tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post1690121382866999056..comments2024-03-28T19:35:24.365-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Homeschooling guidancePatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-83695060724838364412013-04-19T08:38:11.540-07:002013-04-19T08:38:11.540-07:00Hey, Patrice! I just came across a really interes...Hey, Patrice! I just came across a really interesting blog from a public school teacher in my local area who adopted two kids from abroad who have special needs because of being neglected in orphanages. She and her husband (who runs a home based gardening business) homeschool their children, and seeing both worlds she has some astonishing insights. <br />Here's a quote: "Parents are being told in the masses that something is wrong with their child, and than medication is needed, so that they can become "regular learners" in the institution of education. <br /><br />Seriously! If I was a CEO of a company and 30-40% of my staff needed to be medicated to perform their duties asked of them, I would not all of the sudden assume that the work force was falling apart. I would re-think my company model. " (endquote)<br /><br />Their blog is at http://backyardlearning.blogspot.com/Ellenhttp://www.andrewseltz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-12961363929742793122013-04-14T11:21:29.164-07:002013-04-14T11:21:29.164-07:00Hey I only had one child, but I would wait until t...Hey I only had one child, but I would wait until the<br />2year old is about 4 unless she shows an interest in<br />learning. I did get a lot of grief and heartache from<br />both of my parents and they also went behind my back<br />and complain to other relatives in front of my daughter.<br />Thank God my aunt stood up for me. I wasn't there at the<br />time. My daughter has a 3.5 grade point average in college and for most of the also has been working about<br />40 hours a week. Since she works only when needed, she<br />hasn't been needed lately so she has been working on<br />finals, I can't ask for better.<br />Blessings,<br />DebbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-72242119405747597732013-04-13T00:20:38.004-07:002013-04-13T00:20:38.004-07:00Amen!
I sometimes crave adult conversation, but I...Amen!<br /><br />I sometimes crave adult conversation, but I never crave a break from my children. I can't understand that. Mom will have plenty of time "away and alone" when the children are gone and it will be too late to get back those lost hours.<br /><br />I would stepping back and looking at all the things and ways in which you and your wife are actually teaching your girls right now. Everytime they ask a question, every time you explain what you are doing, reading books, putting puzzles together, blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk...you are teaching! Nothing mysteriously happens when they turn five and the public school wants them to come (because they get lots of state and federal dollars when they do) that makes you an ineffectual teacher. You will not be teaching rocket science to your five year old. You will be continuing what you have all ready been doing. Reading, discussing, playing, drawing, matching, sorting. <br /><br />Many people have success with Non-school. I haven't done it, but I throw it out just because I think it's okay to relax and step back and realize that if you try something and it's not working, it's okay to change course. We moved a lot when I was a child. I survived lots of different schools and teachers, made leaps from one curriculum to another. My parents took us out of school for weeks and even months when we moved and I learned lots during those times, as well. It's all in how you look at it.<br /><br />I personally, began using Abeka books and workbooks, but realized that an integrated literature based Charlotte Mason approach would be more beneficial to my son. He excelled at workbooks, but was not going to apply what he learned and I was getting way too wrapped up in him answering the question on the test correctly, rather than learning and being able to put that knowledge into place with other knowledge. <br /><br />Don't make it difficult. Think of how much your little ones have learned since the day they were born...YOU did that! It can be as simple as expanding on reading an appropriate book. Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to both your girls, show the colors, talk about the fruit, go shopping and buy some of those fruits, eat them, get another book on caterpillars and butterflies at the library, get on the floor and pretend to be caterpillars and spin cocoons, become butterflies, make tissue paper butterflies. I could go on and on, but at 2 and 4 you can literally turn everything into learning. Popping pop corn can be a tasty science lesson (Why does it pop?) Your two old may not understand the lesson, but she can learn the letter P/p and can glue popcorn down on construction paper in the shape of P along with her sister, while they eat popcorn. <br />You can not only help mom out by "relieving" her, you can teach also. Dad's look at the world in a unique way and your daughters can be the beneficiary of that.