Summer (Home) School - Karen Toews

My daughter home schools her three children. Traditionally school's out during the summer but they took a long break during April and May while the family packed up to move. During the transition of relocating, they're living with us - now it's catch-up time, school's back in. No sleeping in late - and after breakfast and morning chores, the school files come out, spelling programs appear on the computer monitor, and math sheets and artwork share space on the kitchen table.

Being privy to all this learning activity I now understand why my grandkids are so brilliant (smile) and I appreciate in spades the level of effort and time my daughter puts into their education. I have been challenged to be diligent also in sitting down with books and keyboard to work toward my own learning goals.

Last fall I graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, receiving a diploma as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Finishing this course was a test in my commitment to study as a distance learning student and I was over the moon when I got the phone call with the message that I had passed.

But that was just the beginning.

Natural nutrition has grabbed my interest so that research and study will continue. And during this life-long process, that knowledge is information I want to share. In order to do that well, I have a lot to learn.

My daughter, as friend, brings out the best in me: encouraging me to know and act upon the desires that God has put within me. As an in-house teacher, her practical organizational skills and support as I move towards developing my nutrition business is what people go to workshops (and pay money) for!

Another qualified contributor to my summer education is my computer techie son-in-law. Blessed with the patience of Job, he is walking me through the steps of building a blog that, God-willing, I will be able to manage with his long-distance help once they've moved away.

The teacher is focused, us four students are dedicated, but being a summer (home) school student does have its advantages when attention spans lapse, there's deer walking past the window or your body and brain needs a break. Without the pressure of getting something finished before the bell, the teacher can grant a break to go jump on the trampoline, take a spin on your bike, or go for a run.

This summer of 2011 will hold special teacher-student-mentor memories for my daughter and I - and that will be reward enough regardless of my final mark on this summer (home) school session.