"I'd Rather be Dumb..."

While reading the book, "A Mom Just Like You," by Vickie Farris and Jayme Farris Metzgar, I was struck to the core by an article that she referenced on p.131-133. If you are a homeschooling mama who is struggling (like me) with teaching the older kids with the toddlers at your feet, this is a must read!!!

One morning while I was trying to help seven-year old Ryan with his math, and our toddler, Earl, was repeatedly bothering him despite my efforts to keep him entertained. He started to pull on Ryan's pencil and would not let go.

I let out a sigh and started looking out the window daydreaming about how it would be if I just had two or three children and no little ones around. I never said anything to anyone out loud, but I thought of all the hours of uninterrupted schoolwork that we could get done, the great unit studies and crafts that we could do, and the great wealth of knowledge that my children could have.

"Mommy," Ryan called out, and his voice brought me back to reality. "I'd rather be dumb and have Earlie than be very smart and not have him." His words hit me like a ton of bricks.

It occurred to me to make sure I kept my priorities the way they should be.

Toddlers and babies take naps, and we can schedule subjects that demand complete attention for those times.

We may not take all the field trips that we'd like, due to the sheer hassle of getting six young children ready, but it causes us to spend more relaxed time at home instead of rushing about.

We spend more time reading out loud when there is a newborn who needs lots of nursing and cuddling.

True, we may get fewer "projects" done, but my children are developing into real servants who like to help their siblings. Aren't our children our ultimate "projects" anyway? The joy that the little ones bring to us far surpasses any craft or science project or field trip.

As for Ryan, he got his pencil back and finished his math. He has tested very well and gone on far above "grade level" in most subjects.

As I thought about his words that day, I realized that I have a very wise little boy who has a lot to teach his mother.

After quoting the article, Farris provides the following encouragement.

This mother learned a lesson that none of us should forget: our young children are a tremendous blessing for the entire family. The "challenge of multiple age levels" is a good problem to have! I have spoken with so many women who would love to have more children, but are unable to. Others, who have watched their youngest child leave home, would love to have some of those years back again. Be thankful for the time you have with your little ones. The time for getting "important projects" done will come all too soon. The time with your "ultimate projects" -your children - is shorten than you think.

Man, did I need to hear this and I would venture to say that I am not the only one! {smile}

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