For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis; yes, I know I re-post this every year about this time.   The message put forth seems to never grow old. I always get such lovely emails thanking me for posting it. 

Oh NO!!!!! Summer is here and we have not finished our book lessons! What are we going to do?

So What?

SO WHAT?!!! What do you mean so what?  We haven't learned everything we are suppose to!  We did not finish all the lessons!!!

Wasn't it your kids who freaked out their aunts and uncles at Thanksgiving dinner because your 7 & 5 year olds proceeded to explain the digestive system from mouth to anus, and how the kidneys produced pee?  And didn't your kids make a model kid with bones using Q-tips to explain how bones work, not to mention describe in some detail the workings of the heart to the amazement of your doctor?

Big Deal!!!! So what if their Aunt turned an interesting shade of green and there were a lot more leftovers than normal, we have not finished all of our worksheets.  Oh the worksheets!!!! I have a few dozen left!!!  They are not even filled out!!!!!

So?

SO!!???!!!!??!  We paid money for them.  They show how much my kids have learned!

Did you get the idea for frog day from them?  You remember.  That was the day you found tadpoles in a pond.  So you went out and researched how  to care for them.  You got an aquarium and spent  a day studing how they would become frogs and didn't you come up with tadpole math?  Isnt that how your youngest finally got the concept of subtraction?

WEREN'T YOU LISTENING?  We did not finish all the lessons in the book!

Yes, but didnt you go to homeschool classes once a month at your local zoo?  Wasn't it your kids who while watching Curious George with some other kids began to explain how George was drawn incorrectly because he doesn't have a tail and monkeys have tails where apes do not.  And isn't your kids who can tell all about birds.  And isn't your oldest who when they asked for a child to come up on stage at an outdoorman's show to hold a snake RAN up to the stage and told the "expert" all about snakes?

What does that have to do with anything?   What if someone demands to see my lesson book?  I have only 150 out of 170 lessons done!!! What willl they think?  We will not reach the legal requirement for 180 days of instructions!

Now wait, did you count all the days at the zoo classes? and what about the days you devoted to unit studies?  Remember, you devoted three whole days to doing nothing but studing about magnets. And what about the days you devoted to learning about a single animal that the kids showed interest in?  And what about the days you spent cooking to teach the kids about fractions? And really, what other 1st grader knows all about the Bill of Rights because you spent  a day or two on American history, which all brings up how many other kids looked at a picture of the pilgrims and proceeded to explain how almost everything in a traditional picture of the pilgrims from the clothing to the food served is incorrect? And what about those horrid ladybug and butterfly houses you ordered and has to cancel the exterminator because it would kill all the experiments.  And what about all those plant experiments you did?  The kids did not understand how a plant transports water and food up its stem from a book, they learned it by putting white carnations in colored water.  And wasn't your sister, the public school fourth grade teacher, lamenting that her students couldn't write as well in cursive as your 1st grader, as a matter of fact her students could barely READ cursive writing?  And what about the mornings before dental appointments that you read all about teeth, what they were made of and how they worked and downloaded that model of teeth that the kids made and took to the dentist so he could show them where they needed to brush better?

BUT WE DIDNT FINISH THE BOOKS OR THE WORKSHEETS!!! OH WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

But don't your kids have a great love of learning and didnt they learn a lot? and enjoy it?

THAT IS NOT THE POINT. We ... didnt finish .......... err ............... hhmmmm...... wait................ that is the point ......mmmmmmmmmmmm.   Yeah! Summer is here!  We had a great year and learned alot. 

Next year, I  need to remember to not get so caught up in making sure the lessons are done that it interferes with learning.  Homeschoolers tend to do that every so often.    We do not want to end up more concerned with lessons and worksheets or we will be just schooling at home. Let's not loose sight of what homeschooling is and why we are doing it... and enjoy our summer break.

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Oh NO!!!!! Summer is here and we have not finished our book lessons! What are we going to do?

So What?

SO WHAT?!!! What do you mean so what?  We haven't learned everything we are suppose to!  We did not finish all the lessons!!!

Wasn't it your kids who freaked out their aunts and uncles at Thanksgiving dinner because your 7 & 5 year olds proceeded to explain the digestive system from mouth to anus, and how the kidneys produced pee?  And didn't your kids make a model kid with bones using Q-tips to explain how bones work, not to mention describe in some detail the workings of the heart to the amazement of your doctor?

Big Deal!!!! So what if their Aunt turned an interesting shade of green and there were a lot more leftovers than normal, we have not finished all of our worksheets.  Oh the worksheets!!!! I have a few dozen left!!!  They are not even filled out!!!!!

So?

SO!!???!!!!??!  We paid money for them.  They show how much my kids have learned!

Did you get the idea for frog day from them?  You remember.  That was the day you found tadpoles in a pond.  So you went out and researched how  to care for them.  You got an aquarium and spent  a day studing how they would become frogs and didn't you come up with tadpole math?  Isnt that how your youngest finally got the concept of subtraction?

WEREN'T YOU LISTENING?  We did not finish all the lessons in the book!

Yes, but didnt you go to homeschool classes once a month at your local zoo?  Wasn't it your kids who while watching Curious George with some other kids began to explain how George was drawn incorrectly because he doesn't have a tail and monkeys have tails where apes do not.  And isn't your kids who can tell all about birds.  And isn't your oldest who when they asked for a child to come up on stage at an outdoorman's show to hold a snake RAN up to the stage and told the "expert" all about snakes?

What does that have to do with anything?   What if someone demands to see my lesson book?  I have only 150 out of 170 lessons done!!! What willl they think?  We will not reach the legal requirement for 180 days of instructions!

Now wait, did you count all the days at the zoo classes? and what about the days you devoted to unit studies?  Remember, you devoted three whole days to doing nothing but studing about magnets. And what about the days you devoted to learning about a single animal that the kids showed interest in?  And what about the days you spent cooking to teach the kids about fractions? And really, what other 1st grader knows all about the Bill of Rights because you spent  a day or two on American history, which all brings up how many other kids looked at a picture of the pilgrims and proceeded to explain how almost everything in a traditional picture of the pilgrims from the clothing to the food served is incorrect? And what about those horrid ladybug and butterfly houses you ordered and has to cancel the exterminator because it would kill all the experiments.  And what about all those plant experiments you did?  The kids did not understand how a plant transports water and food up its stem from a book, they learned it by putting white carnations in colored water.  And wasn't your sister, the public school fourth grade teacher, lamenting that her students couldn't write as well in cursive as your 1st grader, as a matter of fact her students could barely READ cursive writing?  And what about the mornings before dental appointments that you read all about teeth, what they were made of and how they worked and downloaded that model of teeth that the kids made and took to the dentist so he could show them where they needed to brush better?

