~Holiday Break~

Woo Hoo We Have Officially Started Our Holiday Break, I Didn't Get To Spend Summer Vacation With My Kiddos, But I Am Finally Getting A Long Break! I Am Going To Relish Every Moment Of Just Being With My Kiddos For The Next Two Weeks, No School No Work, Going To Behave Like It Is My Last Christmas Break Ever! Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas Everyone! VERY GRATEFUL

The Best Response I Have Read In Answer To This ?

Twice this week it has come up in conversation that home educated children will possibly lack the ability to deal with difficult people because they aren't in the public school system, I tend to keep a pretty low key response when confronted with or asked pointedly this question. So here is the question, Children who grow up under the guidance of the most gentle, patient, loving and inspiring parents without being exposed to teachers who are strict, ineffective, jerks, play favorites, or use coercive methods may not learn how to deal with those types of people before entering the workforce & may be at a disadvantage. I read a good response in a book today so I thought I would share the reader's digest version, This is one of the anti-homeschooling arguments that I find most distressing and frustrating, because it draws a fallacious parallel between school situations and professional situations. Exposing a child to bullies, jerks, etc. (whether students or teachers) doesn't teach them how to stand up to those people or work with those people -- it teaches them to be victims, to keep quiet when they should speak up, or to tolerate abuse or idiocy they shouldn't tolerate. Unlike with a job situation, where you can walk out if you are being treated badly, a child doesn't have the power or freedom to walk away from a school situation. They don't choose their school like an adult chooses a job. They aren't federally mandated to spend x hours a day, x days a year in a job. In a professional/business setting, the adult has a significantly greater degree of power than a student. It's that power imbalance that makes a negative school situation so harmful. Mistreatment at school isn't comparable with dealing with tough bosses, it's much more comparable to domestic violence in its emotional effects.

Cinnamon Rolls It Is

11.12.13 Or 12.11.13 Fun! This morning calls for Cinnamon Rolls, as I kissed my Kiddos Cheeks Gooodnight Hunter says Mom I smell cinnamon rolls, sorry Buddy it is just my lip gloss, poor Kid, so this morning it is cinnamon rolls for breakfast, they are baking as I type! I am blessed to have this opportunity to slow my Children's Lives Down enough so that our mornings aren't hectic & rushed, we can take that extra bit of time to have homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, read that book, etc. Because all of those things are a time for learning. For the adults in the house financial worry is sometimes more than one wants to deal with, text my Mom yesterday that I no longer wanted to be an adult, she agreed she doesn't either! On the other hand, my idea of a party or night out is actually a night in with my Kiddos, watching a movie or all of us just being near, with a glass of wine & comfy sweat pants, now that is a GREAT Time, some would say it is boring or I have been called a hermit lately, I completely disagree. Sending Positive Energies that my Friend Angela Crowson comes through surgery beautifully today, couldn't help tossing & turning all night thinking I should have been there for her! :/ Blessings Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Be Grateful

The other day I caught myself complaining how my boss has got me working overtime, then the stranger who was sitting there beside me said I spent all day in the unemployment line, are there open shifts, are they hiring on, I'll work any hours even all night long, if you could put a good word in for me. Every time you think you got it bad, you can find someone who's got it worse, all the things you take for granted now they started out as blessings first, if you got someone who loves you, and a steady job that puts food on the table, if you're strong and able be grateful. We complain about how much it's gonna cost us to fill our 20 something thousand dollar cars, and living in the land of milk and honey, it's easy to forget how lucky we are We can work hard and buy a patch of dirt and on Sunday morning go to church and pray for those who don't have it as good as you. Every time you think you got it bad, you can find someone who's got it worse, all the things you take for granted now they started out as blessings first, if you got someone who loves you, and a steady job that puts food on the table, if you're strong and able be grateful! Man Be Grateful...... .

Traditions

I was wondering yesterday what are some fun things families do every year! Mrs. Clause always brings pajamas on Christmas Eve, freshly washed tags removed! Santa still fills the stockings and always will even after my Kids leave home gotta keep the magic alive! Am I the only parent who removes tags, opens up boxes and cuts zip ties etc. who needs or wants to be doing that on Christmas morning :) What about batteries, a battery count if and when any are needed!? It was always tradition here to put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving but we changed that this year and bought a tree in a pot to put in our yard come spring thus our tree isn't going up tell the 20th and I am totally happy excited. Happy Holidays All!

~It's Friday~

My work is at home thus my days kinda run together, but I am still GLAD IT'S FRIDAY! Kids are done with school for the day & lesson plans are all set out for Monday :) Let's Get This Party Started! I keep getting asked why I decided to start homeschooling Our Kiddos, I didn't really have a complete answer to give to anyone, it has been something I have wanted to do since Hunter was in 1st Grade, he is 11 & in the 5th Grade now, their Dad was a hold out for way too long lol, well & frankly there are still a lot of people out there with a stigma about it, sad! I do find it funny how some of the public school employees view us/treat us differently now, oh well! I have nothing against public school, I am not antipublic school or completely nuts about homeschooling going out trying to convince anyone to do either or! I think teachers don't get paid enough, class sizes are too large, & our government plays too much of a role in what is happening at our schools. I firmly believe that I have 3 Children all of which are different, I have a Cancer, a Pisces & an Aries :) they are all 3 years apart & cohabitate remarkably well, I can blessedly say they are awesome siblings to each other, and hope this continues as they grow up & that I can instill in them the love & compassion I have for people, & my same zest for life~! I was reading yet again the other day & read that people homeschool for several reasons, Religious, Philosophical, and/or Problem Solving! I fall into the philisophical/problem solving category, I do believe that today's educational institutions inhibit true learning & growth, due to the restrictions set forth that are out of their control, & I had my children in school & for various reasons I was disappointed by some of the experiences, on the other hand we had some totally awesome experiences, & amazing Teachers & Staff! I wanted to be able to individualize my Children's learning plans & give them the one on one or in this case one to three learning environment in hopes that we can set a foundation for an eagerness to learn that will span their entire lives~! Blessings All! It Is Cold Outside, I hope everyone continues to stay safe & warm, including your fur Babies! Remember Tomorrow Isn't Promised To Anyone!

~Homeschool Days~

Our homeschool days are so much more relaxed most days, I still get up way too early, and sometimes we have an extra Kid or 3 around, but My Kiddos get up when their eyes tell them to get up, and we snuggle or we don't depends on what they want to do, we watch some news, & cartoons! Sometimes we start by 8 sometimes we don't really get the bulk of our work done until 11-2, we don't stress about what we don't get done, we do have a daily plan & we eventually get it all done. Not to say we don't have stressful moments, sometimes I'm not sure how to juggle three different curriculums, atleast when you are teaching at Public School, you have one curriculum, sending them to school would probably be easier on me, but I've never been one to take the easy way out :) Loving Our New Adventure This is a all a stark contrast to my normal planned out scheduled out ways, I left those behind long ago, probably like three kids ago! Seize every opportunity for learning & for enjoying your Children! Blessings