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simka2

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Posts posted by simka2

    Homeschool puberty vs ps puberty - is there a difference?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I think this is completely child specific. Mine are slow to physically mature (some of this is related to athletics), public schooled, and we have had minimal drama or need to fit in issues. I only just convinced dd15 to wear a bra and that was primarily due to the mount of running she does and having to wear skin tight XC uniforms. ;)

     

    A couple years ago she did ask me why she was the only one in her class (8th grade) who hadn't started her cycle, but has since made peace with it and is happy she does not have to deal with that right now. 

    • Like 2

    If you've had/currently have a child in a classroom, I'm interested in your story.

    in The Chat Board

    Posted · Edited by simka2

    I know I am very late to  this thread as I have been away for quite awhile. That said, it is an issue very fresh on my mind. 3 years ago we moved our children to a lovely village town where dh aunt was the elem and middle school principal. There is approximately one classroom per grade. We have loved it! Many of the perks to homeschooling as well as the perks of PS found in one place. Then some of the down sides crept in. There was a massive lack in electives, clubs, and strict (unwritten) rules not allowing them to dual sport in the same season. Further there wasn't a foreign language option for middle school. The excuse was that they just didn't have the funds or enough kids to allow these things. We discovered that in our state, by law, the school has to cover up to two online courses of the students choice per year. So, we enrolled our middle schooler in a foreign language instead of art (which I could do at home). I was a bit taken aback at the push back we received from the high school principal (not the middle school one). In fact, right before school started he wrote a massive letter that was posted to the main web page of the schools site explaining that while they did have to provide this opportunity he strongly discourages it. That the school would provide no help and most students fail. That failing would be permanent on their grades so please be VERY cautious about enrolling your child in online courses. 

     

    Dd got an A, but true to threat, she was given no support at school and it was our history of homeschooling that allowed us to help her. Then next year (9th grade) we enrolled her in 2 online classes. Biology and Latin allowing her to take Spanish 2 with the 10th graders. Again we were met with massive resistance. Spanish teacher said she would fail doing two languages and there was serious tension between the biology teacher and our family. She again received A's in all classes while playing varsity level sports all 3 seasons and going to state as freshman in XC.

    I did notice that as dd was successful more and more of her peers started taking online classes. Finally, at the end of last year as we sat with her school counselor discussing this coming year (10th grade) he finally admitted that he didn't think their was anything she couldn't handle and what did we want to do. The 10th grade science option (same lackluster biology teacher) was going to be Physical Science and I just about lost it. We decided on online Anatomy and physiology and Medical terminology through a local college as her elective. 

    Over the summer things changed for us. It was subtle, but I found I was frustrated with the constant uphill battle of trying to provide and excellent education for my children. I was also frustrated that my dd was forbidden from doing both XC and equestrian team at the same time and that her brothers could not do soccer and XC at the same time when the village school 5 miles down the road could. Also, I cannot say they were being bullied, but there was a definite attitude of "do well, but don't do so well that you make others look bad by default." As a result, some students would find opportunities to drag them down to their level. 

     

    We made the decision to enroll them via school of choice at a larger high school and middle school 45 min away. They offer everything. AP classes, a variety of electives, dual sporting if the child can handle it. Most of all they are not threatened by our children's desire to succeed and push themselves. I feel that homeschooling allowed us to both support our children in a unique way, but it also gave us a higher standard of education and provided us with the strength to seek out better options. 

     

    Ultimately, I feel bad for our village school, I work with a lot of young doctors and they ask me about moving to the area (torch lake, mi is stunning) but these are people who will not settle for their children's educational options. They are losing families who genuinely support their children's education and are not attractive to this next generation of parent that is accustom to having options. 

    • Like 2

    Looking for pre-AP Chemistry booster

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Dd15 is going to be taking AP chemistry as a sophomore at a new high school. I wanted to see if I could find a quick introduction to it for her, before classes start as i fear she will be dealing with a bunch of NEW all at once. She doesn't need a full course, but we underwhelmed her last high school (hence the move) and last year she took Biology online with no challenge. Her knew school believes her to need more of an academic challenge, but as her mother I know her anxiety levels and feel that she needs something to give her a tad bit of confidence going in. 

     

    Thanks so much....and long time no see ;)

    Taking Spanish and Latin... getting confused?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My situation is a  bit different in that dd was completing her 2nd year of high school Spanish on campus while doing her 1st year of high school Latin (online) as a freshman. Her Spanish 2 teacher was convinced she couldn't handle the two simultaneously. She ended up with A's in both, but mentioned that she didn't feel that either language helped her with the other. I think if she had had more of a foundation in Latin (we hadn't picked it up since early elementary) it may have been different. Still, she was successful in both. 

    I need advice, forum related.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    MFL, good point! I am going to take my concern s to the mods. I appreciate the insight.

     

    LN, if he remebered something specific I wrote or responded to, he could search and possibly find the new user name.

     

     

     

    I have seen one another longtime poster do this. It is right in her signature that she is a longtime poster with a new account for increased privacy.

    On marriage and Family life.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    I do struggle a little with the idea that sexuality is a consequence of the fall. "I" cannot go that far, but I do see the merit in monasticism as a pre-taste of heaven.

     

    I see that sexuality was distorted along with everything else, but I am not as sure about it being non-existent. Truthfully, I can see it being argued either way and that tells me it is not a hill to die. :tongue_smilie:

     

    With that aside, I am really excited to delve a little deeper.

    On marriage and Family life.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    Milovany, I felt the same way about decluttering!!! :lol:

     

    I am really glad I decided toread that transcript first. I have a feeling the treatsie on Marriage and family life is going to be quite the challenge for me and my past.

     

    I do know this: When I am granted a "vision" of something...marriage...the home, I do a lot better. Not just rules, precepts, or culture standards (whether christian or the worlds).

     

    It is a vision that allows me to move forward on the path even when I might wonder if I am being to conservative or liberal. Honestly, that is what I am hoping to get out of reading this. We shall see. ;)

    Can I complain a moment?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I have just spent a week with my mother and grandmother and have a couple thoughts. It was really interesting to see how much my grandmother has started to live in her past. My mother anchors her and helps to keep her present. It is barely noticable, but hwen Grandma is on her own she quickly falls into the past.

     

    So, how is she aging? Mentally? I also wonder if your dh provided more guidance in selecting photos for the other quilts.

     

    As she ages it is really normal for her to get more lost in the past and confused.

     

    I am sorry, I know things like this hurt. :grouphug:

    Our rental house going to be shown for sale-- what about our icons on the wall?

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    I think ANYTHING you do with a heart of kindness and love will be honored. This might look like temporary Icons near bedsides tables, travel folding icons, or it may be leaving things "as is" with a neat house.

     

    Remember also, you are still paying to live there. This means that having the house clean and ready to be shown is already an inconvience to you. There is a balance here.

     

    We are facing a different situation. Our landlord likes to do little projects once or twice a month. He also wants to do a mjor remodel in one bedroom later this year. I underestimated the stress I feel having him underfoot so much. My mother (who has been a landlord) told me I needed to ask for a hotel during the remodel or reduced rent. I was forgeting that I was paying for this to be my home and it is reasonable to expect a certain level of peace, privacy, and control of my enviroment.

    On marriage and Family life.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    To construct a house excessively large impedes one’s progress to heaven and is an irresponsible use of finances which God has given, not for the construction of excessively large homes, but for distribution to those less fortunate. In fact, one of the primary causes of involuntary poverty, is the desire for families to live separately, each in his own house.

    I won’t make any connections between that and the “American dream†at all. [laughter] Leave that to you. -Fr. Josiah Trenham

    On marriage and Family life.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

    Posted

    I loved this part from the AFR part: First, let us take the subject of real estate and property. Poverty and dispossession, even in marriage, remain the Christian ideal. As such, married Christians who own private property, must justify its existence by its use. Married Christians should not build elaborate houses designed for display, and should be very thoughtful about the size of their habitation.

    If someone puts on a sandal, larger than one’s foot, the sandal becomes a hindrance, rather than a help. The same is true concerning the family home. It should be just big enough to meet the needs of the family and no more. Most families need nothing more than a house with three rooms, and ought to remember that some large families only have one room in which to dwell.

    On marriage and Family life.

    in Exploring Orthodox Christianity

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