011 Back To Homeschool

It’s that time of year again. The time when your overjoyed neighbors pack their kids on yellow buses and wave at them with tears in their eyes as little Johnny and Mary go off to school.

Tears of JOY! As soon as the bus is out of sight, Mom and Dad do a happy dance and run inside to start enjoying some kid-free time! And you? You watch the bus pass your house with just a twinge of envy which is quickly replaced by guilt and then by the reassuring self-talk (perhaps a touch of pride, too) that you’re doing the noble work of homeschooling your kids. That thought is then replaced by sheer panic as you realize you haven’t planned anything for this school year yet!!! “What are we going to do?!” you cry. “It’s ok. Calm down,” you reassure yourself. “We can start after Labor Day. That gives me two weeks to plan my syllabus for the year.” PHEW!

Our topic for today — Technology — How do you handle technology for your children? I’m certainly no expert. I’m struggling through this with you. Here are my 3 Principles for handling Technology:

1. Be involved. Know what your kids are playing, reading, doing, with technology. Don’t get blind-sided.
2. Limit the time they spend on technology.
3. Set an example.

A couple of great resources I recommend:

Taming the Techno-Beast by my friend Todd Wilson

The Wired Homeschool by my friend John Wilkerson – Try episode 119 of his podcast, “5 Mistakes Parents Make With Tech”