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Momof3

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Everything posted by Momof3

  1. I called a snow day for us tomorrow. The kids can't wait! :) We (NYC) have several inches & coming down steady. Supposed to be historic here, but we'll see... I'm not a big snow fan myself, but now that we're past New Years, I don't mind. It can snow all it wants now...Winter's days are numbered! :laugh: I hope it's good packing snow so we can build a snowman...would be good for the kids to get that out of their system. :) We're within walking distance to the grocery store, but I still hope we don't lose power. I'm still remembering the 2003 blackout...
  2. (((you & your daughter)))
  3. Here's an article on sniping... I'm pasting the last paragraph below. Apparently it is legit. I've never done it before, though, and don't think I would. I usually just enter my max bid towards the end of the auction. If someone else is willing to pay more than I can or will pay for an item, I'm just not going to win it. :) At the end of the day, only you can decide whether sniping is right for you. On the one hand, sniping can put your personal data at risk to a degree that largely depends on your own personal data protection habits, and may not help you to win or even help you to lose auctions in which your competitors are eBay shopping veterans. On the other hand, major sniping sites are less risky than lesser-known services (though they’re all more risky by definition than simply not giving out your login information to begin with), and sniping can in many situations help you against bidders that don’t know how to make the most of eBay’s proxy bidding system. Finally, it remains true that eBay’s strategy going forward appears to be to tip the balance ever farther toward fixed-price listings and away from auction format listings. Sniping can’t help you there at all. Perhaps the best way to decide if sniping is right for you is to try it out as you shop on eBay and see if it improves your results. You can’t argue with success—provided you’re willing to take the associated risk.
  4. I think a year & a half is plenty of time to be reading notes...but it depends on the ages of your girls, too. If they are strong readers, that makes a big difference. My kids just started official lessons (dh was teaching ds last year so he has a little jumpstart)...and they're already learning a lot. But... 1) They are both strong readers. 2) I sit in on the lessons, so I know exactly what the teacher wants them to accomplish during the week. 3) She has a folder for each child with practice assignments clearly laid out - flashcards, scales, pieces, no "flying fingers", etc.) 4) I practice with them 5 days/week. This takes anywhere from 20-30 min per child each day...so it's time consuming, but absolutely worth it. 5) As I practice with them, I am trying to teach them what they need to do...so they will eventually be able to practice the same way on their own. Not just playing the same song over & over again, but really working on accomplishing the individual goals their teacher gives them. The teacher doesn't work on flashcards with them herself. She mostly listens to their pieces & checks assignments to make sure they did what they were supposed to, she watches for improper posture/fingering/etc. habits that would hinder their playing as they progress, and she breaks down their next-week assignments into manageable steps for them to work on (with me) the following week. Sometimes I work ahead on things. It's an added bonus when you know how to play yourself - if there's something I would like them to know that she hasn't gotten to yet, I go ahead and teach it myself.
  5. OTOH, I should probably take my own advice from the Stanley kids' thread...and wait a week or two to comment. So never mind. :)
  6. Um... How is that not abuse? And if we can all agree that it *is* abuse, why are the children still locked in their home? Or did I miss something? I don't think I could watch this. It's not just a past tense situation (if I'm reading it right)...this is an ongoing situation. Those poor kids.
  7. Drink plenty of water. Throughout the day. (This is the most important aspect IMO. Most people just don't drink enough water.) I'm working on backing off sugar...and I've found that a lot of times when I'm craving sugar, my body is actually screaming for water. I just can't hear it. :) Don't eat to be 'full'. Eat to be not hungry. Our food is made to appeal to our taste buds. We often eat more than we need b/c our taste buds are screaming for more... But you sometimes have to pause long enough to let your stomach realize that it actually isn't hungry anymore... Chewing slowly is part of that, too. Only eat at the kitchen table (or wherever). If you have a designated place, it prevents the grab n' go snack-thru-the-day potentiality. Take care of yourself. Eating is one way to cope with depression/feeling 'down'... If you feel better about whatever you're going to do after a meal/snack, you won't spend as long at the table. :)
  8. So...now that the Highlights Top Secret Adventures magazine has got my wheels turning again...and tempted me towards yet another purchase... What are the best investments you have made toward learning geography? Thinking games, books, puzzles, toys, etc. The kids are fascinated by *so* many different countries. I'm really wanting something that helps us learn (experience, if that's possible) as many countries of the world as possible...and love doing it! I have looked at Highlights' Top Secret Adventures magazine series, their game, the 10 Days in... games carried by Sonlight, etc. I don't have the $ to just buy whatever I think looks like fun...so, once again, I turn to the Hive. :) What have you used that is fun? What have you used that has taught you the most? What have you used that has failed to be fun and/or educational? My kids are young, so that rules some things out...but they are strong readers & we love games... :) Thoughts?
