Go With The Flow

I am a schedule person. In previous posts I have alluded to my fetish for lists: grocery lists, cleaning lists, daily lists, monthly lists, etc. Having an organized and scheduled life has always helped me stay on track of my responsibilities because I get easily distracted. This is a system that has served me well all my life.

Until I became married with children.

Oddly enough, my husband does not want to follow my lists and schedules. Neither he or my daughter see the beauty in a fresh list of 'things to do'. How strange. How frustrating. Over the years I have learned to adapt to this - sometimes begrudgingly.

However, when it comes to our home education, my schedules have stood the test of time with only rare exceptions. Until now, that is. Now, the 9 year old Duck is developing opinions of her own. There are things that are becoming important to her that don't necessarily fit into my schooling schedule.

Once again, I am learning to adapt.

I'm not talking about ignoring book work, or cancelling social studies (sorry Duck!). The adaptation comes in to play when Duck is showing interest and skill in a particular topic or hobby. Right now, it's baking. She really seems to love having the kitchen to herself, picking out a recipe and putting it together. From a home education point of view, this covers several topics: reading, comprehension, mathematics and science (see how I made a list out of that!).

So, what is a mom to do? We make some extra time to work in the kitchen, that's what. It has only been a short time since this interest has come forward, but there have been many good things coming from our kitchen. Not the least of which is good conversation and fellowship with my daughter.

This would be another lesson from homeschooling that I have learned! Duck's interests will change as time goes by, but I want her memories of school at home to be pleasant ones. Memories of a mom who encouraged her, who worked with her, and who enjoyed it. Memories of time with me that she wants to have with her own children one day.

So, I will go with the flow and learn to leave my lists off to the side. You know, so I can admire them from afar.

Let me list a recipe that is popular in our home - easy for kids of any age:

Chocolate Brittle

1 cup of butter (or hard margarine)

1 cup of brown sugar, packed

saltines

2+ cups of chocolate chips

1. place a single layer of saltines on cookie sheet

2. melt butter and brown sugar on low until blended well

3. pour/spread sugar mixture over crackers

4. bake in oven at 350C x 5 minutes, or until bubbly

(watch it, this burns easily)

5. sprinkle chocolate chips over top of hot sugar mix and allow to sit x 2 minutes

6. spread chocolate with butter knife over top of sugar mix (like an icing layer)

7. Cool in fridge until 'brittle' (about 1 hour) - chop into pieces