Sonlight has been our homeschool curriculum of choice. I like, no…I love the excellent and well-rounded selections that we read within their core curriculum.
Sometimes, though, in the ups and downs of homeschool questionings, I wonder if I’m wasting my time reading these selections.
I wonder if I should discard them to focus more on phonics instruction, handwriting, math, etc.
This weekend, though, I discovered that the lessons we’ve learned through our Bible stories, historical and moral readings through Sonlight’s core curriculum are beyond measureable.
Last week we read the story of “George Washington and the Cherry Tree†in The Children’s Book of Virtues.
We read the story of our first president who, even in the facing of a disappointed father and pending “troubleâ€, could not tell a lie.
I reminded the girls that we shouldn’t tell lies even when they’ll get us out of trouble. MC’s responded with, “No! Because your nose will grow BIG!!â€
Um….maybe not.
That’s another story.
But we did have a good discussion together about the importance of being honest.
You never know what your children are internalizing when you read a story or have a discussion. It always surprises me just how much they are learning, growing and maturing right before my eyes.
On Saturday, Keith and I were working to finish up some decorating in our house.
A very special picture that was given to Keith as a gift was leaning against the wall in our hallway while we decided exactly where and how to hang it.
And then the kids got up from their quiet time and we got busy with them, forgetting about the special picture in the hallway.
That is, until Keith suddenly noticed a hole the size of a small foot in the paper backing of his picture.
As you can well imagine, he was quite upset about this.
He asked Will and EA if they had anything to do with it.
Both of them said they didn’t.
MC was outside on the porch at the time and wasn’t asked about it.
Keith took the picture upstairs while I continued to work downstairs.
I noticed that MC wasn’t playing happily outside anymore.
She was crying, her hands placed over her eyes.
I assumed that she was crying to come inside so I impatiently opened the door for her to come in and sent her to play.
She continued crying.
When her Daddy came back downstairs and questioned why she was crying, she blurted out that she was so sorry because she was the one that broke his picture.
Through her tears, she repeatedly stated, “I’m so sorry. I’m just so sorry. It was me. I did it. I’m so sorry, Daddy. I broke your picture.â€
Keith took this precious little girl in his arms and hugged her, trying to console her tears.
Tears began to flow down my own face at the sight of my baby being so genuinely upset, but also displaying such growth in being honest with us.
We both told her that we were just so proud of her that she told us the truth on her own and that it meant so much more than a picture that can be repaired.
MC looked at me and asked, “Why are you crying, Mommy?â€
I told her it was because she was.
And it was, but it was so much more than that too.
I had the privilege of seeing a moral lesson learned.
Just like young George Washington telling the truth about cutting down his father’s cherry tree, MC told the truth about her Daddy’s picture, knowing that telling the truth could land her in trouble.
And it’s for that reason that I will continue spending time reading to my children.
That is why I stand by my choice to homeschool.
That is also why I love our curriculum that includes wonderful stories with moral lessons.
This post is included in Tuesday’s Unwrapped at Chatting the Sky and Real Life Blog’s Your Life, Your Blog.
Shanna says
I love this! That is the girls’ favorite story from The Children’s Book of Virtues, which is probably one of my favorite books from that core. It not only has great stories, but it is just a beautifully illustrated book. What a wonderful way to see your reading become relevant for these precious and impressionable preschool years.
Linda@cookingtipoftheday says
You shouldn’t second guess yourself… you made a decision after thinking carefully about it… it was a wise decision… your children will learn more than just reading and writing… they will learn about morals and God and how to trust in Him. To often we think of school to just learn the mechanics of things… we need to also teach them how to live a Christian life.
I couldn’t homeschool… it wasn’t an option… I was a widow and had to work… but I scraped together enough money to pay for Catholic school… we aren’t Catholic… we’re Lutheran… but I wanted Erik to have a well rounded education… and not a secular one… and the Catholic schools offered the best alternative… he attended k-12…. I’m glad I did it….
.-= Linda@cookingtipoftheday´s last blog ..Recipe: Banana Sour Cream Muffins with Mascarpone Frosting =-.
Luke Holzmann says
Thank you so much for writing this. It was super encouraging to me today. Thank you!
~Luke
.-= Luke Holzmann´s last blog ..Three Things I Do Not Understand… =-.
Amy @ Click Clack Mom says
What a beautiful story, Monica! It is so amazing when you can see the lessons you teach play out into reality. My husband is ALWAYS saying that people learn through stories. Your own narrative just proved it. Hope all is well with you.
.-= Amy @ Click Clack Mom´s last blog ..Dealing with a Deployment =-.
LifeAtTheCircus says
This is such a sweet story. What a precious moment for all of you. Thanks for sharing. I love your family!
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..Our Valentine’s Tradition =-.
Jenny in Ca says
beautiful, beautiful story, I got all teared up! We are loving Sonlight this year, too.
Melissa Multitasking Mama says
What a precious parenting moment!
.-= Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Road Trip =-.