  9. Thanks for the thread! :) I have been *so* helped on this topic by the Hive. We are just beginning our chore journey...so I'm coming to the thread with more to glean than to give...but I few things I've found helpful so far: 1) My "why" for chores... I have four small kids all close in age...and I'd like to have more. ;) I maintain my personal/practical sanity only by reminding myself that I won't be doing *all* of this forever... I didn't do enough chores growing up. Hence, I am a bit lazy...and have a hard time motivating myself to get the hateful things done. I am hoping my kids will be different if they view housework, etc. as a natural part of daily life. I also want them to have good character, and learning to do chores is one step in the process... I have found that they are actually happier when they feel like they are productive. And I have found that they value their 'free'/playtime more when they also have to work. I enjoy the company. :) I'm sure there are more reasons... 2) I have found the lists at charlottemasonhelp (someone on here pointed me there) and the book Children Who Do Too Little by Patricia Sprinkle (my mom gave it to me) extremely helpful. This is pretty much where I turn for ideas on new chores to introduce. Currently, my 6yo is washing dishes vacuuming (small entry room and living room rug) helping me to complete a laundry cycle (I have to turn the washer on & dump in the detergent, but he collects the dirty clothes, sorts them, and dumps them in the washer...and he transfers the clothes to the dryer w/ a dryer sheet...then I turn on the dryer) folding/putting away laundry spot cleaning kitchen floor washing glass in front door 5yo is vacuuming (using just the hose) kitchen rugs washing glass in front door setting/clearing table folding/putting away laundry 2yo is folding/putting away his own laundry (with help/step-by-step instructions) sorting silverware straightening shoes cleaning up his own toy messes We take 30 min after lunch to clean. This has been the single most important thing to me so far - having a time for chores. We do a different zone each day (Monday-kitchen, Tuesday-living room/dining room/entry), Wednesday-laundry, Thursday-laundry, Friday-bedroom). We rotate the bedrooms, so we focus on a different one each week...and I do the bathroom myself at this point. We've had fun working together, I've had fun watching the house stay cleaner...and the kids enjoy staying up an extra half-hour before their naps. ;) 4) :bigear: :bigear: :bigear:
  10. Has anyone done/bought any of these? Just got a mailing for it...and was impressed. Anything that teaches geography/world cultures in a fun & interesting way generally catches my eye... Looks like I can get one kit for free, but after that...is it really 13.95 per kit (not including s&h)??? Or is the 13.95 for the year subscription (5 kits)...? Really (obviously) hoping for the latter. Don't think I could justify the price otherwise. But they sure look like fun... Anyone?
  11. Walmart & Target usually have a (relatively) cheap assortment of shorts & capris...we use the former in the warm months, and the latter in the winter. As to hair...it was hard at that age. Now dd is more than happy to have me braid her hair...and she is learning to brush it herself every morning. But at 3, it was a challenge.
  12. I cringe when someone IRL asks what curricula we use... I *hate* that question. It's a lose/lose. As far as being talked out of/into things... This is where a tight budget becomes a wonderful blessing. ;)
  13. So...to get off the bunny trail...and maybe start another... ;) OP, I read your 'about me' and I totally agree that a lot of hs moms don't really want to talk education. IME most are looking for a social club where they can pat each other on the back and make each other feel better about decisions they have made for their kids' education whether good or bad. This is one major reason why I'm not part of a hs group...and why I ask my education questions here. :) I don't bother to share my thoughts about TWTM (IRL) unless I know the person is really wanting/seeking that kind of info.