<br /><br />Have fun, talk with others, and think about what will work best for your little ones. I thrived on workbooks as a child and my younger brother wilted, but he could draw and illustrate fabulous stories he told. That talent never left him. Unfortunately, my forte was bookwork and I struggled to apply, achieving my personal success from the grade on the paper instead of the lesson. Watch out for that!<br /><br />stsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-33024958794011658912013-04-12T21:51:22.875-07:002013-04-12T21:51:22.875-07:00My two older children were two years apart. The yo...My two older children were two years apart. The younger was over three before I felt human again. Before she turned three, I felt old. Then, when I had the third and last, they were five and seven. The third child being added was not stressful at all. It was so easy. <br /><br />With the first two, I had two in diapers for nine months. The first one was determined not to be trained. The second, a girl, was easily toilet trained. The third, a girl, was potty trained very early as she tried to emulate her sister. Life was good!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991571309786149363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-86904550193681553022013-04-12T20:09:37.938-07:002013-04-12T20:09:37.938-07:00Bard, the most important thing you can do for your...Bard, the most important thing you can do for your children is find unity with your wife. That is God's design for marriage - 2 that become 1. That means you must be on the same team, rather than "this is what I want to do, and she can't do it right". Part of your job as a leader in the home is to cast a vision and draw your wife and kids closer to God - not closer to what you have unilaterally decided is the way to do things. Please, if you want a Godly marriage and a Godly home, put your energy and intensity and focus into seeking unity with your wife. The marriage they see up close every day is your kids first, last, and most memorable lesson about life, God, the church, and relationships - and the way you conduct that relationship will either support or tear down every other word that comes out of your mouth.Ellenhttp://www.andrewseltz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-7051572871724259322013-04-12T20:00:04.375-07:002013-04-12T20:00:04.375-07:00My sweet wife coincidentally directed me this stor...My sweet wife coincidentally directed me this story:<br /><br />http://childrensmd.org/uncategorized/why-doctors-and-lawyers-homeschool-their-children-18-reasons-why-we-have-joined-americas-fastest-growing-educational-trend/<br /><br />Hopefully the writer of the story got past her stereotypical prejudices of homeschoolers, because she otherwise has some excellent insight on how she and her husband tag teamed to give their kids the best possible education from home. Worth the read.<br /><br />TimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-81488922684625629452013-04-12T19:59:36.006-07:002013-04-12T19:59:36.006-07:00I also have little ones exactly 2 years apart. I ...I also have little ones exactly 2 years apart. I would just encourage your wife, that the difference between having a 2 and 4, versus having a 4 and 6, is HUGE. Light-years. You can't even believe it. <br />Part of what your wife is experiencing, is 5 years of total exhaustion - really, in a way she has not fully recovered from her first pregnancy. It does get easier, really it does. When those 2 are old enough to really play together, potty training is all done, and everybody is sleeping through the night with no night-terrors, etc - and not need such complete supervision, she will get a lot more rest and mental energy. <br />4 and 6 year olds can - get their own approved snacks out of the fridge, clear the table, put their own toys and clothes away, bathe themselves (or need much less help), brush their own teeth, etc. It's just so much less wearing.<br />Hang in there, it gets better.Ellenhttp://www.andrewseltz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-60762312755877287422013-04-12T17:23:44.616-07:002013-04-12T17:23:44.616-07:00Dear, dear Bard. Your open and blatant disrespect ...Dear, dear Bard. Your open and blatant disrespect for your wife is disgusting. It's a shame you have no one around you that loves you enough to hold you accountable for this. Perhaps you should find yourself a solid men's group to join where REAL men who don't say things like you did about your wife will show you how to have nards enough to treat her with the courtesy and respect she deserves. (Christ and the Church, you pig) Might I suggest the ENTIRE Marriage Seminar on DVD by Jimmy and Karen Evans? And please do stop using the name Catholic in vain. I find it personally offensive. Jan the ManJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14750235656908991610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-816496596037581082013-04-12T17:17:23.753-07:002013-04-12T17:17:23.753-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14750235656908991610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-31327567309523559262013-04-12T16:38:57.033-07:002013-04-12T16:38:57.033-07:00Oh that's funny - reminds me, I used to make m...Oh that's funny - reminds me, I used to make my boys run laps around the house to start every break. However old you are, I want that many laps!