Consider The Lilies - Luke 12:27
• Oct. 7, 2008 - Test Results
Ladybug I's test results came back this morning. I'm happy & praiseful to report there is nothing serious going on; thyroid, liver, kidney's all functioning properly. She is well hydrated. She might need me to take some CLO for extra vitamin A & eat more high iron foods, but otherwise she's doing well nutritionally.
The only thing of incidence is a non specific marker for inflammation that showed up, which, as my practitioner stated, could very well be GI inflammation, so she's glad we're doing the stool testing with her doctor. Baby has to provide me with one more day's worth of "samples" for two more vials before I can send it out. I really hope I can get it out this week. Sometimes those tests show nothing when there is something, so I wonder a bit what will come of it. It's not invasive, & worth a try.
In doing some more research she met some criteria for celiac, however, even though the results today showed negative, that is not really accurate until she's a good 24 months old. I'll see what the next test results are, but it's probably worth another gluten free trial, more strict, & longer.
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Yesterday
Posted By hadleychick
Yesterday was a busy day. First thing in the morning we took the car to the mechanic again, intending for him to fix it before we got to go to our homeschool co-op. He called a few hours later saying it was a transmission problem. I called the transmission place and told them to pick up the car. No way was I schlepping three kids and their car seats all the way to the mechanic so I could drive the car to the second mechanic. I watch another kid on Mondays.
Figuring that co-op was a wash we settled in to housework, schoolwork, and laundry. We got a lot done. I found a poem that I started him copying. We got some reading, some writing, and some math done. It was a wonderful day with only mild arguments. Then he played outside and I played inside with the baby
We had dinner by ourselves as dad was helping his mom fix her computer. Then we watched a movie (a special treat), had stories, and bedtime.
Question for anyone who wants to reply. What is your biggest homeschooling challenge and how do you find yourself overcoming it?
H |
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Two Questions
Posted By Lala
Question 1: Paying off my mortgage early
I have Dave Ramsey's Finance Peace book.
However, there is a lot in his book about "investing here, and investing there". Right now, the markets are pretty scary.
What I would like to do is pay off my home, early.
Do any of you have any experience in paying off your mortgage early, and if so, can you share the method you used?
If there are any books you can recommend, that would be a huge
help too.
Question two: Substitute for Red Food Coloring
I have a GREAT recipe for Red Velvet Cake, but it calls for a 1/4 CUP of red food coloring. For obvious reasons, that grosses me out.
What can I use in place of 1/4 cup red food coloring? I still want the cake to be red........but don't know what to use to achieve the
end?
Thanks |
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Animal Update
Posted By mpetit
A little update:
My favorite rooster was very sick and died a while ago. Yesterday Blackie (a bantam hen) died, she had something different wrong, but similar to what the rooster had last year.
I think another one of my silkies IS a rooster. One is already. There are only 3 .....
The kittens are cats. Stop letting me forget to call for fix'em appointments. And schedule that fundraiser : )
BTW it rained on Saturday. Better start getting the animals' stuff ready in case it happens again ....
Oh, and Boo peed on my boots last night (in the house). He stinks!
Take care,
Michele |
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Reading My Own Blog Posts
Well, I just spent almost half an hour reading my own previous blog posts. Have you done that recently?
It was fun : ) I really enjoyed it. I made myself chuckle. I think we should all do this. Especially Jenny when she forgets to proofread her posts... just kidding : )
Thank you Lord for this fun medium for sharing and remembering.
I also have been thinking that I must just not be inmuch of a writing mood lately. I don't know why. Because during every day, I think ooh!, great thing for a blog post. Or gotta get a picture for my blog. But then it just doesn't make it over here. This is sad. But don't worry about it (smile). Just move on ...
I have in the meantime, met some awesome people on their blogs. I love the kids blogs. Young people are awesome. My kids are awesome. I wish we were all perfect but we aren't. They are still awesome. I LOVE my kids : D
I hope I will post those photos soon. I have some of Coleman's football game to help him put on his blog. And a picture of Toby today where he is actually LOOKING AT ME. It is so cool.
Talk soon, May the Lord bless us with truth and grace,
Michele |
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Looking for Contributors for a Special Needs E-Book!
