The small payoffs

When we are homeschooling our little children, we look for ways to know whether or not they are learning everything they ought to and if we are doing a good job. We might compare our children to other kids, or perhaps hand out the standardized tests to see how they measure up nationally. But as they grow older, we are looking for more than academics. We want to know if we have given our kids the skills they need to make it once they leave our homes. I have had some confirmation this past year with my teenage sons that they have indeed acquired some of those skills.

My oldest son was homeschooled exclusively for nine years, and then has been homeschooled through high school at a local digital charter school. For the past year, in addition to his school work, he has been a member of the local swim team and has held a job as a lifeguard at a local natatorium. I have seen him learn to budget his time better to cover all of his responsibilities. Particulalry in the last two weeks he has shown me that he has what it takes to be a responsible employee as he has covered vacations for his employer, signed on for extra shifts and made the initiative to keep attending 6:00 a.m. swim practices so that he can make it on time for work. That type of work ethic will serve him well.

But the big surprise for came with our second son Sam. On his own Sam hears about the local golf course training caddies. He took his bike to the course to find out about the training, took the training, got me to take him for the drug testing, got me to take him to the store for the appropriate Caddie clothing, and then showed up at the golf course twice to pick up some jobs! The first dayhe didn’t get any work because he didn’t know how the system worked and how you were supposed to sign up for T-times. The next day he did carry the clubs for all of the holes and then took his criticisms without complaint. It turns out they want him to shadow an experienced caddie a few more times before he goes out solo again, but Sam had no problem with that and is willing to do what it takes so that he can earn some money this summer. So far, he has earned $25.

It has been gratifying to me to see Sam’s initiative and determination, two qualities that will definitely work for him through high school and beyond.

Both boys have shown Mr. Pete and me that they have picked up a healthy respect for work and for making their own way. In that sense, our homeschool values have been passed on. At least in that area, we have been successful.

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