<br /><br />JulieHerding Grasshoppershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-70898994648013384782013-04-12T14:22:47.589-07:002013-04-12T14:22:47.589-07:00It's great that you want your wife to have a h...It's great that you want your wife to have a half day off on the weekend. What she needs to do is get completely away from the house and chores. She may feel that she has to clean, do laundry, or cook, but these are the last things she needs to do. She needs to have time completely for herself. My husband and I worked this out, and I used the time to go to the library (without having to hunt for children's books or supervise what they did) and go for a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea. Small things but they left me relaxed and ready for the challenges of the coming week. I was a much nicer wife and mother as a result of those 2 1/2 hours away from home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-91756853767816972132013-04-12T13:46:43.526-07:002013-04-12T13:46:43.526-07:00I commend you for finding a way to make things wor...I commend you for finding a way to make things work for your family! If it is something you feel strongly about, make sure you don't give up, keep trying new things, as there is always a way. Also know that eventually your children will become (at least mostly) independent learners, capable of doing the majority of their work even if you are not there, giving you the opportunity to go over their work when you get home or on weekend. I wish you the best of luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-28680328283436243662013-04-12T13:12:07.324-07:002013-04-12T13:12:07.324-07:00You are correct. Let me be more specific. I will...You are correct. Let me be more specific. I will take the lead in starting their day by teaching them in the morning and sit them down for the day of "school work." My wife may not be taking the lead but she can "watch" them between the hours of 0800 - 1500. I will then be able to "relieve her" when I get home every day. With that, if I must do more that is what Saturday is for. <br /><br />The Bardhttp://charlescarrollsociety.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-962856842943404012013-04-12T11:42:39.110-07:002013-04-12T11:42:39.110-07:00We have two daughters, 20 months apart, now 10&...We have two daughters, 20 months apart, now 10&11 and two grandmothers who were both public school teachers. They were not supportive when we began homeschooling (the oldest did Kindergarten, and then I pulled her from the system, the youngest has only ever been homeschooled). The hardest part for me during the first few years was the 24/7 togetherness. "Coping" meant that I joined a gym with childcare and 2-3 times a week, I got an hour off to work out. I also joined the local homeschooling group, and we did field trips and park playdates together, which gave me the company of other homeschooling moms - good company, and commiseration, and advice/ideas for coping! Also, my husband would try to give me 2-4 hours off on weekends- 2 hours was long enough for me to take a good walk in the park, 4 hours was enough to run errands of the type that I couldn't/wouldn't do with the kids. I am not going to tell you it was easy. I will tell you that it got easier. Particularly after the kids learned to read (both were late readers, age 7 and 8). <br /><br />I do not do boxed curriculum, and never have. My children do not learn the same way - so the same curriculum for both would not work. One child (the math-head) uses Teaching Textbooks on the computer for her math, because she enjoys all things on the computer. The other (the more-verbal-than-the-dictionary child) is doing Life of Fred, because she hates the computer, and writing, but learns quickly anything that is presented to her in story form, and much prefers to do her work in her head and give her answers aloud. <br /><br />One of the big advantages to homeschooling for us has been my ability to tweak the curriculum to the girls' learning styles, and interests, and to my own preferences (I like science experiments, I like crafts that produce something useful, I hate pointless crafts and busywork and worksheets). For awhile I was doing activities I hated (taking the tone deaf to music lessons stands out as one - she is far better off in art lessons where she can excel), and it was making me crazy. Once I realized that, I revamped homeschool so I enjoy it, too. It isn't perfect, and my husband and I have an agreement - we have a conversation every summer about whether or not we will continue homeschooling - but this year has been the best so far in terms of everyone's sanity, learning, enjoyment...<br /><br />and FWIW, the grandmothers have changed their tunes - my children are far better behaved (not really hard when they aren't getting picked up by the cops) than the public schooled grandkids, and they are doing fine academically. (Yes, mom, I'll work on getting the oldest to make change in her head...)