BUT WE DIDNT FINISH THE BOOKS OR THE WORKSHEETS!!! OH WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

But don't your kids have a great love of learning and didnt they learn a lot? and enjoy it?

THAT IS NOT THE POINT. We ... didnt finish .......... err ............... hhmmmm...... wait................ that is the point ......mmmmmmmmmmmm.   Yeah! Summer is here!  We had a great year and learned alot. 

Next year, I  need to remember to not get so caught up in making sure the lessons are done that it interferes with learning.  Homeschoolers tend to do that every so often.    We do not want to end up more concerned with lessons and worksheets or we will be just schooling at home. Let's not loose sight of what homeschooling is and why we are doing it... and enjoy our summer break.

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“No matter what happens, when the baby sleeps, you rest.  I do not care how much laundry is piled up, how bad your feet stick to the kitchen floor when you walk across it, or the dog stinks; rest.  When the baby, and future children get older, put the younger ones down for a nap and the older ones have to go to their rooms for quiet time (nap, read or play quietly). And go to your room and relax. 

I have followed this advice for many years.  I take an hour just to either read, surf the web, watch old cartoons from my childhood, or what I do most often is I lie in my bed and listen to the radio. 

She was right, it does help. 

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When people ask me this question, “But how can you teach Algebra or Chemistry when the kids get into high school? Surely you are going to put them into school then?”

This is the question I ask, “Tell me what you remember from your high school algebra class.”

Generally, the answer is a + b = c (which by the way is wrong).

Ok, give me something else.  Usually, they cannot. 

P.S. If you are asking this to an algebra teacher or physics engineer, ask what they remember from their high school literature class.

My answer is this, “Well, I could not possibly do any worse than your teacher.”

Listen, I took advanced Chemistry in High School and made straight A’s.  I was doing the exact same problems in Basic Algebra and failing!!!!  Thankfully, I have a merciful teacher who saw my Chemistry work and realized that I understood how to do it and she passed me in the class even though technically I failed.  I am one of those people that need to see how a problem works; a bunch of meaningless letters do me no good. 

If you are concerned about this, there are so many resources out there.  I know in all likelihood that  I will not be able to effectively teach algebra ,so do you know what I am going to do?  Since I can admit my limitations on this subject I will either get into a co-op, find a way to hire a tutor or get the course on DVD from Abeka or a host of other publishers.  Wow!  How will I ever manage to do that?  Simple.  I get off my rear end and do it!! Which is what I am doing now!  Doing it!!!

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“Is this woman losing her mind?  She did a post on this last week!  Someone needs to tell her husband to check and see if she is putting something other than creamer in her coffee.”  You may be saying.

Yes, I did talk about this last week.  The company saw my review and sent me a promotional code and gave me permission to share it with you.  So I am reposting this with the coupon at the end.   This company not only has some incredible products and deals, it has some of the nicest customer representatives.  Oh, I am also going to provide their phone number if prefer to request a catalog or order that way.

 Sometimes it can be difficult for homeschoolers to get science equipment at decent prices.  In the past, many of us had to rely on a relative or friend who was a teacher and would secretly order stuff like microscopes, dissection kits, magnets sets or whatever, with their teacher discounts or watch for private schools closing down and try to go when they are selling off their stuff. 

 I have a great company, called Home Science Tools (in case the link does not work, here is the web address http://www.hometrainingtools.com/)  that caters to homeschoolers.  Unlike some companies that just say they sell to  homeschoolers but charge huge prices, this company has incredible prices.  I have had teachers tell me these items are deeper discounted than they can get through the schools.  (I am currently hiding my only catalog from my sister.)  I just bought a dissection kit and frog for only $12! That is less than half of the price I paid in college, plus they are better quality than anything I ever bought as a Pre-med student!  They have every science tools, equipment, supply, or book you could ever think of at beyond incredible prices!  So give them a look and request a catalog; those are free.  You can click here to access their website. 

 My kids were so excited when our new kit and frog came yesterday.  We plan to dissect the frog over the Christmas break.  Yeah, nothing says peace, love and joy like cutting open a dead frog. 

Ok, here is the promotional code they sent me.  Just enter the code PGIFT127 at check out and receive 10% off your entire order!  Here is the disclaimer. The coupon ends December 22!  They already have the best prices I have ever seen, and this coupon makes it better. 

Also, in case you are uncomfortable ordering online or you use someone else's computer, here is the company phone number 1.800.860.6272.

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News flash: in the "real world" you will not be in an office with everyone of the same age or maturity level.  Look at you the teacher. You are with adults of all ages (and maturity)  and kids. 

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The incredibly annoying question, “how can you teacher your kids if you have no teacher’s training or license?" has come up again. So I thought I would repost this from last year.  I am quite tired of teachers telling parents, "Teach your Bible & morals at home, but leave the teaching to the professionals."

1. I know not from where this quote came from but I like it.

  The Ark was built by amateurs, professionals built the Titanic.

               Now, which ship would you rather travel on?

2. For all of you out there who think you can not teach your children without education classes from a big university (or have been told so.) I was a Pre-med major with a minor in Secondary Education, my little sister is an elementary teacher in the Charlotte, NC area, I have a number of aunts & cousins who are teachers.  I, and they, will all tell you the same thing.  Professional Education courses do NOT prepare you to teach in the "real world"  Most professional teachers quickly forget how their first year of teaching was doing everything wrong!!!  They had to learn how to teach as they went along.  Your first semester of education courses does not teach you how to teach math but instead how important it is not to offend anyone.  In your other education classes you are taught how to prepare lesson plans for reviews (not teach them) and use the latest technology (which my sister has lamented was of no value because the school she is at right now does not have any of this technology.) 

3. If all of those big education classes and tests really taught you to be a better teacher, why are the kids in public school not doing better?  The training teachers has over a hundred years ago pale in comparison to the training they have today.  Yet, most kids, forget that, most adults could not pass the 8th grade exams from a hundred years ago.  Now, with all of this great, incredible, expensive training, the kids today should be super smart!  Or at the very least be able to find Canada on a map. I have known parents with GEDs who children are just as well educated as those children whose parents have PhDs.

Honestly, professionals can not stand it when someone can do the same and in most homeschooling cases a better job than them without the expensive degree.  It is a pride issue.

You can do this!  No one is more passionate about your children’s education than you.  Yes, it will be difficult.  Nothing in life worth doing is really easy.    If you are willing, God will give you the strength.  Find others who will support you….like me! Ignore the naysayers, get around those that are positive and encouraging.  Remember, we all have bad days no matter what profession you may be in!  But most importantly, like the angel told Gideon.  Go and do!

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 First, the reason I put “real world” in quotations is because the school atmosphere does not resemble the real world in any way shape or form.  You do not only work or socialize with people who are within months of your age.  You do not only do projects or have meetings with co-workers who are into the same activities as you or are of the same ethnic background.  If you do, you need to find a new company to work for.  The one you are with will not last long in the “real business world.”

