Homeschooling Is Easier Than Keeping Houseplants Alive
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Are you thinking about homeschooling your child? Or are you a seasoned homeschooler? Maybe you’ve had homeschool thrust upon you unexpectedly. Take heart! Here’s a humorous look at five reasons you don’t need a green thumb to homeschool and why I think homeschooling is easier than keeping houseplants alive.
I was so excited to bring my Fiddle Leaf Fig home from the plant nursery yesterday. I’ve had the perfect spot in my bedroom picked out for months just waiting to be filled with large, green, shiny leaves.
But as pretty and idealistic as this native species of West Africa is, it is also a bit of a diva…
As I researched the Fiddle Leaf Fig to see if it would be a good fit for my bedroom, I was startled to see just how finicky it can be:
- Light – It needs lots of light. Not too much though, or it could die. But not enough will kill it too. An East-facing window with no overhang or tree blocking the light would be perfect.
- Temperature – Prefers temps between 68 and 75. But don’t let it get too near a draft. That will kill it too!
- Humidity – It is native to the jungle environment, so it prefers humidity above 50%…a humidifier or misting the leaves can help.
- Watering – There seems to be a love/hate relationship with water. Too much water will cause the roots to rot which, in turn, can kill it. Too little water is also not good for this persnickety plant. Fertilize/feed only during spring and summer.
- Root Bound – This plant likes to be root bound. Meaning you only repot it when you start to see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. Usually crowding is bad, but for this fickle plant, it’s actually good!
But wait! It doesn’t like to be moved either! Ficus lyrata hates change. So, if you think you need to move it to a better spot in the house, beware…it could drop all its leaves in protest!
Why then did I want to bring home such a dramatic houseplant?
Apparently, I’m a glutton for punishment.
Also, please don’t think that my whole house is as neat and tidy as my bedroom. I like things free of clutter, true. It helps my anxiety and depression. But it is difficult with children who are borderline hoarders. I’m only kidding…a little… *Kid finds gum wrapper on the pavement and declares it a treasure that must be kept for always.* Though the rest of our house is strewn with interesting items, my bedroom is my sanctuary.
Homeschooling Is NOT Like Growing Houseplants
Written by Erin Vincent of Nourishing My Scholars.
It’s easier in my opinion!
When I was doing my research on the Fiddle Leaf Fig, one thought kept popping into my head.
Thank goodness you don’t need a green thumb to homeschool!
Seriously, this plant demands more than my kids right now!Here are just a few of the ways I think homeschooling is easier than growing houseplants:
- Inside, outside, at a desk, on the floor, upside down, all around! No perfect East-facing window required. You can homeschool in the car, at the park, or on the couch. It’s totally up to you. Dress appropriately and get outside in the rain, heat, or snow! Move around as much as you want.
- Pencil and paper or computers and tablets, oh my! They all work well. Do you prefer textbooks, living-books, read alouds, audiobooks, or documentaries? Maybe a little of them all? No problem! Change it up. Do what works for you and your kids! Did you know that games can be educational too?
- Do you use curriculum or mix and match different resources? Don’t feel boxed in or root bound by a choice. You can change things up whenever you want. That’s one of the biggest freedoms of homeschooling!
- Technology you say. No, says some other gal! Your kiddos will not yellow and wilt based on their screen time or lack thereof. Do what works best for your family and try not to judge others for their choices.
- As the official lunch lady, you get to decide what and when to feed your homeschooler hobbits their second breakfast and elevensies. Though I warn you now, that pre-teen and teen boys may eat you out of house and hobbit hole. (And, to be honest, I’ve heard that teen girls can be just as bad…)
Don’t Have a Green Thumb? Don’t Worry!
If you don’t have a green thumb, or even if you have a black thumb when it comes to growing plants, don’t worry. You can still homeschool your kids. Here are 20 reasons to homeschool people don’t think about.
Just remember, kids are resilient and learning and education happen anywhere and everywhere!
All you need is love, a little ingenuity, and a sense of humor.
No perfect east-facing window and high humidity required.
Erin Vincent is a homeschooling mom to two intense kids. They are child led with a heavy emphasis on read alouds, games, art, nature hikes, and hands on science! They traded the hustle and bustle of city life for the quiet farm life where opportunities for exploration in nature abound. When they're not homeschooling you'll find Erin curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book!. You can find Erin at Nourishing My Scholar.