"He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice."
- Albert Einstein
Kill 'em or Train 'em
Are you planning to have teenagers? If you're going to let your children live past twelve years old, you better get used to the idea. Adolescent changes often startle parents. They feel threatened by the new thinking and behavior. In fact, it's hard to not feel threatened knowing that a teen may attack or explode at the slightest irritation. Teen actions and questions are often perceived as forms of rebellion and parents have a hard time knowing whether this is a phase to be ignored or the beginning of a problem that needs urgent action.
It’s important to know where to draw the line. Independent thinking is healthy but disrespect is not. Choosing one's own values is necessary but can't be an excuse for dishonor. Parents who don't realize the difference, miss valuable teaching opportunities.
Teens may appear hard but they're still very sensitive. When parents dish out criticism the same way teens do, teens get hurt. Their understanding of themselves is much more fragile than their actions lead you to believe. Teens are at a prime time for life-altering experiences. An offhand comment may make a lasting impression so be careful what you say and how you say it.
Tie privilege and responsibility together. A young person shouldn't be able to experience the benefits of family life without also abiding by the principles that make it work. "I feel uncomfortable taking you to the mall right now because of the way you asked me to leave your room a few minutes ago. First, let's deal with the way you're treating me and then we can talk about the privilege of going to the mall."
From the book, "Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids."
Irony is...
Whilst (I like that word!)... Ummm okay- Whilst walking through the living room a few moments ago I came upon a book lying on the floor. When I picked it up this is what I found...
Creative math counters
We have a lot of army guys we got from the Dollar Store recently and yesterday it dawned on me to use these guys for math counters! Much better than pinto beans like we always have used.
How cool is that?
Then I started thinking that hotwheels cars, Legos, toy lizards and frogs would work great, too.
How cool is that?
Then I started thinking that hotwheels cars, Legos, toy lizards and frogs would work great, too.
For girls you could use Barbie shoes, beads, and barrettes.
Maybe everyone else in the world does these things already- but I thought I would share.
Maybe everyone else in the world does these things already- but I thought I would share.
Do something nice for your husband!
Okay, I know we "do" lots of little things all the time for our husbands.
I know we all tell them how much we appreciate them, how important they are to you & your children and that we tell him that we pray for him (and really do).
Can you think of something you can do just for him that is "different" today?
-- How about washing the inside windows of his vehicle?
-- Do you ever iron his shirts or pants (if he doesn't wear these kind of thing to work, how about for church?)
-- Write him a note and put it somewhere he will be surprised to find it.
-- Is there a movie or music CD you would NEVER watch or listen to, but he has been dying to?
-- Fix something to eat that you know he likes and you really don't. In my house that would be "bachelor food" like macaroni with chili. Or make "from scratch" something he liked a lot as a child but never gets now. In my house that would be Chex Party Mix or haystacks.
-- Get up early and make him a real breakfast!
When he notices this special treatment, tell him you wanted to show him that he is the coolest guy you ever met, irreplaceable, and you couldn't live without him! Telling him he is "hot" doesn't hurt either!
Applications being accepted to the H0MEFree Fan Club
I have a little acceptance speech prepared around here somewhere... now where did I put that?
Oh it doesn't matter... I'll just shoot from the hip here. Can you hear me in the back?
I won the Random Blogger Award this week.
Thanks Tia of HSBCompanyBlog for the hat tipping! Much love to you!
It is probably the only time being random is a good thing!
As we speak, a special song is being written in my honor...
and a statue of my head has already been placed in front of The Old Schoolhouse company building. I preferred it to be made of marble, but I was told it was going to be alabaster instead. Oh well, what can you do?
I'll probably be the top story on the news tonight. Make sure you tape it!
Seriously though, thanks HSBCompanyBlog and Tia Linschied, Senior Editor!!
Confession of a homeschool mama
We homeschool all year in my family. Summers are less "intense".
A friend of mine homeschools her two children and takes part of the summer "off" from school. She recently admitted that she was not sure what has happened with her time she should have had during this long awaited hiatus!
