It’s been a while since I’ve posted and that is because our world has been rocked. A very dear friend lost her daughter last month. She is grief stricken. Her daughter was 28 and they were very close. Together they had survived both the father’s desertion and the son’s murder. Our friend is devastated –as any mother who has buried two children would be. Peter and I have been dealing with our own grief while trying to support our friend.
In all this, I learned something amazing about homeschooling. It gives grace during grief. For example, with a little rearranging I can be available to sit with my friend during the day. She doesn’t want to be alone and many of her other friends can’t come until after work. In addition, I can offer the comfort of my children. My friend is a teacher and loves children. Her children were the light of her life. So, sometimes we take our children over and the sparkle that they carry seems to rub off on her. When she cries they don’t mind. They just go over and hug her.
Looking back over the last month, I realize that we haven’t fallen that far behind. I have cancelled some days and compacted others. But we are still on track. School has stretched and bent to meet our needs instead of limiting us. And I hope the children have learned useful life lessons about grief and compassion.
I thank God for the gift of homeschooling during grief.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Gift of Patience
I am always in a hurry. One day last week I made an effort to take my time and when I did a funny thing happened. As I was chiding Kade a phrase came to mind: “the gift of patience.” Now normally when I think of patience I am asking the Lord to give me loads of it. Give me the patience to deal with them, Lord. . . .Lord, give me the patience to wait for them. I frequently find myself asking God to give me the gift of patience, but I do not think this is the way it is supposed to work.
So I looked it up and sure enough James explained it. “The trying of your faith worketh patience (James1:3).” Then he goes on to say that God gives wisdom to those that ask for God “giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not (1:5).”
If that’s the case why am I continually “out of patience” with my children? Then it hit me. God has given me patience liberally – just as James said He would. When I doubt Him, He is patient with me. When I don’t have time, He is patient. When I stray, He is patient. He doesn’t snap at me or tell me to hurry up. God has given me the gift of patience. Every day, He is patient and forgiving of my failings.
I have been going about it all wrong. Instead of wanting to get patience when my children try me, I should be giving patience. God has given it to me liberally. Now, I need to give my children the same gift of patience which the Father has given to me.
This has become my mantra. When I am in a hurry or the children are being slow, I tell myself “Give them the gift of patience.” I relax, slow down, and sure enough we get where we are going - sooner or later.
So I looked it up and sure enough James explained it. “The trying of your faith worketh patience (James1:3).” Then he goes on to say that God gives wisdom to those that ask for God “giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not (1:5).”
If that’s the case why am I continually “out of patience” with my children? Then it hit me. God has given me patience liberally – just as James said He would. When I doubt Him, He is patient with me. When I don’t have time, He is patient. When I stray, He is patient. He doesn’t snap at me or tell me to hurry up. God has given me the gift of patience. Every day, He is patient and forgiving of my failings.
I have been going about it all wrong. Instead of wanting to get patience when my children try me, I should be giving patience. God has given it to me liberally. Now, I need to give my children the same gift of patience which the Father has given to me.
This has become my mantra. When I am in a hurry or the children are being slow, I tell myself “Give them the gift of patience.” I relax, slow down, and sure enough we get where we are going - sooner or later.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Total Melt Down
No, the temperature hasn't reached 200 degrees in Boise....And no, I haven't gone completely crazy and eaten every drop of chocolate in the house....At least not this week. The fact is we suffered a complete and total computer melt down this week. Literally everything is gone - my home schooling records, a full years worth of pics, and my complete family history project.
As a result I want to take this chance to remind everyone to please back up your computer today. Our problem was a Trojan horse that snuck in at some point. No warning, no protection from our virus system. It just took over the hard drive and what it didn't destroy we had to wipe out.
Now that we are back up and running I'll hopefully be able to post more often.
As a result I want to take this chance to remind everyone to please back up your computer today. Our problem was a Trojan horse that snuck in at some point. No warning, no protection from our virus system. It just took over the hard drive and what it didn't destroy we had to wipe out.