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
We are looking for 10 parents of special needs children who are NOT in this current book to give us their “testimony” in 500 words or less about how having that special child in their home has actually ENRICHED their lives. Why would life not be as good without him/her in their household? We want to know the joy and blessing behind having this wonderful child in the homeschool.
The ten who we choose will get a free ebook when finished – that is the only compensation.
Please do not turn in your testimonies direct – first email Charlotte McKinney and give her a short sentence or two why they should be chosen as one of the ten to go into this E-Book.
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB |
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• Oct. 7, 2008 - Should Teacher's Be Prosecuted for Consensual Relations with Students?
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
If one teacher's union leader in the UK gets her way, then the answer is no. Others agree because they feel it ruins the teacher's life. Please note that the article points out that "consensual" relations is between a 16 year old student, or older, and a teacher.
There are those who are in opposition of this point of view but a judge recently agreed and let one teacher off with just 12 months probation. Never mind that it does ruin children's lives. Never mind that the teacher abused her authority.
This year the consenting age is 16. What will it be in the next five years? 15? 14? 13?
I know when I was 16 I "thought" I knew what I was doing. I was an idiot and I wasn't alone. If 16 year olds are so mature why don't they just go ahead and say they can join the military, be tried as an adult in all cases, and go off and live on their own?
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB |
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• Oct. 6, 2008 - Minute to Minute - Quiet Time Alone for a Busy Homeschool Mom
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
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Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers |
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| Greetings! |
| Last week we met Tracey, a homeschool mom who felt guilty about seeking time alone for herself. She enjoyed the freedom provided over the summer by a few summer classes her children attended and wrote the Minute to Minute Readers asking if she should feel guilty about longing for more free time like this.
Homeschool moms nationwide wrote in with tremendously encouraging letters reminding Tracey of the comforting, yet often forgotten, fact that even Jesus, the Son of God, sought time apart from his disciples to pray and talk with His Father.
"Then cometh Jesus with his disciples unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. . . .Tarry ye here. . . . And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed." (Matthew 26:36-39)
A special time alone rejuvenates the weary soul and aids the homeschool mom through another day in her journey.
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| Pray Daily and Listen |
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Dear Tracey,
I too, have been homeschooling since the beginning. My children are now 13 and 14 twins (two sets). When they were younger, I had my hands full with very little help. Their father was in the Army and was gone the majority of their young lives, just a little background.
Now, I too, love having a little time away from my kids and my husband on occasion. I need to rejuvenate myself and get a little time to think through or brainstorm. I enjoy it immensely. It has been awhile since my children were very young, so I really don't remember feeling guilty about taking time for myself. I don't think I did because I knew I needed that time to be a better mother and person. I do remember, and still do on occasion, feeling guilty when my children would go to class-type events and have a great time. I wondered if I was giving them everything they "needed". And then realized that I was second guessing the calling I received from God.
When my children were younger, we did a lot of the "fun" things: homeschool art classes, museums, parks and nature walks, etc. I would incorporate everything to try to make it fun. Not only for them, but for me also. I have never really liked boring textbooks. There comes a time though, that you will need to sit down and "do" school, but for now, enjoy your children and your life.
As far as the socialization, you might be suffering more from the lack of socialization than your children. Do they get to see other kids in the neighborhood after school and on the weekends? You might find that they are much more social than you think. It is just not a constant partnership with someone. Your children will learn so much about themselves by having to rely on each other, on their parents, or on themselves and not on the advice of someone who really doesn't have their best interest at heart (their "friends"). That is not to say they should be kept under a rock or in the closet and not have friends. It is to say that they learn that it is okay to like their parents and confide in them and their siblings. Something that is not taught in schools or condoned by the kids in school.
By the way, summer classes are fun! They were meant to be light-hearted and enjoyable, so you will come back next year or tell a friend about your experience. When "school" is back in session, all the fun goes away; work and pressures take over. That also happens at home if you let it.
Do you feel guilty for being a stay-at-home mom? Feel the self-imposed guilt for not working when "everyone" else does? Been there done that. I do have a higher education and am not using it professionally at the moment. An education, mind you, that would make our lives just a little easier, and therein lies the guilt. Then, I take a good look at my children and see what I would have given up to make our lives just a little easier. Being a stay-at-home mom is not a curse. It truly is a job. It is what a lot of women wish they could do but don't know how. Don't feel guilty, be proud of your choice and be confident in what God has placed before you.
