When I was a little girl, I wanted to be so many things... a Disney Animator (my name is Walt), an ice skater (my name is Dorothy), a veterinarian (my name is Tracy). Funny how when we really do grow up (at least on the outside), many of us end up in different jobs than we ever would have imagined!
Just last night I was talking about this with my husband to the kids:
"If you had told me when I was 20 that I would have 4 kids and be homeschooling them all - at home - in my pajamas half of the time - when I 'grew up', I would have LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE." I told him (mainly so the kids would know that Mama wasn't always 'mama' - but a tween just like them... wanting to be a big shot in the world).
"Yeah", he said, "I never would have imagined I'd be working in the same field at an 8-5 job, either... I wanted to DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT." He elaborated by describing some things he had dreamed of as being important and 'making a difference' to give examples to the kids who were listening in the back seat.
"What's amazing is... the little things ARE important. Providing for a family - no matter where you work - and teaching and nurturing kids... they are IMPORTANT JOBS. Even if they go un-noticed by the rest of the world." I could tell the kids were thinking about what I said when I looked back at them.
Funny thing about dreams and life... sometimes you find out that God has better dreams than you did.
HOWEVER... some of the really big dreams DO come true. Just look at all the wonderful examples of brave women and men in our past. Astronauts, sharpshooters, political activists, scientists, doctors...
I love reading picture books with the kids - even now that they are older, they still enjoy them, too. It's even more fun since we have added a new fresh mind to the Bee Hive - a 1.5 year old that is itching to be read to (great practice for future teachers and parents).
My Name is Not Isabella is a book about a little girl with big heroes - Elizabeth Blackwell, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks... etc; but the biggest one of all is her Mommy. The artwork (as you can see from this cute video above) is superb and the story line is inspirational - teaching kids that dreaming and pretend is perfectly OK. This book would be a great addition to teaching kids about careers and the importance of being yourself and "reaching for the stars".
You can pick up your own copy of My Name is Not Isabella at any children's book store or on Amazon! It would be a great addition to your home library.
And if you don't mind waiting a while, Sourcebooks is offering a FREE copy of the book to one of our category winners over at the Homeschool Blog Awards! Be sure to participate: nominate your favorite blogger and she or he might get their very own copy of this book for the homeschool kids in their life!
Disclosure: The opinion of the book is my own and was not compensated for. I received a free copy of the book to keep in exchange for my thoughts. Don't take my word for it - pick up a copy and check it out!
4 comments:
Of COURSE your name is not Heather, it's Spritti!
What a great conversation to have with your children around! And about the PJS: You can always just have different sets of them and wear them according to what you are teaching!
(Ex: floral if you are teaching botany, butterflies if teaching insects, etc!) Then you will feel official!
What a good post! Reminds me to be faithful wherever God puts us - and to teach our kids the same.
Cute book - I'll have to look it up!
Btw, did you get my email about my sister's experience with Mystery of History?? LMK when you get the chance. :)
What a great "familiar conversation". I love having them with kids. It is the best way to teach and to learn!
“By familiar conversation, children’s curiosity may be roused much more effectually, and by it they may be taught a great deal more in a little time, than can possibly be done in the austere magisterial way of calling them to a lecture.” George Turnbull 1742
Looks like a good book! Thanks for sharing!
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