First off....Bon Voyage, Tia! May your journey into a new season be joy-filled and may you feel His Presence every day of this new adventure! 

Spring.. It's a time of New Beginnings. New shoots and new leaves are budding out, some flowers are peeking thru the mulch as they seek the sun. A new season of life.

I know several HOO'ers (those who Homeschool Only One) who are going thru their own new season--and a difficult one at that. Due to health issues, they are even questioning their decisions to homeschool, since they've had to set aside homeschooling for a bit. If you find yourself in a difficult situation where "normal" had to be set aside, just remember, it's only for a season. Don't jump to conclusions or make life-changing decisions in the midst of the storm. Seek others as a sounding board; consult your husband; and always, always bathe all you do and are in prayer. Expect answers from the One who was and is and is to come; He can give you the answers you seek as well as provide the Peace that passes understanding.

Life sends us curves at times, but we can always trust  that the Lord will bring us through. The end result might not always look like we think it "should," but all will be what it should be.  We will be the better for the journey, and will always be in the Palm of His Hand, even during the darkest days. We know all things will work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans  8:28) 

If you are walking your own difficult season, with no end in sight.... Be encouraged. It truly won't be forever. And it will all work together for good....

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn homeschooled their son since the beginning of his education. Mike graduated from homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can find these free resources, including a message board for those who HOO, on her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2010 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

This week on the Porch we are talking about spring. I got so excited about spring I jumped ahead a bit last week. This week I would like to share what happened when we started our spring study today.

I have several books set aside for each holiday or season change. I keep the print-offs in a file folder marked for the occasion, and the books I keep wrapped in a rubber band in a quiet spot on the book shelf. I try to gather together all the material for the week Sunday night and smooth out any rough patches. These past weeks I have had several doctor appointments on Mondays and ministry packed Sundays. In the end I didn't get to preview and set up the week like I planned.

Today I reached for the set of books that I use for scientific seasonal info. The entire first page was full of a theory of how spring came to be. Some scientists think our big blob of a molten earth got hit by another big blob and hit it off center...yadda yadda... I was furious! The other books in this series did show evolutionary theories, but only as theories not proven or unproven by science. They were easy to jump over for the youngest ones and nice to sit and discuss with my oldest. This time the theory was written as- "this is what happened."

It was a reminder to me that I must preview my children's books. My daughter with autism is a voracious reader. She will read anything in the book shelf. There is great joy in watching her explore the written word. There is also a great responsibility in gently guiding her to reading materials that match her needs.

She is a black and white thinker. What she reads that is in a non-fiction book is truth. If it blurs the line she gets upset and anxious about the book and will quit reading it. Fiction is easy for her. She knows it's make believe. But what is she to do with a non-fiction book that is showing her "facts" that are not real?

Our children with special ways of thinking need to watched closely as to what they watch, read and take in as facts of the world. This is not just about how we believe about creation. This has broad implications in learning. If your child watches a show that repeatedly has children counseling children and disrespecting their parents, how will your child internalize that message? If they read a book that has too mature a topic, how can they stop thinking about it? This is why I think we need to be vigilant, especially with out youngest, gentlest minds.

This is a blessing my friends. We are able to tend to our children and help them grow. Helping them chose the best brain food (books) possible. You never know, it may help you to pick up those classics that you didn't catch the first time through!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at www.specialneedshomeschooling.com.

In some ways this is a hard post to write, and in others I'm actually very excited! I have been the senior editor of HSB for nearly 4 years now. I have learned a lot about blogging, I've made a ton of new friends, and it has been fun! However, it's time for me to move on.

My family is moving to where we won't have internet, cell phone service, or television. We're all very excited about that! Still, I imagine you can see what a problem that is for a senior editor of a blog web site. This new life style isn't compatible with daily blogging and answering of emails.

Besides, it's time for a fresh face around here! Kristen Hamilton will be the new Senior Editor of HSB and I think she's going to be a good fit. I hope all of you will welcome her and make her feel comfortable. If you have any questions, you can direct them to Kristen at khamilton@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.

