KJB
-
Posts
746 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by KJB
-
-
"I just had a baby. I just had a baby. I just had a baby."
Think of all of the women who had their first baby the same day you just had your last. You know, those women with one little baby who are overwhelmed. Compare your workload. You just had a baby. Cut yourself (A WHOLE LOTTA) slack.
Then give your eldest his math book and make some pb&js. Then take a nap because, you know, you're supposed to sleep when the baby sleeps.:001_huh:
You just had a baby. You move all the time. You have no dh to give you a hand let alone a break right now. And you know, it's all going to fall into place after a few months. Of course, when you hit your stride it will be time to move, but you can always post again. :lol:
As a fellow military wife with 5 kiddies and a new baby myself, I understand. Please don't be too hard on yourself.
:grouphug:
-
And it might be fun for you. And you all might feel great having a physical reminder of your accomplishments.
You don't need a chart to make chores flow smoothly. It doesn't sound like "flow" is really your worry, though. It sounds more like you want to get your girls involved and this sounds like a fun way to go about it for you. So go for it! But if it becomes a drag, drop it and just involve your girls in the work of life. For me, it would be more work than it would be worth.
FWIW, if I struggle with my 3 yo dd about anything, I just tell her we won't be able to play outside (her great love) until we get whatever done. She snaps to it. For her, it's all about getting something over with (in her case, our disagreement involves having her hair brushed and pulled back out of her eyes) to get to the good stuff faster. And if she doesn't comply, we don't go out (or read Thumbelina, or have a snack, or give the puppy a treat, or whatever....)
The beauty of this is, there's always something she wants to do next which makes finding a consequence fairly easy.
-
-
would be centering around the ages of my children. I've decided that having a child between the ages of 1 and 3 is enough to break even the strongest woman. I have exactly opposite needs of a child in that age range and it just about kills me. They need constant supervision, and I long for a few moments alone. They eat mush, and I want gourmet. They have no ability to reason, and I prefer a well-rationed conversation. They poop and pee everywhere, and I prefer sanitation. They like to run in front of cars, and I prefer not endangering my life. And so on....
So, right now I'm riding the wave of having my youngest just 3 mos and my next youngest 3.5 with some ability to reason. My oldest is 12 and my other two are old enough. Life's grand. Next year, I'll repost your post.
Don't know if this applies to you, but I do know a year or two makes a big difference. Hold on.
:grouphug:
-
We have a family culture of helping each other. When I unload the dishwasher, often one of my kids takes over. When I'm folding laundry, I've always got help. My kids know that when they get up, they're supposed to groom, dress, and tidy their rooms before breakfast. They just do it. It's not a big deal.
I'm generous with my time, my energy, and my resources with my kids and I expect the same in return. If I need help, I ask. They assist. No one has ever refused.
I think a lot of investment goes into the idea that kids won't want to work and will resist. I don't think that's true. My kids just do because that's what we've always done, as soon as they're old enough to really contribute. Of course, the littles (under 5 or 6) don't really do much except be cute. That's their job.:001_smile:
-
I ask because, while I don't believe animals have a human-like soul, I can't see heaven being much of a place without your favorite pets/animals being there. If she's wondering if her cat will join her in paradise, I'd tell her it wouldn't be paradise without Fluffy.
-
(or you've done enough of their schooling to feel comfortable taking some credit!) aren't you amazed at all you have taught them or they have self-taught?
I just listened to my 12 year old discuss the Civil War with a neighbor. She was intelligent, articulate, and carried her side of the conversation easily. All I did was stand there and nod my head with a poorly concealed stupid grin on my face.
And somehow, I'm surprised. I never thought this home school thing would work as well as it has so far. I may even muster up the courage to stick it out through high school. I continually have a nagging voice inside my head telling me that home schooling is crazy. (Oddly, the voice sounds like my mother's,:lol: but I digress....) However, there is nothing crazy about the results we are enjoying.
Thanks for the inspiration, Jessie Wise and SWB. I wouldn't have considered it had I not come across your book. And to all of us, a pat on the back for a job getting done, if not perfectly, at least well enough.
-
I'll just add that I frequently have to remind myself that I knew the deal before I got married. My husband has a HUGE job and I knew that he'd likely have a huge job before I married. I married him with my eyes wide open. And my husband goes through times when he has to work a lot. And even in his less busy work weeks, people are constantly calling him and he's expected to drop his life (OUR life) at a moment's notice to respond. It's frustrating to say the least, but it's not a surprise.
So, I keep focused on my work and my goals. And I look forward to the future when we can enjoy more time together again like the good old days. And when I have him alone, I try to remind him why I'm more fun than work.:lol:
-
that will go over the pjs for when you go out. I think cotton zippers with overalls would be kind of cute! Check out the Hannah zippers for one or two nicer sets for outings.
And good luck. You have my sympathies. (My 3 year old only recently began to keep clothes on.):001_huh:
-
And really aren't our children all just so lucky to have Mamas that care so much if they love how they end up spending their lives?
All the children of the world should be so lucky.
((Hugs)) to us all that work so hard.
Thanks for the discussion!
-
But does your dd who loves spelling also love times tables? Or does your child who loves math games also love writing essays?
The thing is that not all kids love all learning. It's unrealistic (to me anyway) to suggest that if we were just Mary Poppins enough about it, that they'd come around. It's not my method, my bad attitude, or my kids...it's just that learning is work. And if you're kids love all work, then they truly are exceptional.
For the rest of us humans, getting up and going to work every day can be a bit difficult when the sun is shining and we'd rather be on a sailboat.:001_smile:
And that's not to say that some learning for everyone isn't fun. But to say that all learning for everyone could be fun is simply not true. At least, not IMHO.
-
My children don't avoid work nor do they complain about the tasks they are required to do. In fact, they work well and compliantly every single day both at school work and chores.
However, they don't enjoy or "love" learning their times tables or spelling rules or practicing difficult piano pieces or whatever.... They'd much rather be reading or playing. And, I don't expect them to prefer or "love" their required task oriented work. In fact, I don't ever expect them to "love" rote but necessary learning. I don't love it. I don't know anyone that does love it.
I expect compliance and cheerful attitudes. I expect an exceptional work ethic. I expect completed tasks and learning. Asking them to *love* all that is a bit much, for my kids anyway....
I wanted to add since my post sounds a little harsh in re-reading...AmyG you are right that there is so much to love in everyday learning. Kids that are fostered in that environment do thrive. Your kids sound wonderful and happy. You seem to have found the perfect balance.
-
was a synonym for "unschooling" which I am surmising is the gold standard child-directed home schooling method.
I guess I'm not relaxed afterall. At least not by this definition!
Thanks!
-
Just this year, my 12 yo and my 9 yo and I have had some wonderful discussions when we've done logic together and when we've done philosophy. The meat of the discussion, the argument, the thinking is where we have had a great time.
I hear people say all the time they want their kids to "love learning". Well, I don't care if my kids love to learn. Sometimes it's just no fun. I want my kids to love thinking and to learn even if it's drudgery.
And, of course, the best thinking (and therefore conversation) happens as kids get older. I say that and my kids are still pretty young which leads me to believe that the best of home schooling lies ahead of us!
-
I'm hardly "child directed". I'm wayyyy to bossy to be that. :001_smile: I love rabbit trails and get excited when my children show special interest in a topic, but, I (without question) "direct" our schooling.
However, if one of my children doesn't want to write the silly paragraph asked for at the end of his Spelling Workout lesson, I've no problem saying "No biggie. Let's let it go." I adjust the plan on a whim for any number of things. And, "the plan" isn't engraved in anything either! So, I kind of feel "relaxed" even though we accomplish quite a bit.
-
(But I don't home school the 3 or the 3 mos! They're just along for the ride!)
-
she should have been the one to suggest buying you the ticket. I don't get that. Good for you for pointing it out.
We've helped my brother travel to see us a number of times. I'm happy to help and I love to see him.
-
I'm trying to decide if I'm a "relaxed" home schooler or not. LOL!!
I feel pretty relaxed, but we get a mountain of work done (almost) every day. However, I'm happy to chuck it all and go on a field trip if the mood strikes us. Does that make me relaxed? If not, what does?
I won't be able to relax until I know if I'm relaxed. :lol:
What does "relaxed" look like to you?
-
If I were in your shoes, I'd plan each day for a quiet time. I'd send my daughter to her room with a stack of books or quiet play material and tell her she's going to stay there for an hour (or two!) and play quietly.
I'd make it a daily ritual. I'd insist she stay there until she's called and that she play alone quietly. If she whines, screams, cries, whatever she does it alone in her room for the specified time.
Don't back down. Don't change your mind. Don't acknowledge her complaints. Just do it. If she cries, her door is closed. If she's quiet and respectful she may keep her door open.
I would not reward her with a game or anything else for this quiet time. She needs to learn that part of being human is learning to spend time alone taking care of herself. Hopefully, an hour or two a day will teach her to spend some time alone other times by choice.
Stand firm. Don't let her run the show. If she wails about how scared she is or whatever, I'd tell her you are confident she'll be fine. And of course, she will be fine. She just needs to know you aren't going to acknowledge or validate her unwarranted "fear" since it really is just a way to manipulate you.
Good luck!
-
And thanks for the recommendations!
-
Could my mature 12 year old read these? Or could we read them aloud with my 12 and 9 year old (dd and ds)?
They are well read and I'm not terribly squeamish about what we read. I wonder if my almost 10 year old son would enjoy the stories as read alouds. I'm pretty sure my 12 year old dd would like them, but I wonder if they're really aimed at older teens?
What do you think?
-
It is just a loan. It would be painful to have to cough it up all at once though.
I'm glad you're checking. It makes me nervous for you even though I don't know you. (0; I'm a terrible worry-wart.
((Hugs)) I don't mean to be the rain on the parade.
I'm sure it's a huge relief for your family!
(My Mom is an RN and now has gone on to be a Nurse Practitioner with a really cool job. It's such a terrific career and such a calling.)
-
Make sure the powers that be didn't make a mistake in sending you the check if there was also a letter sent. You'd hate to spend the money and then have to pay it back. (I use the military as my point of reference for this type of error. I've had this happen to someone I know.)
If all is well, then congrats!!
-
And I both hear and quite literally feel your pain. I'm sorry for your brother's situation. It doesn't sound like you/he get a lot of support and you sound pretty angry.
In my family's case, we take care of my brother. By "we", I mean my Mom, my siblings, and my extended family. He also has wonderful neighbors who frequently check in on him and a doctor who has a good working relationship with him who for the last ten years has treated him for free and given him samples of drugs when my brother couldn't afford them. His life is far from perfect, but he manages.
And, in an ideal world, family groups and community groups would always support each other. Unfortunately, when society begins to expect that the government will be the caretaker, families and communities don't feel the obligation.
As far as your laundry list of examples of people in need, believe it or not both Democrats and Conservatives care about people. Both groups want what's best for all people and both groups have ideas how best to achieve that goal. The mechanism to acheive the goal may not be the same, but the desire to live in the best country possible where all people are encouraged to live their best life is shared by both parties. Some of the largest benefactors of charitable organizations in the world are Republican.
You don't have a lot of faith in people but apparently you do in government.
“When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.†Ben Franklin
Good luck to your brother and you. It's a tough place to be the sibling of a mentally ill person.
Early ACT or SAT testing/High School
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
This is cross-posted to the accelerated learners board, but I have a feeling the voice of experience might be hanging out here.:D
I'm wondering if there would be any reason to pursue early college entrance exam testing for my dd. Are there advantages to taking the SAT or ACT in jr high? Are there any disadvantages? How many times are you allowed to take either exam before it "counts"?
And while I'm here, I would also like some advice about high school for my daughter. When we first started home schooling, I was pretty sure my children would go to high school outside the home. As we've progressed, I began to think we'd manage high school at home but supplement with community college when appropriate.
At this point, the second plan is my preference. However, we are going to be moving like fools over the next 5 to 10 years. (My dh is in the military.) For the next three years we will most likely move at least three times. This means my dd would (were she to enter high school) go to at least 3, possibly more, high schools. I also am exhausted at trying to think of how we'll do community college when the schools will end up being different each year.
Given this information, what would you do? My dd is very bright, and most likely could enter a university early. She might even qualify to enter very early. But, I don't want her gone. I don't want to miss her high school age years. I don't want to send her away to college or boarding school.
So, how do you manage a student like this who will need community college but will not be able to use the same cc for more than one year? Do you typically have to advocate for cc entrance for a younger high school aged student? Am I going to run into trouble trying to find cc that will transfer credits for dd?
I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking. I'm just feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of all of our moving and trying to have dd have an excellent high school experience. Any words of wisdom are welcome.
Sigh....