to change. Flexibility is needed for change, and if there is one thing people do it is change. I have no idea what ten year old First Mate is going to need to learn. If I thought I did I'd be a fool.
Plus, at some point, he will take charge of his own learning and in fact he already has. Besides, how will he not learn about theories in physics if he hears his parents talking about it?
And when I realize all of this, I feel better. The worries fade and we enjoy ourselves again right now.
Do you ever get "the forevers" and panic? What do you do?
