Homeschooling Adventures!

There's a whole bunch of  new people doing virtual school at home now.  I just want to encourage you all that you can do this!  We homeschooled all three of our kids for many many years.  Two of them all they way through and one all but about 2 years.  

We used every type of curriculum over the years.  From structured, to workbooks, to computer classes, to unit studies, to unschooling.

First of all, every kid is different.  That is the first thing that I learned homeschooling!  Everyone does not learn like me!  Some of my kids liked structure, some liked more freedom.  Some needed a desk, some needed to be outside. Some liked to do the pages in order, some liked to randomly open the book and do that page! 

Our homeschooling definitely evolved over the years. At first, all I knew to do was what I knew as "school" at home.  I tried to recreate it.  That didn't go over so well.  Then I realized we had the freedom to do so much more at home!  We could learn here or there!  We could learn everywhere!

We utilized the library, and games, and outside, and loads of free play.  Some of the best learning was random questions as we were flying kites at the park.

Now I know, you all doing the "virtual learning" at home won't have quite as much freedom.  But take this time to get to know your kids.  How do they learn?  Visual, auditory, tactile?  By rote, by memorizing? By singing?   Take this time to get to know yourself!  How's your patience?  How's your attitude? Take this time to listen to what they are learning.  Listen to what's going on in the classroom.

And really, it might be easier just to homeschool yourself! Ha!  I know it's not for everyone, but you'd be surprised what you are capable of!

My biggest thing is you don't have to make sure they know "everything"!  You don't have to stuff every fact into their head before they are 18.  But give them a love of learning.  Teach them how to learn.  How to find the answers.  Find what their passion is and hone in on that! 

Take this time to get to know yourself and build that relationship with your kids.  

It truly is a blessing!

Are you having a holly jolly Christmas?

It's the most wonderful time of the year..right??  Well why is everyone in such a grumpy mood?  Especially parents to their kids?

We were out yesterday doing Christmas-y things.  Seeing the pretty trees and lights and enjoying the season.  I went into a restroom and a mom was yelling at her little girl, then I went out and a mom was yelling at her kids to "not smile that way in the picture".  Geez.

Momma, I know you are frustrated.  You feel like you have to do all the things for the holidays and make it "special" for everyone.  And you are at the end of your rope.  But please don't take it out on your kids.  They have feelings too.

What do you want them to remember at the holidays?  You getting all the things done but being a complete grumpy pants about it?

Enjoy the season!  So what if the cookies don't get made, or the gifts bought or wrapped.

Stop and sing a song, do the Charlie Brown dance, play a game.

Make some positive memories with your kids.

When you start to feel anxious or frustrated.  Stop, breathe, smile, pray.  Let it go.

Christmas will come and go and what will be left.  The paper will all get thrown away, the cookies all eaten. And what will be left?

The memories.

Make some good ones.  Treat others (your kids) the way you'd like to be treated.

Love them. Kids are people too.

After all it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Seasons

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In life there are seasons.  Just as the leaves change and the weather changes, life also ebbs and flows. I remember the days of little munchkins..biting, fighting, constant maintenance.  I thought those days would never end.  It was completely exhausting and somedays I didn't know how I survived!

Those days have passed now.  I'm in a new season.  It's quieter now.  Things are much slower.  I only do the laundry and the dishes about once a week.

But there's perks too.  Last night, my grown son came home and took me to dinner and a movie.  He's the perfect gentleman.  He opened the door for me and delighted me with his conversation.  It was a wonderful evening.

I would never have pictured these days back then.  But they are wonderful!  I'm really enjoying my grown up kids.

Hang in there, moms and dads.  Soon the blistering heat of summer will be over and the coolness of fall will begin.  It happens so quickly too.

Rant

Rant time...

Kids now a days are being tested on every level.  Are they smart enough for preschool?  Have they sat up at 4 months?  Do they read at grade level?  Have they completed AB & C by the time they are 3 years old?

Oh they haven't??  Well, then I'm sorry but your child has failed.  And in return you, the parent, are deemed a failure too.

When did it get this way??  Why so much pressure on our kids to be this or that?  Why do all 4 year olds have to fit in exactly the same box?

Well--let me tell you--the one thing I learned through homeschooling my kids for 15 years is that

KIDS DO NOT ALL ACHIEVE THE SAME GOALS AT THE SAME TIME!

ALL KIDS ARE DIFFERENT!

KIDS LEARN DIFFERENTLY! KIDS HAVE DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES!

Mommas know their kids.  We are around them so much more than anyone else.  The persons or institution administering the "test"  only sees them for a few minutes.  How can they define a person by just those few minutes?

Why do all 5 year olds need to read at a certain level?  Do all 40 year olds read at the same level?

Kids will excel in some areas and not be that great in other areas.  Aren't we all like that?  Don't we all have our strengths and weaknesses?  Can't we ALL grow in different areas?

Please, parents,  I caution you against measuring yourself and your kids against all these parameters that SOMEONE HAS JUST MADE UP!  Who decided what a 6 year old should be reading like?  Who made up all these "standards"?

We know our kids!  Let's not compare and pressure.  Let's be good mommas and daddies.  Let's love our kids regardless of how well they can jump through someone else's hoops.  Let's love our kids for the joys that they are!  Let's love our kids for who God has made them to be!  

