Just wanted to show you our basket loving cats!

"But Mom....I have Down Syndrome!" is what Ben said to me today when we were reading and he couldn't say 'sufficient' in the verse, '..my grace is sufficient for you..'  Ironic, huh? It sure gave me a good platform to talk about God's grace, etc, but I'm not sure he understood. This isn't the first time this has come up, but this time it actually hit me. I was the one that needed the lesson.

What I realized was how many times I use excuses to explain why God's grace isn't sufficient in my life, and by doing so, I've inadvertently taught Ben that when something is difficult, we can use our weaknesses as an excuse, instead of as our strength! Humbling lessons from homeschool discussions happen rather frequently to me, I guess it's because the issues I deal the most with my children are things they have picked up from ME...

I have found a couple of great software programs that have been working very well with Ben and wanted to share them with everyone.

Jumpstart World, 2nd Grade
We have used several of the Jumpstart programs over the years, because my son (who has Down Syndrome) really learns alot from educational computer games and Knowledge Adventure has some really good ones, though watch out for some of the 'not-so-Christian' content on a select few of them.

You can buy a much smaller version of this Jumpstart World on Amazon for about $20, but you only get the first 2 units. There are 12 units available and you can get them cheaper if you buy them all at once from Jumpstart's website. You do have to get an online subscription, which is $7.99/mo or buy the entire unit at the forefront. This is the most I have paid for a computer game, but have found it  to be  worth it.

What I liked best was that every time he finishes playing online, it seems to 'revise' what and how it was presenting so that it is easier to learn the next time he logs on. He can't skip ahead and just do what he likes or what is easiest, he has to keep trying the elements that are more challenging for him. He loves the format, being able to choose his character and 'roaming' around the little town.

What I didn't like is it was a HUGE hassle getting it going on my Dell (with XP)  but their phone support is very good and they worked with me until it was working. It proved to be worth it altho I almost cancelled the whole thing it got so frustrating. Also, some of the areas are confusing as to how to navigate and there is little on screen help. Again, their phone support is a huge help.

There is an online trial you can download, however, it is only 5 days and requires a credit card and a broadband connection. You can find it at-  http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/jumpstartworld/trialsoon.aspx .

School Zone's Time, Money & Fractions
This program took awhile before Ben got the hang of it, and I had to work with him on it alot at first, but the results were nothing short of amazing!! Most of my kids struggled with time, money and fractions, but Ben has struggled with it for years. We have tried most every approach, but especially the fractions were way out of his grasp.

We started to require as part of his school that he spend 1 hour on this program each school day (30 minutes would've been all I would've alotted to my non-DS kids...) and within 3 months I was seeing results and now, almost the end of this school year, he has it completely mastered and is asking for the next level!

 I just wish I had had this program for my other kids in the beginning...but seeing that computers were still sluggish playing "Lemmings", this place in time is really amazing for homeschoolers and what they have available to them!

**I am always looking for good software products for 2nd - 3rd graders, please email me if you know of a good one....or leave a comment telling me which one you like. Thanks!

"But Mom, I can't do my chores, I have Down Syndrome..."

Ben's comment stopped me dead in my tracks. Up till now, I wasn't even sure he understood what it meant that he had DS, but this was the first time he had ever made any reference to it . So I asked him what he thought that meant, having 'Down Syndrome'. I don't remember his exact words, but he had obviously picked up on it at some time that it's a reason he can't do certain things, and now he was putting it to good use.

I proceeded to do the good mom thing and explain to him what DS was, and why it wasn't an excuse for what he was hoping it to be an excuse for. As I concluded my sermon, I asked him if he understood, and he said 'Yes'....and with total sincerity he said that he would be over his Down Syndrome on Monday and could then do his chores.

What do you say to that?

Yesterday Ben overflowed the toilet. Again. This time was the worst ever, not sure why. I don't understand exactly why, but I have been told that people with Down Syndrome need a special toilet. Special needs, Special education, now...Special toilets? My brother said he heard they even make special scissors for ...well, you can guess what those scissors are for so flushing goes more efficiently. Personally, I think the only problem is Ben feels he need half a roll of TP at each sitting.

Why hasn't any of the TP manufacturers thought to market a toilet paper that is marked at measured intervals for overzealous TP users? Maybe they (TP mfgs) don't want to discourage over usage. We have tried every trick in the book-('Using TP Efficiently", author unknown) , premeasured, count the squares, call me every time you go...well, you know the routine. He's 15, and I don't believe having Down Syndrome is to blame. He does have to be reminded about everything because I genuinely believe he forgets, but aside from locking the bathroom doors I don't know what to do.