I can't wait to see what fun and interesting topics Kristen will have lined up for all of you! It's going to be kind of weird for me to watch the Porch grow and change from a different perspective. Kristen is going to do a fabulous job--I'm leaving the HSB Company Porch in good hands. Kristen will be here to help you with the blog platform change, whenever that happens . . . just know it has not been abandoned!

You may or may not find me blogging on my personal blog a little more, but not daily like I used to do several years ago! No internet at home, remember? I'm not blogging elsewhere, I'm not looking for greener grass. I'm too lazy to move my lawn chair. I'm just becoming another passenger on this blogging cruise. I'd love to hear from all of you from time to time!

Tia Linschied
No Fancy Title Here

Spring is a time when things are renewing themselves.  It's a time when we give pause to consider our relationships.  One of the most important aspects of building good relationships (whether they are romantic, friendships, or professional) is our communication skills.  How we talk to one another is the most important determinant of our relationships. 

Make a renewed commitment to build your relationships by building your communication skills.  Art of Eloquence can help.  Check out all the new studies and packages we have available for the entire family from preschoolers on up through adults...and from speech to leadership and even defending the faith!

http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

We even have a ton of free resources for your entire family!

Don't forget to sign up for our free monthly newsletter with exclusive articles, tips, free gifts and offers just for our subscribers!

I didn’t always call myself a relaxed homeschooler.  When I began homeschooling my three precious children 11 years ago, I started on a different path. I had very specific plans. My children were going to be advanced beyond their years. They were going to read at 5^th or 6^th grade level by first grade. They were going to begin Latin by second. I was going to show everyone what homeschooling could do by creating super progeny.

By this point, you may be thinking that I’m kidding. Sadly, I’m not. I was dead serious and after much research, I ordered the best textbooks, phonics programs and manipulatives that were sure to guarantee success.

Excited to get the show on the road, I sat my bright little young ‘uns down at the kitchen table and we proceeded to plod through the workbooks one by one. It didn’t take long to realize that this was just not going to work. Soon, they were miserable and I was ready to quit. The excitement of teaching my little ones at home soon faded and instead of a blessing it became a chore. 

I began praying fervently that the Lord would allow me to quit and send the kids to school but my husband was not swayed by my pleas. He knew that the best thing for our children was to be home where they could be taught our values and beliefs and learn at their pace and according to their abilities. He suggested that I ease up.    

In tears and frustration I began to reassess the situation. I realized that though a really structured school-like setting may be wonderful for some families, it certainly did not work for us. So, I tried to forget everything I knew about school. I gave away the school desks, packed away almost all of the textbooks and realized that before I homeschooled, I was simply a mother who had taught her kids something from day one. I slowly began to realize that learning truly does happen all the time.  

This new mindset did not happen overnight. Yet, somewhere along the line, I learned that it was okay not to keep up with everyone else. It was okay for my children to learn about their interests and not what the textbook dictated. It was okay if we took a day off book work and the boys rode their bikes and climbed trees. It was okay if we were really enjoying a history lesson and we didn’t want to stop after 45 minutes, but chose to spend 3 hours reading books and completing a project.

 Slowly, I began to be excited about homeschooling again and in the process and as I relaxed, my children became excited about learning.

Academically, my kids are pretty much where they should be and though I never did get around to teaching Latin, I’m comfortable with how school looks in our home. I’m so thankful that the Lord led us on this journey.

Tonya Prater and her husband have homeschooled their three children ages 16, 14, and 13 for the past 11 years using every homeschool method ever invented before settling on what seems to resemble the Charlotte Mason philosophy with an unschooling/relaxed flair. After traveling for the past four years with her husband’s job, they finally took a huge stop of faith and became a Full-time-RV-Living-Roadschooling-Family. You can read about the day to day happenings of their journey at Live the Adventure (http://www.thetravelingpraters.blogspot.com ).

• Begin making your checklist for spring cleaning projects, or just get out the rags and bucket and hop to it. 
•  Consider decluttering with a "spring fling" and fling out items you no longer need. 
•  Sell unused curriculum and budget for next year's supplies.
•  Declutter and tame winter chaos outdoors as well--clear away debris and create a clean canvas against which Spring's beauty will shine forth.
•  Begin organizing this year's school work and records and sketch out plans for next year's studies.
• Evaluate the schedule and declutter your time as well.  What activities are draining the family more than energizing or benefiting? 

Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.

The First Day of Spring is a perfect time for a picnic.  If the weather allows, have your picnic out in the yard or garden by all means; but if the weather is more wintry than spring-like, spread your blanket on the floor indoors and have a First Day of Spring picnic anyway! 

Picnic foods are simply fun.  Let your children help set the menu with their favorite picnic treats.  Simple, finger foods are the best picnic fare in my opinion, though you can choose what your family enjoys. 

When we picnic, I pack a basket with healthy goodies like:

• cheese
• bread or crackers
• grapes, apple slices, or other seasonal fruits
• olives
• nuts
• muffins or cookies for dessert

If you'd like something a bit more substantial, add in some sandwiches or sliced cold cuts and a salad of some type.  Pasta and potato salads are good choices. 

You can make your picnic as fancy as you like by using a seasonal tablecloth and napkins, pretty spring-themed dishes, etc.  

To make the food a bit more special, try cutting sandwiches into butterfly or flower shapes using cookie cutters.  Make sugar cookies using the same shape cutters, and add some edible flower garnishes to your dishes.  

Why not start a new family tradition this year and declare it the First Day of Spring Family Picnic.  Or invite your neighbors and friends and make it a friends and family picnic!

However you decide to celebrate,

have a Happy First Day of Spring!

Catherine

 

Catherine Love lives in the heart of Texas with her husband Carl, and their 3 daughters, Sarah, Hannah, and Cana.  They enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new things as they seek to live a lifestyle of learning together as a family.  You can read Catherine's Kitchen Adventures and more on her blog- Seeds of Love.

Dear reader, I am so glad I caught you early. You can stop reading right now. Did you not hear me? Please cease and desist reading this blog! Don't you know there is a monster at the end of this blog?! It is a terrible, terrible thing!

Should I tell you what it is~ so will you politely stop reading? In order to fairly warn you I will hint at the evil that awaits. Here is your clue: It occurs on March 20th this year. That is it! I can't say more~ why are you still reading?! Don't you know the horrible thing that happens on this dreaded day?! You don't want to know, I tell you~ so please close this blog~ close your computer~ and never look back!!

I see you have not listened to my warnings. I tell you~ it is every homeschooler's worst fear. Dare I tell you~ you are pushing me into this you know? You had fair warning to get away~ but you would not heed them. Breathe deeply~ you are about to discover the dreaded monster at the end of this blog.

The dreaded monster that rears its ugly head March 20th is . . . The First Day of Spring!! Eek! I told you it was scary. My first grader is only on Lifepac Worktext number 8. Do you know what that means?! We are not at Lifepac Worktext number 10~ and Spring is almost here. And, do you know what comes after Spring? I cannot even tell you, it is so horrid.

Wait, did you say we are on Lifepac Worktext Number 8? That means.. we still have time to complete the curriculum. If we do one Worktext a month (if I dare I include the dreaded March 20th date) we will be done with 1st grade in May on schedule. Hooray! And you were worried. You are so silly!

I hope you enjoyed this little parody of my favorite childhood story The Monster at the End of This Book. You remember perhaps, lovable Grover (everyone's favorite monster until Elmo came around). Grover did not realize that HE was the monster at the end of the book, and there was really nothing to be afraid of as he warned his readers not to turn the page!

Sometimes I feel like the monster at the end of the school year. I get nervous (you didn't notice did you?) that I won't finish my curriculum and that my children will be light years behind the public school kid next door, and the kid in the co-op who does chess, Latin, and knits afghans with his toes. You know the kid! He ruins it for everyone!

However, I am trying to listen to those veteran homeschool moms who have come before me, who tell me I do NOT have to finish all of my curriculum and that my children will somehow learn what they need to learn in spite of me. How rude~ don't you think?! The truth hurts!

