Jump to content

Menu

Given this season of doubt and second guessing, I challenge you to list 3 things...


Recommended Posts

that your child has done this week which have made you proud.

 

First and foremost: my son struggled through a proof using the Pythagorean Theorem to show that the product of the slopes of perpendicular lines is -1. He could just memorize this as a fact, but the proof required some thought. I am a very Proud Math Mommy.

 

I am also pleased with the interest that my son is taking in the presidential race. He is asking about delegate counts, caucuses vs. primaries, and how people prioritize their hot button issues given that it is rare to find a candidate with whom one completely agrees.

 

Finally I'll mention that after last night's losing hockey game, he told me that he was annoyed with the whiners in the locker room. Because of the poor communication and lack of team work, his team got exactly what they deserved.

 

We're having a good week, folks. I feel blessed that homeschooling gives us more time to develop pietas, gravitas, dignitas and really cool proofs.

 

Jane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here goes:

 

My son set his alarm this morning to get up early and review something in Omnibus that he realized he forgot to do yesterday. I never had to say a word.

 

On Monday he went toe-to-toe in debate club with a senior who is the best debater in the club. He lost, but he stood up there with courage and tried his best.

 

My daughter who is quite organizationally challenged ;) has kept up with her work and schedule for the past two days without me having to stay on her.

 

I think God knows I need these little glimpses of growth, maturity, and wisdom so that I can keep going! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a good reminder to be thankful for all the things my ds is learning

 

1.He explained to his confused mom how the delgate system for our state works. Then he explainded super delegates to me.

 

2. He took two pages of notes on the guest speaker's talk at his debate club.

 

3. He got up this morning without any prompting from me. This is a big deal for him.

 

Cedarmom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First, my son got up this morning without any prompting from me (at 5:30) to get a start on his day.

 

Second, my son asked my daughter yesterday how she organizes her daily schedule (she has great organizing skills) without any prompting because he wants to be more organized.

 

Third, my daughter took two tough tests yesterday, one in Algebra 2, the other in Geometry. The geometry proofs were long and she got them right! She made A's on both tests.

 

Added blessing: We found out yesterday that my dd's ruptured eardrum is completely healed and her hearing test found no deficiencies as a result of the rupture.

 

Bev

Link to comment
Share on other sites

boy child, 13:

 

1) gets up between 5:30 and 6 without outside help.

2) puts up with me reviewing pre-algebra at a late hour of the day when school really should be over.

3) works independently in most subjects, willingly and conscientiously.

 

girl child, 8:

 

1) creates fashions for her stuffed animals out of her old socks.

2) revises her papers with zeal.

3) is learning photoshop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need to do this because I'm SOOOOO irritated with my DS right now... (he was only home on Monday this week due to visitation on Tuesday and Wednesday)

 

- he moved all the furniture back into the bedroom and put together the crib for me

- he had his chores completed when I got home from Bible study last night

- he folded the laundry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

we are definitely in the midst of the mid-winter blahs and need a lift here.

 

Here are our three things...

 

First, my son passed his Eagle Scout board of review last week. It's been 6 long years of work, but it's paid off! We are all very excited for him.

 

Second, same son went on a retreat with the youth group at church. When another adult asked him why he goes on these retreats, he said that he enjoys sharing his faith with the younger high schoolers. Yeah!!!

 

Third, my younger son got a teddy bear this week on a spur of the moment trip to the store. It really warms my heart to see how he is still so innocent at 11 yo and is really enjoying the new bear.

 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Brenda

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok...here goes:

 

This week my ds was able to tell me exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

 

He was able to work through his Algebra lesson in less than two hours and it didn't hurt. :rolleyes:

 

The door knob broke on the towel closet right before getting ready for church and the door was stuck. My dh took the door off the hinges because it was actually faster than trying to unjam the broken knob.

Yesterday my ds fixed the door back without being asked.

 

Oh..and he read his history yesterday without being asked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My ds worked diligently all week without prompting and has gotten everything done so far!

