One thing I’ve learned over the years is that hard as it may be to change myself, it’s a whole lot easier than changing other people – and more fruitful, too.
 

And yet… it’s a lesson that doesn’t seem to stick nearly as good as it should.

How many times have I persisted in trying to change an attitude in a child when the better route would have been to change my own attitude?

I once tutored a boy who on a Challenging Scale of 1-10 rated a 25. We spent the first 30-60 minutes of many tutoring sessions getting past attitude problems so we could get on to learning a thing or two. I sometimes felt I had done my fair share by spending ten minutes in relaxed mode – general chit-chat, joking around, etc. So when I announced it was time to buckle down and he dug in his heals, it made me angry. I’d given in, I’d made allowances, I’d tried to do it his way, and this was my reward. Why bother at all?

But this boy was going through a lot in his young life. He needed a very long warm-up period. He was often belligerent during that time, no matter how nice or relaxed I was. My job was to change my own attitude and approach. It was utterly useless to try to push change on him, and doing so was no more than willfulness – even self-righteousness -- on my part.

When he consistently saw that I was willing to be patient and that I would respect what he was going through – and yes, that I was not going to go away but that I was also not going to act like him – he started to improve. By changing myself, I helped him change himself.

It works in so many situations and relationships – by changing ourselves, we help others change themselves. I imagine I’ll be learning that lesson over and over for the rest of my life.

Tammy Drennan homeschooled her sons from 1985 through 2003. She now works as a writer and tutor and maintains several web sites and blogs, including www.educationconversation.wordpress.com and www.homeschoolstarter.com

With the new school year starting I can use some fast and easy casserole recipes to help get dinner on the table.  HERE is a free E-Book that is loaded with casserole recipes! 

I am looking forward to trying out Taco Quiche, Spinach and Cream, Broccoli and Cheese and Florentine Casserole just to name a few.  I hope you enjoy it too! 

Happy Homeschooling,

Jamin

 

It's that time again...

I thought I would pull out one of my in storage treasures I found while cleaning out the future bathroom.  If you are not sure what I am referring to check out this post.  I am having a lot of fun finding all these long lost treasures that I haven't seen for a VERY long time.  I need to get these up on a wall soon.  I stitched these when my two oldest were before school.  Sense I have been homeschooling I can't count in detail at night.  Too much for my tired brain.  So I do needle work that I don't have to count...as much. ( LOL)  The bear one is the inspiration I had for some years to work up to and I did it !!!  I ewwwed and awwwwed for 3 years over this pattern.  I love this one.  One day I will have to show the master piece that I did for my mom....ONLY for my mom.  ( it took me a long time)  Maybe one day I will get back to cross-stitching.  It will most likely be when I am not always learning so much. 

Now....

I am happy to say I am finally starting to journal our nature journals each week.  I have been wanting to get our nature observations going again and my friend Kimalita inspired me with her nature walk post.  Well, before I could organize a nature walk time God had already arranged a time for my two youngest to find some neat mushrooms in the woods on our homestead.  Here is the result of our first nature walk for the year !  I am also wanting to start recording any nature events on Thursdays here on my Nature Journal.

We found out when we met the Gregg and Sono Harris family. They used to live in Dayton, Ohio and Gregg had a single's Bible study at Wright State University.  Gregg led me to the Lord, introduced me the that handsome man in the pic who would later become my husband; Sono discipled me and told me that they homeschool their son. Yep...the cute little kid in the pic is Josh "I Kissed Dating Good-bye" Harris when he was about 8 years old! He was my little buddy and the 1st homeschooled kid I'd ever met.

And the rest...as they say...is history.

What's YOUR story?

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

If you have a dog lover at your house you are going to LOVE this new item we just added to the Schoolhouse Store.

Come along for 10 "playful" lessons on dogs: 10 mini Units for a terrific discounted price!  Brandenburg Studies' The Daily Dog Bundle Set includes all top 10 single unit looks at each breed of dog. Whether it is about a pet you already have, of one you enjoy--these little units are just the ticket to get the school day going. Includes lessons on the following dog breeds: Labrador, Retrievers, Beagles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Boxers, Poodles, Shih Tzu, and Bichon Frize.

You will receive the following for EACH of the mentioned breeds:

• Student Lesson
• Student Worksheet
• Handwriting/stationery sheets for various grades
• Coloring page
• Activity or game

You'll be "dog-gone" happy you found this study!

Click HERE to find this item in E-Book format.

Click HERE to find this item in CD format.

I read several books this week so far and have not had time to write them down. I realized I have not been writing down the children's books I have been reading. That is a shame!

This week please post your planned homeschool routine is.

. 

Now this is a area I still need to solidify. ((sigh))

There are something's that is decided on... like ...

8:30- 9am ~ start Bible Study

9:15 ~Copy work

9:30 ~ Math

10 am  History or  Science depending on the day 

Monday's ~ Homeschool Co-op Day , Curling-starting in November till Spring Break

Tuesday-  Science, Nature Study

Wednesday-History

Thursday- Science in the mornings, Swimming lessons in October and November, Curling in November

Friday- History, Music Appreciation, Picture Study 

.

The good thing about these HS Memiors is they are getting me to sit down and get what is swirling around in my head and make it more concrete writen ( or typed) .  This was good for me this week.  I will be tweaking  more on this in the next couple weeks and make it fit.  But this is a GOOD start.  

Weblink Wednesday

I have one freebie and then a sale to share !

Notebook Pages.com is sharing this freebie

and how to start notebooking HERE

and then they have a great sale HERE !

Tomorrow is another day and I am so, so tired. I feel like it should be the end of the week already and for some reason life is a bit tiring for me, but I will keep going.

I don't see how people have the energy to think about politics and other issues, I have enough in my house to keep me going!

We got so much done in the last couple days though! F. fixed a couple boards in the porch that needed fixing. It has to be painted though before it is too cold, so one of the warm days we will do that. It looks like a dark red type stain/paint was used,  I have no idea what color to use. The house is a khaki color, what color do you make the porch? I canned another 14 jars of jam yesterday, I finished the huge job of the office/schoolroom/library, and got everything ready for school today although I have to figure out where I placed two subjects......

Anyhow, Good night, I have been working on really enjoying my children and enjoying being with them as  they do grow up fast and I keep feeling like I am missing one.....but it is just that my littlest one is getting big and they are all so big!

I could use some fast breakfast ideas that do not require cooking.....I was thinking about making some waffles and using fruit jam on them instead of syrup, but I would have to make them ahead of time.