As I type this, my older kids have been playing Legos together for 2 hours. It's not even the building of Legos. It's some kind of "pretend" game where they are constantly talking back and forth. They did the same thing yesterday...immediately after homeschooling, they ran to the living room to play Legos together, and played quite well for some time until I had them clean up. Some of the things I wanted out of homeschooling was peace, harmony, and generally just concern for each others feelings. Already, I am noticing that my kids are getting along better. They are playing together without screaming and tattling, and for longer than 10 minutes :) They used to do that all the time but I was noticing that as they got older, they were starting to separate.
They also are going out of their way to make little ones feel better when they cry. Today, Payton offered to help Bella with her preschool book when she was crying while I made lunch, and later, when Tyson was throwing a fit about going to bed KT said, "Kiki read you a book?" In her best baby voice. I've missed this kind of compassion and empathy...it's just been lacking lately. Summer and the lazy days of not wanting to do anything had robbed us of some of it, and I think that now that we are in a routine, working together, there is definitely more stability which brings PEACE.
During school of course we have the typical sibling rival battles. Payton laughs at Katrina getting an answer wrong. She titters at a drawing of the "Mona Lisa" that he attempted. (It was pretty hilarious!) But through all their comments I am right there, able to say, "Hey, don't forget that we are a team! Instead of laughing, you should be encouraging your Brother/Sister to do their best."
"Now.....give me 5 extra math problems!" :)
I LOVE playing the teacher!
They also are going out of their way to make little ones feel better when they cry. Today, Payton offered to help Bella with her preschool book when she was crying while I made lunch, and later, when Tyson was throwing a fit about going to bed KT said, "Kiki read you a book?" In her best baby voice. I've missed this kind of compassion and empathy...it's just been lacking lately. Summer and the lazy days of not wanting to do anything had robbed us of some of it, and I think that now that we are in a routine, working together, there is definitely more stability which brings PEACE.
During school of course we have the typical sibling rival battles. Payton laughs at Katrina getting an answer wrong. She titters at a drawing of the "Mona Lisa" that he attempted. (It was pretty hilarious!) But through all their comments I am right there, able to say, "Hey, don't forget that we are a team! Instead of laughing, you should be encouraging your Brother/Sister to do their best."
"Now.....give me 5 extra math problems!" :)
I LOVE playing the teacher!
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