Jeff would insist that he’s not a teacher.
He gives lectures and talks in universities around the world as a guest speaker/lecturer but he would always emphasise that he’s not a teacher. But the kids and I discovered this week that Daddy can be the person that he never thought he can become.
I was overwhelmed and exhausted after the Monday session that I had to put my foot down and admit that I need another warm body to do the teaching. I left Jeff with no choice. I was expecting for the worst. Even Antoinette said so because our past experience was proof that Daddy is not the best at teaching using textbooks.
But I was wrong in not giving Jeff a chance and in not considering the fact that the Charlotte Mason method we are now following (10 to 15 minutes per subject and the utilization of living books and NOT textbooks) can actually spell a huge difference in his commitment and enthusiasm to be a teacher to our children.
In the last four days that I have taken a leave of absence from teaching, Jeff taught Hymns, Literature, Math, Science, Composer Study, Art Appreciation History, Geography, and Biography. The other subjects consisting of Folk Song, Nature Study, Copywork, Chinese, and Filipino were alternately led/facilitated by Nick, Toni, and JJ. Nick and Toni are eight years old while JJ is six. I am happy to report that there are subject areas now that they can accomplish on their own. It helps when one of our goals as parents is to raise independent children.
Jeff said he was surprised that he can actually do it: teaching the kids. I don’t know how he managed work and teaching the kids but he told me that if I am able to do it, there’s not reason why he can’t.
The kids love Daddy as a teacher compared to Daddy as the principal. He doesn’t take pictures but focuses on getting things done. There’s also a deliberate instruction to keep their voices down so Mom can have interrupted sleep. Jeff is able to administer lessons in shorter periods than me. The kids like it. Daddy is swift but complete, they said.
I am suspicious though. SOMETHING is off if you start sessions at 7:45 a.m. and end at 10:45 a.m. But that’s just me and my ever skeptical brain. I feel like micromanaging now and check some of the workbooks (especially Math) but this pesky flu and this asthma is giving me very little energy so I chose to believe the children’s assessment of their Dad and Dad’s words during our debriefing sessions.
Daddy/Jeff and I agreed that he will teach the kids two out of the five days and will gladly substitute the days when I have too much work to do. I agreed to take over “his days” when he has work to do too.
We have a lot of fun homeschooling our children but things did not just miraculously happen that way. Homeschooling our children involves a lot of planning and coordination; lots of tears and frustrating moments too. And when you’re like me who has the tendency to plan for perfect executions and yet things don’t turn out the way I want them to be, you would often times end up disappointed.
But I’m aware of this part of myself so when the alarm bells start ringing, I pause and count from one to 10.
Our homeschooling set-up is not in any way ideal. There is so much room for improvement starting off with having a regular helper that can help me with never-ending household chores. This is subject to another discussion.
What I am grateful at this very moment is being able to express and communicate my thoughts and my feelings to the members of this family so we can be better together. I love that Jeff listens and goes out of his way to be truly part of our homeschooling life. We are still miles away from what we envision this homeschooling journey would be but with Jeff embracing the challenge of being more hands on with the children’s education, I am hopeful that we will get there.
We will.
I am certain.
