From time to time, I ask Antonia if there is anything in particular she would like to learn.\u00a0 Not too often, because her projects are usually quite ambitious!\u00a0 Two years ago, it was “learn all about science”.\u00a0 Last year, it was “write poetry and play the piano”.\u00a0 To some extent these things got done, though they are never-ending in a way.<\/p>\n
This year, she said: “This is sort of a joke, Mummy, so promise not to laugh too much” .<\/p>\n
I told her I wouldn’t laugh.<\/p>\n
“Well this year I would like to learn politic (sic)<\/em>”<\/p>\n I still did not laugh.\u00a0 I was impressed!\u00a0 This is yet another side effect of that history-readiness that kicked in.\u00a0 A whole new vista of human life is opening before her.<\/p>\n The other big change this year is that she is going to spend all Wednesday at, well, … it’s kind of a day camp for Wednesdays.\u00a0 French kids don’t have school on Wednesdays, but their parents usually work, so… there is a thriving Wednesday activity culture.\u00a0 When we started homeschooling, we had seen this as a potential solution to the socialisation issue.\u00a0 It has to be said that few kids are available in the week time, and as they get older it gets worse.<\/p>\n Until recently, Antonia was not happy around groups of children, but it seems she enjoyed her three days of day camp last week and is ready for some more.\u00a0 There are pros and cons of course.\u00a0 She comes home very tired and very late, but she gets a big dose of socialising in.\u00a0 It’s a regular commitment that inevitably limits other possibilities. Since I’m starting some studying again, it’s handy for me, except I would like to make sure that the errands all get done on that day.<\/p>\n We will see how it works out for the autumn term.\u00a0 There are all kinds of these Wednesday camps, but we deliberately chose one which is very free and easy-going.\u00a0 There are small groups and activities are offered, but not compulsory.\u00a0 If the kids want to just play, they can.\u00a0 Our expectation is that it will be like a playdate, supervised by babysitters.\u00a0 We shall see.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From time to time, I ask Antonia if there is anything in particular she would like to learn.\u00a0 Not too often, because her projects are usually quite ambitious!\u00a0 Two years ago, it was “learn all about science”.\u00a0 Last year, it was “write poetry and play the piano”.\u00a0 To some extent these things got done, though … Continue reading More plans…<\/span>