Now, it is time to be proactive. Go out and find other stay-at-home moms. They are out there. You need to seek them out. If your support group is far away, then join one on the Internet or start one of your own. Place fliers out and about for an informational meeting and see where to go from there. Take your children with you and have them help. It will teach them so much about how to speak to people and be proactive themselves.
One more thing, if you were to put your children in school, would you be able to foster the fascination of art with your daughter? Would you be able to let your son grow and develop when his "wiggles" set in or will he be forced to sit still and get frustrated?
Every one of us has a different way to home educate our children. It is our style and the direction our children take us or what their needs are at the moment. Your children are young; enjoy them and listen to their needs. Above all, pray daily and then listen. Do take time for yourself, even if it means getting a babysitter and taking yourself for coffee. You never know, you might find a new friend.
Many Blessings,
Nancy
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| Alone Time = Valuable Time |
| Dear Tracey,
I do think time alone is valuable. Even Jesus spent time away from the disciples. I think for the homeschooling mom, it can be difficult since your children are home all day! One thing we do in our house is have rest/naptime. At this time, only one child is still napping. My other children (ages 9, 7, 6, and 5) play quietly during this time. I do separate my six and seven year old boys--one plays in my room until the last 30 minutes of naptime when they are allowed to meet up in their room and play together quietly. When our children outgrow the need for afternoon sleep, we transition them to quiet play in their rooms. I think this gives them a chance to recharge their batteries as well, since they are together all day. I have one child in particular who needs this quiet, alone time! They also learn to entertain themselves, rather than relying on me for all their activities. I don't spend all of naptime on being alone. I usually do some school with my 9 year old daughter, and she will often help me with chores as well. Right now, I am pregnant and need a nap myself, so that takes up part of this time. But, I usually do take some time to be alone. My daughter knows this is time for mom to recharge and regroup with some quiet. She will entertain herself during this time.
Another time I treasure is early in the morning before my children are awake. I spend some time waking up and reading my Bible and praying before having a shower and starting some chores. This gets my day off to a good start and makes our mornings less disorganized and stressful. I also get a chance to pray with my husband briefly before he goes to work and that has also been valuable.
I don't think you need to feel guilty about needing time alone. I think it's important to not see it as an entitlement or something to be selfish about, but I do see it as important and I don't think you have to choose between homeschooling and having some time of quiet during the day.
Blessings From A Fellow Homeschool Mom,
Alice |
| Building A Strong Foundation |
| Dear Tracey,
There is nothing wrong with you having time for yourself. I hope you take some time alone with the Lord every day. This is absolutely essential for your personal walk with the Lord, as well as for you to function as a godly wife and mom.
I also think it is wise to have an hour or two a day for personal reading, and I make my kids have a quiet time of play so I can do that. Beyond that, I think it is fitting for Dad or Grandma or someone to keep the kids a few hours per week, so you can have some time alone. However, I would be cautious about a long term activity with peers for children that young, as you will bring home more than art projects.
Over time, I think you will see that your children will pick up actions, attitudes, and words that you would rather they not use. I know how hard it is to live away from a homeschool group. Mine is 45 miles one way and some of the activities are further than that, but I go every week and enjoy the fellowship of other families, while my kids attend choir and PE. We also drive 26 miles one way for piano lessons, but I have enjoyed taking a book to read during the lessons, so I feel that time is for me, too.
I have four, always homeschooled children and I have never regretted my decision to put our family relationships first. When they were as young as yours, we had almost no outside activities, however, as they got older, I deliberately made that long trek to town to allow them appropriate fellowship, so that they and I would not feel deprived.
Even homeschool friends can introduce your children to words and ideas you do not prefer, so sometimes, we have to deprogram and instruct on the way home, but at least most of the families are somewhat like minded.
A morning or afternoon a week is enough outside influence for children and I think you would live to regret it if you decided to put the children into a classroom situation on a regular, daily basis.
Enjoy limited time alone, but don't give up the foundations you have already laid by giving up your children to a full-time classroom situation. Remember, the main purpose for homeschooling is for the relationships they will build with family and God. Don't risk losing that.
