Tips for
Leaders with Preschoolers or Homeschooled Children
Melissa Noble
Yokosuka, Japan
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 34 No. 5, October-November 1998, p. 106
Homeschooling can be a natural
extension of LLLI philosophy for in both, parents are the experts on
their children. After enjoying the companionship, growth and learning
of a child up to school age, some Leaders choose to teach their children
at home. That does not, however; make homeschooling part of LLLI
philosophy. Leader Alumna Leslie Moyer in Skiatook, Oklahoma, USA says,
"Having your older homeschooled children along (at meetings) is
very visible. Leaders need to be careful about not representing this
as part of LLL philosophy."
Homeschooling is not something
to hide, nor is it something to promote at meetings. If questioned about
it, one can simply say, "We homeschool," and strongly state
our LLLI purpose noting that homeschooling is not included in it.
Then proceed with the meeting
focused on mothering through breastfeeding as always.
How can homeschooling be
combined with leading? The following ideas work for mothers of preschoolers
as well.
First, look at the basic
responsibilities of a Leader.
Phone helping
Some LLL Chapters use an
answering machine to tell mothers which Leader is on- call that day.
Schooling can be planned around "phone day." An answering
machine can also be used to screen calls at home. Leader Neysa Jensen
in Boise, Idaho, USA, says, "If I am busy with nursing, reading,
calming or otherwise attending to my children, I do not answer the phone.
But I always return the call that same day."
Leader Karen Maxwell in Brussels,
Belgium, offers, "We reached an agreement that my children could
interrupt me for one minute when I was on the telephone. I would say
'Could you wait just a moment please?' to my caller, and give full attention
to the child. This never seemed to take a full minute and relieved the
child's need to know that he could get my attention."
During phone calls some Leaders
find a treat drawer helpful. Puzzles and supplies for stringing necklaces
work well too.
An alternative way to help
mothers is by volunteering to answer LLLI email help forms. You answer
mothers' questions by computer at a pace predetermined by you, such
as two questions per week.
Leading meetings
Leader Cammy Dye in Charlotte,
Michigan, USA, shares, "For going to meetings, I have these little
tote bags that I made for each child. I'll pack them up with interesting
things for them to do so that they'll have activities to keep themselves
busy." During meetings children might enjoy workbooks, weaving
activities, modeling clay (away from the toddlers!), small felt board
with felt cutouts, building toys, puppets, pipe cleaners and card games.
Leader Lulu Huber in West
Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, notes, "Before we head out to the meeting,
I try to focus some attention on the kids. I also try to set up a specific
activity for them to do. For my eight-year-old it could be reading a
book. I've created rituals around the meeting day. We always go pick
up blueberry muffins that they can eat as a snack, for example. I also
limit the length of the meeting. We can pretty much cover everything
that we need to in 1 to 1 1/2 hours. By being 'down to business' about
the meeting, mothers tend not to straggle in."
If there are several Leaders
in the Group, they can share responsibilities so that no single Leader
has to be there every time.
I have found that mornings
are the most productive time for my homeschooled child. I prefer to
finish the majority of the schooling before the meeting begins. Some
Leaders arrange for a babysitter so the older children can continue
with their school assignments; some hold evening meetings when the father
can attend to the children.
Group Management
Don't volunteer for extra
LLL work if you and your co-Leader(s) can't get the basic jobs done.
Streamline if you have to. Maybe your Group doesn't need a newsletter
every month; why not once a series? Consolidate paperwork to once or
twice a month. Lulu Huber suggests, "Combine forces with other
Groups to pool resources. Work together with other Groups on publicity,
LLLI ordering, World Walk and fundraisers."
Staying Abreast of Current
Information
This may be the easiest Leader
responsibility to incorporate into your life. After all, what better
way to pass on a love for learning to your child than for her to see
you devouring LEAVEN, NEW BEGINNINGS, BREASTFEEDING ABSTRACTS, BREASTFEEDING
ANSWER BOOK or the LEADER'S HANDBOOK?
Helping Mothers Become
Leaders
Planning ahead for Leader
responsibilities helps you fulfill them with a fresh, relaxed face,
which is compelling to Group members. Step back before you burn out.
If your co-Leader is willing to meet regularly and work with Applicants,
don't require yourself to attend each one (as much fun as that could
be).
Preschooling/homeschooling
and LLL work can be very constructive, significant, time-intensive pursuits.
Leslie Moyer says, "If you are a homeschooling LLL Leader, seek
out other homeschooling Leaders for support so that the two focuses
support each other."
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:43 UTC 2007.