<br /><br />XaLynnXa Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10542611446828065852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-38550026001990415822013-04-12T11:39:10.839-07:002013-04-12T11:39:10.839-07:00We have homeschooled for 11 years (my kids are 15y...We have homeschooled for 11 years (my kids are 15yo and 13yo and have never been to school). There are still days when I want to throw myself in front of the big, yellow bus and put them on it. BUT, that said, I have NEVER regretted homeschooling. My children have a depth of skills and breadth of experiences that I never could have given them if they had gone to school. I am very close to both of them. The time we have spent together has been priceless. I will never be one of those moms who says, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids when they were young."<br />When my kids were younger, here are a few tips we used to remain sane:<br />1. Books on CD. This is the #1 important thing in our homeschool. Jim Weiss is a personal favorite, but you can also get books on CD from the library. Great for non-readers to sit quietly for HOURS and color while listening. Builds vocab. and pre-reading strategies.<br />2. Swap 4 hours a month with another homeschool mom. My friend and I would do this and use the time to do a big project we could not accomplish with little ones underfoot. Think cleaning the bathroom or painting the hallway.<br />3. Educational videos. Yes, too much TV is not good, but 30-60 min. once or twice a week won't kill them. In general, I held TV as my card up my sleeve for "I am going crazy" days.<br />4. Naps. My kids took naps until they were 5. Establishing a daily quiet time for older kids is a good idea.<br />5. Field trips. It's important to get out and explore the world. A field trip need not be expensive or far away, though. A free trip to the PO or a bakery or a pasta factory nearby is a cool change of pace. A quick phone call to a local business may be all you need to set it up. Get a few friends to go along for more fun.<br />6. Park Day. We met with friends once a week for YEARS at a local park. In the winter, we rotated houses.<br />Hope this helps. KatyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-45727414150224462442013-04-12T11:32:09.004-07:002013-04-12T11:32:09.004-07:00CB, my best advice to you and your wife at this po...CB, my best advice to you and your wife at this point is to adopt an Second Timothy 1:7 approach and go for it.<br /><br />"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."<br /><br />I'm very pleased and impressed with the outpouring of replies to this thread. It warms my heart to know how many smart and stalwart folks there are out there carrying on in excellence and dedication.<br /><br />It blesses and benefits us all.<br /><br />A.McSpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-59062411567654375272013-04-12T10:46:00.097-07:002013-04-12T10:46:00.097-07:00John Taylor Gatto is the best & his opus, &quo...John Taylor Gatto is the best & his opus, "An Underground History of American Education", is free to read on his website. It is w/o a doubt the most influential book I have read other than the Word of God. If you aren't up for a 400 page book right now though, check out the movie "IndoctriNation". It covers (much more lightly) many of the same topics in "Underground History" but from a very distinctively Christian viewpoint. Highly recommend!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-79208004866664830792013-04-12T10:38:07.409-07:002013-04-12T10:38:07.409-07:00Agreed! I used to make my kids go outside & ru...Agreed! I used to make my kids go outside & run around the house five times when they were bouncing off the walls. I also had a rebounder in the house all winter & I would set a timer & have them bounce for 5-10 minutes when they couldn't go out. When they were preschool & young elementary age we had a large Step Two(?) climbing platform/slide (about 5ft tall). I would scrub it down every fall & bring it into our playroom for the winter - we didn't own much furniture then anyway. Little kids are so energetic that they wear me out just looking at them! Exercise, esp outside, is good for their minds, good for their bodies, good for their eyes, and good for your sanity! My last two are 11 and 13 now, and they still take breaks from studying & go outside & jump their mini horse jumps (kid jumps). Coincidentally, my 11 yr old just set the county-wide girls' 10&11 high jump record last Saturday at a meet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-10479917554237076872013-04-12T09:35:04.884-07:002013-04-12T09:35:04.884-07:00To CB,