Now that we are back up and running I'll hopefully be able to post more often.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Starting School
Ahh, the smell of pencils, new books, new crayons. It’s time for school to start! Our family will start school on Monday. I can’t wait. The kids are even excited. The other day Kade came into our bedroom at 6 am to ask if it was time for school. One of the wonderful things about homeschool is being able to start whenever you want. Here in Boise, August is normally extremely hot and the air quality is terrible. Since the kids have to be inside anyway, I figure we might as well be learning. That also gives me the opportunity to take more of December off.
The annual rush for school supplies has begun. I am amazed at parents grabbing everything and kids begging for more. I just stand at the end of the aisle and watch. Don’t get me wrong, I love it too. I buy new crayons every year whether we need them or not, but I still have glue and pencils etc. leftover from last year. In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever need to buy pencils again. Everyone seems to be handing out pencils this year. I have pencils that fight breast cancer, pencils from the National Guard, and solar pencils that are heat sensitive. I couldn’t even buy those!
I am also amazed when I watch parents buying new school clothes. I am so thankful we can do school in torn jeans – wait those are back in style. Well, I am glad I don’t have to pay for torn jeans. I got to figuring it up and I think we probably pay in curriculum the same that other parents spend on new clothes. What a luxury to spread the cost of clothes out over the year.
In Germany, on their first day of school children are given “schultute” to help ease the first day jitters. “Schultute” are large paper cones filled with candy, chocolates, and toys (see above picture). I loved this idea and now I try to surprise the kids with some sort of gift on the first day.
Another of my traditions is making the first two weeks of school sacred. This means we don’t plan anything and we avoid anything that is not part of school. This helps us establish our routines without distractions.
Do you have any traditions or advice for the start of school? I’d love to hear your ideas.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Beat the Heat
Summer time and the living is…..easy? Here in Idaho it is very hot. My kids tend to get bored and cranky. Below are some ways to beat the heat and entertain everyone. Sometimes we devote all day to these projects and sometimes just a few hours. I’d love to hear your ideas.
1) Crayon melt -
Supplies:
Old crayons, with wrappers removed
Foil muffin tin – or one you are willing to part with
Craft sticks, sponges, cotton balls, string etc. – any disposable craft object
Newspaper – to cover your working space.
Paper – to paint on
Break the crayons into small pieces and place in muffin tin. Just 2 or 3 in each compartment. In the heat of the day, place the tin in direct sunlight. Cover the area where you will be working with newspaper. Once the crayons begin to melt, use the sponges, sticks, etc. to smear the crayon goo on your paper. We also smeared it on jars to make penny banks.
Warning: Expect a mess, on the pavement, on your hands. Everywhere! Around here our motto is “IF YOU AREN”T GETTING MESSY, YOU AREN’T HAVING FUN!”
2) Sprinkler Keep Away
Same as normal keep away, but the person in the middle is also standing in the sprinkler.
3) Pajama Camp Out
This builds on the great tradition of staying in your p.j.s all day. Start with cereal in the back yard. Spread a blanket with books, snacks, pillows, and make yourselves comfy. When it gets too hot, head indoors and watch a movie or read in Mom and Dad’s bed (what is it about Mom and Dad’s bed that kids like?).
4) Make a Tent
If you have a real tent put it up and let the kids entertain themselves. If not, try building one out of a large blanket and chairs, ropes, trees, or whatever is in your yard.
5) Read Everything
Pile a TON of story books around your favorite reading spot and see how many you can read in one day. I love doing this when our bookshelves are a mess so we can tidy up when we replace the books.
6) Do Nothing Box
Just pull out games, toys, coloring books which your kids haven’t played with in a while. Place them in a box or basket and tell the kids they “have to” play out of that box all day. I also do this on rainy days or when I am sick. If I was really organized, I would have a box ready, but I don’t
7) Don’t Cook
Okay, so that’s a personal fantasy. When it’s too hot to bake cookies, pull out your favorite no-bake recipe and let the kids help.