He is working hard on his 4H projects.

He also went to a swim meet an hour away w/us on Sunday. (Not the most thrilling thing in the world for an 18yo) We stopped at a mall afterwards and he waited patiently while the girls tried on clothes. (another less than thrilling use of time, lol) He had us laughing all the way there and back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am feeling grumpy enough that I have put off even thinking about this, but reading others' posts made me realize that I do need to sit back and count my MANY blessings.

 

1) My 8th grade son worked three hours on an algebra assignment over two days. I am frustrated that it took him so long, but I am thrilled that he stuck with it!

 

2) My older son took the initiative and made a bunch of phone calls and emails that he needs to do -- without me harping unduly!

 

3) My younger dd voluntarily announced that she will begin to practice the piano 15 more minutes a day so she can "get better faster" -- she heard someone play a Rachmaninoff piece at her recital last Sunday and was sad that she can't play the piece yet. She figured out how to work on the solution to the problem on her own!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I so need to do this! Because my 16yo ds is such an under-achiever, I will have to think. LOL

 

1. Although he is behind in virtually all of his classwork, he still loves to read. He locates and reads sci-fi/ fantasy books- most of them at or above high school level!

 

2. He enjoys painting Warhammer figures and they look wonderful, but he has explicitly requested that this not be made into an art project.

 

3. He loves on and is usually kind to his younger brothers.

 

4. Oh, and his article on Valentine's Day (which I didn't even know he had written) was on the cover of the monthly tutorial newspaper! That's a biggie!

 

-Mandy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Although this quarter he will probably fail physical science at tutorial for non-participation in the manditory science fair, my 14yo ds-

 

1. is basically on-target to finish a very full 9th grade year after skipping 8th grade!

 

2. keeps the kitchen clean.

 

3. spends untold hours kindly playing with his 5yo brother who idolizes him.

 

-Mandy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. brought his Spanish II grade up to a low A

2. did the trash/recycle stuff w/o complaint (it was actually his fraternal twin's week- but sometimes it is easier to do it ourselve than force a kid with autism to do this particular chore)

3. did NOT go all MythBusters on me and blow up the house emulating Jamie and Adam. OK..I was reaching for that third item!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I overheard my youngest on the phone telling his friend that Dante was some wicked famous poet from a long time ago who was very cool and describing the bits he thought they could incorporate into their D+D game. Guess he's digesting his reading ok.

 

My older one woke up the morning his first CC composition class paper was due and noticed that there was nothing to it, managed to rewrite it in the car, got a B-, and went to the prof to find out what to do to raise his grade. He also managed to get the train home by himself.

 

The youngest learned to snowboard.

 

And having learned in physics why something floats or sinks, the older one suddenly said, "Now I understand that movie where the guy drowns in the beer vat! Alcohol is less dense than water so swimming didn't work. At least that was the idea behind it."

 

I guess that's 4, but one of them isn't really learning, just doing.

 

-Nan, who's husband's solution to the Feb. blues was to take us all skiing for the weekend, a really special treat! It was glorious to be outside all day long moving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. This past weekend during a bible quizzing meet, one of her fellow teammates was crying because she felt she didn't do well. My dd hugged her. She didn't try to talk or say the typical platitudes. She just hugged. It was just what the other girl needed. Their team placed second in the meet and each got a silver medal.

 

2. DD picked up "A Separate Peace" and read 2 chapters without being told. This kid hates to read.

 

3. Dd also stayed with her Algebra lesson even when it frustrated her to tears. She tried to keep a positive attitude and even showed a bit of sense of humor when she created this formula: x cubed + confusing = algebra. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1) My children made the big and little dippers (big pointing to Polaris) with their Heart to Heart cereal this morning)

2) They made a Valentine's mailbox and filled it with Valentine's for each other.

3) My son (5) did as well as my daughter (7) on her math flash cards!

 

These are the things I love so much about homeschooling!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oldest, 14: Did all the Foerster algebra problems in the lesson, showed his work (!) and got all but two right. He had a hard time with word problems in the beginning of the year.

