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This has nothing to do with NDCHEA, but since I keep the blog, I am going to post it anyway. Our family went to a great Metroparks class for homeschoolers recently. However, there were a few children who completely disobeyed the Metroparks employee who was our instructor. They would not stay on the path when she told them to do so. They picked up a snake after she repeatedly asked them to leave it alone. After the class, I apologized to her that the class was so difficult. She replied that she was used to it. I inquired as to whether she had problems with all children or with homeschoolers specifically and she replied that it was mostly homeschoolers. OUCH! Do you ever find yourself humiliated by your children's behavior in public? Me too! Over the years, I have learned some ways of preventing that. Here are some things that have helped our family. First, prepare your children before they ever get out of the car as to what your expectations for their behavior are. "I want you to be attentive to the information in the class...I want you to listen to your instructor and do what she says...I want you to share the equipment with the other children..." Whatever is important to you, convey that before the situation arises. Secondly, if your children cannot behave themselves, perhaps they should not be allowed to go to other classes for a while. Our children's Sunday School teacher was mortified when they were not allowed to attend Sunday School the week after they disrupted her class. But we felt that Sunday School was a privilege and they could spend one week sitting with us in church listening to the sermon if they could not behave properly for their teacher. They have never disrupted their class again (that we know of ). Thirdly, if your children need training, the place to do that is at home, not in public. They practice their spelling words at home many, many times before they go to the spelling bee. Manners are the same. Practice makes perfect. Fourth, look at families with children who are older than yours. If you would like your children to behave similarly, talk to those parents. Have them recommend books to you or mentor you. Listen every time they talk about parenting. Families such as these have been a great blessing to us over the years. Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise..." I think that people are able to respond to these, although no one has yet (sigh). However, if you have any ideas to share that may be helpful to others, please note them here if you can or e-mail them to me and I will try to post them. Happy homeschooling with your bright, shining, and obedient children! Kirstin
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