Now onto the bully issue.  I have a question for all you educated professionals.  If someone in the office building in which you work comes up to you and pushes you into the wall, steals stuff off your desk, and later corners you in the bathroom, hits you and bloodies your nose and takes your money, what do you do?  Surly, you would not call the police and file assault charges because that is NOT how they do things in a public school.  No, of course not.  First, your boss and the bully’s boss would question both of you and make sure they get the “whole story” and send you both back to your cubicles while they decide how to deal with the situation without involving the police.   Later, you would be called into the boss’s office and told that you are to just avoid the bully and a reprimand was being put in your file because you were technically fighting.  You would then be sent to human resources to discuss how you were really at fault for this and for a training class on how to control your anger and not to go anywhere alone. 

 Homeschoolers, like everyone else in the real world,  would call the cops, file charges (turning the trip to the police station into a field trip), call the prosecutor on a continual basis to make sure he does not let this crime slide by (all the time finding out about the laws governing this), show up for the trial (turning it into an educational experience and impressing the judge with their behavior and knowledge of the law), and then haul the punk onto the People’s Court to sue for medical expenses (and impress the national viewing audience with their mature behavior and knowledge of the law).

 Again, I ask, if you educated professionals are going to give me an excuse as why I should not homeschool, please, please, PLEASE do yourself and me the common courtesy of thinking the argument through before regurgitating to me. 

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If you get a job, will you need patience?  If your co-worker has a bad day and is uncooperative, if your customers are rude or yell, do you yell at them?   Do you go and sulk? Do you go and quit?  If the cashier at the grocery store takes way to long to ring up your purchases, do you fuss at them for being too slow?  Do you fuss at the Pastor for talking too long?  Do you get up and yell at the waitress for calculating the bill wrong?  I am willing to bet not.  Unlike when you are home, you are out in public and people see you and you do not want them to think badly of you.  You make a conscience choice to be behave with patience. 

Patience is a choice, in most cases.  Yes, we all have those days where our patience wears thin, but in the end, it is still a choice.  So if you are going to come up with an excuse, please try to make it a good one, my patience is running thin.    

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The Lord laid a subject on my heart when I first started homeschooling.  We all know what difficulies we all face from emotional support to finacial.  I want to talk to you about a segment of the homeschooling community we call the single homeschooling mothers.  For whatever reason they are now single, whether it be through death or the selfishness of a spouse that has left, we need to not forget them.  The Lord commmanded us to care for the widows and orphans.   Sometimes we tend to leave out the divorced mothers.  Now let us consider something.  When a husband becomes selfish and decides to not follow scripture and live up to his responsibilities,  the wife and children are the ones that suffer.  Being in neither of these positions, I wonder, does the divorced family not suffer more because not only must they deal with the physical loss but they must also deal with the emotions of betrayal.  Regardless, we need to remember them. 

"What can I do?" you might ask.

One of the things you can do is donate used  curriculum.  One of the homeschool groups in SC, SCHEA,  has a place during the state convention to donate used but in good shape curriculum.  They set up a room for the the single mothers to help them pick up what they need.  As you all may know, it is the teacher's stuff that is the most expensive.  With it, these mothers can either pick up the all of the student workbooks for around $50 or make their own.  This can be a huge help and encouragement for these mothers.  If your local group or convention does not do this, suggest they start or help start it yourself!  Another group in SC has a resource room where parents can come copy stuff for free from the books.  Yes, I considered selling my stuff on ebay, but really, how much could I get from the books, and could it compare with the joy I helped to give to a struggling mother. 

Another thing you can do is look into the homeschool foundation. This is a foundation started by the HSLDA.  They collect donations for single mothers in desperate situations so that they can continue to homeschool.  Now listen, I know how tight the budget can be.  But try to considert giving to this.  God forbid, you may someday need it.  Even a small gift like $10 can add up over time.  When we sold an old boat this year, I can not tell you how fast I ran to the computer to donate $75.  It was like Christmas for me!   Read their stories on the website and you will understand.

Please do not forget these mothers.  They need our prayers and support so badly.  And I have noticed that when I am helping others, I tend to be less focused on my own problems that seem to become so insignificant.

If there are other ways to help that you know of, please comment and lets us know.

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Oh, I wish I could stay home but I can not afford to. I have to work.

Now how many times have you heard that?  I have run into numerous woman who convey such laments to me.  But do they really have to work?  Have they really thought it out or do they just swallow the mantra that the feminists put out.

I have a dear friend who would always be in depression about leaving her kids in daycare.  She would have family, friends and even coworkers telling her she was doing the right thing, that this was the best thing for her child...everyone except me.  She asked my opinion one day and got it.  I started out with the daycare question.  I will go into that another time and share my experiences from when I worked in one to pay my way through college.

I asked my buddy to calculate how much it cost her to work.  Huh?  Now stay with me.

1)Day care- add up the costs and do not forget the higher price for summer and days there is no school.

2)Vehicle - Whereas I have an older car that is paid off, she has to have a newer more "reliable" car with larger payments.  Also, add in the extra insurance for a newer vehicle and the taxes, extra gas, tires that need replacing more often, oil changes and general wear and tear.

3) Clothes - Yes, I do have some nice things but I only wear them on Sundays and once in a while.  For the most part, I wear casual.  I have two long jean skirts that get a lot of use, but they last a long time.  I do not have to spend a lot of money to keep up a buisness wardrobe.  And buisness clothes are terribly expensive especially when you have to stay "in fashion."  Jean skirts and tops are realitivly cheap.

4) Make up- This is one most people forget.  It is expensive.  And before anyone emails me about this, I am a firm believer that if the barn needs painting, there is nothing wrong with putting on a bit of paint.  I have "bad skin", which means I break out very badly and the only make up I can wear is Clinque.  When I was working, I was buying makeup about 2 times a month.  Staying home, I buy it once a year and I wear a lot less at one time.

5) Food - We all know how much cheaper it is to eat at home compared to eating out, but do you know it is more expensive to try to pack lunches that will last until lunch time in a hot lunch box?  Think about all the convience foods like pudding, applesauce, juice boxes and the like.  I have calculated that it would be cheaper to buy a happy meal at McDonalds!!!!! By having the time and energy to plan out and try new meals, a mom can shop and prepare cheaper and better foods because she is not so worn out from work.

6) Dr - Now we all know that because the kids are in an enclosed room most of the day, viruses spread like wildfire.  They also are not allowed outside very often and get very little fresh air and exercise.  But the kids are not the only ones.  Mom will suffer a great deal more from stress related sicknesses and that time of month, generally will make them more miserable.  But not just mom, the hubby and kids will many times get stress headaches, tummy aches and the like.  All of this equates to more time at the doctor and less at work. 

