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Squawky Acres

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Everything posted by Squawky Acres

  1. School has worked out wonderfully for my intelligent, precise, and defiant--never-wanted-to-do-his-work 8-year-old. He really thrives with the structure, loves being with friends all day, and happily completes all of his school work with glowing reports from the teacher. It has really turned him around and helped me to appreciate that he is actually not a defiant/weird kid, but just that homeschooling wasn't working for him.
  2. I think your childhood sounds relaxed and peaceful, with lots of time for reading, daydreaming, and your inner life. I'm sure you were able to spend a lot of time playing and outdoors -- sheltered from stress and having to grow up too fast. I have found that young children do not always appreciate adventure and travel as much as we think they might. I grew up in a rural, middle-class (maybe poor?) family and also had a quiet childhood -- but it was the most perfect childhood ever. We read all the time, spent a lot of time hiking and outdoors, and only traveled by car to historic sites or to visit family -- no exotic air travel, Disneyland, or beach vacations. I loved just being left alone with my books and friends and my imagination. I had a loving family, and I was allowed to be a child. Later, when I lived in NY and had many friends who had grown up in their Park Avenue apartments in the city, a friend was talking about his childhood full of trips to Europe, a house in the Hamptons, trips to FAO Schwartz, yacht clubs, symphony concerts, and black-tie functions. And then he stopped himself and said that he didn't mean to make me feel bad about my childhood because he knew I didn't have those opportunities. I was amused by his pity, and said that I was glad he enjoyed growing up in New York, but that I had also had the most glorious childhood myself. I didn't mention that I secretly pitied the poor kids who had to grow up with all of the stress of wealth and city living, with nannies instead of parents and no back yard . . .
  3. Thanks. Continental Math League looks very inclusive in the grade levels, but I am trying to figure out how much support and materials would be offered to a coordinator. It looks like all they have are some books of practice problems from past years, but I don't know if that would be enough to guide me in getting a math club started. Math Olympiad looks very good and seems to have some more structure to it -- but it is just for 4th grade and up. I may look into that more, as most of our interest in a math club comes from a group of 4th graders (and my very determined 2nd grade daughter).
  4. We have a mix of public school and homeschool friends/accelerated learners in grades 2-5 who are interested in meeting a few times a month for a math club or math competition. We have already done Crazy 8s through Bedtime Math, which was wonderful; but the kids would like something a little bit more rigorous. Is there something available that would provide some structure for a reasonably intelligent but not especially mathy parent to run -- or something we could run through our local elementary school?
  5. I love ThredUp, and have found the clothes to be in excellent condition. I just order a bunch (like, 8 pairs of jeans if I am looking for 1 or 2), try them on, and promptly send back what I don't like and what doesn't fit. It can be tough to know sizes for new brands, but there is never a problem returning things. Just be sure to order enough so that you end up with a few things to keep.
  6. I tried Stitch Fix, but found they sent me too much "mall-style" clothing, and didn't really get my personal style even though I sent extensive notes and even created a Pinterest page. I did keep a few nice items, but I find I like to do my own personal Stitch Fix by ordering about a dozen items I like from Nordstrom or Boden or ThredUp, trying them on, and then sending back what I don't like. It is very easy with free shipping both ways. I think ThredUp might charge a small return shipping fee, but it is so much fun to get nice designer items for regular prices.
  7. Yes, I kind of thought that this is what homeschooling moms do for each other. I asked all of the annoying questions of more experienced moms when I was starting out, and now I lend out my materials and help out newer homeschooling moms. But I also see how women are encouraged to give out their help and experience for free -- just to be kind and helpful, while men are often encouraged to get paid for it, or at least trade it for other things that would help them get ahead. I do see that angle.