God Bless You,
Ladonna
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| From The Experienced. . . . |
Jesus took time to get away and be alone (Luke 5:16). If Jesus, our Savior, needed to get away and be alone, I think it's very healthy for us as moms to get away and "recharge" our batteries so we can give the best of ourselves to our husband and children. I have found that I am a more grace-filled, kind, and patient mom when I can spend time away or alone for even a few minutes. My husband watches my son one night a week while I attend a ladies Bible study. I come home refreshed and look forward to my evening off as I know my son is having his own special time with Daddy. This may be a given, but prayer time alone helps me to get my focus and godly perspective back amongst my busyness.
~Rachel
You have to trust your heart and gut about where God is leading you on the homeschool issue. I have homeschooled my daughter for 5 years, and now she is a freshman with plans to finish school at home. She is an only child, and I had quite a bit of free time when she was in public school for the first 4 years of her education. It was an adjustment to give up this free time, but I have absolutely no regrets about our decision to homeschool. Our relationship is far, and above, better than those of my friends whose children are in public school. She has always been active in "outside" activities such as voice, piano, AWANA, co-ops, and youth. I think it is so good for mothers to have outside activities as well. My daughter sees me as having my own interests which empowers my authority. I try to stay in a Bible study, women's circle, and am a member of a very active book club. It has also been good for our marriage to have time alone without her. Go to the Lord in prayer and have faith in your journey.
~Janey
Why not organize a Christian mom's group with women from your church? You could get together one evening a month while the husbands keep the children. You can alternate homes. I was in a group like this at one time and loved it! Right now, I attend a women's homeschooling group that meets in the evenings once a month. We talk, shop, and chit-chat a little. I enjoy that bit of time. It also gives my husband a chance to connect with our young children. Blessings to you and you family!
~Ann Katherine
Do not feel guilty for alone time. I used to ride horses a lot before I had my children. After the fourth was born, 3 1/2 years ago, I "kinda" gave it up. A couple of months ago my farrier made me promise to ride at least four times before his next visit. I did, and I kept riding. I found I had lost a part of myself. When I ride, it is my quite/prayer time. There is no better place to pray then out in nature with God and just you. Even Jesus went to seek alone time to be with the Father.
~Lisa
I wouldn't feel guilty at all. We all need some quiet time. My husband and my family will watch the kids for me while I take time to go to the store, shop with my sisters and mom, or just read. My quiet time is so valuable to me, and it recharges my batteries. Besides, our kids like to be away from us some, too. Vacation Bible School is one of the most looked forward to events for my kids. However, I am one of the teachers so that does not count toward my quiet time. Do you have any family or friends near you that would be willing to watch your kids for a couple of hours each week so that you could recharge? You are not doing them a disservice by homeschooling them. You are doing the right thing. They learn better social behavior, academic and home care skills by being with you. Not to mention, you can add in Bible studies and more things that they are interested in. Don't be dissuaded from homeschooling; you are blessing your kids like God is blessing you.
~Sonja
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Now is the time to subscribe to TOS! With your order you will receive six wonderful gifts and you definitely don't want to miss out on this one!
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| Homeschooling Resource |
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 Homeschooling with Encouragement is packed full of encouragement but kept simple while covering the topics that seem to overwhelm the homeschooling mom. Be encouraged in creating a successful school schedule and school day. Read how to beat homeschool burnout and how to evaluate your progress as a parent/teacher. Also, you'll be comforted to read the hearts of moms as they tackle the difficult question about socialization. This is a must read; a book that will encourage your journey through homeschooling.
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Thank you for sharing your heart-felt advice, personal accounts, and tips on finding quiet time as a busy homeschool mom. If you have a question you would like to ask our Minute to Minute Readers, please email us. Emailing or otherwise responding to this email constitutes permission for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC to publish, post, reprint and distribute part or all of your response in the Minute to Minute E-Newsletter, the print, digital and online versions of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, on Company websites and in other Company publications.
Sincerely,
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Elisabeth Marlowe, Minute to Minute Editor
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine |
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• Oct. 6, 2008 - Minute to Minute - Quiet Time Alone for a Busy Homeschool Mom
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
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Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers |
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| Greetings! |
| Last week we met Tracey, a homeschool mom who felt guilty about seeking time alone for herself. She enjoyed the freedom provided over the summer by a few summer classes her children attended and wrote the Minute to Minute Readers asking if she should feel guilty about longing for more free time like this.
Homeschool moms nationwide wrote in with tremendously encouraging letters reminding Tracey of the comforting, yet often forgotten, fact that even Jesus, the Son of God, sought time apart from his disciples to pray and talk with His Father.
