{"id":687,"date":"2014-12-02T02:20:21","date_gmt":"2014-12-02T09:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/?page_id=687"},"modified":"2015-08-19T21:07:33","modified_gmt":"2015-08-20T03:07:33","slug":"first-a-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/first-a-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"First, a Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Louisascooter\"<\/p>\n

“First we have a relationship, then we have an educational method.” \u2014Karen Andreola<\/em><\/p>\n

And so it is. As homeschool moms, we sometimes get involved trying to figure out what philosophy to follow, what type of teaching we should do, or what curriculum we should select. We eagerly read books, buy curriculum, and “try on” educational methods as if we were shoe shopping. But no “shoe” fits until we have established a warm, loving relationship. No method can make up for a strained relationship with your child, your student. Until the relationship is working right, the educational approach doesn’t really matter very much at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, instead of focusing on what educational philosophy or curriculum you are going to use in your homeschool, think instead of how you are going to build your relationship with your child. Brainstorm ways to reach each child’s heart. Co-operation and a desire to follow you will come naturally when the relationship is strong! As you bind your children’s heart to you in love, you will be creating the very best environment for learning, no matter what method you end up choosing.<\/p>\n

Here’s some ideas for knitting your hearts together:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

*Listen and give eye contact when your child talks to you.<\/p>\n

*Take a walk and hold hands.<\/p>\n

*Give a sincere compliment.<\/p>\n

*Smile.<\/p>\n

*Lay on her bed and talk while she is getting ready to go somewhere.<\/p>\n

*Look at what he has put on his bedroom walls and comment positively.<\/p>\n

*Say “yes” whenever you possibly can.<\/p>\n

*Give her a shoulder rub when you are sitting together.<\/p>\n

*Ask him to cook with you, and let him choose the meal.<\/p>\n

*Sit on the floor next to your child while she is building with legos or playing dolls.<\/p>\n

*Tell another how capable (or kind, or helpful, etc.) he is\u2014loud enough so he can overhear you.<\/p>\n

*Resist the urge to set something straight (his hair, his room, the way he set the table, etc.)<\/p>\n

*Actively encourage your child in following his special interest by getting him the necessary supplies, mentor, books, and opportunities.
\n(This, more than anything else I have done, has spoken “love” to my eager, curious sons.)<\/em><\/p>\n

*Read aloud together.<\/p>\n

*Remember your child is young and trying to figure out life. Be forgiving.<\/p>\n

*Go swimming together.
\n(Sometimes we moms are a bit reluctant to get our hair wet or to put on a swimsuit, but it really is a playful, bonding time.)<\/em><\/p>\n

*Don’t criticize ever<\/em><\/strong>. If he needs instruction, do it privately and kindly, reassuring him of your love.<\/p>\n

*Make something together\u2014a candle, a skirt, a clay sculpture, a pizza . . .<\/p>\n

*Listen.<\/strong><\/p>\n

*Listen.<\/strong><\/p>\n

*Listen.<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

May I recommend:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"
\nWant Cooperation?
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"homeschooling_0096_DCP_2917\"
\nJust Wants to Play
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"lego-615239_1280\"
\nIt’s Mom…Not Fisher Price
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“First we have a relationship, then we have an educational method.” \u2014Karen Andreola And so it is. As homeschool moms, we sometimes get involved trying to figure out what philosophy to follow, what type of teaching we should do, or what curriculum we should select. We eagerly read books, buy curriculum, and “try on” educational […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[23,10],"tags":[67,168],"class_list":["post-687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nurturing","category-why-homeschool","tag-how-to-homeschool-2","tag-how-to-teach","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/Louisascooter.jpg?fit=300%2C406&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6IrRN-b5","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":655,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/an-educational-approach\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":0},"title":"An Educational Approach","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 How does one come up with their own educational approach? Shouldn't that be in place before you even attempt to homeschool? When homeschooling mothers ask me these questions, I always suggest that they just jump in and do something\u2014don't try to decide on an approach or a curricula at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How to Homeschool"","block_context":{"text":"How to Homeschool","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"kidslaughingart","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/kidslaughingart.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7808,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/gearing-up-for-school-%e2%80%8e\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":1},"title":"Gearing Up for School","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Looks like it\u2019s that time again. In spite of the fact that it is the dead heat of summer, you can\u2019t miss the school supplies sales in the stores and the shut down of the local swimming pool. I wish summer lasted a little longer! Since all the neighbor children\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How to Homeschool"","block_context":{"text":"How to Homeschool","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Rebekah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/rebekah072010-283x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1225,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/building-a-childs-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":2},"title":"Building a Child’s Education","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"When I plan my homeschool, I think of it as constructing\u00a0a lovely building. You must first start with a firm, sturdy base, especially if you are building a lofty edifice! \u00a0These are the\u00a0basics of being a fine\u00a0person: character, virtues and goodness. Training children in the way they should go is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Goals"","block_context":{"text":"Goals","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/homeschooling-goals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/teamwork-606818_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/teamwork-606818_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/teamwork-606818_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/teamwork-606818_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/teamwork-606818_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1419,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/educational-goals-worksheet\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":3},"title":"Educational Goals Worksheet","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Here's a simple worksheet you can print off and use to identify your educational goals, and the resources you can use to plan your homeschool! \u00a0 May I recommend: Study Schedule An Educational Approach The 21 Rules of This House","rel":"","context":"In "Goals"","block_context":{"text":"Goals","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/homeschooling-goals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"child-315049_1280","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/child-315049_1280-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1160,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/gifted-child\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":4},"title":"Gifted Child","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I homeschooled my son in kindergarten and then had to put him in public school for 1st grade. They of course tested him and he is \"gifted\". I am blessed to be able to homeschool him again next year. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on what I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Concerns"","block_context":{"text":"Concerns","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/homeschooling-concerns\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/3kidsonarock.jpg?fit=373%2C280&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1234,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/curriculum-planning\/","url_meta":{"origin":687,"position":5},"title":"How Do I Choose Resources for my Homeschool?","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Homeschooling is a big decision that takes much thought and prayer. For most of us, the move into homeschooling is a step into uncharted territory. We haven\u2019t been brought up in this lifestyle and we aren\u2019t quite sure just how to proceed. Hopefully, you will take my hand and we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Choosing Curriculum"","block_context":{"text":"Choosing Curriculum","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/what-articles\/choosing-curriculum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"homeschooling curriculum","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/homeschoolingcurriculum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7885,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions\/7885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}