Curiosity -- Good or Bad?

It's a whole lot easier to homeschool a kid who's bursting with curiosity. They must know what's inside that book! They must understand how this-or-that concept ties in with a scientific principle! They must read more more more [non-fiction] when they come across tidbits and factoids in a story they're reading! They must play with a new building toy or science kit until they've got all the combinations and permutations figured out!

However ... I have also noticed that my kids who have less curiosity are also the kids who tend to be more content.

Some of my homeschooling friends talk about their FOMS disease (fear of missing something). It can lead people to spend too much time with friends online, or too much time listening to the news and trying to solve the world's problems, or too much time wondering what's the scoop on Facebook (whether it's a fight or an inside joke). I have had a terrible case of FOMS; I have had all my life; I am [sloooowly] getting better as I realize how comfortable it is to be in the garden or reading to Maggie when other people are in an online uproar.

So, it may be harder to do your schoolwork when you're not driven with curiosity. But if it means it's easier to be content and to not be a buttinsky, maybe that lack of curiosity will have some very good results later in life.

FOMS

Fear Of Missing Something.
In an attempt to give myself more time for things around here, I am confronting my FOMS and have resigned myself to missing the homeschool retreat next week in Ft Wayne, have made myself delete some Looper posts unread (ouch!), and unsubscribed to about 1/3 of the blogs I read (ouch again!). I have also once again steeled myself against the temptation to join Facebook. I am hoping to be able to learn to control my computer time without having to totally ban myself from online friends.

FOMS

Fear Of Missing Something. It's a fear that I share with a lot of my friends. Online friends and some in-real-life friends.

As I try [again!!!] to get my computer addiction under control, it crossed my mind that I miss something no matter which way I turn. I may miss the online conversations. But if I participate in them to my heart's content, then I'm missing something at home -- the time reading with Maggie, the math play-time with Andrew*, the cleanliness of keeping the kitchen floor properly mopped, watching a movie with Gary, phone chats with Mom & Katie & Paul, etc.


* Okay, so Andrew thinks it's torture. Give me an algebra book and I can't help but think "play-time"!