"Then cometh Jesus with his disciples unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. . . .Tarry ye here. . . . And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed." (Matthew 26:36-39)
A special time alone rejuvenates the weary soul and aids the homeschool mom through another day in her journey.
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| Pray Daily and Listen |
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Dear Tracey,
I too, have been homeschooling since the beginning. My children are now 13 and 14 twins (two sets). When they were younger, I had my hands full with very little help. Their father was in the Army and was gone the majority of their young lives, just a little background.
Now, I too, love having a little time away from my kids and my husband on occasion. I need to rejuvenate myself and get a little time to think through or brainstorm. I enjoy it immensely. It has been awhile since my children were very young, so I really don't remember feeling guilty about taking time for myself. I don't think I did because I knew I needed that time to be a better mother and person. I do remember, and still do on occasion, feeling guilty when my children would go to class-type events and have a great time. I wondered if I was giving them everything they "needed". And then realized that I was second guessing the calling I received from God.
When my children were younger, we did a lot of the "fun" things: homeschool art classes, museums, parks and nature walks, etc. I would incorporate everything to try to make it fun. Not only for them, but for me also. I have never really liked boring textbooks. There comes a time though, that you will need to sit down and "do" school, but for now, enjoy your children and your life.
As far as the socialization, you might be suffering more from the lack of socialization than your children. Do they get to see other kids in the neighborhood after school and on the weekends? You might find that they are much more social than you think. It is just not a constant partnership with someone. Your children will learn so much about themselves by having to rely on each other, on their parents, or on themselves and not on the advice of someone who really doesn't have their best interest at heart (their "friends"). That is not to say they should be kept under a rock or in the closet and not have friends. It is to say that they learn that it is okay to like their parents and confide in them and their siblings. Something that is not taught in schools or condoned by the kids in school.
By the way, summer classes are fun! They were meant to be light-hearted and enjoyable, so you will come back next year or tell a friend about your experience. When "school" is back in session, all the fun goes away; work and pressures take over. That also happens at home if you let it.
Do you feel guilty for being a stay-at-home mom? Feel the self-imposed guilt for not working when "everyone" else does? Been there done that. I do have a higher education and am not using it professionally at the moment. An education, mind you, that would make our lives just a little easier, and therein lies the guilt. Then, I take a good look at my children and see what I would have given up to make our lives just a little easier. Being a stay-at-home mom is not a curse. It truly is a job. It is what a lot of women wish they could do but don't know how. Don't feel guilty, be proud of your choice and be confident in what God has placed before you.
Now, it is time to be proactive. Go out and find other stay-at-home moms. They are out there. You need to seek them out. If your support group is far away, then join one on the Internet or start one of your own. Place fliers out and about for an informational meeting and see where to go from there. Take your children with you and have them help. It will teach them so much about how to speak to people and be proactive themselves.
One more thing, if you were to put your children in school, would you be able to foster the fascination of art with your daughter? Would you be able to let your son grow and develop when his "wiggles" set in or will he be forced to sit still and get frustrated?
Every one of us has a different way to home educate our children. It is our style and the direction our children take us or what their needs are at the moment. Your children are young; enjoy them and listen to their needs. Above all, pray daily and then listen. Do take time for yourself, even if it means getting a babysitter and taking yourself for coffee. You never know, you might find a new friend.
Many Blessings,
Nancy
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| Alone Time = Valuable Time |
| Dear Tracey,
I do think time alone is valuable. Even Jesus spent time away from the disciples. I think for the homeschooling mom, it can be difficult since your children are home all day! One thing we do in our house is have rest/naptime. At this time, only one child is still napping. My other children (ages 9, 7, 6, and 5) play quietly during this time. I do separate my six and seven year old boys--one plays in my room until the last 30 minutes of naptime when they are allowed to meet up in their room and play together quietly. When our children outgrow the need for afternoon sleep, we transition them to quiet play in their rooms. I think this gives them a chance to recharge their batteries as well, since they are together all day. I have one child in particular who needs this quiet, alone time! They also learn to entertain themselves, rather than relying on me for all their activities. I don't spend all of naptime on being alone. I usually do some school with my 9 year old daughter, and she will often help me with chores as well. Right now, I am pregnant and need a nap myself, so that takes up part of this time. But, I usually do take some time to be alone. My daughter knows this is time for mom to recharge and regroup with some quiet. She will entertain herself during this time.
