A while back, after reading an article by one of my favorite homeschool mothers, Diane Hopkins, I decided to make a list of the long term goals I wanted my boys to accomplish and long term values for them to learn and shape their character by. After moving into our new house, and finding myself wanting to de-junk so desperately, I did a thorough organization of the new library in our home knowing that this room would be the most used and loved room in the house. I got a huge box and started throwing away anything that I considered "junk". I found I had wasted a lot of money on needless things for our homeschool, but found that when I would come across a favorite lesson book or reading book, I would treat it like gold, unfolding the bent pages and hoping it would last many more years for the next children to use. I imagined their little minds getting lost in these great books like mine did when I was a young girl. I imagined the journeys they would embark while reading Treasure Island, Little Women, The Indian in the Cupboard, Little House on the Prairie, and Louis L'amour's extensive collection as I unpacked the books and set them in their new place on the bookshelf.
I came across a folder that had written on it, "Things I want my boys and girls to learn in homeschool". I opened it and found the list I had made years ago when my oldest was still a baby. This was more than gold to me. I am so glad I had kept this folder. I thought I would share with you some of the things I wrote down that were important to me.
1. He has a strong testimony
2. He is respectful of authority and his elders
3. He can read very well
4. He is socially at ease
5. He has a positive influence on others
6. He knows how to find information that he doesn't know
7. He can accompany hymns on the piano
8. He can mend his shirt/pants if needed
9. He can build his own home when the time comes
10. He holds doors open for women and children
11. He can iron his own shirt
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20. He can change the oil in a car, fix a flat tire, charge a battery
21. He can find a stud in a wall
22. He can speak another language
23. He reads his scriptures daily
24. He can make and accomplish personal goals
25. He is willing to serve and help others
26. He can cook at least three meals (other than from a can)
27. He is honest
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40. He has a thorough understanding of his American History and Family Heritage
41. He is a leader
and it goes on and on.
For Her:
many of the same things are repeated for her, but I did jot down some different things that I thought were important for girls to know
1. She has a strong testimony
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20. She can cut hair
21. She can bake bread
22. She can sew clothing if needed
23. She can tie and bind a quilt
24. She can make a bottle
25. She knows what to do for a fever, rash, and a cold
26. She can bottle and preserve food for her family
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and the list goes on and on as well
I am so glad I wrote these things down, and more importantly, found them again. It helps remind me of the things I need to put in priority when I set out each day to teach and train my children. What a blessing it is to be able to teach my children! I learn something new every single day!
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