To all you homeschool mommies out there that might have a tendency to dread Spring or Summer, fearing that you have not completed your motherly homeschool duties, maybe we should take a lesson from a furry, lovable monster named Grover. The monster at the end of the book (or this blog) is really not so scary after all. Maybe we should all put down the Math Worktext number 8, and dare I say it . . . (it is too crazy to mention!) go out and smell the flowers with our kids. Well okay~ here goes . . . That wasn't so scary :)

Evonne Mandella is a Jewish Homeschooling Mom who loves her Savior Jesus Christ! She also loves teaching families to learn to read Hebrew and Greek in minutes with her revolutionary easy reading method found in her "Read Hebrew Today" and "Read New Testament Greek Today" Series and her fun loving Hands-On Bible Curriculum "Wholesome Learning." She is married to her love and homeschools her two wonderful children- but she's not biased. She would love to connect with you at www.wholesomelearning.com or you are invited to contact her by email at evonnemandella@yahoo.com

This week I'd like to introduce you to Mrs. H of Creekwood Chronicles. Her About Me information reads almost like my own blog, so I felt all kindred spirit like and wanted to spread the news.

If you're a lapbook lover then you'll enjoy this post, but what I like about it is how she used the lapbook as an extra activity for her children to do while staying with their grandparents! What a neat way of keeping up with school, helping the grandparents keep little hands busy, and having something to show mommy and daddy when they come home!

Mrs. H is a second generation homeschooler, and a friend of hers was asking about homeschooling. She created a series of posts to answer some of those questions about homeschooling.

Ever had a Purim party? Me either, but it looks like Mrs. H and her daughter had a lot of fun with their friends, and they learned to appreciate the book of Esther even more!

Please go say hello to Mrs. H! She has a lot of fun things to share with everyone!

Tia Linchied
Senior Editor of HSB

I am careful, considering the winter we just had, but I think it is official that spring is here! With spring has come longer, warmer days and changing clothes.

My mother would use the daylight savings weekend to go through the season's clothes and prep for the new season.  As a parent myself I realize that my autistic children are not so prepared to let the new season come in. In the fall and spring I always see an increase in sensory issues. Including a resistance to change to the new clothing for the changing temperatures.

In this case spring calls for lighter coats, t-shirts, and putting away the turtlenecks. If you don't have a sensory child or a child with autism this may seem a bit silly. Let me assure you that the changing of the seasons is big. As we ask the kids to change, the sunlight timing changes, the temperatures change, everything is confusing and upsetting to our kids. This is a huge family issues every season.

Now how can we get through this season with out major problems?

1. Don't change everything all at once. Take out the heaviest clothing that your child is not attached to first. Work your way out from there. Then when you get to several shirts, sweaters out of the clothing loop buy more that are season appropriate.

2. If your child is still young, use the brushing technique. This helps your child be prepared for different sensations on their arms and legs. Many kids balk at short sleeves or shorts because that means more things can touch them.

3. Be creative. There was a well loved sweater that my daughter just wouldn't let go. I ended up putting it on her teddy bear. That way she could snuggle with it and see it, but not wear it in hot weather.

4. Allergies this time of year may make your job harder. If your child is normally affected by sensory problems, then you throw on top of that a constant physical irritant, you will get a grumpy, sick feeling kid. Try as best you can to reduce allergy problems--especially in their bedrooms.

This time of year is fun. Watching for the first flower of spring. The birds are returning. The world outside is waking up and changing. For our kids who resistant to change, that can cause anxiety. Parents our job is to head that off. Your family life will be calmer and your homeschooling will be more successful!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at www.specialneedshomeschooling.com

Daylight Savings Time is a great time for us to be reminded of a communication issue facing us today as never before.  As we spend more and more time communicating to the world on the internet, it is increasingly important that we make reference to more than just the time of an event. 

I've seen people send out invites to a podcast or an online party by saying:

"Join me this Thursday at 8am for some really great thing you won't want to miss!" 

Unfortunately, that leaves many of us wondering if we will miss it.  Is that 8am PST, MST, CST or EST?  Or is it another standard time across the globe?  Last year I was invited to an event I thought would be fabulous.  I just wasn't able to reach the person posting in time to get the time zone clarified for the event so I missed it.  So did a lot of people. 

It's always best to put in more than one time zone too as some people are not sure how they relate. 

"Join me this Thursday at 8am PST/11am EST...."

The more clear/precise you can be in your directions, the more effective you will be and the more attendees will be able to find your event. 

A time saving tip from your friends at Art of Eloquence.com!

P.S.  If you happen to live in a part of the world that does NOT participate in Daylight Savings Time (like parts of Arizona) please do remember to change all of your online appointments in your Outlook calendar or elsewhere.  Though the time doesn't change for us, the TIME ZONE does!

This week's entry honoring National Women's History Month is a bit of an extension of my last month's writings.  We've been talking about developing our emerging adults' (our high schoolers') "saltiness."  I began to think of the many wonderful young ladies in our circle of family friends whom I've come to know and love over the last 6 or 7 years.  These young ladies are being carefully and intentionally raised for the Lord, and to esteem the role of wife and mother, and I am so grateful to their parents!  (I have two sons, you know...)

At the same time, I know that among homeschoolers, in my close circle of friends and abroad, there are many strong opinions about what is "best" for these homeschooled daughters.  I have personally heard both ends of this spectrum, plus everything in the middle:

"My daughter will stay at home, under the protection of her father, and will serve God by serving her father and our family until He brings a husband to her in His perfect time."

"My daughter is going to college to get her degree and plan for a career; if God brings a husband to her, and she then decides to be a full-time wife and mother, that's wonderful...but she will finish her education and have that degree." 

I tell you what, this is one hot debate.  I won't "weigh in" here, at least not directly.  I see incredible validity in both points.  I see serious potential problems in both points.

What I will say is this, and I've said it before in my "Engage!" article series: these children are given to us by God to raise for Him for a season...and then, to give them back.  Back to Him.  Serving our daddies and our families as young adults is good.  It's valid.  It's worthwhile.  Praise God for the daddies who are guarding their young adult daughters hearts from unworthy guys who would prey upon their beauty and innocence!
But here's something to think about: as these young women (and how about the daughters at home who are nearing their 25th or 30th birthdays, and to whom God has not yet brought a husband?) grow and mature, are we giving them back to Him?  Are they daily seeking God's direction for these years of unbridled time and physical energy, when they are not yet bound in childrearing and homemaking? (Do NOT get me wrong...it's a GOOD thing to be bound to!)
My thoughts turned to such questions this week as I finished yet another enjoyable read from the YWAM Publishing Series, "Christian Heroes Then & Now."  These are quick and easy reads, but not without impact.  I have read, among others, these biographies (all descriptions are taken directly from YWAM Publishing's webpages for each book):

• Gladys Aylward  Gladys Aylward, a housemaid from England, dared to trust God in the face of dire and seemingly hopeless circumstances. Her amazing adventure of faith and determination is one of the truly great missionary stories of our era (1902-1970).
  
• Amy Carmichael  Amy Carmichael's life was one of simple, determined obedience to God, regardless of the consequences. Her service in India is a vivid example of the impact one person who will fear God and nothing else can have.
  
• Corrie ten Boom Corrie ten Boom's life of determination, faith, and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable brutality and hardship is a stunning testimony of the sustaining power of God (1892-1983).
  
• Mary Slessor  While many missionaries died within months, this fiery mill worker from Scotland labored in love among the unreached tribes of Africa's Calabar region for thirty-nine years (1848-1915).  One of my top 3 favs!!!
  
• Betty Green WWII veteran Betty Greene's desire to use airplanes to help spread the gospel was realized when she helped found the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (1920-1997).
  
• Lottie Moon  After becoming the most educated woman in the American South, Lottie Moon (1840-1912) spent thirty-nine years in China. As she watched her fellow missionaries fall to disease and exhaustion, she became just as dedicated to educating Christians about the often preventable tragedies of missionary life as she was to educating Chinese people about the Christian life.
  
• Ida Scudder  During nearly sixty years in India, Dr. Ida Scudder pioneered rural healthcare and the medical training of Indian women. An amazing testimony to the courage, compassion, and truth found in Christ (1870-1960).  One of my top 3 favs!!!
  
• Lillian Thrasher  Others thought that a lone American woman in Egypt would surely be killed or starve to death. Instead she cared for thousands of desperate children, with unwavering faith that God does indeed look after the orphans (1887-1961).  One of my top 3 favs!!!
  
• Florence Young  New Zealander Florence Young (1856-1940) rose to her calling and became a fearless and faithful witness for Jesus Christ in the remote and dangerous Solomon Islands and in China during the deadly Boxer Rebellion.
  