 

Middle, almost 13: taking lessons in computer animation and has been doing such impressive stuff. He showed his younger brother what he was doing, which is really a big deal.

 

Youngest, 11: started tackling some hard music on his saxophone, which he's only been playing since September.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My older son is also following the presidential race and asking questions for the first time this year. They're growing up, aren't they?

 

This week, he was a trooper about going to school Monday morning despite a killer sinus infection that has been plaguing him since Saturday. I think sometimes when he swims a lot he has some kind of reaction to the chemicals in the water, as he's had several problems like this during the past year. He's plugging away getting ready for another meet this weekend, in spite of the fact that he still can't breathe well at all.

 

He's been diligent this week about trying to keep ahead on his work, despite two snow days and a retreat today, so that he won't get swamped for the weekend.

 

In checking his grades, I've found that he's actually brought them up for January, which is traditionally the most difficult time of year for him to get work done. So he has higher grades now, with tomorrow as the end of the first 6 weeks, than he did last semester.

 

He's excited about starting work next month volunteering at our local library branch and I'm excited for him!

 

Regena

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. My oldest daughter, who really dislikes karate, was complimented today by the instructor for having a "good stance."

 

2. My youngest daughter's reading speed seems to be increasing; she's not been an extremely strong reader, and yet slowly but surely her comprehension and speed are picking up.

 

3. My older two girls did a very good job on their writing tutorial last week.

 

Thanks, Jane! This is so good, to learn to focus on the positive in our kids, especially at this time of year!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can I just contribute one? It spoke volumes to me. We were getting ready to meet a big-time prof of music (my dd is thinking about a music major and this prof was willing to discuss music with us.) I was in my not too shabby black sweat pants and polar fleece vest. Hey, we have 10 inches of snow on the ground. I just said, I think I'll change into something better, and she said, "Thanks Mom, for doing that for me."

 

I don't know why this bowled me over, but it really made me realize that little is lost on her, and she doesn't take me for granted. At least today, I think she's a really good kid.

Danielle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. She stayed on target with her assignments instead of letting everything stack up at the end of the week.

 

2. She invited her little brother to watch Lord of the Rings (first time for him) spread out over several nights after the youngers had gone to bed. Made popcorn for them and everything. They usually just fight with each other, so this was a sweet change of pace.

 

3. She and some friends are spending today doing tornado cleanup.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that your child has done this week which have made you proud.

 

Jane

 

Because there are four of them, and I wanted to take the time to really absorb all they've done this week. (I hope more people will add to this thread. There is so much good in it!)

 

DS9-

He may be a space cadet 98% of the time lately, but his heart is willing and he is respectful, even when it's the fourth time in so many minutes that he's forgotten what he was asked to do. I am so proud that he doesn't let that get him down, or get him riled. He keeps trying. I'm proud of him for that.

 

He sat down with his little brother and showed him books at the store. No prompting, no bossing - just two brothers, hanging out and enjoying a book and one another's company. (He then lobbied quite articulately for why we should buy the book for his little brother. *grin*)

 

He has stuck with his housekeeping trouble in math and is overcoming it. He doesn't know how very well this attitude will serve him the rest of his life, but that's okay. Foresight isn't for the young. Perserverance, however, when used for good, is an excellent foundation for it.

 

DS7-

He's read his assigned reading without any grumbling, and without any rancor in general. He even read aloud to me much of the time, un-prompted!

 

He's working on his attitude toward his siblings. He knows he's not where he needs to be, and he is honestly working diligently on improving his communication skills. I'm very proud of him for that.

 

HE MADE HIS BED WITHOUT REMINDERS ALL WEEK!! (oh, joy!)

 

DS4-

Still working on using his words. It doesn't always pan out, but he isn't giving up.

 

Learning to make his bed each morning. Mostly, I appreciate his attitude about it. He's four. It'll come, as long as his heart's in it.