The problem: Homeschooling mamas are usually multi-tasking.
They are not sitting down with their children during school. Instead, they are doing dishes, checking email, reading magazines, straightening the house, folding laundry or whatever.
If you drop one one thing on your multi-task list, you just replace it with another.
These are the facts.
Homeschool moms do not like to admit it.
Here I am!! Over here! I am admitting it! I confess I multi-task during school, too!
Scientists starting to get a clue
"Evolution theory challenged"
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer
Wed Aug 8, 5:57 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Surprising research based on two African fossils suggests our family tree is more like a wayward bush with stubby branches, challenging what had been common thinking on how early humans evolved.
The discovery by Meave Leakey, a member of a famous family of paleontologists, shows that two species of early human ancestors lived at the same time in Kenya. That pokes holes in the chief theory of man's early evolution — that one of those species evolved from the other.
And it further discredits that iconic illustration of human evolution that begins with a knuckle-dragging ape and ends with a briefcase-carrying man.
...snip...
The paper is based on fossilized bones found in 2000. The complete skull of Homo erectus was found within walking distance of an upper jaw of Homo habilis, and both dated from the same general time period. That makes it unlikely that Homo erectus evolved from Homo habilis, researchers said.
It's the equivalent of finding that your grandmother and great-grandmother were sisters rather than mother-daughter, said study co-author Fred Spoor, a professor of evolutionary anatomy at the University College in London.
The two species lived near each other, but probably didn't interact, each having its own "ecological niche," Spoor said. Homo habilis was likely more vegetarian while Homo erectus ate some meat, he said. Like chimps and apes, "they'd just avoid each other, they don't feel comfortable in each other's company," he said.
...snip...
For the entire article: Scientists starting to get a clue
A good man is hard to find
I have been craving cherry pie lately. No, I am not pregnant. Just sometimes I want cookies or something. I know you can relate. I can't have chocolate like everyone else on the planet, so I look elsewhere.
My amazing husband brought home a Marie Callender cherry pie for me the other day. He is so sweet. Then a couple days later, he brought me flowers and apologized that it had been so long since the last time he got them for me.
He is my dream come true. He makes me want to be a good wife to him. A helpmeet.
17 Children and counting
I love big families. I think they are so wonderful!
I have never met a larger family that was not godly and loving. It is my opinion that members of larger families are better people and better Christians (in general). I believe it is because they have lived in the crucible of the Lord's continual refiner's fire. No one or family is flawless, but it seems they are closer to the mark!
They daily must decide to be a part of their family.
They have learned to honor each other in a thousand ways.
They love and serve on a whole different level.
What better training could you possibly have for life? Or to serve in the Kingdom?
A subject of distain, disgust and horror, it seems, is this fabulous family (pictured) that recently had their 17th child. I was so pleased to see articles on them! However, by writing about them reporters have often leaked their disapproval through their choice of words. How regrettable.
This blessed mama said, "We'd love to have more."
To say the least a lot of trash and judging has been thrown at them. Even by Christians who should know better. Here is one comment "In light of the ever depleting resources and crowding in this world, I find THAT many children HIGHLY irresponsible, and VERY egocentric." And another "It's a uterus, not a clown car." You can read more positives and negatives at TheNewsHole.
Children are our inheritance. Children are a blessing. Every time.
For an article on this great family: 17 children just aren't enough
Lapbooking resources, free printables
I thought I would share a great resource for those of you who are doing the Lap Book type thing.
She has a lot more on the site than this, but this should get you started! :)
Main site: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/
Abundant personality? Or not enough socialization? You decide.
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Boys. What they're REALLY thinking about...
Okay. He's a boy.
And boys will be boys- or so they say.
They are wired very different.
They do things in ways you never thought someone could.
Or would attempt!
Today: You've told him to brush his teeth 12 times and hurry up about it. He's still in there.