  14. Had to do some catch up again...but I'm back. :) Slache, can't thank you enough for this thread!
  15. Yeah, I need to look into Costco, too. I've heard their milk and diaper prices are cheap.
  16. It's $4 cheaper for a box of sz4 Luvs diapers (cheapest brand on amazon) than for the store brand at Target... (We don't have a Walmart. :() Still checking to see if there are other things that would be more cost effective...wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. If you order at least 5 things each month, you can get an additional 15% off... That would make it worthwhile, I think. We have an Aldi for groceries...and it's pretty hard to beat their food prices. :)
  17. nm I found my answer. ;)
  18. Pulling my hair out (not literally) looking for info on amazon... Does it cost to join Amazon Mom's "Subscribe & Save" for the added discounts (I'm a Prime member)? I tried to buy diapers with a 'free' Amazon Mom membership (I have Prime, too) and got this "subscribe & save" pop-up...not sure what I'm subscribing to, though... Hope that makes sense. Thanks for any input! :)
  19. Lol. You are crazy. :laugh: I hate ironing. It is by far my least. favorite. chore. I don't iron my clothes unless I absolutely *have* to... Dh has been really sweet about ironing his own things since we started hsing (he needs his shirts/pants ironed for work)... I *was* being good about doing a little each day...but that's kind of fallen by the wayside... The hardest things are: 1) Space. Having to drag the ironing board out whenever I finally talk myself out of not doing it. ;) 2) Limiting function. I am a multi-tasker (aren't all moms?)... I *destest* doing something that requires all of my time & attention... Believe me, I have *tried* to read The Count of Monte Cristo while ironing dh's white shirt...it just doesn't work for me. ;) (Listening to music or audio books works...but then I have to set my computer up...and it's another step...which provides more time to talk myself into not doing it...) 3) Time. I can either iron when the kids are napping (which time is precious) or when they're up after naps (which means baby hanging on to the board, trying to knock it over). Maybe one of my kids will take after dh & enjoy ironing... Wouldn't that be nice. :)
  20. Can they object b/c there's a policy/regulation against it? I'm not looking to sidestep any laws that *are* in place... If I need to, I'll have him tested through a private school... But it would be a lot easier just to do it myself (and, I imagine, cheaper). I'm just trying to make sure it's a legitimate option before I look into it any more... Seems like someone must have told me that parents couldn't administer the test themselves...or maybe I read that somewhere...or maybe I just dreamed it. ;) If the only qualification is a bachelors...
  21. So... Iowa Tests or Standford Achievement...or other? Is there really that much difference? Anyone strongly opinionated one way or the other? Care to explain why? I was under the impression that I could *not* administer a standardized test myself... (ii) The test shall be administered in accordance with one of the following options, to be selected by the parents: (a) at the public school, by its professional staff; or (b) at a registered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained; or © at a nonregistered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the superintendent of schools of the school district and of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained; or (d) at the parents' home or at any other reasonable location, by a New York State certified teacher or by another qualified person, provided that the superintendent has consented to having said certified teacher or other person administer the test. Now I'm browsing BJU's "Testing & Evaluation" catalog...and it looks like as long as I apply/register with them, I can administer the test myself? (I have a B.A.) So that must be what the "qualified person" is referring to in the NYS Homeschooling Regulations (above)? So...I just register (or whatever you call it) with BJ...or wherever I'm getting the test from...and then order the test when I'm ready to give it? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference... Thanks! :)
  22. :iagree: Absolutely this. Keeping them busy - "work while you work, play while you play" idea... Makes them appreciate the playtime they have. Also, telling them that playtime is over for whoever fights...they have to sit with a book for 15 min on the couch... That solves it for mine, anyway. ;)
  23. I think there's a big difference between asking for online help in an as-discreet-as-possible manner, and maintaining a running commentary on the details of my kids' lives - with pictures, names, etc. I can see *no* justifiable reason for the latter. (I have friends with blogs available only to select friends/family...and that's a *little* different...but still not something I could be personally comfortable with.)
  24. Yes! :hurray: My dd was the same. She would seem to get stuck or something...and then we'd run into a break, and when we'd start back up I'd think, Where did this come from? It's why I don't buy the idea that some subjects have to be done *every* day... We don't do Math or Language subjects on Friday... I think it gives them longer to process what they've learned...and protects from the kind of monotony that makes "school" so hate-worthy.
  25. Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for. I have read Howard Gardner's writings...but had forgotten this. Very helpful. I totally agree with his last three points. EndOfOrdinary, I don't question that there is a clear difference from one child/person to another... (Gardner does promote the idea of using different teaching methods to help students who learn different ways.) What is in question is how to measure that difference...and how to label the differences found... I'm just curious how those who *don't* hold to the auditory/visual/etc. learning styles idea organize the data.
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