About us

A family of five in Aotearoa New Zealand, on an international homeschool journey...so what do we do all day?

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Dignity Champion!

A quick post... I'm coming up for air between writing a report and trying to get our house on the market... yes many changes afoot in this household.

The Man of the House (MOTH) was nominated as a Dignity Champion by Age Concern. In going to accept the award, the MOTH thought it might be an opportunity for Miss K to 'socialise' with elderly members of the community. If we'd been in school, this chance would have been completely missed. The MOTH often explores how the children can be involved in the things he's doing, and I think he's doing an amazingly creative job!

On the morning of the presentation, Miss K carefully selected her outfit (a vintage Japanese school uniform - yes, it was mine), explained the style of hair she wanted (compliantly provided by me) and headed off with great aplomb with the MOTH. The MOTH reported back that she behaved impeccably. Miss K reported back that it really wasn't something her brother would have sat through as there was a lot of talking, there were some tea and cakes and that she got a kiss from a nice old man.
dignity
Taken from the Kapiti Observer

When she saw the photo in the paper, Miss K was most surprised, then noted: "Oh the man said he would take our photo and put it in the paper and what he said was true!" She has since taken an increasing interest in things that appear in the local newspaper!

You can read the paper's take on it here.

Happy learning days!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

What I'm learning everyday

It's a bit of a sad state of affairs when I realise that it's been over a month since my last post. It's not that we're not doing anything, we seem to be doing a lot of all sorts of things, I just haven't had as much time to capture, record and blog, and I think the need to prove to myself (and the rest of the world) that we're doing 'learning stuff', has slowly started to subside.

I'm learning that the choices we make are good ones. What we do might not look like 'school' to anyone else, but that's okay. It doesn't have to. What's important is we know what's taking place, at what pace and the balance and joy that resounds in our household because of it.

I'm learning to respect and trust my children's desire and capacity to direct, manage and focus their 'learning'. My enthusiasm is appreciated, but not always wanted. I'm learning to accept that!

I'm learning that I have found an inner peace in making this choice. That's good for me (and consequently everyone around me).

I'm learning I still need to work out how to respond to those who try and 'test' and to some extent 'teach' (in a well meaning 'schooly way') our children. That'll come, it's early days.

I'm learning that there is much love and support for our whanau, from friends, colleagues and so many in the wider Kapiti Community.

I'm learning to take each day with more intent and presence. It's tiring, hard, but worthwhile work. And while some days it looks like utter chaos, there's a lot of peace too.