Donut Days! A fun {sporadic} tradition we have incorporated into our homeschooling. Occasionally when I’m at the local grocery store I will pick up a package of day-old donuts for the kids (just $2). We make up some tea (I just ordered THIS one, and a fellow homeschool mom suggested THIS one that is still on my wishlist) or coffee (hot or cold- this time they picked cold coffee with straws).
NEVER use straws with hot liquids, you’ll burn your mouth and throat. The mom in me had to put this disclaimer here.*
The kids use fancy glasses or their favorite mugs. Our fanciest glasses are crystal goblets that belonged to my their great-grandmother, a wedding gift from my husband’s aunt. Our other “fancy” stuff is from various thrift stores. Life is about moderation and balance, after all.
Then the magic happens.
We gather around the table and take turns reading out loud. There are no rules about what can be read or for how long. Sometimes it’s books, sometimes poetry, sometimes the grocery store ad, or something they’ve written!
I adore watching my youngest reader sound out words (or make up loooooong stories) while the older siblings look on, patiently and lovingly (99% of the time, 1% of the time they are flat out unruly and just wanting to eat the donuts and go back to doing their own, I can deal with that).
I love when my oldest tell stories so adventurous that everyone is leaning in on the edge of their seats. Storytelling is something she has really developed over the years. This is such a joy for me, as we’ve worked to unlocked the language within her. If you are new here, she has dyslexia and traditional learning was tough! Storytelling was nearly impossible years ago and always brought tears. The words just wouldn’t flow. Oh, but they do now! Praise Jesus! I’m so grateful for the public school teachers who nurtured her heart before we homeschooled, and for the gift of homeschooling now!
My oldest boy, the one who has worn a watch for years, keeps his own budget independently (he has to because he’s created so many side businesses), and is the rule follower, loves using his reading time to scour the grocery ads for good deals. What a kid! I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going places!
Time together is time well spent. Sometimes something simple like books, donuts, and thrifted coffee cups make all the difference in the day.
Friends, I encourage you to incorporate some little traditions into your families as well. I’d love to hear about how you bribe motivate your children too!
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