 

He offered to help carry the compost out in the mornings. This is a pretty big job for such a little guy, but he wants to be helpful. How could I say no? (We now have two compost bowls - one for the big boys, and one for him.)

 

DD2-

Oh, well, she's just too cute for words. :D She's a sweet, happy, loving child. Granted, lately she's taken to just announcing, "Mommy, I'm crying" rather than going to the actual trouble of crying. LOL. It's still a fit, but it's a really cute fit. And when we let her know that she needs to stop the fit, or take it to her room, she's taken to wiping her little eyes, taking a deep breath, and then raising her arms and shouting, "TA-DA! All done!" So, you know, she's learning. She's growing. How can I not be proud of that?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll try.

 

1. My oldest dd performed her first ballet solo this past weekend.

2. My youngest dd stayed up late writing rough drafts for papers due next week at co-op.

3. Oldest dd decided to listen to Italian tapes while packing for weekend youth conference.

 

They're doing better than me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am I the only one *not* in a winter-funk? The days are busy and I see my dc working their little brains out, and still helping me when I ask them to. It isn't always like this :) but right now, life is good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am I the only one *not* in a winter-funk? The days are busy and I see my dc working their little brains out, and still helping me when I ask them to. It isn't always like this :) but right now, life is good.

 

There are many things I'm happy with, but Jane's request that we post what we are "proud of" them for... that caught me with a little "hmmm" and "that's a good thing to focus on".

 

My funk comes in August, when I begin to wonder if it ever really does cool off down here. :eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. Her great attitude with chest x-rays, IVs, oxygen monitors, two doctor visits, one Er visit, multiple blood tests, and constant pain from headache and now also joint pain. I just about start crying when I think how hard she has it and how hard she has been trying to do good work.

 

2. Her constant striving to do work including doing work in the middle of the night if she is awake and can't sleep.

 

3. Not only does she still try to do her schoolwork but she is also trying to enter into an essay contest, sings in the choir, went to police explorers only hours after the ER, etc, etc,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am I the only one *not* in a winter-funk?

 

There just seemed to be a whole lotta second guessing going on! I learned a lesson at the end of my first year of home schooling (7th grade) when I felt that I was beating myself up for everything we did not do. Someone on the board who was planning 7th grade asked what had worked for those of us who had been there. As I wrote out my list, I saw how much we had accomplished--not how little! Since then, I find that a list (small or large) serves as a bit of a "pick me up" when need be.

 

Last year we did not have this winter funk. I think the difference was something that Nan mentioned: a ski trip. In order to keep the costs low, the 4-Hers held a series of fund raisers with the end goal in mind (hence no problem getting the teens to participate). They went off for their weekend, while my husband and I stayed home. It refreshed us all. Unfortunately everyone seems to have limited funds this year, so the local 4-H organization decided to cancel the ski trip.

 

Actually it is a misnomer to call the mood in this house a "funk". My son is a bit restless which leaves me wondering whether this homeschooling business limits him. Unfortunately this question haunts me periodically, hence the need for stepping back and examining the positive.

 

We have scheduled some fun family activities for the weeks ahead and a couple of special things for my son to do with peers. My son's restlessness is in check (or is that just fatigue from a lot of hockey?)

 

I also think that it is important to pat our children on the backs not only for their graded work but for their growth as people and citizens. This thread shows how many of us as parents are proud of our children for their kindness, their generosity and their leadership roles. Hey girlfriends--I think we have our priorities straight!

 

Jane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15yodd's best friend is living with us during the week because her parents are going through a horrid divorce and she needed some neutral place to be. I am really proud of how all of my kids are helping her and being extra kind to her during this time, but especially 15yodd (whose friend it is). She has made an extra effort to help get her room organized so they can share it, clean out everything, help her friend have a place for everything, and just basically make her feel at home.

 

This dd has also been working extra hard at her school, doing it without being told and taking it with her to work on in the car, etc. without being told.

 

She has also taken it upon herself to wash all of the clothes from upstairs (hers, her sister's, and her friend's) and get them put away.

 

I guess I'll go ahead and keep her.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...