Later he appears to be lost- but you find him... in the garage. Apparently a trip to the laundry room was an adventure.
Now, he is staring out the window at nothing- instead of doing his school stuff.
Just WHAT is going on in that head of his??
Here's a clue...
Under the influence
I have been homeschooling for several years now “officially”. Every one has a different definition of just when you can claim beginning homeschooling. This is especially true if you have a learning lifestyle- which we always have had.
Lately, I have been reading and skimming through some homeschool method books. Not really sure what motivated me to do this- the Lord has already refined quite a bit of what we do ("we" mostly means "I"). I have tried many different ways of doing things and little by little have come to where I stand now. You could say learning to homeschool is a process or an adventure- if you are willing to take it. If you are willing to grow as the Lord is leading.
Have you read any homeschool method books before and thought “wait a minute… we do that!” or “that’s what I’ve been saying!”
The books that kind of took me by surprise were:
You can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick
Heart Of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson
Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
It seems that Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick sat in on our home school day and wrote books about it. LOL!
And Robin Sampson hits really strong on Bible first-and-all-day-in-every-subject .
Sampson also is a big promoter of the 4mat method which in a nutshell is: get them excited about the subject, study it, and show what you learned. You show what you learned best by lapbooking (scrapfolder) or notebooking or some other project- maybe a diorama or something.
Well, I am a strong believer in lots of Bible, but I did not teach it all school day. So, in that area, I was really challenged. I have committed to do this now.
If you have not read her book… I cannot recommend it highly enough. No other homeschool book has been more valuable. Worth every penny.
Isn't it funny to see that you didn't make up something- that it was already around- you just did not know?
Rodent Hoochie-Koochy
I was visiting my mom out at her farm and we went out outside to the porch where she had a stash of boots to throw on before braving the mud that you so often find out there. She began to put them on and the second boot had something in it!!
She did not get it all the way on when her toes felt something. In a split second- the boot went spinning and flying through the air as she jumped around in a circle screaming- simutaneously BABY MICE went flying through the air- scattering everywhere. I laughed so much I cried and was very glad it was not me.
Perfect for outdoor schooling!
Live in a warm area?
Perhaps you are into nature journaling or do math outside?
CHECK THIS OUT! A converting bench!
"Enjoy this best-seller as a standard garden bench, flip the back to create a bench and desk setup for student journaling, or turn two benches into one picnic table.
In just a couple of hours you can create a very sturdy bench, or convert it into a bench and table for outdoor classroom projects."
How groovy is that?
And cheap, too! Click here: Kids Gardening Store
Ode to the Post-It
Where would I be without the glorious Post-It?
What words could adequately pay honor to such a humble, yet worthy hero?
A fresh pad represents an infinite stack of possibilties.
Clever scribbles, informative notations, don't-forgets, gee-there's-that-page and other endless multitasking.
Quick in a pinch.
My cup overfloweth.
Where would you, the SuperHomeschoolMom, be without the Post-It?
Lost.
Just lost. 
Photos courtesy of Google.
No Bible, no breakfast?
Bible reading is very important.
Okay, yes you knew that already.
But did you stop to figure out how much homeschoolers depend on their curriculum of choice to "get the Bible into" their children? Do you? I did.
I'd venture that 95% of curricula out there does -not- have enough of either Bible reading or Bible study to really impact a child for life.
A few years ago, I began a new routine for us. Summed up as "No bible reading- no breakfast". Each child must read for 15 minutes by timer. If they do not read, they don't eat. They always read- and I only had a couple balking issues at the beginning.
They read wherever they want in the bible but are not allowed to skip around during their 15 minutes. They can change places tomorrow but not during a current session.
When we began, my son was 4 at the time and learning phonics. He obviously could not read a regular bible. I had a comic book type bible, "Picture Bible" I think it was called, laying around the house. He "read" that for his time. As he became more proficient at phonics and blending, he would try reading the words that were there. So we moved him up to an NIRV (3rd grade level translation). My daughter was older and read her regular bible.
