I signed Rowan up for a class at Fort Calgary months ago called "My Prairie Community". It sounded like something he would really enjoy but he insisted he wasn't going. When it came closer to the day, I told him a few of his friends would be in the same class. He still wasn't going. The morning of the class he said as soon as we woke up, "I'm not going to that Fort Calgary thing today". I don't believe in forcing my kids to do things they truly don't want to do unless absolutely necessary (like not running into traffic). But something in my gut told me Rowan would like this class, and once he gave it a shot he would be totally interested. So I took little steps with him just paying close attention to him. If I pushed too hard, it might turn him off other things in the future. If we didn't bother to check it out at all, he might miss out on a fun opportunity for growth. (By the way - I could have stayed in the class with him which might have made it more appealing, although he didn't ask me to, but they have a very strict 'no younger siblings' rule which drives me batty, and I had already been leaving the kids with friends a lot lately.) So we made an agreement that we would go to Fort Calgary, check it out, and if he really didn't want to stay then we could leave. He agreed. I had already packed a lunch in his lunch bag (the first time he would be taking a lunch away on his own EVER, and I could see that was kind of interesting to him). When we got there he showed more signs of interest but not commitment. I suggested he stay for the morning and I would come back at lunch. If he wanted to leave then, we could. He agreed to stay until the morning. One of his sweet friends, also our neighbour, called him over to sit at a spot she had saved for him. When I popped back in at lunch Rowan was coming toward me all smiles on his way to the washroom with the unparented children. I asked how it was and got a loud, "Great!" When asked if he was wanting to stay for the next part he said, "You bet!" and was off to sit with his friend for lunch without hesitation. He asked several times if he could go to more classes, how many more there were, when he could go back. I was really pleased I had nudged him a little even though I was also content to take him out at any time if he was really insistant.
The above two photos are of Rowan and Poppy on the tour of Fort Calgary after ROwan's class.
We took our lunch and sketching supplies to the park near our home where there is also a large natural area. While we have art supplies at hand all over the house that are available at any time, the kids have Stockmar wax blocks that are just for serious art business.
Fun at the farm - had to take our boots off before getting in the van - they were very muddy!
Rowan was trying really hard to be included with 3 girls who he really likes to be around. They have spent much more time together and are very close. Rowan followed them around for a little while. As he was running behind them I heard him say, "Hey guys! Wait!" and the girls said "For what?" He said, "ME!" It is interesting, as a homeschooler, to get to be part of some of these awkward social experiences our children have. I know Rowan just wanted to play and be included. The girls weren't being hurtful or intentionally mean, but they weren't going out of their way to involve Rowan in their activity. On a different day it might have unfolded differently, but on this day Rowan kept trying for a while without any help from anyone else. Eventually he moved on to something else. When one of the girls left, the other two (twins) came back to Rowan and they had a long, long chat. Rowan didn't complain about the experience or seem hurt by it. It was one of those days I was grateful to be homeschooling. I was close enough to help him or reassure him if needed but far enough to let him figure out his own strategies if he was able to.
Just a little shot of our hutch ready for Spring and Easter, filled with well loved things from very loved family and friends.
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