Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Parents of Rebel Kids Rejoice

I was/am and will probably always be a rebel. I actually thought that it was just a phase I went through in my teenage years, but just today I realized that I still have that same rebel spirit and it is living and growing in my life today. Are my parents still shaking in their shoes whenever I'm nearby? Hopefully not.

Am I sneaking out after curfew? No, but I'm staying up way past bedtime.
Am I showing anti-social behavior? Heck yeah! I'm kicking the politically correct stuff to the curb, making my own way instead of following the herd.
Where else is this rebel heart showing up?
Today I realized that one of my hobbies is due to my rebel tendencies. I like to figure out how to make stuff on my own so I don't have to buy it. Things that other people always buy and would never think to make on their own. This week it's pretzel bread. Last week it was something else. Next week its corn flakes. After that? I'm thinking maybe gummy bears.
It's actually addicting; finding something I like and then seeing if there is a way to make it myself.

Another area is homeschooling. I want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it and not have someone else telling me what to do. Thus we do our own thing and love doing it. I want my kids to be able to follow an interest when they are interested, not when someone else tells them they are.
An example came up this week. My 15 year old hasn't been that interested in history. We've done some history, but nothing super intense. She suddenly is very interested in learning it and asked if we could. She felt something missing in her educational experience and now is ready to learn it. So fun to hear as a mom/teacher! Guess what I'm digging out of my library/storage this week??
Just today I got to hear my two rebel-junior daughters enjoying their day. I came in the front room filled with the sound of daughter 1 playing guitar and daughter 2 playing mandolin and singing together. It was beautiful. My friend dropped by and loved being in the moment and listening to their beautiful harmony. A regular school schedule would not have allowed such a thing to occur, especially since the girls are 7 years apart in age. They would never have been on the same school schedule. Most likely they wouldn't know how to play those instruments anyway because their free time would have been spread between church activities, friends, homework, chores etc. Instead it's part of their school day and we all get to learn together.

Being a rebel is the best! I'm never going to reform. Yes, I look different than the average Joe (or is it Jane?) but it's wonderful to be so free from restraints and expectations to look and act like everyone else.
So, if you have a child who is a rebel, there is hope. Eventually that could turn into something amazing. Just ask my mom and dad!