I was hanging out with some “serious” moms the other day who were really heavy into a conversation about homeschooling and I watched our children play and some children appeared as if they were starving from boredom. This conversation was oh, so deep. Ha! Initially, I thought that I had lighten things up a bit with my usual weird comments (as some call them). Although, I call them eclectic comments. I have a lot of ideas scrambling around up there and they don’t always come out in proper order, you know. Then my ADHHHHHD brain began to wonder off into “La La Land”. Soon the only thing that I could hear was the voice of Charlie Brown’s teacher…”waa wa waa wa wa wa.” Now, I love curriculum and school talk, don’t get me wrong but I’m so glad that I can relax and have fun.
I’ve been told several times that I not only look younger than my age (tapping on 40) but I behave younger than my age also. I don’t mind that compliment at all. I love being silly. There’s a time and a place for silliness, of course, but I love putting on the silliest especially around my gang.
There have been times when I had strutted to the dining room table, our schoolroom, with my pants jacked up waist high and my hair wildly dressed on my head. I would announce that I was Bobby Sue and here to teach their class for today while speaking in my strongly accentuated southern drawl. Sometimes, I would enter our schoolroom wearing my many accessories, chewing my gum and appearing ghettofabulous in all my glory. I would announce that my name was Shaniqua and I was their teacher for the day while snapping my fingers and rolling my neck around. The gang would just practically fall out of their seats with laughter.
When I appear as myself, they would beg for one of their “substitute” teachers to appear. What am I? Chopped liver? Ha! They love those characters. I also love getting down on the floor to color with my toddler, playing ball with my boys, dressing up like story characters and creating silly jokes or making funny endings to the “serious” read alouds that we share in history or science sometimes. Now, don’t think that I’m the only one. Hubby gets in on the silly act also. They get a real kick out of Dad’s goofiness as well.
Not long ago, I had been stressing pondering over rearranging my schedule in order to ensure that every I is dotted and every T is crossed but a great homeschool mom, who is also a sweet friend, had influenced me to drop the times from my schedule. Just teach and go with the flow! What better way to ensure an environment for laughing and learning than by dropping a constriction to times? How fun is that? We are loving it, loving it, loving it! Thanks, Roan!
Well, school is ending for some and others are homeschooling year round as we do but in whatever you do, just remember to go with the flow. Don’t think too seriously or too hard. Don’t push yourself to the point of pulling out your hair over curriculum or schedules. Just have fun and let the curiosity of your children and the joy of learning be your guide. What are some ways that you incorporate the fun factor into your days?
One of the easiest ways to have fun in our house is for ME to just say YES! My boys will inevitably ask me to do something with them… and if I say YES instead of “not now” or “what?!”, the joy and laughter are bound to follow.
Oh, and we often incorporate jumping jacks into our daily lessons. I don’t know why, but they think it is immensely fun and funny to do jumping jacks. Spelling and math go especially well with it!
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Oh, that sounds like a great way to incorporate PE, Marsha! That would work great on the rainy days around here lately.
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Thank You Kysha! I need to be a LOT less serious, here.
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THAT’S it….we ARE moving next door…ya’ll sound like the kind of family we’d just LOVE!!!
and I want to MEET Bobby Sue…..
in person….with her accent and all….
I’m the one who drives this boat…if I relax…they relax…if I am goofy they are goofy…
come on…you know the words…
“Moms just wanna have fun….”
(some of us need the refresher course!)
GREAT POST!!
keep an eye out for that moving van….
LOVE THE GLASSES!! you made me smile!!
lori
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I’m so glad I read this today. I was going to set aside time to write up my “schedule” to make sure we start getting “serious” about homeschooling. Ha!!!
Thanks!!!
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I love your advice to go with the flow. We’ve gotten away from that during the school year, but our summers are definitely more relaxing. My hubby is the “fun” parent who likes to read books “funny” and do other things to make the kids laugh. It seems our kids laugh quite a bit every day, so we must be doing something right.
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I do characters too! I am kind of quiet with other people, but with my kids I am a spaz!
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What a great reminder for someone (like myself) who loves schedules, but can never live up to them!
Thanks for sharing!
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I am the same way about schedules, guys! I have changed it upteen times this year before dropping the times. What a difference it has made!
Randi, I am the quiet one around here too! I think that the characters allow my inner self to be revealed. Ha!
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that was some great advice for a new homeschool mom like me.. I am still trying to figure out our “style” of homeschooling.. and I started out with a schedule for every half hour.. and slowly I have been relaxing that schedule b/c it’s more stressful for all of us when we are trying t fit things in our schedule. I am thinking about waiting to write my lesson plans until AFTER our day is done and use our books as a loose guide.. i think we will all have more fun.. now if I could loosen up a bit more to act silly I know the kids would enjoy it.
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Kysha… you are a riot! So um, can we see some of these… uh other personalities you have?? *Ü* That would be fun!
If you liked the jumping jack idea… how about when learning prepositions have the kids “act” it out. Under, over through…. both girls did that when we were learning them and it was fun….
Loved the post Kysha…
Lisa~
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Thank you! You’ve inspired me to loosen up a bit! Life’s easier the more you laugh!
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Lisa, that is a great idea! I’m stealing that one!
Lori, you can come over anytime and join this crazy bunch. I know you will fit right in. Ha!
Louisiana Momma and Nikowa, I am so glad that inspired you to loosen things up a bit. Now, you know that you are going to have to post some pics of those fun filled days, right?
My dc couldn’t believe it when they saw their “Incredible” poses posted this morning. They dressed like those characters while doing chores. It’s one way to get them pumped about cleaning. LOL!
It worked!
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LOVE the photos! LOVE the post! Would LOVE to be your neighbor!
We’re a bit wacky at our house, too…must be to survive. Thanks for the smile and encouragement.
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Kysha, I think you would be a great neighbor. I can imagine sitting on the porch with you sipping a cup of sweet tea or lemonade and just enjoying life. I wish you lived next door.
I love that home schooling gives us the flexibility to alter our days. I have my moments with my kids making them laugh, though I am the more serious parent. They especially like it when I start to dance…though they act like they don’t. But that’s what teenagers are supposed to do isn’t it? Act like their parents are SO outdated!
Hugs,
Julie
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I think I went to school with Shaniqua!
Girl you crack me up but you are so right on target. Hugs!
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TOO TOO funny. . . and Totally sounds like my household! love love love your personality, the post, your humor and inspiration.
Thanks girl
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I know we’d get along because I’m the same way! I love trying on new “characters” and the kids love it too!
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Thanks for the inspiration!
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