Any suggestions?

I got to  thinking....maybe others might like to know how we made our 'homemade Peat Pots" . Of course they aren't made from peat,  but from newspaper, which breaks down in the soil almost as well. You will want to get some newspapers together and sort out any heavily colored paper, for the ink doesn't break down too well not to mention it's not too good for you. Tear the paper into 5-7" x 12-18" long-using strips with 2-3 sheets thick. After you make one or two, you can gauge how big the pieces should be. Perfection is not important.

Using a can (a tomato paste can for a small, soup can for medium, spag sauce for large, or ?) as a guide, wrap a strip of paper around the can several times, leaving 1-3"(depending on size you are making) at bottom. Fold in edges of bottom, securing with a piece of masking tape if necessary. I would include pictures, but my camera won't download on this computer for some reason lately. There is probably a better description online somewhere, try googling, 'newspaper planting pots, homemade' . I have always loved starting plants from seeds indoors, and wished I had known how to do this years ago! The best part is they are totally FREE! Have fun.

Today we were planting sprouted seeds in little newspaper 'peat pots' we make our selves. As with most things, Ben elaborates on our projects and starts making signs, "FOR SALE-POTS" . Well, I'm not sure we'd sell many of our homemade peat pots, so I thought we'd re-pot the many 1-2" tomato plant starts that have popped up in his garden and our intent... is to let them grow a little and sell them in a few weeks. We planted ONE heirloom cherry tomato plant several years ago and now every year millions (slight exageration maybe) of little plants come up voluntarily. The best part is that these are the sweetest cherry tomatoes I have ever tasted and it bears hundreds (NOT an exageration!) per plant . . .So, we'll see if it really works out.

Life with Ben Wed, April 18, 2007

Today Ben is a Funeral Director...I think

Ben’s newest enterprise was initially a bit disturbing but I think we have figured it out....if that is ever really possible with Ben!

One of Ben’s many unique personality traits is he acts out whatever he is mulling over in his brain. Unfortunately, sometimes fortunately, he also TALKS it out, too. Out loud. Emphasis on the word loud. Sometimes for hours at a time. The good side to this behavior is if you listen carefully, you can gain invaluable insight into what he is really thinking about. It’s sort of like that movie (can’t remember the name, definitely would NOT recommend it....) where the man can hear women’s thoughts.

However annoying this habit can be at times, which his brothers are always quick to point out, there were many times I would have loved to have heard more of the thoughts of my other 3 children.

Last night Ben announced that “Hand” had died. Now “Hand” is a little tricky to explain, but to know Ben, you will come to know his many imaginary characters. “Hand” is important because it’s one of the original ‘friends’, theoretically originating from his early years of communicating with sign language. What’s really interesting is that there is a “mom” hand and a ‘dad’ hand and they are often blamed for misbehavior by Ben.

By now, you are probably either rolling on the floor laughing, or ready to call child services, and I can’t believe I am actually sharing this! I’m sure a shrink would have a hay-day with all of this, but with Ben, what you see is what you get. I believe that the only difference between Ben’s imagination and other “so-called normal” kid’s imaginations is that Ben expresses his out loud.

Understanding the significance of “Hand” will help you understand why it was such a big deal around our house when Ben came out and very solemnly and seriously announced that “Hand” had died. Even his oldest brother didn’t have his usual wise crack.

Not wanting to encourage or discourage this line of thought until we had a better idea of it’s origins, Ben disappeared in his room, obviously to continue developing his plot.

Here is a picture of how Ben had arranged his room in light of his new concern. (Have I mentioned that Ben is constantly re-arranging his room?-another blog..) Just look at some of these details: the video tapes on his desk contain Hand’s life, to be projected on the white board you see leaning on the wall on the blue table. The chairs, coffee pot and bottled water are for the guests at the funeral, and the envelope is the guest book for people to sign. Not seen in this photo is a tape player for music and a cloth to cover up Hand. As far as I can remember, Ben hasn’t been to a funeral for over 3 years.

OK, now before you think Ben is deeply disturbed, or wonder what kind of television we allow him to watch, I want to let you in on a few details. Every year at Easter we do considerable reading, etc. regarding the events and details leading up to Jesus dying on the cross. This year however, Ben has asked a new line of questions about death and what it means. As any parent who has tried to explain death to a child will tell you, understanding seems to come in stages. It has been our prayer over the years that the Lord would give us insight to help Ben understand the meaning of salvation. What usually comes to mind are concepts such as understanding sin, heaven and hell, etc. What never occurred to me was that to fully understand what Jesus did for us, you really have to understand death and it’s (usual) finality. Isn’t God wonderfully merciful in pointing out these small, but monumental details? It was a revelation moment for me.