• Rachel Saint  Despite the martyrdom of five missionaries by Waorani spears, Rachel boldly persisted in following God. In one of the greatest testimonies to God's grace and power in our time, this pioneering Bible translator would live for two decades with her own brother's killers, for the joy of seeing them become brothers and sisters in Christ (1914-1994).

As I read these wonderful books, the over-arching message stood out in stark relief: God called these brave young women into HIS service.  These were young women who were listening for His call.  By obeying Him, they were able to do nothing short of miraculous feats through the power of Jesus Christ.

Even if your daughter's deepest heart's desire is to become a wife and mother (just like me!), I highly recommend that she becomes familiar with some of these remarkable women of faith.  God may have His eye on your young adult daughter to do a remarkable work for His service, like one of the women from the YWAM Publishers series.  He may want her to volunteer her time in a soup kitchen, or assist a Christian magazine publisher like "Above Rubies" for His glory.
Speaking of Above Rubies, its founder, Nancy Campbell, is a modern-day pioneer of the faith!  You can learn more about her story in a series of 3 short videos, HERE.  In the second video clip, Nancy mentions the overwhelming office-work load of the ministry.  Did you know that Above Rubies  offers graduated homeschooled young women a 2-month missions opportunity in Tennessee  to help them with their magazine and web tasks?  They call them "Rubies' Girls."  After you've watched the videos, if you want more information, click HERE and scroll down to "Volunteer Opportunities."

The high school years need to be a time of training for many things, but most importantly for seeking God's will and listening for His voice, and being prepared to answer His call with, "Here am I, send me."  

May God Bless you and your homeschool this week!

~Lori

With Daylight Saving Time just days away, I thought you might like a book recommendation for some quick family friendly breakfast ideas; especially since breakfast time will be coming even earlier next week! 

The Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas has excellent ideas for making breakfast not only fast but healthy.  Even though my family isn't vegetarian, I use  this book quite a bit, and is one I frequently pick up when I want to add something new to the menu.  Many of the recipes can be adapted easily if your family would like some eggs, cheese, or meat on the breakfast plate.  Here are just a few of the tasty breakfast ideas and recipes in this book: Cream Cheese & Berry Rollups, Breakfast Quesadillas, breakfast sandwiches, Yogurt Pancakes and Muffin Tin Popovers. 

Check out this great book for adding some delicious new dishes to your menu plan this week.  Not limited to breakfast, you'll find plenty of recipes for lunch, dinner and snack-time, as well! 

Blessings,

Catherine

 

Catherine Love lives in the heart of Texas with her husband Carl, and their 3 daughters, Sarah, Hannah, and Cana.  They enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new things as they seek to live a lifestyle of learning together as a family.  You can read Catherine's Kitchen Adventures and more on her blog- Seeds of Love.

There is a new kid on the block!  Evonne Mandella has join the Company Porch! She wrote "From the Heart~ Sister Sufferagette"   welcome my friend! I can't wait to read more of your column in the weeks ahead!

This month is National Women's History Month.

I was pleased to find a wonderful complilation of christian women's achievements.
 Annie's "Women's History Month" Page http://www.annieshomepage.com/whistory.html
 
I am so divided on this topic. On one hand I am happy to see the great strides that ladies have contributed to the world. The Lord has gifted each of us. That is a wonderful thing. On the other so often this month is turned into a feminist rant. The idea of women achieving means that the woman must with one hand parent, and with the other hand remake Wallstreet. Those of us that deliberately chose to stay in the home, caring for our husband and children are ridiculed and pitied.

I am blessed with four lovely daughters. I strive to teach them what God says is our duty and responsibility. I do not agree with the idea that this places a burden on women. That by following God's commands women will be sad and diminished.

No! I believe with all my heart that women only truly come into a freedom of heart when they follow the Lord's will. This maybe to write a book that encourages all people to rethink slavery. This maybe that the Lord graces you with 6 children. Walk the path the Lord has set you. Keep you eye's on Him and not the whispers of the world.

Are you blessed with a gifted girl? Many assume that all gifted children grow into gifted adults that achieve huge things for science and industry, or create masterpieces that shift the world of art forever. It is laughable in secular gifted circles to suggest you want to raise a family. Go be a missionary. Or keep you singing talents for your church and thus God. Raise your child with a strong foundation to ignore those mutterings.

