I forgot all about this blog site but tonight at the bookstore, I felt pressed in my heart to come back and blog about a few things. I'm not sure why...maybe there is someone out there that needs to hear what I have to share. I'm not sure where to start and my thoughts will probably roam all over the page!

Some of you asked in the comment section of my last blog entry, "How do you do it if you are deaf and your children are hearing?"  I have to say that it is challenging but not impossible. Often times, I do have to sit down with my children and see them "face to face" and communicate directly with them.  I can't just busy myself in the kitchen or be cleaning and "bounce off ideas" or practice spelling and math while listening to my child. It's quite the opposite. I'd have to sit there and see what they are saying. With my daughter, Clarissa, its been a very interesting journey. She will be six in the fall and I've found that her desire to learn is very strong. I guess I am lucky in that aspect. I don't have to "push" her to learn. She just willingly wants to learn and all on her own. Often times, I'd come in the room and find her working away at a workbook or practicing her penmanship. Often times, I just don't make a big deal out of it. I give her a hug and say "good job" and oversee what she is doing.  I am always encourging her to think in a different way.

Some people could say my method is in "unschooling" and I guess you could say that. I think learning should be fun and not pressured at all on the child. I believe that a child learns quickest when they are fascinated with what they are doing.  A lot of times I apply things in our lives in teaching my children. I use a lot of life skills and try to show them that its just not intelligence that comes in play but also emotional intelligence.  School is lacking in the emotional part. That's where a mother comes in play---to train a child to think well emotionally and intellectually.

I'm not sure how....to answer your questions. I guess I'm rotten in that area. I don't think about the exact steps that I go about homeschooling my children. I have never really observed how other homeschool Moms work with their children. I am not sure how it all works. All I know is that I try to teach my child as much as I know as we go along in life. This reminds me that I should at least keep a journal (or maybe use this blog) as a journal as we go along in our young journey as homeschoolers.

If there are deaf moms out there or even moms with deaf children, please do feel welcome to contact me directly and I'd be happy to help in anyway I can.

God Bless

~Julie Ann~

Posted by

[I can't just busy myself in the kitchen or be cleaning and "bounce off ideas" or practice spelling and math while listening to my child] If those of us that are hearing were honest, we cannot either. We "hear" what they say, but we don't listen to their heart. We don't take time to process the emotion behind their request. I can't tell you how many times my daughter has told me, "Mom, stop and look at me!" or "You're not paying attention."

Thanks for listening to the spirits tug and posting ~

Oh, Julie Ann (too)

Edited by AcceptanceWithJoy on Jun. 10, 2006 at 5:37 AM

Posted by PinayMom

Oh... I am so glad to hear from you. Yes I do still keep in touch with my deaf brother he is working as a deaf missionary in the Philippines. He was one of the 6 missionaries that graduated from the Training Center that DOOR is supporting. He loves to tell Bibles Stories to other Deaf. You can contact DOOR through the deaf site, just send them email. They put Bible Stories on DVDs with deaf people signing the stories. I think you would love it and you can practice them and teach them to your kids. When I was in the Philippines one of the deaf couple has 5 kids and they are all hearing, she was homeschooling them too when they were in the states and they are just wonderful children. For their family devotions Dad would tell Bible Stories to the kids. You will probably want to check out Kim of http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalEducation4Me - I read about her in the Old Schoolhouse magazine. She is hearing but she has a deaf daughter. I have been studying about Charlotte Mason education and I wanted to use them for my boys this year. I am going to a convention this month to check out some curriculums that is CM friendly.

Just leave me comments if you need anything or have questions. This will be our 3rd year of homeschooling so I am basically just new so we can learn together.

Blessings to you,
~ Melanie

Posted by Titus2woman

So glad to find your blog and learn about your life~I can't wait to read more! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

Posted by Suzanne

...you're "back." What an encouragement you are to *all* homeschooling moms! Thank you!

Posted by Hearts4home

Hi there,

It was great to find you at Homeschoolblogger! My husband is deaf and we have one deaf foster daughter. We use ASL at home and all the kids are pretty fluent. It will be great to read about your journey of homeschooling!
God bless! Denise

Posted by ejsgenes

Hi Julie,

My sons, too, were students in Fairfax County. We just started up homeschooling again after two disappointing years at a state school for the deaf with our youngest, now 15. We sign, talk, write and cue.

Posted by Anonymous

Need support I am deaf mom and seekign for other mom who homeschool hearing children my emaill yosobell@yahoo.com am in NY