For most of his life, our son was an early riser. 6:00 am was his usual wake call for a long time. During those toddler, preschool and early elementary school years, our son would happily wake up between 6:00 - 6:30 am. He was ready and willing to start the day with spring in his step, it was so stinking cute (but exhausting)!
As he grew older, our son wanted to wake up later. When adolescence began for him, sleeping in later became more enjoyable and needed. Getting out of bed early in the morning became our weekday struggle..."Just five more minutes, Mom!"....ugh!
Needless to say, being able to sleep later has been a huge perk of homeschooling. You know what? My kid and I?? Not so much morning people!! The fact that we don't have to wake up as early to get to school is outstanding. The fact that we can do our schoolwork in our pajamas and get dressed whenever we need to go out is simply blissful (I never thought that I would ever use those words to describe our mornings)! I'm sure once we get into a regular co-op routine this fall, we'll have some earlier mornings. However, for now, our mornings are heavenly.
Today was a blast from the past. Our son had a follow-up appointment this morning. I scheduled it early, around the time when he used to go to school, so that he and I could still have most of the day to homeschool. In theory, this was a good idea. However, after homeschooling about two months and being used to our new, homeschool schedule, I was wrong. Wake up and smell the coffee! We both didn't miss the morning rush to get somewhere in a hurry. We didn't miss the scramble of getting out of bed early, hurrying up to finish extra homework from the night before, scarfing down breakfast and rushing to school (only to hurry up and wait in the long, drop-off line). Blah. Today was a very good reminder that the old routine is history. From now on, I'll remember to make those appointments later in the afternoon, when we're done with homeschooling. We like our sleep too much! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and turn off my alarm clock.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Lingering Doubts
"When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted." - Matthew 28:17 NIV
Easter. Resurrection Day. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...who has risen indeed! To me, I associate this awesome time of year as a time of new beginnings, growing faith and exciting things to come.
Our family has made some big changes over the past few years. Two years ago, my husband took a wonderful job, we sold our home in PA and made the move to NY. We've completely stepped out of our comfort zone in many areas of our lives. In December, we made the decision to find a church that we felt was more Christ-based. Thankfully, our search didn't last too long. We soon found a lovely church in our community that has welcomed us with open arms and invigorated our faith as a family. A couple of months ago, we began our homeschool journey and its been such a blessing.
Yesterday was our first Easter, our first Resurrection Day, at our new church. Our pastor gave an incredible sermon about how doubts can still linger in us, despite the miracles in our lives. His sermon, "But Some Doubted", shared how the disciples still had doubts. We were reminded how their doubts, about Christ having risen and overcoming death, were recorded in each Gospel of the New Testament. Despite the good news and what others had told them, the disciples still had their lingering doubts.
This moving sermon made me think. Why do we doubt something? Is it because we want to know every detail of a situation? Do we doubt because we're afraid? Why do we need to see something in order to believe something? Do we doubt change because it goes against what the world tells us is right?
I still have my lingering, occasional doubts about homeschooling. Every once in a while, I have the occasional doubt, when I hear or see something that reinforces what education "should be" or how "traditional" education is the "best option for everyone". Thankfully, I've learned to let the doubt go and remember that my faith will always be stronger than my doubt.
Easter. Resurrection Day. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...who has risen indeed! To me, I associate this awesome time of year as a time of new beginnings, growing faith and exciting things to come.
Our family has made some big changes over the past few years. Two years ago, my husband took a wonderful job, we sold our home in PA and made the move to NY. We've completely stepped out of our comfort zone in many areas of our lives. In December, we made the decision to find a church that we felt was more Christ-based. Thankfully, our search didn't last too long. We soon found a lovely church in our community that has welcomed us with open arms and invigorated our faith as a family. A couple of months ago, we began our homeschool journey and its been such a blessing.