  8. Oh absolutely. There is another experienced homeschooling mom in my town who does portfolio reviews and tutoring, but also charges a very reasonable hourly rate for you to come over to her house, browse through her extensive collection of curriculum, and talk to her about homeschooling. She may even lend you some of her books. It is absolutely worth it for her time and expertise, but I wouldn't call her a life coach. I think she is a "homeschooling consultant," or something a little less lofty. The "life coach" mom posts motivational slogans about realizing your potential and living each day to the fullest. Her life works for her, and she is a good homeschool mom with some good advice -- but like most of us, she neglects certain things in order to succeed at others; and they are not the tradeoffs I would make.
  9. I'm thinking that's what it is, and I want to be empathetic towards this mom in my co-op. I don't particularly need extra money; and if I did, I could easily find some part-time work-from-home work. People are used to paying attorneys for their advice. I don't think this friend has any professional training, but is a successful homeschooling mom of many children. I guess some of those mothers start homeschooling blogs and get ad revenue for posting their time-saving tips or thoughts on various homeschooling materials. Maybe being a life coach is similar to that -- but just one-on-one or in person?
  10. Multi-level marketing businesses are taking over my mom friends around here. If I tell a friend she looks great, she tells me she is a Beachbody coach and wants to sign me on as a "client" and sell me expensive Shakology shakes and fitness websites. If another friend looks glowing and healthy, it's because of Rodan and Fields skincare products, which have changed her life. If another friend's children are never sick, it is all because of essential oils -- which she wants to sell me. Someone else's great sense of style is all because of LuLaRoe, and I find myself added to her list for online "parties." There is even a wise, experienced homeschool mom from one of our co-ops, who used to be a good source of advice -- only now she is a "life coach" and charges for consultations and seminars. I feel as if friendship is being commoditized, and I can't even have a conversation with certain friends without worrying there might be some charge or some product to be promoted. The "life coach" thing is particularly confusing. How does one become qualified as a life coach? Would I ever feel confident enough in the way I was living my life that I felt I could sign on clients and help them live theirs? What happened to just mentoring younger mothers or helping out friends?
  11. My grandmother had one of those save-$20-a-week accounts at the bank. It was called a "Christmas Club" account. Back when banks printed balances in little statement books. I don't know if they do that anymore. We like to have cash on hand after living through a few emergencies when we couldn't count on being able to get to a bank for more. It is stored in a fire-proof, hidden, and very random safe place, and I raid it when I haven't been near an ATM for a while (we don't live close to one). I also keep smaller bills for change and unforeseen payment/tipping events like furniture delivery or the lawn boy. I like the idea of keeping some cash hidden in the car as well.
  12. Well, I just bought a top like this for my 7-year-old. I didn't realize we were on-trend!
  13. She sounds so much like my oldest DD. The attention issues and the sarcasm can be so maddening . . . but she really is just a gifted, sensitive, and perceptive child. I find I need to make more of an effort to connect with her and spend time together in a natural way -- like taking her to her pitching workshop without the other kids, and then stopping by a sugar house to buy maple cotton candy on the way home. We had such a lovely, unhurried conversation; and she really opened up to me. Another way is to try to reduce the situations in which you might lose your patience with her. DD and I both have poor executive functioning skills, so I have been able to share with her what helps me (keeping lists, keeping things in the same place every time, building in buffers of time to avoid being late, etc.).
  14. Ooh, this is very nice. Do you have a link to the actual listing? We are in the market for a home close to Boston -- although we have been looking more to the North. ETA -- I'm sorry. I just realized you can't post a link for privacy reasons. It is a beautiful house, and I love how it has a center chimney and so many custom details. I'm sure it will sell very quickly.
  15. Elephant and Piggie are really fun early readers -- although not as basic as Bob books or the Sonlight Fun Tales. I agree that the AAR stories are actually quite entertaining. It is a tough stage, though. I remember my four-year-old reading from her early readers: "Mat sat. Sam sat. Mat sat on Sam. etc.," and remarking that "everyone seems to do a lot of sitting in these books!"
  16. This may sound really gross, but garlic has excellent anti-bacterial properties, and a peeled clove of garlic inserted like a tampon and kept in overnight can cure most yeast infections in the earlier stages. Just remember to take it out in the morning. I only mentioned this as you were looking for a home remedy, and I find this is more gentle than the creams that are available at the drug store.