7) Cell phone - Yes, this is a necessity.  Don't think so? Be broke down with two small children at night and then argue with me.  But here is the deal, working, you have to call all the time to tell whoever that you are running late, or to ask the hubby if he will pick up the kids or dinner.  Monthly deals run at best $40 dollars a month.  I have an emergency only $17 Tracfone.  I pay for the min. as I need them.  I think it may come out to $3 a month. 

8) Extras- when you also calculate the extras, like cable, a bigger house to keep up with the Joneses, membership in countless professional orginizations, costs to keep up certifications, a maid service because mom is too tired, lawn care etc.  Things that you do not really need, just want.

She started coming up with things on her own.  By the time we were done, she found out she was actually PAYING $150 to work.  I think the vast majority of women, if they are honest about their spending habits, would find this out.  My buddy was in tears by the end of this.  She did quit, sold her car and is raising her children.  So many of us were brought up to think in a certain way, and sometimes all it takes is someone on the outside looking in to help suggest a new perspective.  I have made it my mission to always be prepared to be that person when I am asked.

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You may have seen something about this last year, but if you have not taken the time you really need to see this.  http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

This is a talk by Sir Ken Robinson.  It is just fabulous and humerous.  He uses a great deal of wit to get a good point across.  Here is how it was billed:

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining (and profoundly moving) case for creating an education system that nurtures creativity, rather than undermining it. With ample anecdotes and witty asides, Robinson points out the many ways our schools fail to recognize -- much less cultivate -- the talents of many brilliant people. "We are educating people out of their creativity," Robinson says. The universality of his message is evidenced by its rampant popularity online. A typical review: "If you have not yet seen Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk, please stop whatever you're doing and watch it now."

Of course, he may not realize it but he helps homeschoolers make another point as to why you should homeschool. It also serves as a warning to those of us (like me) who sometimes concentrate too much on book studies and turn homeschooling into nothing but school at home.  I listen to this about every other month to help keep me on track.  Please take the time to watch this.  You will not regret it.

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I have heard, on more than one occasion, parents make the following statement.  "Oh, you should send your kids to public school.  Mine are a witness for Jesus Christ.  And did God not command us to be the salt of the world and go out to preach the Gospel to every creature.  You are violating God's commandmant.  Besides your child's testimony could be the thing that causes a teacher to be saved."

I have stared blankly at these mothers and asked, " Are you really serious?"

There is so much wrong with this I am not sure where to begin. 

1) God never meant for CHILDREN to be sent.  We are to train and protect our children so that as ADULTS they will be able to spread the Gospel.  No person in their right mind would send a child to take over their job because a child is not ready physcally, mentally or emotionally ready to do it.  Why would you treat the Gospel as being less important? 

This sounds cruel but it is the truth.  Anyone who tells themselves that they are sending their child to be a witness for Christ is either lying to themselves to make themself feel better about not doing something positive for their child's education or so they do not feel guilty about sending their child into the lion's den. 

2) As for this testimony business.  This may sound nice and may relieve some guilt, but the facts say otherwise.  I know in today's society facts are irrelevant and all that matters is emotions, but the fact is surveys have shown time and time again that well over 85% of born again Christian youth abandon their faith by high school.  Now here is my question.  Who is really influencing whom?  How many Christian children are sent to public school today?  By now, shouldn't every teacher, administrator, student and janitor be a Christian?

I am not saying that everyone should homeschool.  I know several people right now that should not be.  I am saying that any alternative to public school should be looked into .  Do not justify your laziness or unwillingless or even fear to not do what is right for the child that God loaned to you by telling me I should do the same foolish thing.  By the way, a lot of people seem to have a problem understanding this next statement.  No matter how many people you convince that doing something is not wrong or foolish when it is, does not make it less wrong or foolish.

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While we were at the zoo last week, several school buses came in.  I noticed something as we were taking in the sights.  Every kid had a worksheet.  Now, I remember those blasted things when I was in school.  Some things do not change.  Instead of enjoying the exhibits and taking the time to read the information about the animals or asking the zoo keepers questions, the kids were running around trying to get the worksheets filled out.  They would meet up with other kids and trade answers in hopes of getting them done.  I was greatly saddened by this.  From their comments that I overheard, they really were not learning anything, they were not even enjoying themselves.  What should have been an enjoyable day out, was a stressful time.  Now I know why teachers give these worksheets on field trips.  They are an easy "A" and they are to keep the kids from just goofing off.  But so what if they goof off?  So what if they just walk around at a slow pace and socialize (after all that is the great concern homeschoolers must hear about from public school officials all the time)  I have found that the kids actually learn more by spending more time at one or two exhibits that running through the whole zoo.  My kids and I go once a month and you know what, they do not learn something EVERY time.  So what!!!!!!  They had fun and it fosters a love of learning and more importantly....doing.  

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A dear friend who was a vetern homeschooler gave me this little piece of advice when my children were still very young.  Before we started getting hectic schedules,  we should schedule one day a week to stay home.  No shopping, library, soccer, dance, or church.  We stay home.  No makeup, no schedules, no errands, no visiting  or rushing around.  Many times we stay in our pajamas for most and sometimes the whole day.  This has been so relaxing for our family, and me.  Every year the day seems to change.  Last year it was Fridays;  this year it is Tuesdays.  I know one family who takes Saturdays off.  

I strongly reccommend this.  You need a day to unwind and relax.  It is nice not to worry about how long lessons are taking because you do not have to leave the house at a certain time.  Plan it and stick to it.  You will not regret it!  You will also find yourself a lot more relaxed, calm, and the kids enjoy just building a fort in the living room and being able to play in it all day.

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We had not even thought about it until we went to our first convention and were considering Abeka.  David Dean was the representative that helped us and if you get the chance to talk to him at any convention, he is a very knowledgable and HONEST young man.  He made some very convincing arguements on why to teach what most public schools no longer do.  Here are my own two thoughts.

1) Writing in cursive is like learning to drive a car.  If you start off learning to drive on a stick shift, the hardest of the two to learn, you will have no problem swiching to an automatic. I learned on an automatic and just can not seem to get the hang of a stick.  If you are like me, you did not learn cursive writing until the 3 rd grade.  So, the teachers had to unteach what they had taught.  And as I sure you can guess this is not a very effective way to teach anything.  Teach it correctly the first time. 

I have a relative who is a 4th grade teacher who has commented several times how my first grader's handwritting is better than any of her students.

2) Ok, this sounds a little on the conspiracy side.  Relax, I am not one of those who look for the black helicopters.  Think for a minute.  What are all of our most important documents written in?  The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, ect.  I have said before, our rights are not written in stone but on paper, it is up to the citizens to fight for them. But if the citizens can not read those documents,  how will they know their rights?  They must rely on those in charge to inform them.  Why would the citizens be upset about losing a right they did not even know they had? We do future generations a great diservice by not teaching them cursive writing.

