Christmas poem for curriculum junkies ;)

[5LittleMonkeys]

Last December I was knee deep in curricula that I didn't need and didn't like. This was beyond the "hey, this isn't effective and my kids hate it" search. I was truly obsessed with getting my hands on as much as I could because I was overcome with a feeling that what I had wasn't enough or good enough. I had been making myself sick looking for the newest and best out there and worse than that, I was neglecting my responsibilities and my dc in favor of scouring the internet. My dc decorated the tree without me the night I wrote this because I couldn't walk away from the computer.

 

I know some of you will remember it from last year but there are so many new people on here that I thought it would be nice to share with them too. It's not meant to chastise...just for fun and maybe as a reminder to some to take it easy on the "purchase now" button. I actually have this printed out next to my computer to remind me of the slope I slid down last year. Hope you all enjoy!:D

 

'Twas 10 minutes to midnight and all through the house not a creature was stirring except for me and my mouse.

The curriculum websites were all bookmarked and filed, while I had visions of great books to my ceiling being piled.

 

And me with my finger poised to click on the "buy", a little voice in my head said "Show some restraint - oh, please try!"

"Go away," I said. "I don't want a fight. I'll get all free shipping if I purchase tonight!"

 

"It's not fair" I cried out, "they all look so good." but the voice in my head said, "What if you could? Do you think your children would know what to do? They don't need more books, they just need more of you!"

 

I pondered on this - what was that voice trying to say? Did it not realize what a deal I could get on e-bay? I thought and pondered and wondered some more, then slowly my eyes drifted to the books on the floor.

 

Three writing, three phonics, four grammar and more, all sitting there unused except to prop open the door. I remember the hours spent scouring the sites and the money I spent would give Bill Gates a fright.

 

"Come away from the computer." My children would request. "I can't," I would say, "until I've found you the best." "But we don't want something different or new, we want you to teach us like you always used to."

 

I remember those days when we had just started out. "I will teach them myself!" I'd announced with a shout. And teach them I did with good books I'd picked and they learned and we laughed and it all somehow clicked.

 

So there I sat in the dark about to purchase some more. My children as usual would find it a boor. "No more," I said suddenly clicking the x on the page. "I'll no longer be a prisoner in this curriculum cage."

 

We already have plenty and we have quite enough, we don't need all the new flashy hyped up school stuff. We'll get back to basics and learning when ready. We'll stop switching our methods and stay calm and steady.

 

I'll use what I have and I'll create or borrow the rest, after all it's always been I who know my children the best. I know what they like and I know what they need. I'll not be tempted again by curriculum greed.

 

I'll teach them to honor the One from above. I'll teach them to laugh and to live and to love. Then I'll teach them the things that will make their minds grow and the things out of books that all kids ought to know.

 

I'll teach them that learning goes on everyday but not just in books but in how they live and they play. If when they are grown they remember one thing I've said, I want them to hear "Knowledge is power." from the voice in their heads.

 

Aime

[Chelle in MO]

Words to live by. That's great! I missed it last year.

[clarkacademy]

too funny

[tammyw]

I LOVE this one. And it's so very true!

[Tohru]

Thanks so much! Gosh, I wish I had read this when I first started homeschooling 8 years ago. For the first few years I went through so much money and bought so many different curricula, I could've started a bookstore!

[Hedgehog]

Thanks.. I enjoyed that.. a salutary reminder, particularly in light of the fact that a) I've been spending just a leeetle too much time looking for curricula online, and b) we don't even have our Christmas tree up yet! Let the fun begin!

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

I LOVE this! :) Would you mind if I posted it on my blog (with your name, of course)? If not, I totally understand, but I'd love to share it. :)

[Dolphin]

I have just printed this off to put next to my computer. Thank you, I needed that.

[5LittleMonkeys]

I LOVE this! :) Would you mind if I posted it on my blog (with your name, of course)? If not, I totally understand, but I'd love to share it. :)

 

No, I don't mind at all...I'm glad you liked it!:D

[missesd]

That is AWESOME!! I haven't fallen in this trap.... yet. It's our 1st year here on the forum and with classical education though so I always wonder and worry if that will change. Reading your poem above gives me strength not to cave ;)

[LazyDazy]

I love, love, love this! Thank you for reposting this. It sounds like a perfect hs motto or credo even.:thumbup: