By Heather Fuhrimann

Our family plans on starting structured time schooling again August 2nd and that doesn’t mean just the kids going back to school. The philosophies of A Thomas Jefferson Education that influence our homeschooling involves me too. One of those philosophies involves mom…. “It’s about YOU, not them.” If they don’t see me studying then how can I expect the same of them? All too often though they see my studies in scrapbooking and knitting as craft time. While I may be researching techniques to apply or following a pattern… to them it looks like fun and not the work that they are accomplishing. So I thought this fall during our structured time, there would also be “schooling for mom.” What is glorious about this is that it forces me to take the time to learn something that I have been putting off or to read something I haven’t. I thought for now, a modest goal of reading four books and a topic to delve into and then share with my kids would be a mother-sized goal for me. So when we go to the Library, I have a task of books to seek out as they do. They can see me study in a way they do and not just in the fun ways.

So lets start with the four books. I figured I should get back to working on the Thomas Jefferson Education 5 Pillars Certification books and also put the requirement that I write a book report about each one.

Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew

Holt, How Children Learn

Lewis, The Abolition of Man

Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin

So…. what about this project? I figure that it needed to be something that I want to learn a skill in. Perhaps something that would put me out of my comfort zone…. just a little. I was thinking perhaps Photography. Perhaps I could sign up for a class through the rec center or community college, but then I wondered if it would inspire in me a huge dissatisfaction with our camera. Well that is one option, but what else?

I also really need to learn to sew. The kids wants so many costumes and what nots… it would be nice to have the talents to do those things. But once again, I worry that the kids will think I am having more fun than them. Hehehehe! Part of my reason for doing this is, that not only do I want to make cool things but I also want Cassie to have these skills going into her adult life (and some basic sewing at least for the boys too) as I didn’t have them. So perhaps a class at JoAnn’s fabric or the Rec Center.So for now, I have at least two topics to ponder and decide on. So how about you? What do you plan on learning this coming fall. Don’t forget to take time to continue learning yourselves.