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This is actually from an AWANA Council Time message I did on the importance of memorizing scripture.  My point was we need to make sure we see the world around us in the right way.  I can not remember where I got this, so the credit does NOT go to me.  I am copying and pasting from the orginal outline I made.

This is the real reason certain subjects are (or at least were) and should be taught again in school.

Language & literature – Spoken word is a gift from God, need to read Bible

Mathematics – Study unity & diversity and the precision in nature and physics.  That are the characters of our Creator.  He is the God of order. Formulas and mathematical equations always exhibit flawless consistency.  It is a tool given to man to help us rule over the Earth-planning, calculating, evaluating. Ex: farming, engineering, medicine,

Science – study of God’s creation. The beauty in His handiwork.

Health – to cultivate our bodies to the glory of God. Our sin nature inclines us to laziness.  Play & work, help us form self-discipline & prepare us for effective work for the glory of God

Geography – need this knowledge to rule over the earth

 History – study of how God is the Lord of History, how man has failed in its attempts to improve on His commands

Society – He ordained the family, and how we should act to one another

Government – God’s infallible standards in order to distinguish between justice and injustice

 Economics – how to care for the wealth God gives us

 Art, music –every talent (gift)  should be used to reflect the wisdom of the Creator and Imitate the beauty and usefulness of His creative work

I remember seeing a longer list once. If I ever run across it again, I will repost this.

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A heartfelt thank you to John Mark Reynolds for this article. It is a little long but worth the read.

Home School Mothers: the Beatrice Brigade

Hilary Clinton is running for President and using her gender to raise money at every turn

inton is running for President and using her gender to raise money at every turn.

Recently, Geraldine Ferraro was brought back from the Land of Misfit Political Candidates to raise money for Hilary (!) by reminding us all that she was the first woman to run on a major party slate . . . if the Mondale candidacy sweeping its way through D.C. and Minnesota counts as major.

Hilary (!) is earnest as a tooth ache and determined to show all those smug boys from the fifties that she can win. She probably cannot, but it is depressing to watch her try. You have to pity Hilary (!) married to Bill and trying to look like she doesn’t mind . . . any of it. She wants to be a feminist icon, but if she gets some power in exchange for standing by her man she will be a story as old as Cleopatra.

When the women in the news are Anna Nicole Smith and Hilary (!) a traditional Christian can feel glum about the state of our culture. Both women have been exploited and both have tried to turn that exploitation to their own advantage. Both were obviously unhappy and now one is gone too soon . . . and the other has lonely eyes in a face with a jaw that seems hinged to pour forth platitudes like some sad muppet forced to repeat lines written by a handler.

Whenever I feel very bad, I make sure to speak to home school mothers. These women represent something new. They are not feminists, a phrase they most often reject with scorn. Most live in very traditional households where the husband is the head of the family. However, they are certainly not Donna Reed door mats waiting at home in pearls and high heels for their lord and master to arrive home. They are very strong and fiercely opinionated. They are incredibly well read, devouring more books a year, than most U.C. students read in four years. Book a talk with Plato scholar to hear about big ideas and they show up.

So what are they? They remind me most of the strong women of my great-grandmother’s generation in West Virginia, who could run a farm, fix the roof, write hymns for the church, and who had never heard of bulimia. They did not worry about their body image, because they were secure in the love of their strong men, none of whom would have been allowed a metrosexual makeover if they had wanted it. Those strong women could never have burned a bra, because they never bothered trying to wear pin up girl underwear. Ask those women what they thought and you heard more than you wanted to hear. I knew a few of these women, the last of the old pioneer stock, but only when they were old and tired.

The home school mothers of California are not old. Sometimes their brutal schedules may make them tired, but they are up for more in the morning. When I talk to them I quickly realize, they care more about idea than rhetoric. These women solve problems every day. They educated their children in highly creative ways, inventing curriculum, programs, and social events out of nothing but their talent. They are neither dowdy nor fashion conscience. Their dress is most often sensible, but feminine. They innovate, but within the bounds of tradition. What are they? God bless us, they are ladies, a group many thought had gone extinct around the time of the sinking of Titanic.

In one sense, their lives are a bloodless martyrdom. The media mostly forgets them except for the occasional condescending piece in the Times. They fit no stereotypes, being too numerous and too interesting, so they are ignored. They sacrifice for the well fare of their children.

Talents that could vitalize a corporate board room are turned to teaching children to read. Their children, of course, take such sacrifice for granted. Their mothers make it safe for them to be blissfully unaware of their blessings. So these strong women sacrifice everything our culture deems important. They have no resume inflating career. Yet they give new life and meaning to all the Victorian platitudes lodged, because they are true, in the back of all our minds. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

These are kitchen table Socrates. They don’t trust the government schools that spend billions to produce cookie cutter children. These women use cookie cutters on cookies not children. Like Socrates, they despise uniformity in education and people who teach for money and not love of students . There children are producing reems of stories, hours of music, original plays, and a whole new civilization. If our boys are overseas defending the West, these women are home renewing it.

Home school mothers are the heart of a traditionalist revolution that is driving life back into the homes. To these women, and the men blessed to be married to them, homes are no longer assets or places to share a microwave dinner at the end of an exhausting day of separation. Spreading like some beneficial virus, men and women are returning basic educational, economic, and social functions to home where they have always belonged.

A great poet was brought to see God through the example of one godly woman. Dante had his Beatrice and it was enough. It is harder for men in our materialistic age, so God has raised up thousands of such women. It is time to take a good hard look at what these heroes without epic poets are doing in quiet. I put very little trust in princes, whether elected or not. Rather, if the oldest stories are true the fate of the Republic rests more with these home school mothers.

There are now millions of these strong, independent, God fearing women in the United States. They ask nothing of government, but to be left alone.

These women are not impressed with stardom and glamor, many do not even own televisions. Their men work long hours in their own, often not very glamorous, businesses so that their wives can save the West. The men they admire get things done with decency and honor. They are often quiet men, but as sound as the state credit used to be. Their wives chose them for their virtues, not their muscles. Home school mothers are fiercely liberated and proudly traditional.

Seeing God in Beatrice allowed Dante to find his way back from darkness. Seeing God in these home school mothers could show any man the way back to decency and honor. I know, because I am married to a home school mother and she fires my imagination, gives me hope, and is educating the future of our line.

Mayhaps the West is in for difficult days . . . I could be wrong and Hilary (!) might win, but I would still bet the children of the Beatrice Brigade will prevail in the end. The sacrifice of such matrons cannot be for nothing . . . and there is more real life in one of their questions than I have ever heard in a Hilary (!) listening tour.

