This week, my kids and I went on an impromptu trip out of town to a children’s museum. The last few times that we went to this museum, we arranged the trip ahead of time and went with another homeschooling family (the Mom and her six children) that we’re friends with. This time, however, it was just me and my three kids.
I realized something that I thought was very important while the kids and I were exploring the museum: I love taking my kids on field trips by myself.
Now, this is not to say that I don’t also love going with another family (or many families). I think that has merit, and I love that the kids have a chance to socialize (and so do I). Plus, some field trips just lend themselves to larger groups, such as the trip our homeschooling group took a few months ago to the apple orchard for a full tour.
So, what are the benefits to this solo field trip taking that made me realize how much I love it?
First, the kids and I weren’t tempted to be socializing with friends – we were spending time with each other. I realized that when we do the same trip with friends, I tend to find as much time as possible to talk to my friend (the other Mom), and our kids are all busy chattering away. There is not as much adult-child interaction, which can be so wonderful to really enhance learning.
Second, because our time was limited at the museum this week when we went, we only went to exhibits that interested us. When we’re with other people, we have to go to things that interest them too. That’s just good manners, isn’t it? And, while that has it’s place (and it’s a good lesson), it’s also nice to have the opportunity to only do what we want. It’s also nice to be able to spend extra time in areas that we really love.
We’re definitely not going to stop taking field trips with friends or with our homeschooling group, but it was a great reminder for me of how precious it also is for us to take field trips alone.
So, what’s your helpful homeschool hint this week?
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I totally agree. I love spending time with my friends and other homeschool families on outings, but sometimes it’s really nice just to be ” us ” and like you said if there is something specific we want to see we can stay as long as we like or if we need to leave early we can. No pressure!
Rana´s last [type] ..Memories!
Great advice, and so true! Fun times with just your family are the best. Thanks for hosting, Angie. This is a fun weekly!
We enjoy having a mixture of group field trips and family ones. Some places are just more fun at your own pace rather than with a group.
So glad the meme is up and running. I’m looking foward to loads of great ideas through this one.
Laura O´s last [type] ..Homeschool Hints Meme Spelling on Your Computer
I love your link up. I don’t think I have come across it before. I like your thoughts about field trips- one of my favorite things to do with other families is going on field trips. I often forget that my boys and I do have a great time just us sometimes (although they would still ask me where their friends are!).
Lori´s last [type] ..A Helpful Hint
I love taking field trips with just our family. Actually, we so prefer it that I rarely take field trips with anybody else. We’ve especially gotten away from group field trips because those are often just exhausting and we don’t get to do what we would really like to do.
Samantha
Samantha´s last [type] ..Books and Movies for November
I much prefer to take family field trips. We have the ability to focus on what we are interested in and the kids aren’t as apt to misbehave.
Relishing Life´s last [type] ..What Will Matter
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