  17. We get ours from Land's End. They are waterproof, but very nice and soft, and not at all crinkly.
  18. Is there another room off the kitchen where you could put your table -- and then turn the breakfast nook into a small sitting room? Or look at your chair size. Maybe you can get more narrow chairs? Some dining chairs are absolutely enormous, and much larger than they need to be. Benches can fit more people in on the sides, but they do make it difficult for the person in the middle to get out.
  19. I love the suggestion of even cleaning the bathrooms you think won't get used -- because, you never know. Probably not such an issue with one guy, but certainly something that happens when a family visits and everyone needs to use the restroom at once before they leave. If you don't get to everything, or find you need to stuff things into less-used rooms to get rid of the visual clutter, talk with your husband ahead of time to make sure he doesn't offer a "tour" of the house, inviting your guest to poke his nose into every messy storage room and less-clean bathroom. WHY do people do this?
  20. My older kids enjoy Just Add Magic, Popular Mechanics for Kids, Odd Squad, and Ronia, Robber's Daughter on Amazon.
  21. Yes -- kid things seem to be particularly in demand. I take most of our outerwear to the soup kitchen, which actually wants adult sizes as well. Our local elementary school wants snow pants and boots in elementary kid sizes for when kids forget them, or to send home with kids in need. There are also a few families in town with kids smaller than my kids who will take our outgrown clothes. I love to see pictures of their kids on Facebook wearing our clothes!
  22. I would like to join. We are planning to list our house in April, so I also have an April 1st decluttering deadline that I don't even think is possible. Our house appears presentable, as the main living areas downstairs are organized and minimalist -- but I have this basement and attic and closets and playrooms and kids' rooms that are overwhelming to me. It really does steal my joy, and I feel as if I don't have time to take the kids out to do fun things as there is so much clutter I need to deal with at home. We have very generous family members on both sides who shower the children with toys and books and stuff (e.g., we must have about 30 backpacks!), my children have creative projects (glued-together trash), forts and club houses all over the place, and we were also the dumping ground for many things from my great grandmother's house. I feel as if I can't breathe. I would take pictures, but I don't want to horrify anyone. My first step is our basement playroom/laundry/storage room. I have a permanent laundry mountain as there are so many clothes to sort and send out to various places. There is also the dress-up bin, laundry stuff, craft supplies, fancy serving pieces and kitchen items, extra furniture, and a bunch of toys floating around. My deadline for finishing this room is March 3rd.
  23. For today, eat a nice protein-filled breakfast, take some Advil and your vitamins, and then take the kids for a walk outside for some fresh air. If things are still not better after that, you could put on some Wild Kratts or something somewhat educational for the kids, and then cocoon up in your room and read until you feel better.
  24. About unwinding on the weekend . . . maybe this is off topic, but I have to mention an overwhelmed-looking couple I met at a bar mitzvah this fall. They had three adorable young children who were behaving like three adorable young children would after a long religious service -- and they were so apologetic saying that "usually, we have our weekend nanny, but she is off today." "Weekend nanny?" "Yes, see, we both work long hours, so we really need to have time on the weekends to relax, so we need our weekend nanny to take care of the children."
  25. I'm a little bit late to the discussion, but I don't think the other mom was unreasonable -- just not very tactful. When I invite kids for playdates, I always call directly and tell the Mom that she is welcome to come and hang out (and bring any younger siblings), she can drop her child off, or have the child take the bus. Whichever she would prefer. One mother I had not met before, handled the "vetting" issue beautifully. She explained that she would come over with her daughter this time, as her daughter might be nervous coming to a new place -- but that after that, she was sure her daughter would feel comfortable just taking the bus here. But sometimes funny things happen. One mother, when given all of these options, opted to have the invited friend AND her younger siblings all take the bus to my house -- without her! She asked first, and it was fine, as I had plenty of younger children to play with the siblings. I was glad she felt so comfortable.
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