I will end with this. I am only for each of you as a family, as a woman, or as a daughter searching God's word for your place in the world.

Matthew 6:33 KJV

Ladies speak up what do you think? How are you teaching your daughter's God's will? Or do you think I am wrong?



Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at www.specialneedshomeschooling.com

To be honest I was a bit shy of this topic. Not because women did not make a mark in history, but being an event relatively newly created, and possibly stemming straight from the "Women's Movement" of the 1970s.... I wasn't sure what I might find. (And there were certain things that were on some of the links, that I wouldn't want my daughter (if I had one) or my son to go perusing.) So before I continue, remember the tried and true warning:  Surfer beware!

 

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womensintro1.html   

Women's history was also part of a larger movement that transformed the study of history in the United States. "History" had traditionally meant political history—a chronicle of the key political events and of the leaders, primarily men, who influenced them. But by the 1970s "the new social history" began replacing the older style. Emphasis shifted to a broader spectrum of American life, including such topics as the history of urban life, public health, ethnicity, the media, and poverty. 

The older style of history wasn't totally imbalanced; in fact, I remember learning history (social studies) in elemenatary school (public), and I don't remember only political history being studied. Of course I was in public shool from 1963 to 1976. The early 60s like that wouldn't have enough time to change the textbooks that much. (I remember reading about founding fathers being slave owners---but I also remember the quote by Ben Frankiln saying slavery is "an atrocious debasement of human nature" and "a source of serious evils.."

From this site:

http://www.heritage.org/research/americanfoundingandhistory/wp01.cfm

When delegates convened at Philadelphia to write a new constitution, however, strong sectional interests supported the maintenance of slavery and the slave trade. "The real difference of interests," Madison noted, "lay not between large and small states but between the Northern and Southern states. The institution of slavery and its consequences formed a line of discrimination." In order to get the unified support needed for the Constitution's ratification and successful establishment, the framers made certain concessions to the pro-slavery interests. The compromises they agreed to, however, were designed to tolerate slavery where it currently existed, not to endorse or advance the institution. 

(A good site to see is this one, How the Founding Fathers Fought For an End to Slavery, http://american_almanac.tripod.com/ffslave.htm.)

 

The 60s and 70s were definitely the eras where history started to be rewritten; emphasis was being slowly changed from patriotic "hero worship" (which wasn't too bad, yet was probably not really balanced) to transforming our founding fathers into horribly flawed individuals (and not at all balanced), and then emphasizing minorities and women over and above all else. I think it's a great thing to put some lights onto the women in the shadows, (as well as the minorities)--the hand that rocks the cradle, the woman behind the man, etc. The only problem I have is the wide swing to imbalance, in the opposite direction. American History is filled with great men and women, "minorities or otherwise", and a majority of them, are ones we will never know their name. A balance is needed, unbiased if at all possible. (In other words, definitely seek out Primary Sources, and not just whatever you find on the internet without knowing what their agenda might be.)

 

Wanting a balance, I would be looking at sites that include primary sources. When you go to a website, look at their "About Me" or "Our Mission" links to find out if they have an agenda, or if they are presenting history balanced. I'm sure I'm a bit more cautious in this "revisionist" time in our history, than I need to be, but "your mileage may vary."

 

So these are some of the links I found that might be helpful in putting together a study of Women in History for your student.

 

Here's a bit of fun for Women's History Month: 

History Quizes having to do with women in history.

http://www.infoplease.com/games/womens-history-quiz.html

 

Women in World History (link from the above) presents primary sources from around the world:  http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/sources.php    

(Example: Dona Marina, Cortes' Translator -

http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/p/163.html)

 

National Women's History Project   http://www.nwhp.org/  

With their Resource Center (http://www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/index.php),  which gives quite a few outside links... I would not endorse all links on that page...

 

An interesting resource that you will have to find:  Godey's Lady's Book. It can be found here:  http://www.history.rochester.edu/godeys/  What ladys aspired to in the 19th century.

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn homeschooled their son since the beginning of his education. Mike graduated from homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can find these free resources, including a message board for those who HOO, on her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2010 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

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