Social Graces Should Surround Us

In the daily life of homeschooling it can be easy to forget some key points.  Yes, assignments need to get done.  Yes, appointments have to be kept.  Yes, household duties need to be completed.  The list goes on...

As parents we are privileged to be able to spend our days with our children.  Teaching them academics, but also the social graces needed for a fruitful life.  All the academics are great, but will only turn out a knowledgeable adult without the common sense on how to use that knowledge for a greater good.

So how can we teach these social graces?  Definitely not from a book.  You can get ideas and inspirations from books but the ultimate lesson is in modeling those characteristics.  Characteristics that are so important that they will make a lasting impression on our children.  We can also encourage them to follow our example and look for ways to grow in social graces. 

5 Great Ways to Get Started

1.  How often there are events or social gatherings where someone new is present.  No one really knows the new girl and she might sit off to the side or by herself.  Do we look around the room to see an opportunity to introduce ourselves and make them feel welcomed?

 2.  A familiar scene is when a group of women are chatting and a person comes up that knows one of the women in the group and chats only with them.  Does the woman coming up make a point to say hello to the others and meet them?  Does her friend make a point to tell everyone, "This is my friend ____." and a little bit about her to initiate conversation. 

 3.  It is easy to remind our children to say please and thank you.  Do we use these words with our children as well?  Or just shoot out commands?  Do we tell our friends please and thank you?  Spouses like to hear it too. 

 4.  Opportunities to serve a family or individual in need are constant.  Bringing a meal, mowing a lawn, running errands, taking care of children or the sick and elderly are all beautiful gifts that are deeply appreciated by the recipients.  It shows love in action.  Involving our kids to help us with these tasks makes them all the sweeter.  We get to spend time with our children bringing love to others.

 5.  Teaching your children to pray for others is invaluable.  It not only teaches them where true trust lies as we put our humble requests at God's throne, but it shows compassion for others in an outspoken way.  The children hear our prayers for a special intention and can create their own because they have heard real life examples. 

 In reality living social graces is living as a Christian.  Including others so they don't feel left out, taking into consideration another's thoughts and feelings about a situation, saying we are sorry when we have done wrong, forgiving those that have hurt us, looking for opportunities to bring joy to others, these are just some of the daily lessons that really make the homeschool education more than just a set of academic requirements.

Is it that time already?

Spring Cleaning is in the air!  Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?  Honestly, I don't think I'ver ever done "Spring Cleaning".  I think it is a great concept and works well for a lot of people.  It just hasn't been a good fit for me and my family. 

Why?  I just don't have the time or the energy to do an intense overhaul of my entire home.  Maybe I will some day but until then we live in a filthy house!  No, just kidding.  Our house is not immaculate with 11 people running all over it, but we do try to maintain cleanliness and orderliness.  Here is our method:

All Year Cleaning! 

I begin by making a list of all the rooms in the house including the linen closet, garage and outdoors. 

Then I combine the items on that list to end up with 12 numbered areas.  I usually combine the smaller spots together like linen closet and hall closet together and leave the big areas like the garage to stand alone. 

Once I have my list of 12, I assign a month to each number.  Months that are busier for us, like December tend to get the easier spots from the list of 12.  Months where the schedule is relaxed get the bigger jobs.

Each month I know which areas are going to get a complete overhaul and we have the whole month to get it done!  A complete overhaul means cleaning beyond the daily duties for us.  Washing the windows and window coverings, cleaning out light fixtures, taking everything out of drawers or cabinets and reviewing what to keep and get rid of, rearranging for efficiency, and so forth. 

This method has been so enjoyable because you feel a sense of accomplishment all year long!  It helps keep things from piling up that are not used or need replacing.  No worries about items collecting dust because they have been hidden in the back of drawers or closets for years.

Broken toys get fixed or tossed, items in good condition that are no longer needed can be donated, and space is opened up for a cleaner and more organized look that makes daily life easier!

If "Spring Cleaning" doesn't fit your family then maybe you need a year to get it done like us! 

We've moved!  Now comes the unpacking and household set-up.  It is a lot of work and no matter how much we do it seems like there is still so much more!

No complaints here.  We are relishing in our new found space and enjoying having a spot to put things away.  My daughters were amazed that they could see their clothes in the closet! 

Now it's back to work!