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My 4 year old had a very serious talk with me last night about how I had really messed with our sacred read aloud time. I had knitted while I read to them. It was the first time I did it, but she took great offense. She told me "It is our cuddle, snuggle time on the couch and that is all we are supposed to do when we read the stories. No knitting. But you can knit other times just not then." Apparently she still wants me to knit her things just not during school. It is so funny how special those times are finding out what happens to all those sneaky forest critters and learning more about God is very special to them. It made me realize how important it is to them the time we spend with them doing HOD and how many memories we must be making. So I will not knit. Don't want to mess with that. Here I thought I was being productive but what I found to her productivity is not the goal, it is just that time focusing together on the very same thing and each other. And adding anything else to what was already perfect was a great offense in her mind. I had thought the knitting would be OK since when I usually knit she is on my lap and I knot over her and tell her stories that I make up as I knit. She loves that but don't mess with the read aloud cuddle on the couch time. I am not one that let's my kids dictate but in this case I will.

Just wanted to share. If you ever wonder if the extra effort really matters and if your life might be easier if you just plugged them into a workbook and let them learn on their own, it wouldn't. You would be missing a much deeper learning and a lifetime of special memories for them to replay in their mind over and over long after they are grown. It's worth it, very worth it. I have a friend that does that and her kids are quickly through the school day, her house is always clean and her yeard is always neat because that is what she does with her day. But she is missing something very special and she knows it. Someday it will be too late to ever get that time back. I know the way we are doing things there will never be any regrets, as long as I don't knit during school that is. I got the message though. I do not think we will have anything interfering with our special time again.

W2W,

Oh my goodness that was such a neat little story to read! You are so right, all of those little moments are creating the best of memories for our children. I used to get so worked up about my messy house and having a front yard that looks like the property had been abandoned (okay, not that bad, I do have a little pride!), but I realize instead of cleaning all day we are being together and making memories together. I try to see them as happy messes now because they represent what is being accomplished at our home.

Okay, wondering how you were knitting and reading at the same time?!

Candice

Candice wrote: Okay, wondering how you were knitting and reading at the same time?!

It's a special talent I discovered I have. Probably a multitasking deal from having six kids. It's really pretty easy to do. I will stick to reading my Bible that way though and skip the read alouds. It's great when you want to read a lot in one sitting. Hopefully God does not feel the same way as my four year old does.

I'm sure there are times you are reading your Bible, praying, & singing praises to Him that DO NOT include knitting...so I doubt He would mind.

water2wine,

Thanks for this little reminder of what's really improtant to spend my time on...sometimes I need that little nudge when I start the comparison game with friends that have those clean houses and no kids at home during the day. I have to admit that I was with Candice in wondering how you are knitting and reading. (Maybe if I was a 2-headed octopus or something! ) I do love the special memories that we get to make doing school. It's great that every day we have so many chances to impact their little hearts - and learn, and laugh, and snuggle! What a special gift! And it is the little things that seem to mean the most. My 2 yo wanted me to sing to him on Sunday when it was naptime, so I was going through quite a few songs. He's one who will make up the caziest stories at the table while we're eating about what he's pretending his food is. (Kind of like cloud shapes...only edible! ) Anyway he told me it was time to sing the skid-loader song. He loves all kinds of vehicles and was sure I must have a song about his skid-loader. Sooo, I made one up and all the kids LOVE it. (I have to sing it at every meal and bedtime - we even got Daddy to join in. ) This "little" thing means so much to him...and will probably be in his memory for a long time.

I'm so glad for the planning that Carrie has put into HOD and how well it focuses on what I want to focus on, which is the Lord, in our school time. I get to spend my time teaching and learning and talking with my kids about really important things.

Kathleen

This is a precious story, and it was very convicting to me as well. I, too, am a big multi-tasker, but my days run best when my kiddos have my full attention.

Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,
Carrie

Oh my. Your story really spoke to me. For most of my motherhood, I haven't freaked out too much about the house, but here lately I've been a crazy woman and haven't really been focusing on the kiddos. WAY too much multi-tasking going on here, and it does include knitting!! We were doing math while I knitted today. Thank you so much for reminding me to slow down.

You are soooooo singing to the choir! Today while we were doing our read-alouds I had to take two phone calls (we are in the process of buying a new house, so yeah, I had to take the calls) Dina communicated her displeasure at my inattention and the interruptions. I usually do not allow anything to interruot our school time so I ahd not yet experience how Dina would react, now I know.

And like you, I used to worry about having a spotless house and yard, but quite frankly that hardly matters anymore. My daughter loves having all this time with me and I love that we are going to go through her, and my son's, childhood together. I couldn't imagine turning her over to a bunch of workbooks, a computer based curriculum or HORRORS a "real" school!

If I haven't said it before, thank-you Carrie for all your hard work! I idn't know how I would get through the school day without HOD.

Another multi-tasker here - though I could not knit and read at the same time. A good reminder that what we give our full attention and time to is what we care about the most - our kids do get that, and they know when we're doing it halfway.

In Christ,
Julie

Yes thank you for that reminder. I always seem to be so scatter brained while trying to do school. I have made a schedule and I'm trying to work it this week. It will require that I don't do anything else while doing school. I will have to stick to the schedule to get any house work done so this is probably going to be harder on me than the boys. I really have to make school a priority in a way that I haven't been for a long while now. It has to be done whether house is clean or not. No more playing around in this house with priorities!