Role Switch

In September 2006, my husband found his back problems interfering with his work so much that he had to stop work. It was a difficult decision and also for myself suddenly having to go back to work after teaching Matthew at home for over two and a half years. I found a job within the week and we talked every thing over with the children - asking how they felt about having Dad teach them, about Mum working, about having to help Dad about the house due to his back - and they seemed fine.

I think Denis was petrified of having to teach them and requested that I spend time at the weekends preparing their work so he could simply assist them during the week. I on the other hand was petrified of working full time as I had only had part time jobs occasionally during the past fourteen years.

Our first week, we kept in touch every lunch time by me phoning home at lunch time and Denis sat most days to do some maths with them then spent some time doing fun things. After the first week however - he no longer wanted me to set the work and has happily slotted into the role without any hesitation, even enjoying doing the research online for chemistry and science sites, printing maths, finding fact and fictional headlines for English and even spending Tuesdays with my parents and the children together teaching them woodwork and needlework.

The children too have gained a renewed interest in their own education by having a change from Mum to Dad and the inclusion of support from my parents. Matthew has been making bird boxes and selling them for £5.50 each. The money goes towards his next projects. He had to learn about the type of bird the boxes are for and started with Blue Tit boxes but will be making Owl boxes next week. He then had to learn how to put up a box and care for it, including the best location so he could advise his customers. Matthew also had to take a photo of a finished box and create his own marketing poster, take care of the money and even communication with the customers all come under his "Education" in a real life manner instead of a "simulated" classroom situation.

Heidi has now decided to work towards being a guitar teacher. She is DETERMINED with a capital D to start taking her grades this year and continues practicing for several hours a day. This was a luxury she could little afford with such vast amounts of homework and now she can even direct her other subjects such as history and culture around music.

I cannot think of a better way to prepare for life than by learning directly from life and being a part of life - not just studying it in a theoretical book.

Don't be afraid to be who you want to be this year.
If you can't, how will your children learn to?
Here's to a very happy and fruitful 2007.