So how do I know this is the root of Ben’s latest story?

Because Ben just told me that “Hand” has risen again.....  any questions?

 

 

Life with Benjamin is never dull. Even my mother agrees that he is like having 4 children rolled into one. Now only having one left to homeschool seems relatively easy compared to the years when I was homeschooling all 4 of our children, but everyday brings brand new challenges with Ben. The biggest difference is that Benjamin will not, in all probability, go the route of our other 3 children...that is graduating 'homeschool' and go on to forge their own life from there. Don't get me wrong, Benjamin really looks forward to earning a living, having his own home, getting married, etc., the only difference is that Ben is faced with a completely different set of  challenges than most teenagers because Benjamin has Down Syndrome.

I really need help from any seasoned bloggers out there that might be reading this, for I have no idea what a blog is supposed to be. I am a 50-something homeschooling (yes, still...but only Ben) mother of 4 (other 3 graduated homeschool...), grandmother of 3-soon to be 5- that has never written a blog in her life. In fact, until today, I really hadn't even READ any blogs before. So any advice -should I add 'constructive advice' - would be muchly appreciated. (Yes, I know muchly isn't a word, but it's one of my favorite non-words.)

So why now do I decide to tread the blog-waters?(sorry) Well, a number of reasons, actually. Over the last year I have been basically homeschooling myself on everything online. Don't laugh. What seems to be genetically inherent in anyone under 30 seems to take me at least twice as long when it comes to the computer. My teenage sons have never taken a computer class and they both know 10 times more than I have learned in 12 intensive months trying to learn just a little more than the basics. How is it they just seem to know this stuff?

My reason for doing all this is my attempt to not only start a home business online, but I'm trying to do it in such a way that I can help others like myself do the same . Hence the name - "Homeschooling(verb) Entrepreneurs" It's hard for me to believe, but it seems that to some moms I know I am tech-savvy. Funny, I know. It seems (to me) that most readers in blog-land are super-tech-savvy, so this all may seem utterly ridiculous, but I have encountered many, many moms ....and non-moms.....out there that would like to get more online savvy and start a business, but don't even know where to start. But even more importantly, I would like to see more available to homeschoolers in high school, even younger,  that would teach them the entrepreneurial mindset. Having graduated three children from years of dedicated homeschooling only to launch them into the cookie cutter-style options the world offers-what is that?. Aside from the obvious alternatives, even Christian Colleges introduce many of the perils we dedicated years to avoid.

And then there's Benjamin. Benjamin is my 14 year old who also has Down Syndrome. Now in the 14 years we have had Ben we have learned everything we know about Down Syndrome. In other words, before he was born, we knew nothing about DS. Now we can honestly say that having Benjamin was one of the best things that God has done for us.(and He has done an amazing amount for our family) From the day he was born, being our 4th and last child, there has not been a dull moment. Hopefully, we can share more about all that in our Life with Benjamin blog. He has taught us alot.

The REASON we are calling our 'Homeschooling Entrepreneur' blog "Life with Benjamin" is because Ben is a born entrepreneur and is basically responsible for this whole idea. But that will be another post. In our homeschooling Ben, at least for the last 4-5 years, we have been working on developing some kind of home business he can do and teaching him accordingly. Curriculum that fits this purpose of teaching life skills, oddly enough, is nowhere to be found.

When other parents of children 'with challenges' marvel at the fact we homeschool Ben, I marvel at the fact they don't homeschool. Fitting Ben's learning into a public school mold would be like me shopping at the Gap. Even if I could fit into some of that trendy clothing...it just wouldn't work.lol.  Ben's VERY special teacher (a homeschooler, too, just with a Special Ed degree...aka our Angel from God) Andrea, firmly believes Ben is very bright. But Ben will only learn what he wants to learn...which if I really think about it, is much like my other 3 children. He reads very well, tells time, is learning to count back money, and can use a calculator for any math he might need. He can program our VCR and set programs up to 2 days ahead (to our dismay...) a task many baby boomers are still challenged by.

Well.... I was wondering if I would have anything to say on this, I guess I have probably said too much for a first post. Hopefully, I will find more moms that want to teach their children relevant life skills, like starting a business, in addition to the basics. I would love an all inclusive curriculum that could teach LIFE survival skills....anyone else? I would really like to know if anyone else is interested in this and would be sooooo blessed by any input to help develop this. Thanks!