Take heart gentleman. They are out there, our Beatrice Brigade, doing the work of civilizing the next generation of culture warriors. My wife, I realized one day, was to me the Fairest Flower in all of Christendom . . . and so she is and so every Beatrice is to the one who sees her well. The land, every corner of it, are filled with such gentle souls . . fair flowers of Christ’s kingdom doing God’s work for God’s pay.

Thank you.

http://www.scriptoriumdaily.com/2007/03/29/home-school-mothers-the-beatrice-brigade/

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I can not take credit for this. This is from Dana at Principled Discovery. The orginal link is http://gottsegnet.blogspot.com/2007/02/if-you-want-your-child-socializeda.html

If you want your child socialized...a public school satire

If you want your child socialized, you will have to send him to school. While he is getting ready, you'll have to pack his lunch.

When he gets to school, the children will probably stare at him because he isn't wearing the same brand of jeans.

Math will probably be review for him, so he'll know all the answers. The children will call him "calculator" and the teacher will give him extra worksheets. He'll probably learn that it is better to stay quiet and pretend not to know the answer.

Halfway through the morning, he'll start to get bored. He will probably begin to kick his legs, tip his chair and tap his pencil. The teacher will have to move him to the seat next to her desk. He'll ask when it will be time for break and she'll remind him to raise his hand. He'll raise his hand and she'll tell him it's time for silent reading. The children will probably giggle and he will just stare at his book.

Finally, it will be time for lunch. The teacher will remind them to keep their hands at their sides, to stay in line and not to talk. They probably won't be allowed to talk at lunch, either.

Your son will probably sit next to a girl he recognizes from church. She will smile and another boy will whisper to them. Your son may learn a rhyme or two and possibly some new words. She may blush and he will forget not to talk. He probably will shout. The lunch aide will take him to the office.

While he is in the office, you will probably get a phone call. You will find out your son does not know how to interact with his peers, is a disruptive influence and has difficulty concentrating. They will probably ask you if he has ADHD and recommend you take him to a doctor.

When it is time to pick him up, you will probably find him standing alone. He will tell you school was fine, but will refuse to answer any questions. He'll probably complain of a stomach ache. He'll probably have too much homework to have time to play with his friends.

And chances are, if you want him to learn social skills, you'll have to pull him out of school.

Inspired by that great children's book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (in case you didn't notice).

Dana usually has some very thought challanging blogs.  I highly suggest putting Principled Discovery blog in your favorites.

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And the surprise is what?  First, this is not homeschooling. This is public school at home.  I resent this being labeled as homeschooling.  Second, what is the big surprise?  Everytime the government gets involved in something that has been working just fine without it, the government ruins it.

Original story at http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/id/200702050.asp

Idaho has had virtual charter schools for the last two years. When the legislature approved creating these government homeschool programs, it had certain goals in mind, primary of which was to improve academic achievement and increase opportunities for learning.

However, recent statistics from the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT), show that this may not be the case.

In comparing the results between Idaho public schools and Idaho government homeschools (virtual charter schools) in 2005 and 2006 based upon the ISAT, it appears that the longer a student is in the government homeschool program, the lower his scores are.

Overall, in 2005, virtual school students scored comparably to traditional public school students. In 2006 the ISAT scores for virtual charter schools in reading, language, and mathematics showed a consistent drop in grades 3-10. The overall performance of students in these government homeschools fell significantly short of the performance of students in traditional Idaho schools.

Virtual charter schools have promised better student performance, but they have not necessarily delivered on this promise. Virtual charter schools are still public schools and follow a set formula for each child.

A reasonable conclusion to draw from these statistics is that when the government controls and operates homeschool programs, it begins to ruin them.

Private homeschooling, on the other hand, has had an unbroken track record of excellence. Studies continue to show that private homeschool students score above average on standardized achievement tests—often 20 to 30 points above the national average—all without the government’s help.

Now watch. Some big bureacrat will get up and make a fool of themself and claim this proves homeschooling does not work.  And rest assured, the media will be too lazy to even look up the truth.

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I have a relative, like we all do, who does not see the problem in letting child services or the school district come into a home if they are called with a complaint.  "After all," she says, "you have nothing to hide and one look will tell them how you are working hard to educate your children."  I get into the arguement how this is  a violation of our rights.  "Well so what, " is the answer,"if it helps prevent an abused child."

To give a practical example of how these rights would be infringed and why this law is not practical, consider the "Meth Lab Example." Substitute "parents who are not homeschooling" for "meth lab." What do we do about the problem of meth labs being run illegally in homes in Oklahoma? True, most residents are law-abiding citizens. But, some have meth labs in their homes. We don't even know how many there are out there. The answer is to have every citizen sign a document declaring that they are not running a meth lab in their home. To insure that there is no meth lab abuse in their home, each citizen will be required to allow government authorities access to their homes twice a year, so that the state can verify that their home is meth free. What are citizens trying to hide? If they are not running meth labs in their home, this should not be a problem.

I believe this is from Rick Williamson of the OCHEC Media and Legislative Liaison

I think Mr. Williamson makes an excellent point.  Our rights must be protected.  The founding fathers knew this from personal experience.  I also find it interesting that the  authorities who want to erode these rights, i.e. school districts and democrates, are the very ones who do not want anyone checking up on them to make sure they are doing a good job. 

Our rights are not set in stone. They are written on paper.  It is OUR job as citizens to see to it they are written on our hearts and we must be willing to do what ever it takes to preserve them. 

Mabey that is why the powers that be do not like homeschoolers. Unlike their public school counterparts, homeschoolers generally know their rights and the laws inside and out.  If you do not know your rights, you will not be upset when they are taken away.  MMMMMMM. Just a thought.

P.S. if you live in Oklahoma, please go to http://dannycarlton.townhall.com/g/de138fde-49b7-497e-83c3-8ed5c84c2a2d&trackbacks=true#commentAnchor .  The state is getting ready to take away your rights as homeschoolers.

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This is a continuation of I'm thinking about homeschooling part 1

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/coffeewithmrsdani/276562/I%26%23039%3Bm+thinking+about+homeschooling+part+1.html

4) They will miss out on fill in the blank.

What they will not miss out on: Homeschoolers have proms, choirs, football teams, field trips to the zoos & museums more than once a year, debating teams, political teams, soccer, basketball, any sport you can think of, yearbook teams, graduation ceremonies, and I could go on.  What sets MOST homeschoolers apart is they do these things themselves.  They do not go whinning to the public schools and government.  Homeschoolers do.  If there is no football team for the kids, the parents will set one up usually with the help of a local or national support group. On occation you will hear of a school district allowing homeschoolers to come in for after school activities, but these are the exception, not the rule. Most homeschoolers do not get involved with these for reasons I will go into another time.