Yesterday was our first Easter, our first Resurrection Day, at our new church. Our pastor gave an incredible sermon about how doubts can still linger in us, despite the miracles in our lives. His sermon, "But Some Doubted", shared how the disciples still had doubts. We were reminded how their doubts, about Christ having risen and overcoming death, were recorded in each Gospel of the New Testament. Despite the good news and what others had told them, the disciples still had their lingering doubts.
This moving sermon made me think. Why do we doubt something? Is it because we want to know every detail of a situation? Do we doubt because we're afraid? Why do we need to see something in order to believe something? Do we doubt change because it goes against what the world tells us is right?
I still have my lingering, occasional doubts about homeschooling. Every once in a while, I have the occasional doubt, when I hear or see something that reinforces what education "should be" or how "traditional" education is the "best option for everyone". Thankfully, I've learned to let the doubt go and remember that my faith will always be stronger than my doubt.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Homeschool field trips make me SMILE!
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FDR slept here (Did you know FDR was homeschooled until he was 14 years old?)
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A view of the Hudson River Valley from the 2nd Floor of the FDR Home
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FDR's Study (and a few of his thousands of books)
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Eleanor Roosevelt's typewriter (what an inspiration for a newbie blogger!)
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FDR's Desk from the Oval Office
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
Yesterday, we took our first "official field trip" as homeschoolers. We went with our homeschool friends to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Presidential Library / Museum in Hyde Park, NY. If you're ever in the Hudson Valley, you MUST take your family to visit this wonderful and historic place....and all kids under 15 are free with a paying adult!
In the past, the words field trip made me feel a combination of terror and dread. I was one of those "regular school" parents who went on many field trips, especially having an only child and working part-time. From Kindergarten through 3rd grade of our son's schooling, I was wrangled into at least one or two field trips each year. Of course, the groups I supervised seemed to be the rowdiest, wildest boys of the class (my son included)! There seemed to be very little learning on these field trips, just disciplining the kids and trying to make sure no one became lost or hurt. To top it off, I was the adult who often got stuck riding the bus with the kids...ugh! Migraines, a hoarse voice and sore legs always seemed to accompany past field trips.
Yesterday's field trip was nothing like our past trips! Our day was filled with hands-on learning, enjoying the beautiful spring weather and having great time with our friends. Our kids were well-behaved and my friend and I were able to enjoy the day along with them. Even though they were the only kids on the guided tour, they proved themselves to be eager students. The kids were interested in learning about FDR, his legacy and the world during his presidential terms in office. I don't think the other adults minded one bit that four, well-behaved kids joined them during the tour. In fact, I think that the kids added a nice element of energy and enthusiasm to an otherwise quiet group of adults. They reminded me that learning can be fun and if you're interested enough in a subject,...the time flies! We blinked and the next thing you knew, we had been there over four hours! My son even proclaimed- "Mom, I didn't realize it until today, but I really love history!".
You know what I didn't realize? I actually love field trips!
Monday, April 7, 2014
NOT From Concentrate
As an avid foodie, I love seeing the following descriptions on food labels:
Despite my sweet & salty tooth (addiction to chocolate and ice cream), I try to eat healthy and shop healthy for my family. We are so blessed that our son actually enjoys eating fruits, veggies and ranch dressing and things like sushi instead of candy! Oftentimes, I hear people say that it is so much more expensive and time-consuming to eat healthy. I have to agree, but on the flip side of it, the investment in my family's health and well-being is so worth it!
