Raising Real Men, part 7
Chapter 9 was a bit over my head, so to speak, because it was about teaching kids about money. Now, my kids can certainly learn about money at their ages (well, at least a couple of them), and I certainly need some guidance in how to teach them about it. Yet, this chapter dealt with teaching children about checking accounts, balancing check books, and using a credit card responsibly. I am not there yet, that is for sure! I need to come back and read this chapter in about 7 years :)
Chapter 10 is titled "Your Own School for Boys." Now, this is a chapter I can learn from presently! Here are some great points...
"Is it possible to hold a boy's attention? Yes, but it may take more energy and noise and activity than you expect." (p. 160)
Haha, now that I can believe and relate to :) One thing I was convicted with was to remember that my boys' "distractability" and tendencies to simply not hear me when I'm talking is not necessarily a sin that needs to be disciplined. It is simply a (big) gender difference that I need to sometimes handle, sometimes just deal with, and sometimes work around.
The activity level of my boys often amazes me. They are all individuals, and this comes out in their different energy levels as well. Justus does not like to sleep (never has), and when Titus and Eli get into their "zones," they can be louder and rougher and wilder than Justus has ever been. Whatever the day or moment seems to be filled with, it was nice to read that it is "okay" if I need to stop whatever we're doing and become a sergeant for a few minutes, making one or all of them take a break to run some laps, climb the stairs a few times, or do some jumping jacks. As much as I would like to have quiet reading, writing, and learning going on throughout the day, it is probably not going to happen with much frequency. I loved the reminder in the book, though, that this is one of the joys of homeschooling my boys! The classroom is not set up for boys and their crazy energy levels. MY classroom, however, can nurture and provide for this trait God has created them with. Some ideas from the book:
Chapter 10 is titled "Your Own School for Boys." Now, this is a chapter I can learn from presently! Here are some great points...
- Boys need goals, and with homeschooling, goals provide something for them to conquer that day.
- A list can help in their efforts to accomplish their goals.
- A list can also give them the opportunity to be in control of their own schedule and when they start and finish certain things...all based on the end goal and the "light at the end of the tunnel."
- The desire to race and compete in nearly everything they do can also be brought into the "schoolroom" full of boys. The Young's incorporate drills, races to finish schoolwork first, and various academic contests to encourage their boys in their work.
"Is it possible to hold a boy's attention? Yes, but it may take more energy and noise and activity than you expect." (p. 160)
Haha, now that I can believe and relate to :) One thing I was convicted with was to remember that my boys' "distractability" and tendencies to simply not hear me when I'm talking is not necessarily a sin that needs to be disciplined. It is simply a (big) gender difference that I need to sometimes handle, sometimes just deal with, and sometimes work around.
The activity level of my boys often amazes me. They are all individuals, and this comes out in their different energy levels as well. Justus does not like to sleep (never has), and when Titus and Eli get into their "zones," they can be louder and rougher and wilder than Justus has ever been. Whatever the day or moment seems to be filled with, it was nice to read that it is "okay" if I need to stop whatever we're doing and become a sergeant for a few minutes, making one or all of them take a break to run some laps, climb the stairs a few times, or do some jumping jacks. As much as I would like to have quiet reading, writing, and learning going on throughout the day, it is probably not going to happen with much frequency. I loved the reminder in the book, though, that this is one of the joys of homeschooling my boys! The classroom is not set up for boys and their crazy energy levels. MY classroom, however, can nurture and provide for this trait God has created them with. Some ideas from the book:
- Working while standing
- Listening to read-alouds while playing or rolling around on the floor
- Stretching out while doing various work
- Pacing
- Squeezing a tennis ball
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