Another time I treasure is early in the morning before my children are awake. I spend some time waking up and reading my Bible and praying before having a shower and starting some chores. This gets my day off to a good start and makes our mornings less disorganized and stressful. I also get a chance to pray with my husband briefly before he goes to work and that has also been valuable.
I don't think you need to feel guilty about needing time alone. I think it's important to not see it as an entitlement or something to be selfish about, but I do see it as important and I don't think you have to choose between homeschooling and having some time of quiet during the day.
Blessings From A Fellow Homeschool Mom,
Alice |
| Building A Strong Foundation |
| Dear Tracey,
There is nothing wrong with you having time for yourself. I hope you take some time alone with the Lord every day. This is absolutely essential for your personal walk with the Lord, as well as for you to function as a godly wife and mom.
I also think it is wise to have an hour or two a day for personal reading, and I make my kids have a quiet time of play so I can do that. Beyond that, I think it is fitting for Dad or Grandma or someone to keep the kids a few hours per week, so you can have some time alone. However, I would be cautious about a long term activity with peers for children that young, as you will bring home more than art projects.
Over time, I think you will see that your children will pick up actions, attitudes, and words that you would rather they not use. I know how hard it is to live away from a homeschool group. Mine is 45 miles one way and some of the activities are further than that, but I go every week and enjoy the fellowship of other families, while my kids attend choir and PE. We also drive 26 miles one way for piano lessons, but I have enjoyed taking a book to read during the lessons, so I feel that time is for me, too.
I have four, always homeschooled children and I have never regretted my decision to put our family relationships first. When they were as young as yours, we had almost no outside activities, however, as they got older, I deliberately made that long trek to town to allow them appropriate fellowship, so that they and I would not feel deprived.
Even homeschool friends can introduce your children to words and ideas you do not prefer, so sometimes, we have to deprogram and instruct on the way home, but at least most of the families are somewhat like minded.
A morning or afternoon a week is enough outside influence for children and I think you would live to regret it if you decided to put the children into a classroom situation on a regular, daily basis.
Enjoy limited time alone, but don't give up the foundations you have already laid by giving up your children to a full-time classroom situation. Remember, the main purpose for homeschooling is for the relationships they will build with family and God. Don't risk losing that.
God Bless You,
Ladonna
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| From The Experienced. . . . |
Jesus took time to get away and be alone (Luke 5:16). If Jesus, our Savior, needed to get away and be alone, I think it's very healthy for us as moms to get away and "recharge" our batteries so we can give the best of ourselves to our husband and children. I have found that I am a more grace-filled, kind, and patient mom when I can spend time away or alone for even a few minutes. My husband watches my son one night a week while I attend a ladies Bible study. I come home refreshed and look forward to my evening off as I know my son is having his own special time with Daddy. This may be a given, but prayer time alone helps me to get my focus and godly perspective back amongst my busyness.
~Rachel
You have to trust your heart and gut about where God is leading you on the homeschool issue. I have homeschooled my daughter for 5 years, and now she is a freshman with plans to finish school at home. She is an only child, and I had quite a bit of free time when she was in public school for the first 4 years of her education. It was an adjustment to give up this free time, but I have absolutely no regrets about our decision to homeschool. Our relationship is far, and above, better than those of my friends whose children are in public school. She has always been active in "outside" activities such as voice, piano, AWANA, co-ops, and youth. I think it is so good for mothers to have outside activities as well. My daughter sees me as having my own interests which empowers my authority. I try to stay in a Bible study, women's circle, and am a member of a very active book club. It has also been good for our marriage to have time alone without her. Go to the Lord in prayer and have faith in your journey.
~Janey
Why not organize a Christian mom's group with women from your church? You could get together one evening a month while the husbands keep the children. You can alternate homes. I was in a group like this at one time and loved it! Right now, I attend a women's homeschooling group that meets in the evenings once a month. We talk, shop, and chit-chat a little. I enjoy that bit of time. It also gives my husband a chance to connect with our young children. Blessings to you and you family!
