The Day We Solved a Problem with Wax and Color

Let me set the scene: It was a typical Tuesday in our homeschool, which means chaos in its most organized form. The math books were open, half-completed worksheets were strewn across the table, and somewhere under the couch, our dog Ziggy was probably snacking on yesterday’s art project. The kids were semi-focused, which, if you homeschool, you know is a victory worth celebrating with coffee. But then, just as we hit a groove, it happened. The Great Pencil Shortage strikes again! A daily occurrence.

“Mom! I can’t find my pencil!” echoed from one side of the room, followed by a second voice: “Me either! Mine’s gone too!” And before I could even respond, a chorus of little voices joined in, all declaring that every pencil in the house had mysteriously vanished….again.

I did what any rational parent in the middle of a homeschool day would do—I panicked slightly. With no pencils, how were we going to finish math? How would my 7-year-old finally conquer his times tables? Would we survive this homeschool apocalypse? I didn’t have time for an emergency supply run. But then, in my moment of distress, I spotted something: a box of crayons.

Now, let me be clear: crayons are not typically our go-to for anything involving precision or the written word. They’re more for rainy-day doodles, impromptu mural-making, and the occasional meltdown (yes, kids and crayons can melt down alike). But desperate times call for creative measures, so I grabbed the box, dramatically held it up like a hero in a movie, and declared, “We’re using crayons today, kids!”

Their eyes widened. Some looked excited, others confused. My oldest, who’s usually the realist in the family, raised an eyebrow. “But crayons are for coloring. We’re doing math.” I wasn’t about to let that logic get in the way of my sudden burst of resourcefulness. “Exactly,” I said, “we’re going to solve today’s problems… in color!”

The Crayon Experiment Begins

We handed out the crayons, and at first, it felt a little strange. It’s not every day you write out long division in neon pink or craft an entire essay in lime green. The kids giggled as they scrawled out numbers and letters in bold shades. The novelty of it added an energy to the room, and before long, they were immersed in their work, happily scribbling away. The math wasn’t intimidating anymore—it was almost like a game.

My youngest decided her subtraction problem needed a bit of flair, so she used a different crayon color for each digit. We had purple 8’s, red 4’s, and a bright yellow 2—all adding up (miraculously) to the correct answer.

Problem-Solving in Disguise

As the morning went on, something incredible happened. Crayons—those humble waxy tools usually reserved for scribbling—had sparked creativity and problem-solving skills in my kids in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

My son, who usually grumbled through spelling practice, turned it into an art project. Each word was written in a different color, and he even illustrated some of the trickier ones. My daughter, who normally finds math boring, started using the colors to highlight patterns in her equations. Suddenly, math wasn’t just about numbers—it was about connections and design.

And then there was me, watching it all unfold with a growing realization. I had grabbed crayons in a moment of desperation, but they’d become something much more. They’d turned our usual routine upside down, injecting fun, imagination, and new ways of thinking into the mix.

Lessons from the Crayon Incident

By the time lunch rolled around, we were all feeling pretty accomplished. The kids had finished their work (mostly) and hadn’t even noticed that their precious pencils were still missing. More importantly, they had learned that sometimes, when you’re faced with a problem, the solution doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s right there in front of you, sitting in a colorful little box.

There’s a lesson in that for all of us homeschool parents, isn’t there? We’re constantly balancing curriculums, schedules, and the million little details that go into running a home education system. And sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. We lose pencils, lessons fall apart, or life just gets in the way. But in those moments, creativity and flexibility can turn what feels like a disaster into something unexpectedly wonderful.

Using crayons for schoolwork that day wasn’t just about making do with what we had—it was a reminder that learning is about more than just following a set path. It’s about exploring new ways to engage with the world, finding joy in the unexpected, and teaching our kids that there’s always a solution, even if it comes in a bright purple crayon.

Crayons: A New Homeschool Essential?

The next day, I restocked our pencil supply (after discovering a stash in the couch cushions, naturally), but I didn’t pack away the crayons. In fact, we’ve started using them regularly in our lessons. Crayons have a way of making everything feel more approachable, more playful. They turn a mundane math problem into an art project and a spelling test into a chance for self-expression.

So, the next time you find yourself in a homeschool crisis—or just in need of a little extra fun—reach for those crayons. You never know what kind of colorful solutions they might inspire.

And as for the pencils? Well, let’s just say we’ve learned to always keep a stash nearby. But honestly, after the Crayon Incident of 2023, we might not need them as much as we thought.