What a MAN you are! Keep up the good work!...To CB,<br />What a MAN you are! Keep up the good work! Taking that time with your daughters is so important for them. Maybe even more then it is for your wife. I agree, 2 and 4 are difficult years, and it does get better. Though watch out for 7, it can be a challenge too! Even when things 'smooth out' have that time with them each day and you will raise daughters you will be proud of. <br />Judy in IdahoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-21115286183854905692013-04-12T08:48:16.476-07:002013-04-12T08:48:16.476-07:002 and 4 - what great ages CB! Cooking, painting, ...2 and 4 - what great ages CB! Cooking, painting, arts & crafts, walking outside, staring at the sun, tea parties, picnics, puzzles galore, bubbles, singing, dancing, giggling, afternoon naps, storytime, abs'c and 123's, dress-up, forts and tents, tag, swimming, running, chores, learning to "clean-up", breakfast, lunch, dinner, quiet time, blocks, legos, dolls, coloring books, making mommy and daddy pictures, playing ball outside, planting flowers, riding bikes/little cars, chasing butterflies, sidewalk chalk, even collecting bugs! My daughters are 22, 19, and 16 - Homeschooled all three (one left) and I can think of a million things that we enjoyed over the years. Honestly, the 2 and 4 I feel are the easy years. As they aged, Dad showed them everything from plumbing, to cleaning the chicken coop, shooting, electrical work, wood working, horse training, to working on the cars, etc. If you ask them they will tell you it was the best way to grow up. Just yesterday my youngest and I cracked up for over 15 minutes watching a blue jay squawk over the chicken coop - those simple times are the most enjoyable homeschool times - she could identify the bird just from the sound before it flew to the coop! I have come to believe that homeschooling is not "school" it is a lifestyle - that of which mom and dads have done for centuries before the invention of modern public schooling. I recommend John Taylor Gatto's book on American education for more insight and encouragement. Take one day at a time and know that every day is not "ever" going to be the same, trust wholeheartedly in God and praise Jesus everyday your kids are safe and "at home" with you!Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-26350532419036662722013-04-12T07:13:01.388-07:002013-04-12T07:13:01.388-07:00I can understand small children driving you crazy....I can understand small children driving you crazy.When my children were small and I go tot this point I would play some good music and just dance with them.I was a single parent and this was a great way to relieve the stress and just have fun with them for a while.My mother taught me this trick and it worked.So go ahead and home school your children,just include dance breaks as needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-40278738135845298172013-04-12T06:28:04.023-07:002013-04-12T06:28:04.023-07:00I understand! I have had those days and I would en...I understand! I have had those days and I would encourage this man's wife by saying they are still young. It gets so much easier! I have 4 children all 2 years apart, eldest is now 7. When I think back to the days when I had a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old, I have 'grown' so much in my confidence and homeschooling ability. I think one of the best things we can do with our lives is to educate our children ourselves. To grow, I read A LOT of catholic homeschool blogs. Specifically amongstlovelythings.com (is that ok for me to write that here?) - I just thought it would help this wifey. I often get complimented with how well behaved my children are when I take them out and I realised that a big factor in that was that because they were always with me, I had to learn to manage them. I didn't think, "oh well soon they will be at school and I won't have to deal with it so I'll overlook bad behaviour". I see my children as little versions of the adults God has called them to be and the time I have with them is insanely short (even though it seems like the days are long now). I want to love on them and teach them and enjoy their company as much as I can. Which I know is very unlike my secular friends. I do get out on my own every now and then, a coffee out alone or a shopping trip, etc, which energises me to power on. Coping techniques help (I think that is also where the Blogs help) and also focusing on the end product - that crown awaiting you in heaven. We have to pave our own way (we are working against the "better judgements" of our families too) and know that we can do it. The Lord strengthens us and his burden is light. (I think about how much I would dread(!) absolutely dread the school drop off and pick up two times a day - talk about burden.... I could also address the insane demands of schools insisting that all children should read at age 5! How many children get discouraged and hate reading because they are forced to do things before they are ready. I don't think anyone will teach my children with as much love and respect as me and my husband will, and my children (like all our children) deserve the best. Sorry for long response. I am passionate about this - your wife can do it! Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14858518326540230559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-41895157677506765352013-04-12T06:27:38.755-07:002013-04-12T06:27:38.755-07:00I understand! I have had those days and I would en...I understand! I have had those days and I would encourage this man's wife by saying they are still young. It gets so much easier! I have 4 children all 2 years apart, eldest is now 7. When I think back to the days when I had a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old, I have 'grown' so much in my confidence and homeschooling ability. I think one of the best things we can do with our lives is to educate our children ourselves. To grow, I read A LOT of catholic homeschool blogs. Specifically amongstlovelythings.com (is that ok for me to write that here?) - I just thought it would help this wifey. I often get complimented with how well behaved my children are when I take them out and I realised that a big factor in that was that because they were always with me, I had to learn to manage them. I didn't think, "oh well soon they will be at school and I won't have to deal with it so I'll overlook bad behaviour". I see my children as little versions of the adults God has called them to be and the time I have with them is insanely short (even though it seems like the days are long now). I want to love on them and teach them and enjoy their company as much as I can. Which I know is very unlike my secular friends. I do get out on my own every now and then, a coffee out alone or a shopping trip, etc, which energises me to power on. Coping techniques help (I think that is also where the Blogs help) and also focusing on the end product - that crown awaiting you in heaven. We have to pave our own way (we are working against the "better judgements" of our families too) and know that we can do it. The Lord strengthens us and his burden is light. (I think about how much I would dread(!) absolutely dread the school drop off and pick up two times a day - talk about burden.... I could also address the insane demands of schools insisting that all children should read at age 5! How many children get discouraged and hate reading because they are forced to do things before they are ready. I don't think anyone will teach my children with as much love and respect as me and my husband will, and my children (like all our children) deserve the best. Sorry for long response. I am passionate about this - your wife can do it! Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14858518326540230559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-54488806982278050202013-04-12T04:33:39.722-07:002013-04-12T04:33:39.722-07:00I have a 6 year old girl, and a 2 boys, 4 and 2. ...I have a 6 year old girl, and a 2 boys, 4 and 2. My wife said she was never going to homeschool and she made the decision to passionately pursue it. Even though this was her decision, she still has bad days, especially since we are just now getting to the point where the oldest is mature enough for self-directed (or minimally supervised) learning. My wife instituted mandatory rest time as her coping strategy. When the youngest went for his nap, the olders would get books or toys and they would go somewhere (usually their rooms, sometimes outside) away from Mommy to have some individual play. They were not to come out until Mommy had her time. In this space mommy would have her break and breathe and *most importantly* NOT feel guilty for taking a little time out so that she can be the Mommy she wants to be later.<br />We bought some curriculums but found that they really boxed us in and that was more stress. Maybe we’ll use them later. We have become proponents of child directed learning and we actively study whatever they are currently asking questions about.<br />We assume right now that everything will take us longer. When we cook, the kids are in the kitchen. Sometimes we pull spices out of the cabinet just to smell and compare and talk about them. When we get change from a purchase, we count it out and talk about pennies dimes and nickels and how they have different values. We stop to look at bugs on the sidewalk. When we talk about going to run errands, we talk about where we’re going first, and why we go to the grocery store last. This is all homeschool…this is LIFEschool. Another commenter said that homeschool is NOT about sitting children down for 6 hours a day and forcing them to study. You will ALL go insane if you try that.<br />As far as discipline, what works for one child may just make another child mad. They will also figure out your discipline technique and try to use it against you. You’ll be constantly reinventing your discipline techniques so be nimble and prayerful. You have been given stewardship over your children. God will give you the information that you need when you need it if you ask Him and if you listen.<br />Figure out what you want them to learn. For us, our goals are to raise polite children that love God and enjoy life and enjoy learning. The academics are built on that foundation. Prioritize and enjoy the ride.<br />Eric C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-57653400928832174882013-04-12T00:00:03.958-07:002013-04-12T00:00:03.958-07:00Do not believe all that Michael Pearl, the author ...Do not believe all that Michael Pearl, the author of To Train Up A Child says. Plus, his book has been found in the homes of parents who have beat their children to death trying to do what he espouses. On Anderson Cooper, he did not even say the parents were wrong to kill the children. He just defended HIS book. <br /><br />Be careful about the school hours for the man who is going to teach morning, evening, and on Saturdays if necessary. In my state the hours taught must fall within certain parameters. <br /><br />Lots of the fathers are home schoolers. Some couples share, with each teaching what they are best capable of teaching.Practical Parsimonyhttp://www.practical-parsimony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com