Homeschoolers are able to assist in, and in the case of the older kids they do it all themselves by setting up their own activities from scheduling, costs, reserving the places to hold activity, everything that would be needed.  The proms are elegant and fancy like a ball, not slutty and flashy like a dance club.  The yearbooks are done not by professionals with rules and guidelines for what the children may put in, but are designed and in some cases printed by the kids themselves.Plus it is not just the older kids who do this.  The elementary age kids are involved.  In other words; the homeschool kids learn to work along side with others of many ages.

What they will miss out on: Homeschoolers do not get to go on field trips only once a year.  They go on field trips monthly, sometimes weekly.  Homeschoolers miss out on being on a set schedule.  We can suspend regular classes for the day if I hear of a special event in town or at the museum.  Homeschoolers miss out on tours at art museums.  Instead of hearing, "this was painted in blah, blah, by blah blah.  Ok, let's move along. Everyone stay together.  I will answer questions at the end if we have time. "  Homeschoolers can linger at a painting, observing the artist's use of color for 5 min or an hour if they wish.  They also get many chances to meet and talk to the artists or museum curator themselves.  Homeschoolers miss out on being concerned with time and getting back to a bus to get back to school to get back on a bus to get home.  I know of many cases where homeschoolers would wait around after a play or concert ends and got a chance to go back stage to meet and talk to performers and musicians. 

Homeschoolers miss out on the negative social aspects of a school.  They learn what is really important in the world.  They generally could care less who has the latest $300 jeans or I shouldn't be seen with that girl because then my friends will not be my friends anymore.  Homeschoolers miss out on being grouped only with kids that are within four months of their age and have similar last names.  They are forced to learn to deal with people of all ages, maturity levels, backgrounds, religions, and you name it.  They miss out on the "eat or be eaten" mentality of school. 

Homeschoolers miss out on things being done for them and having no appreciation for the effort and expense that goes into setting up events for them.

Homeschoolers miss out on a lot of things; but is that really a bad thing?

Part 3 will come later.

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This is what I wish I had said and what I will say in the future.  I was stopped after Sunday school by someone asking questions about homeschooling.  I was distracted by getting home to a sick household: one throwing up, one stuck in the bathroom and a husband who swears he was dying.   Here are the remarks most of us get and the way I should have answered them.  Please feel free to add your own in the comments. I welcome them.

1) We are thinking about homeschooling but we are not 100% sure.  We figure if it does not work out we will just put them back into public school.

Please do NOT homeschool then.  A bit harsh, I know.  If you do not go into this with the determination to do it, you will fail.  If you went into a marriage with the attititude, " well if it does not work out, we can always get a divorce." Rest assured, your marriage will fail.  Homeschooling is not an experiment. It is a commitment, which in case you have not figured out, so is being a parent.

Plus, you also give homeschoolers like me a bad name.  Kids under these conditions ususally do not get the education they need. On top of that, once these kids are thrown into the public school, they are generally behind and put a strain on the already burdened school system. Find a good Christian school instead.

2) How hard is it?

It is easier than you think.  The resources, support groups and books available today make it very easy to teach.  There are state conventions, websites, family companies & catalogs to order supplies from.  For those of you who think they can not teach without a degree, please read my post http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/coffeewithmrsdani/255707/leave+teaching+to+professionals.html The support groups today, can help you pick the books you need, tell you where to get them, tell you of great educational opportunities, help you navigate the laws in your state, give encouragement, form playgroups, proms, choir, bands and I could go on for pages what they do. 

It is harder than you think. If you think you can spend and hour or two in the morning teaching and then sit and watch Oprah, you are in for a surprise.  I have not watched a full tv show in over 5 years.  No big deal. After a week, trust me you will not care.   This takes a lot of work and dedication, but again, if you did not have these why did you become a parent?  I am not sure why they call it homeschool, we only spend half the time at home.

3) What about socialization? 

Every single homeschooler is rolling their eyes at this one.  Please read my post at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/coffeewithmrsdani/263135/what+about+socialization%3F.html for this answer.  You have to WORK at keeping children isolated.  Children who are homeschooled learn to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds in the real world. 

And I remember being told many times by my teacher, "turn around young lady and quite talking. If you are done with your worksheet, get a headstart on your homework.  We are not here to socialize, we are here to learn."  Or mabey it was just me they told that to all the time.

I will add more onto this later but I do not feel good.  I think I have caught what the rest of the family has and I am running a fever so if this post does not sound as good as the others, you will know why...of course I am making the assumption that my posts sound good.

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Another question well-meaning relatives ask is, "when the kids get older you are going to let them decide whether or not they are going to be homeschooled, right?  Shouldn't they have a say in whether or not they go to public school?" Let us think about this.

First, a side note.  MOST of the questions that come from relatives are well meaning.  I know after a while the questions and comments can get annoying but remember that the vast majority of these are because they care. Now I know we all have some jerks as family members who try to cause trouble.  Avoid them and make sure you are a member of the Home School Legal Defense Association www.hslda.org.  I use to get annoyed once in a while too but as a dear friend once pointed out, "there are some of us out here who would give anything to have a family, or just one person, care about us."  Instead of getting annoyed, thank the Lord for family that cares.  It has helped me.

Ok, back to the question at hand.  This implies that the parent does not have the best interest of their child at heart.  God put me here to protect, teach, and prepare them for life.  If they could decide for themselves, they would not need me to remind them to only eat 3 cookies and not the whole pack and a gallon of ice cream.

This also implies a child knows what will make them happy.  I have used this example with my church kids and discussing God's laws.  When my children were younger, they liked to play in the road. This made them happy.  Now they could not comprehend the danger that was there. Even if they saw a car, they could not fully understand the danger.  When I made them come back to the road, it is safe to say they thought I was being mean by not letting them do what made them happy.  But I knew what they did not.  They thought it made them happy.  For a moment it did, but that happiness can come to an abrupt end.

Turn the argument around to this.  If your 15 year came to you and said, "Mom I have decided I want to use heroin.  Now I know the dangers and you have raised me to think things out, but I have weighed the options, and I want to start."  Now after you see to it they will not be able to sit for a week....What is your answer?  Yes, I respect your decision. NOT LIKELY!

Plus, it is not like they will get to study what they want in public school. Nothing stops free will or learning like the public school system.  In defense of the teachers, you can not stop a class full of 30 kids because one student has a keen interest in hieroglyphics and wants to learn more or go to a museum or library to find out more information. 

It is good to be happy, but that is not the deciding factor in your life.  Sometimes life is not all about happiness. Ask any woman who has gone through labor, or put on control top panty hose after giving birth.  You may not be happy at first, but the happiness will come later...........except with the pany hose.  There is never any happiness with those things.  All they are good for is providing the husband with a comic performance.

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...or is there another reason the failures want to regulate the successful? I had a passionate discussion with a relative today.  His arguement was that homeschoolers should be registered with the local school districts because after all they really do care whether or not a child is getting a good education.  "Oh, really," was my question, "Is it that they really care or could it be about money?" 