~Ann Katherine
Do not feel guilty for alone time. I used to ride horses a lot before I had my children. After the fourth was born, 3 1/2 years ago, I "kinda" gave it up. A couple of months ago my farrier made me promise to ride at least four times before his next visit. I did, and I kept riding. I found I had lost a part of myself. When I ride, it is my quite/prayer time. There is no better place to pray then out in nature with God and just you. Even Jesus went to seek alone time to be with the Father.
~Lisa
I wouldn't feel guilty at all. We all need some quiet time. My husband and my family will watch the kids for me while I take time to go to the store, shop with my sisters and mom, or just read. My quiet time is so valuable to me, and it recharges my batteries. Besides, our kids like to be away from us some, too. Vacation Bible School is one of the most looked forward to events for my kids. However, I am one of the teachers so that does not count toward my quiet time. Do you have any family or friends near you that would be willing to watch your kids for a couple of hours each week so that you could recharge? You are not doing them a disservice by homeschooling them. You are doing the right thing. They learn better social behavior, academic and home care skills by being with you. Not to mention, you can add in Bible studies and more things that they are interested in. Don't be dissuaded from homeschooling; you are blessing your kids like God is blessing you.
~Sonja
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Homeschooling with Encouragement is packed full of encouragement but kept simple while covering the topics that seem to overwhelm the homeschooling mom. Be encouraged in creating a successful school schedule and school day. Read how to beat homeschool burnout and how to evaluate your progress as a parent/teacher. Also, you'll be comforted to read the hearts of moms as they tackle the difficult question about socialization. This is a must read; a book that will encourage your journey through homeschooling.
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• Oct. 6, 2008 - To the ER and back again
We ended up back in the ER with Noah yesterday afternoon, but our home phone lines (and therefore our DSL) were down and I couldn't blog about it.
The gist of the story is that somehow Noah got two holes in his broviac. I believe the holes had been there for at least a couple of days because we kept noticing that his pajama pants were getting mysteriously wet in front . . . but then again Noah soaks an overnight diaper every couple of hours so it was reasonable to assume that we were dealing with diaper leaks. It wasn't until I went to administer his noon antibiotics at church yesterday that I realized the the saline flush was coming right out of the line. The holes had apparently gotten larger shortly before I gave the antibiotics because they were obvious at that point. A couple of doctor friends took a look at it and gave us suggestions for stabilizing it until we could call Noah's surgeon after church.
We called both surgery and infectious disease, then Hannah and the babies and I headed for the ER. The surgeon was able to remove about half of the outside length of the broviac and replace it with a new end. The repaired broviac is working like a charm, praise God!
The bigger concern is one of possible infection. Noah is on antibiotics for gram positive bacteria (MSSA). The holes were placed right in the line of fire for all of the leaky messy diapers Noah has been having (thanks to the antibiotics), and the bacteria found in stool are gram negative. This means that he is not covered for any bacteria that may have entered the holes. The ID doctor ordered a blood culture in the ER, and he is going to be having lots more cultures over the next couple of months, so we are optimistic that if something DID get in the line, we will catch it quickly and be able to clear the line. Noah certainly isn't acting sick, so I'm hopeful that we are fine in that regard and will be praying to that effect.
Other than that, we've just been enjoying being together and working toward restoring any order that was lost from a "mommy-less" week. :-) It seems unreal to all be together at home when a week ago we thought we could be losing our son. It was such a joy to sit down at the table together for dinner tonight. I even made a cute desert - mini caramel apples. I used a melon baller to cut round balls from apples, being sure to leave include skin on one side of the ball. After drying each ball well, I inserted a toothpick handle into the part with the skin, dipped the balls in melted caramel, and rolled them in chocolate sprinkles before placing each one in a tiny mini muffin cup liner. They looked just like real, but miniature, carmel apples complete with that bit of skin peeking out around the handle. They were a hit with the children, who seem universally charmed by tiny things. I can't take credit for the idea as I saw it in a magazine, btw. I'll definitely make this again. For those of you interested in all-natural cooking, Walmart stocks bags of caramel chips this time of year. They are the only all-natural caramel I've found outside of expensive websites. They can be melted for caramel apples or used in recipes, and I always stock up on them. India Tree makes all natural chocolate sprinkles. They are pricey but we buy them in a large container from a restaurant supply website and use them sparingly for special treats. :-)
I need to give Jeff a hand getting Mr. Noah all hooked up for the night - it's a two man job!
Blessings,
Kate
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