Those of you who have read my series: Nature vs. Nurture, Season 1, will know that I am a mother of thoroughness. I don’t believe in half jobs. In my reality, we only give 100%. Even when it becomes boring, or sudden loss of interest. When we need to do something, we do it to complete the task and the work needs to be 100% correct. Because in life, the ones who can offer excellence for their work, are the only ones who will be granted the benefits of their efforts and pick the fruits of it.

That’s why we homeschool.

At our home, there is only 100 out of 100 ‘marks’ given. Otherwise, you simply do not move forward. No such thing as completing Gr. 4, 5 or whatever, until your work for that phase is 100% accurate and complete. This includes the day to day tasks, in- and outside of the home as well – or what we can refer to as life skills.

This kind of attention-disciplining, brings about my realization and awareness of the importance of revision and oversight on my child’s work. Now, I am no school teacher. I have no degree as such. So you must be wondering how I am able to review and assess my child. Well, aside from me knowing my child inside and out, it is quite simple.

I learn with her, the work I forgot from my school days. Which, in a way makes me her co-learner in many ways and proudly so. The rest I apply from my already existing knowledge which I picked up over the 44 years of my existence on this planet.

If all else fails, there is always the supporting homeschooling groups, the internet and YouTube, which I can turn to when I myself don’t know or remember a concept.

When I oversee my child’s work, I give her clear indications of where she went wrong and what needs to be done in order to correct it and I always hold her accountable.

We normally take Saturday mornings, where she then gets the opportunity to fix all the mistakes she made. If a mistake is still not fixed, she then has to go back on Sunday morning to fix it. Even if we are out for the day somewhere, she simply has to take her books with her and redo her faulty work.

In this way, I ensure not only discipline is practiced, but she learns that she creates the outcome of her efforts in her life, hence is responsible for her own happiness by having extra free time or not, on weekends. I always ensure neat / tidiness are practiced at no compromise, thoroughness and most importantly – the foundation of the work is understood. If it is not the case, we start again.

I live by the motto: “Foundation is key”. If the foundation is solid, anything that is built on top of that, will be solid for the remaining of that person’s life.

After all, isn’t it wonderful when you have employees do their jobs with excellence in life?

I certainly wish to send an excellent adult into the world when I as a home educator finally get to hang up my gloves.

Joyful homeschooling everyone!

Charlene