8) If, all else fails, fill the bathtub with water and let them all climb in in their swimsuits. Don’t ask me why they like this, they just do.
1) Crayon melt -
Supplies:
Old crayons, with wrappers removed
Foil muffin tin – or one you are willing to part with
Craft sticks, sponges, cotton balls, string etc. – any disposable craft object
Newspaper – to cover your working space.
Paper – to paint on
Break the crayons into small pieces and place in muffin tin. Just 2 or 3 in each compartment. In the heat of the day, place the tin in direct sunlight. Cover the area where you will be working with newspaper. Once the crayons begin to melt, use the sponges, sticks, etc. to smear the crayon goo on your paper. We also smeared it on jars to make penny banks.
Warning: Expect a mess, on the pavement, on your hands. Everywhere! Around here our motto is “IF YOU AREN”T GETTING MESSY, YOU AREN’T HAVING FUN!”
2) Sprinkler Keep Away
Same as normal keep away, but the person in the middle is also standing in the sprinkler.
3) Pajama Camp Out
This builds on the great tradition of staying in your p.j.s all day. Start with cereal in the back yard. Spread a blanket with books, snacks, pillows, and make yourselves comfy. When it gets too hot, head indoors and watch a movie or read in Mom and Dad’s bed (what is it about Mom and Dad’s bed that kids like?).
4) Make a Tent
If you have a real tent put it up and let the kids entertain themselves. If not, try building one out of a large blanket and chairs, ropes, trees, or whatever is in your yard.
5) Read Everything
Pile a TON of story books around your favorite reading spot and see how many you can read in one day. I love doing this when our bookshelves are a mess so we can tidy up when we replace the books.
6) Do Nothing Box
Just pull out games, toys, coloring books which your kids haven’t played with in a while. Place them in a box or basket and tell the kids they “have to” play out of that box all day. I also do this on rainy days or when I am sick. If I was really organized, I would have a box ready, but I don’t
7) Don’t Cook
Okay, so that’s a personal fantasy. When it’s too hot to bake cookies, pull out your favorite no-bake recipe and let the kids help.
8) If, all else fails, fill the bathtub with water and let them all climb in in their swimsuits. Don’t ask me why they like this, they just do.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Why do you home school? How do you home school?
These two questions seem to be constantly swirling around me. At first I spent a lot of time perfecting my answer. It seemed like my reputation depended on my answer. I wanted to impress those who quizzed me with a thoughtful and intelligent answer.
After four years of experience, I still haven’t found the perfect answer. In fact, my answers are much more relaxed. Sometimes they are even joking. I usually say whatever pops into my head - which isn’t always a good idea.
The point is it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter why I home school and I don’t really have any business asking you why you home school. No two families have the same reasons and no two families teach their children in the same way. That is the point of home school – and it’s beauty.
I know home school families that are vegetarians, families that are totally organic, families that have a dozen kids and families that have an only child. There are families that use a distance learning programs, families that teach the classical method and families that unschool. However, I also know people who have been shunned because they do things differently and I’ve seen lines of communication cut over minor issues.
I am tired of trying to fit myself and my family into a home school box. That’s not who we are. So I decided to start a blog that would be a comfortable place to discuss all things home schooling– a place of encouragement and support. No fitting in required.
After four years of experience, I still haven’t found the perfect answer. In fact, my answers are much more relaxed. Sometimes they are even joking. I usually say whatever pops into my head - which isn’t always a good idea.
The point is it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter why I home school and I don’t really have any business asking you why you home school. No two families have the same reasons and no two families teach their children in the same way. That is the point of home school – and it’s beauty.
I know home school families that are vegetarians, families that are totally organic, families that have a dozen kids and families that have an only child. There are families that use a distance learning programs, families that teach the classical method and families that unschool. However, I also know people who have been shunned because they do things differently and I’ve seen lines of communication cut over minor issues.
I am tired of trying to fit myself and my family into a home school box. That’s not who we are. So I decided to start a blog that would be a comfortable place to discuss all things home schooling– a place of encouragement and support. No fitting in required.
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