Squabbling!

Gee, of course I didn't plan on my kids squabbling now that we homeschool, but it does erupt at times. This morning was a good example. We got one desktop computer through Connections for the kids for homeschooling. It wasn't too much of a problem at the beginning of the school year because both the kids did much of their writing in notebooks. Recently, though, Denver started blogging and Aurora is writing a very long story (now at 25 pages single spaced!) on top of history research and typing and whatever else comes up. The kids' agreement is that whoever gets out to the cabin first and turns on the computer gets to use it first. This morning Denver fell back asleep after his alarm clock went off so Aurora made it out to the computer first. Denver flipped out because he is virtually always the first one out and he has his routine: he checks his email, updates his blog (http://seymours.wordpress.com/) and does his Type Right! When Aurora gets on it is usually an hour before she is done.

Denver's routine was broken and he was mad. Many times I am so busy with my work I don't want to deal with their squabbles; I let them work them out on their own. Today I had the time, energy and gumption to get involved. I asked how they could work this out. Suggestions were not forthcoming. I offered to let them use Dad's computer; neither liked that option. Finally, after 10 minutes, Denver calmed down and stated, "Well, I guess I'll do my work," and he went to his desk and found something else to do.

I really hoped the kids would get along better now that they are homeschooled. Sometimes they do, but many times they don't. Their personalities are just so different, and they both have very strong personalities in their own way. I'm pondering adding "Interpersonal Communications" to their courses for next year--the class I teach online! ( :

Time Alone is Precious!!

I've always enjoyed my hobbies and never have enough time for everything I want to do, and spending time by myself isn't a burden. I have to admit, though, that now that I am homeschooling I am very rarely home alone. Sometimes my husband and I will work it out for him to take the kids away--just for a few hours--please!! He would be willing to take them away for the weekend if I really needed or wanted it (or lets me go away for the weekend!), but most of the time, I don't begrudge my time commitment to my kids that has been presented by homeschooling. I like my kids, I respect them, and I enjoy their company. We co-exisit peacefully most of the time, so it is not a big deal to hang out with them all day every day, oftentimes with me doing my work and they doing theirs, with our paths intersecting regularly just as one would in the workplace.

I do find myself considering Time Alone to be a precious gift now, though. Precious enough, even, to capitalize it! I hold time with friends as more special too, since I don't run over to a friend's house as much now. So in a subtle way, homeschooling has changed my attitude about time, and time with my kids. Mainly, I'm more aware of it.