As a parent the most important thing about this way of educating is that your child sees learning as a natural part of life, there is something to learn from everything and everyone. Education is a life long journey, not a destination.
There is no one way to education, as we all know our learning did not stop once we finished school. The way we receive information is unique to all of us, as we all learn differently. As adults we acquire new skills all the time. Whether it is for a new job or a new hobby. Then many of us become parents and that is the ultimate crash course in educating yourself constantly. As your children grow and hit different ages you have to learn different ways to help them and support them through those stages of development. There is no manual to parenting right? There are a lot of different ways you can prepare yourself however. There are a number of books to read on various aspects on parenting, courses to take and for the lucky ones having family and friends that support us through the process as well. Ultimately though it is up to us to choose what aligns with the way we want to raise our children. For me taking responsibility for your child’s education is a fundamental aspect of your role in their upbringing.
One of the most powerful messages i have come across since becoming a mother has been from a book called The Prophet, by khalil Gibran. The quote below is a segment on his take on children.
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
To me this so eloquently explains my thoughts on the fact that we, as parents, are our children’s guides and support systems. They are their own beings, that do not need others thoughts and ways of being to be pushed upon them. They have their own unique soul print that is meant to be supported so they can reach their full potential. They cannot achieve this level of self fulfilment if they are to be treated as machines that need to be programed, sat down and have information drilled into them exactly the same ways as thousands of their children. Disregarding them as individual beings does nothing but creating disconnect and unhappiness.
Lifeschooling is a concept that can be adapted and utalised whether you send your child to a conventional education facility or homeschool. Whichever way you choose fits your family life. There are many ways to do this.
If your child attends a conventional education facility then out of school hours are crucial times for you to equip your child with holistic approach to life. Fill the gaps the school has left behind in their education. Research subjects from different angles and view points. Teach them to always research before making up their mind about anything. There is always two sides to every story, and as we all know history favours the writer.
Blessings,
Asli