How could it be about money?  Consider the following that is true for the majority of school districts in this country ( I said the majority, not all) I will use numbers that are easy to multiply in case you are like me and had to take math in public school.

Lets say a school district has 100 students.  The government will give them a $1000 per student.  That would be $100,000.

Now keep in mind, if a homeschooler is registered in that district they are counted along with the public school kids and the district gets money for them even though they never step foot or are allowed to use anything in the public school.

But here is the kicker.  If a school district as 110 students, the district will get $2000 per student.  How much is that? If you said $120,000, WRONG. You mistakenly calcualted only $20,000 extra for the 10 more students.  The district gets $2000 PER student.  So they would get $220,000.  That's right! They would get and extra $120,000 for students that are not even there!  Now think about how many kids are actually in a school district and how they get around $5000 per student.  The numbers really start going up.

So, do the school administrators really, really care about whether or not the homeschool kids are getting a good education (all test scores & research prove they are) or is it about money? If they really care about whether or not kids were getting a good education, why do they not focus their energy on the ones allready in the school system that are failing or barely passing?  Mabey the lure of money for nothing is too great.

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Yes, I know. Will wonders never cease.  PBS actually did a fair story on a topic.  Who would have guessed. The higher ups must have been asleep that day.  Sorry, rant over.

Ok.  I did not find out about this until after it aired but you can read the transcript or view the video at  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1020/cover.html .

Pretty good all and all.  They had some big ivy league saying

Prof. REICH: If parents can control every aspect of a kid's education, shield them from exposure to the things that the parents deem sinful or objectionable, screen in only the things which accord to their convictions, and not allow them exposure to the world of a democracy, will the children group up then basically in the own image of their parents, servile to their own parents' beliefs?

As opposed to the all knowing  teacher's union beliefs? 

Prof. REICH: I'm not anti-home schooling in the sense that I want to see home schooling banned. I want good regulations to apply to those parents who choose to home school.

I love the quote that follows this one.

Mr. SHORTT: I think it's ironic that someone with an obviously authoritarian agenda is attempting to lecture others, and unfortunately education seems to be one of those areas in which the failures astonishingly insist upon trying to regulate the successful.

No way I could top that.

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It started out like any other normal day, I guess.  We all have those days. The kids are not doing thier best work and WE get fustrated.  My 1st grader could not remember what number came before 20.  Now she had this down pat in kindergarden.  Well, I raised my voice and fussed at her. 

I then remembered something I heard in a workshop at the SC Home Ecducators Association convention.  The speaker was Beverly Bradley. If you have chance to hear her or her husband, Reb, I highly suggest you go.

She was talking about one of those bad days and a small, still voice asked, "Do they know their Father?"

Too many times, myself included, we get too concerned with whether or not our children are "at the point" they should be.  What will releatives say or people at church think if our kids can not do the times table by a certain age?  What if someone calls DSS?

The truth of the matter is it is more important that they know who they are and how much they are loved.  Now I am not going into that self-esteem nonsense that is so prevalent in the schools.  And yes, it is important they know their times tables and the names of all the states of the USA and the names of our Supreme Court Justices.  But it is not the most important.

They must not just believe, but KNOW their Father. The God of Psalm 34....sorry the God of the Bible.  The One who loves us, who created us, who took so much effort to create where we live, to create coffee!!!!  Now that's a gift!

Satan has waged a war for the hearts of our children. Its a war we must make sure our children can win.  We can not afford to loose sight of this.

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a friend of mine, whose child goes to public school called me last night telling me what the school's guidance counseller did. my friend's child & another were having problems getting along all of the sudden and went to see the counseller for help. long story short: found out the counseller was gossiping about this other child's homelife (i.e. parents divorce, mommy's new stud, etc)  well the mommy's new boyfriend, a lawyer, called the counseller threatening to sue for discussing personal info.  i informed my friend he would loose. shocked she asked why? 

1) the courts have said more than once, when you drop your child off at the door of a public school, you give up your rights as parents

2) a teacher & guidanse counseller are not under a doc patient privilege. they are not licensed physcologist, with rare occation they are not even licensed therapists!!!!!!

you would be shocked at what they talk about in the teacher's lounge!!!!  i was discussing a class i had once and one of the teachers actually said she was sorry for me because a boy in the class was a d***. I kid you not! the other teachers & guidance counseller proceeded to use all sorts of vulgar expressions for this poor child and his mother!!!!!   rest assured, a teacher's lounge puts a man's locker room to shame. i was told just wait for any little problem & send him to the pricipal's office because they were just waiting to expel him to get rid of him.

For the record, i never had a bit of trouble out of the kid and i made sure the others knew it.  why? i treated him like any of the others and told him how happy i was to have him in my class and I meant it.  honestly, i do not believe he was looking for a friend or respect, i think he just wanted someone to treat him like he was somebody.

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to my dear friend the teacher, let me make sure i understand your question.  Are you asking if a child who spends 180 days a year with the same age children who in many cases are put in a classroom because of the letter their last name begins with and are only allowed to talk in the halls and at lunch; unless they get too loud (or as is the case w a local school they are not allowed to talk at all in the halls or lunch because the administration has decided that is when kids get into trouble) is more able to interact with others than a child that spends day in and day out with children & adults of all ages in many sorts of settings (i.e. church, girl scouts, zoo & museum trips, grocery store) from all sorts of ethnic & economic backgrounds (do not even try to lie about that one.  in schools, most everyone is from the same background.  people tend to live where there are others like them)

news flash: in the "real world" you will not be in an office with everyone of the same age or maturity level.  look at you the teacher. you are with adults of all ages (and maturity)  and kids. 

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I am quite tired of teachers telling parents, "Teach your Bible & morals at home, but leave the teaching to the professionals."

1. I know not from where this quote came from but I like it.

  The Ark was built by amateurs, professionals built the Titanic.

               Now, which ship would you rather travel on?

2. For all of you out there who think you can not teach your children without education clasees from a big university (or have been told so.) I was a Pre-med major w a minor in Seconday Education, my little sister is an elementary teacher in the Charlotte, NC area, I have a number of aunts & cousins who are teachers.  I, and they, will all tell you the same thing.  Professional Education courses do NOT prepare you to teach in the "real world"  Most professional teachers quickly forget how their first year of teaching was doing everything wrong!!!  They had to learn how to teach as they went along.  Your first semester of education courses does not teach you how to teach math but instead how important it is not to offend anyone.  In your other education classes you are taught how to prepare lesson plans for reviews (not teach them) and use the latest technology (which my sister has lamented was of no value because the school she is at right now does not have any of this technology.) 

Honestly, professionals can not stand it when someone can do the same and in most cases better job than them without the expensive degree.  It is a pride issue.

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