My neighbor, Karen, is a homeschooling mother of seven. Her children and my grandchildren are best of friends and play together regularly. Observing my grandparenting style, Karen often tells me that she wants to be just like me when she "grows up." I do believe that veteran homeschool moms make a special breed of grandmothers. It's not that other grandmothers aren't special and loving, it's just that we have a special insight into what our grown homeschooling children are going through.
Here are some things that make us special:
1. We keep special books and curriculum to pass on to the grandchildren.
I passed on boxes and boxes of books to my daughter. This gave her a wide variety of resources for expanding on her curriculum choices. She has the resources to branch off on almost any subject and do a unit study.2. We understand the struggles.
What a prize possession to have a veteran homeschooler at your beckon call to draw upon when the need be. I am always available to answer questions and offer suggestions when my grandchildren are struggling with a concept.3. We understand the value of "school time."
As a homeschool mom that's been through it, we know all too well and understand what a phone call can do to a homeschool lesson and how easy it is to lose the kid's attention and the momentum of the day.4. We are mindful to provide educational gifts.
For birthdays and holidays, I naturally look for things that will add to their educational experience: woodworking bench and projects, typewriter, hands-on projects, educational games, etc.5. We love to go on homeschool field trips and park days.
I join in with field trips and park days whenever possible. Experiencing these things with my grandchildren brings back sweet memories. It helps my daughter to have me on hand to help with the younger children so she can tend to the activities with the older children.6. We watch the younger kids.
Grandmas can be available to keep the babies and toddlers when the field trips or activities are not appropriate for younger kids.7. We can step in and do the homeschooling when needed.
There have been times when being a veteran homeschooler has come in handy and I've filled in as the "teacher." Because I'm very close with my daughter, I know where the children are academically and what they're strengths and weaknesses are. I've done this during times of illnesses or just to give mom a break.8. A visit to grandma's can be an educational experience.
When my grandchildren visit, we often end up doing a science experiment, art project, playing outside games or board games, cooking or sewing together, or doing some other project.