Be encouraged!!  You are doing a great job parents!!  You're kids are doing good too!  

--rant over.......for now.

Living a Surreal life

Definition---Surreal:  Having the disorienting quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic

My youngest son turned 19 today.  Nineteen!!  My YOUNGEST!  How this is possible I'll never know.  Surreal is a great definition to describe it. In some ways it seems like just yesterday I was chasing them all around, picking up all their messes, changing endless amounts of diapers; but in other ways those days seem so long ago I can barely remember it!

Someone once described the baby stage as the "Longest days, and the shortest years".

That about covers it.

I'm super excited about the paths my kids are choosing.  It seems like they are right on target.  They are in the fields for which they are made.

Larry and I are thoroughly enjoying our little empty nest.  It's really quiet at times.  But we are getting to know each other again.  Learning to enjoy the quiet.  The grand kids stage will be coming soon enough and I look forward to that.

While I may be further ahead on the parenting journey than some, and way behind of others, I would love to share my ups and downs with whomever would like to hear.

If you need encouragement for THOSE days, I can help.  If you need a ear to hear and just let off steam, I can do that.  If you need some advice for some problem that you are facing, I can do my best.

That's what we are supposed to do.  Sharpen each other.  Keep each other accountable.  Spur each other on to love and good deeds.

I know I need it... ALOT.

um...Hello? now what?!

Kids now a days!  (And by kids I mean anyone under 30)  They've lost a few basic manners somehow along the way, or were never taught them.

So here's a few basic manners to teach your young 'uns.  Please!  Before the art of basic human interaction is lost forever!

1. Look me in the eyes.  Yes, I know your phone just buzzed and there's some major crisis out there...like a facebook notification.  But please--just look me directly in the eyes when you are speaking to me.
2. When introducing someone to me, please give me their name!  "This is my girlfriend"...where do I go with that..."Hello, girlfriend!".... Proper manners.. Say the person's name you are introducing them to and say the person's name you are introducing.  Example:  Hello, Valerie, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Denise.
3. After being properly introduced, try to at least pretend to be interested in this person.  Although genuine concern is greatly appreciated.  Example:  Hello, Valerie!  It's so good to meet you!  My boyfriend has told me lots about you!  It's very good to meet you!
4. Try to find something to talk about.  It's polite to stay a few minutes (seconds) and at least get to know something about them.  Example:  Valerie- I hear you are from Arlington,  have you ever been to Six Flags?  I've always wanted to go!  Note: This does involve knowing some things about the world in general.
5. Please put away your phone while people are around.  Try to interact with the people around you.  
6. Ask questions about the other person.  Example:  What do you like to do for fun?  Do you play board games?  Where did you vacation last?  Showing interest in others is not only polite but you may get to know something about them!

This is just the very basic when meeting a person for the first time.  I've noticed more and more people now a days just don't understand how to interact with other people!  If there's not a Like button or a comment button on them they aren't sure what to do!

People are interesting!  People are fun!  Let's get back to real time interaction and not just screen time.  Anyone else experienced this madness??

New Chapters

I went to the park for lunch today.  The only table that was in the sun was next to the playground.  I ate my lunch and sat there watching the mamas and daddies and all the little punkin' heads running around.  On the one hand, it seems like just a few moments ago that I was one of those mamas chasing around three little ones.  Pushing them on the swings, sliding down the slides with them, toting them around in the strollers.  On the other hand, it seems like ages and ages ago.

My youngest will turn 18 in a few months!  I have 3 young adults now.  My oldest is married!  What?  Time sure does fly when you're having fun.   I'm actually loving this stage right now.  I know it's only a few moments till grand kids come along (I can't wait!)  But for now, I'm really diggin' this time of life.

Stuff I love about having older kids:

• They can take care of themselves (physically, sometimes they still need me emotionally)
• They can have great conversations!  Sometimes they hold me to the fire!
• I love to see them growing in their relationship to God and in their relationships to others.
• They are a lot of fun!  They go camping, hiking, bike riding with us and it's tough to keep up with them! Plus, they put up the tents etc! Bonus!
• My honey and I have lots of "date" times together now.
• I love to see their lives spread out before them and choices they make and the paths they choose.

Probably the biggest regret I've had is that we didn't have more kids.  But I am thankful for what the Lord has blessed us with.  I'm thankful for the person that they've made me.  I'm glad for the lessons they've taught me.  I am super blessed to have an amazing family!

Odd jobs

I haven't had too many paid jobs in my life. I've been a waitress, admin assistant, and worked in a cookie shop. Nothing too exciting. But I have the toughest job in the world now. And I don't even get paid for it! (and least not monetarily!) That is raising my kids. It's so hard because there's no formula. There's no daily list of tasks we need to accomplish. There's no clock in or out time. There's no bonuses. There's no reviews. Just when you think you get it figured out..they grow up and move on to new things and issues. Yes--it is a really tough job, no-I wouldn't change it. With help and wisdom from others who've gone before, and a lot of prayer somehow we will make it through this maze called parenting. And hopefully our kids will too and look back and appreciate it.