With that said, I am finding that homeschooling is a lot like eating healthy. If you think about it, many of our healthy-eating labels parallel "labels of learning". Organic and 100% Pure- As a homeschool parent, you know exactly what is going into your child's learning diet. There are no questionable ingredients about what is happening in your child's learning environment- things like bullying, distractions or factors that can take away your child's interest in learning. Fresh and All-Natural- Nothing stale. Fresh ideas and learning to foster creativity, interest and moving forward. Need a new way at looking at fractions? Have a unit study that incorporates things like cooking or art. Need a change of scenery? Have a unit-study field trip! Heart Healthy, Lower Sodium and Lower Cholesterol- I liken these labels to the stress of learning in a formal environment. Namely, the physical and emotional tolls that the everyday stressors of "regular school" may have on your child's well-being. Think about all the stress that your child endures in school, especially as he or she gets older. Add to that a child who may learn differently, who may need to approach things a different way or who may not fit into the "traditional model" of a school environment. Years of stress will take a physical and emotional toll on your child. Doesn't sound very heart-healthy to me! Finally, my "favorite" label...Not From Concentrate- No watered-down curriculum. No time-saving shortcuts in learning. No outside programs or entities stating how many different ways your child should know how to do a single math problem for Pete's Sake!!! Nope. Nothing re-constituted, previously frozen or dehydrated...just the good stuff!
Speaking of good stuff, they say that "when you put good stuff in, you get good stuff out". I'm finding this to be so true. A few days ago, our son was doing some language arts activities from a new workbook that I found to be particularly interesting (and thought he might appreciate a different approach to writing). Usually "ELA" or Language Arts is not a pleasant thing for our son to do...he never liked writing. However, I found some great activities that sparked his interest. After handing the workbook to me, he said the words- that every book-loving, blog-writing parent loves to hear- "Mom. I hope it's OK, but I finished more pages and wrote more than you told me to do." Whoa...I thought I was going to cry!
Bon Appetit! Buono Appetito! Here is to good eating!
- Organic
- 100% Pure
- Fresh
- All-Natural
- Heart-Healthy
- Lower Sodium
- Lower Cholesterol
- Not From Concentrate
Despite my sweet & salty tooth (addiction to chocolate and ice cream), I try to eat healthy and shop healthy for my family. We are so blessed that our son actually enjoys eating fruits, veggies and ranch dressing and things like sushi instead of candy! Oftentimes, I hear people say that it is so much more expensive and time-consuming to eat healthy. I have to agree, but on the flip side of it, the investment in my family's health and well-being is so worth it!
With that said, I am finding that homeschooling is a lot like eating healthy. If you think about it, many of our healthy-eating labels parallel "labels of learning". Organic and 100% Pure- As a homeschool parent, you know exactly what is going into your child's learning diet. There are no questionable ingredients about what is happening in your child's learning environment- things like bullying, distractions or factors that can take away your child's interest in learning. Fresh and All-Natural- Nothing stale. Fresh ideas and learning to foster creativity, interest and moving forward. Need a new way at looking at fractions? Have a unit study that incorporates things like cooking or art. Need a change of scenery? Have a unit-study field trip! Heart Healthy, Lower Sodium and Lower Cholesterol- I liken these labels to the stress of learning in a formal environment. Namely, the physical and emotional tolls that the everyday stressors of "regular school" may have on your child's well-being. Think about all the stress that your child endures in school, especially as he or she gets older. Add to that a child who may learn differently, who may need to approach things a different way or who may not fit into the "traditional model" of a school environment. Years of stress will take a physical and emotional toll on your child. Doesn't sound very heart-healthy to me! Finally, my "favorite" label...Not From Concentrate- No watered-down curriculum. No time-saving shortcuts in learning. No outside programs or entities stating how many different ways your child should know how to do a single math problem for Pete's Sake!!! Nope. Nothing re-constituted, previously frozen or dehydrated...just the good stuff!
Speaking of good stuff, they say that "when you put good stuff in, you get good stuff out". I'm finding this to be so true. A few days ago, our son was doing some language arts activities from a new workbook that I found to be particularly interesting (and thought he might appreciate a different approach to writing). Usually "ELA" or Language Arts is not a pleasant thing for our son to do...he never liked writing. However, I found some great activities that sparked his interest. After handing the workbook to me, he said the words- that every book-loving, blog-writing parent loves to hear- "Mom. I hope it's OK, but I finished more pages and wrote more than you told me to do." Whoa...I thought I was going to cry!
Bon Appetit! Buono Appetito! Here is to good eating!
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