Because they have read for over three years at 15 minutes a day...they have a LOT of bible in them. Recently I read statistics that only 18% of Christians read their Bible every day and worse- a mere 35% read it once a week (probably during church).
I did the math earlier and reading 15 minutes a day and even skipping two weeks a year... means they each have read at least 260 hours!
Wow! Imagine what that total will be by the time they leave home!
Consider starting a rigorous plan in your home.
Good mouse trap
If you hate, loathe, and despise mice and all their diseased germy vermin-ocity... then you should enjoy this!
I doubt this is an actual event, never the less, I can dream- can't I?
Photo from all4humor.com
Your homeschool's name and mission
I think it is -not- of great importance to have a school name, although it has helped in different small ways.
BUT-- having a mission statement has been foundational. We are committed to homeschool all of our children, without government help, to the end. A mission statement reminds us of our goal.
We chose a mission statement AND a bible verse. From there we decided on a name. We also took into consideration our strong beliefs and any family or area characteristics. We live in Oregon, so it is very green, rainy, flowery, mountainous and has a lot of creeks and rivers. We are also "spirit-filled".
Here is what we have posted on our door:
Our mission in homeschooling is...
to raise our children to desire a deep relationship with the Lord, to be spiritually wise, knowledgeable and well skilled in areas that will contribute to their personal life mission, and develop vision, godly character and compassion for the lost- in the comfort and protection of their own home.
"...like a tree that is planted near water.
It sends out it's roots beside a river.
It is not afraid when heat comes. It's leaves are always green
It does not worry when there is no rain.
It always bears fruit."
Jer 17:8
Our homeschool name is Riverside Bible Academy.
Fold up house
I love to camp and really want my children to have memories of camping. My goal is to go at least three times a year. However, the hassle of packing all the padding and sleeping bags to stay in a tent and all the other gear takes forever.
(Can you hear me whining?)
Last year we had an infant, but that would not deter me from camping, but all the gear-packing-time kept us from not camping at all. I hated that.
How fantastic it would be if all the pans, mosquito repellant (necessary in Oregon), tablecloths, batteries, salt and herbs, soap and such- was already packed?
What if all you needed was fresh clothes and some food?
Well, I would be able to camp on a whim! How cool would that be! Because of this dream, we have wanted to get a camper trailer, but knew we would have to buy or borrow a truck every time we wanted to go. A minivan just won't pull one. So, this is not a reality.
After some investigating, we have been on a quest for a popup camper trailer. Did you know that a decent sized popup camper weighs 2400 lbs? Our van can take that on! Easy!
We are borrowing a Fleetwood 1998 one that sleeps six for this next week. He offered to sell it to us for a fair price. A private sale means we gotta have the money up front. Hmmmm.
Well, here is what it looks like. Two king beds, one full, fridge, stove, sink, heater, lights, storage and more!
Lapbooking & Notebooking
What is lapbooking or notebooking? Is it more work?
Actually, homeschooling comes alive as students make interactive projects -- exploring the fascinating subjects they are learning!
With lapbooking and notebooking, students are engaged in discovery, while creating beautiful mementos for assessment and display.
It is certainly an effective and FUN way to learn and remember material! All subjects can easily be integrated into a hands-on portfolio type of product. Can be very effective in unit studies, delight-directed and classical methods of home education.
Here are some links to get you started! Have fun! :)
www.geocities.com/gibsevengang/lapbooks.html
www.thenewhomemaker.com/makingbooks
www.tobinslab.com/downloads/Lap%20Book%20Info%20Sheet.pdf
www.canby.com/hockmanchupp/student_folder_websites.html
groups.msn.com/RestRefreshmentHomeschoolingwaSpirit-FilledLife/notebooking.msnw
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/7380/schoollinks.html#lapbook
You can use a manilla folder (cheap alternative to posterboard!) and refold it with the ends meeting in the middle, as shown here. Or make two of these and glue together to make a huge lapbook with lots of possibilities!
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