The Monthly Chat

July, 2008

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Printable bits of wisdom, ideas, and reflections for your friends and
homeschool group, from the members of HomeschoolClassifieds.com
Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors.
Š1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

Bible & Spiritual growth
What do you use for Devotions??

So, we were at a church retreat this weekend -- the whole family. Many other churches joined us, as it was a multi-church event. We had a ball! I was a bit baffled at one point when a group of young adults (20-somethings?) approached me. They were the instructors for all the kid classes for the weekend, and they came to talk to me ''about my children.'' Ugh. What did they do now? I immediately began to sweat.

''We're curious what you use for your morning devotions. They (by far) had more knowledge of the Bible than the other kids in our classes.''

At this point, I was convinced they had the wrong mother.
''Okay...so, let's confirm: I'm *** and ***'s mom. Do you have the right person?''

''Yes!''

The one gal then went on to say, ''I hope to have kids someday, and I was curious what you use for devotions...how did they learn so much?''

At that point, even though it wasn't a trick question I had a feeling they thought my answer was a ''trick answer''.

''We don't have devotions, really.'' I confessed. ''Rather, we just read the scriptures together.''

''That's it?'' She was baffled.

''Yup...no concordances, no commentaries, no nothing but the word of God. That's it -- we just read!''

So, there you have it. What might seem one of the most difficult things to figure out (what to use for devotions) doesn't have to be difficult at all. Yes, devotion books can be great...but they can *never* take the place of reading the scriptures. Try it -- you won't be disappointed!

mamma_mia

Special needs
My God Shall Supply All Your Needs

Do you believe that? Do you really believe that the creator of the universe has given you everything you need? The Bible tells us that God's power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). It is not God's stength, but our weakness that causes doubt.

Both of my children have special needs according to the world. My older son has anxiety issues, sensory issues, and coordination issues. My second child has auditory processing disorder. We have worked with occupational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, teachers, etc. to trying to help both our boys. Even when you explain, whether in your community or in your church, most people just don't want to deal with it. I can't tell you how many times, I've had to volunteer just so my son could participate.

It doesn't seem fair, right? Christians should have more understanding, more mercy, more encouragement for the parent who never gets time off, right? Sure it's true in a perfect world, but we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a sin-cursed world where even Christians sometimes fall into the trap of ''what's in it for me or my family?'' Perseverance pays off. Read the rest of 2 Peter 1. Perseverance is participating in the divine nature of God.

Specific helps for your child depend on your child's needs. Observe him or her. Don't buy into everything the therapists are selling you. Do your homework. There are so many resources on the internet. Trust God. Seek His guidance and not your own understanding of the ''problem.''

Ask yourself these questions: How has my spiritual life been improved or enhanced because of having a child with challenges? Am I using his/her challenges as a crutch for not serving God? Am I trying to make my child ''normal'' or ''fit in'' or am I truly trying to equip him/her for life?

God can help your child through you. Trust Him!

beach

Organization/time management
Clutter

We'll suffice it to say that once upon a time ''clutter'' was an understatement in our home.

My dad brought me a cartoon of a whole house being dumped out and the caption said ''Spring Cleaning.'' At that time, we lived in an 800 square foot home. Every room was captive, and the layout was poor. I remember feeling so overwhelmed but thinking that if I could organize and keep that home, I could organize and keep any home. The scripture about ''he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much'' came to mind also. I had an amazing collection of hundreds of books, videos, CDs and other supplies. My dad told me that I would never regret throwing anything out once I had things organized. He said when someday you think, ''I wish I still had that'', you'll quickly think ''But not as much as I am glad I don't still have ALL of that.''

I began the process during Hanukkah, a time of rededicating our lives to Yahshua. I recommitted to my role as a keeper at home and prayerfully gave away hundreds and hundreds of books (over five hundred at least) and other materials. I could have sold them but blessing others was a better option. I knew that if there was anything we were passing on that Yahweh really wanted us to have, He would bring it into our lives at the right time.

It has been over four years since the ''Great Clearinghouse Adventure''. My dad was right. I don't miss anything as much as I am joyful and peace-filled about the orderliness and lack of clutter. Yahweh has brought several items back to us that we had parted with, just when we need them.

I still have room for improvement in this area. I felt defeated one day and my dad, full of wisdom, said, ''Kid, if you're looking at where you are compared to where you want to be, you'll always be unhappy. But if you can look at where you are compared to where you used to be, you'll be very happy.'' I think his wise words apply to all of life.

kleinshine

College/vocation
Career Choice Pressure

As my children progressed throught their high school years, I began to feel their pressure to ''choose'' a vocation.

The word vocation means calling. That leads to the advice that I gave them: God has a plan for your life....He has it all figured out ahead of time. He gave you your desires and your gifts. So the pressure is off of the student -- they simply need to pray faithfully and daily for wisdom and for God's will for them, then take one step at a time as doors open and God provides. I have seen this work out in amazing ways for our three children!

gregfam

Bible & Spiritual growth
It's Not About the Method...

I don't know about you, but I am extremely hard on myself. As a first generation Christian and homeschooler, these are completely new paths and it is very hard at times because I am like a pioneer. There certainly was no one ''right'' way to go west and explore new lands. But I have had (I'm sure from having gone through public schools) the ''one size fits all'' mentality.

I have stopped thinking that there is one ''perfect'' way of homeschooling, thanks to the Lord renewing my mind. There isn't one perfect method. It's not about the method or the curriculum itself, it's about the relationship we have with our children. The Lord reminded me of all those great men and women in history who taught themselves with nothing more than a Bible.

I've changed ''styles'' of homeschooling many times over the last eight years of homeschooling. And I was feeling badly about that, as if I had to pick one way and stick with it forever or my children wouldn't be getting the best possible education. The reality is that depending on the season we are in, we may have to switch...for example, this past year, with a new baby and my nine-year-old diagnosed with autism, we needed the structure of textbooks and a more ''formal approach''. This coming year, we will be using a more relaxed approach.

We as homeschooling moms need to be careful of sending a message to other Moms (especially new homeschoolers) that ''Homeschooling the [Charlotte Mason, Classical, unschooling, unit study, Sonlight, Latin Centered, etc.] way is the only way''. I know I have felt this pressure from others and it really burdened me.

We need be to open to the leading of the Holy Spirit's guidance and not set on following a method -- making that an ''idol''. I will say it again, more for myself than anyone else: ''It's not about the method, it's about the relationship we have with our children''.

smith8

Organization/time management
Have a Productive Summer

I love summers. They are a wonderful time to get caught up in any academic areas that are lagging. We have used these times to memorize the states and Presidents, as well as some key grammar terms. We also try to keep the students' skills sharp by doing some math facts reviews daily.

The most wonderful thing to do is to add in those things that you have no time to do during traditional schooling. Take a few field trips, do some art projects, read orally as a family.
Your summers can be a productive educational time that will be remembered fondly by all.

livinglife4him

Other
I Love my Overhead Projector!

Do you remember in traditional school how some teachers had an overhead projector? I bought one off eBay for $25.

If one of the kids ask, ''Hey, Mom, how does this math problem go?'' I simply turn on the projector (it works without dimming the lights in such a small room) and work the problem on the ''board''. Then I turn off the projector and go back to teaching my other child. I don't have to set down the stack of books on my lap, tell my other child to hold on, go to the board, work the problem, go back to my chair, pick up my stack of books and try to figure where I left off with the child I was teaching just prior to the question.

I purchased quite a few packages of transparencies from Amazon and eBay. I also make my own charts and then print them on printable transparency paper. I keep most of them in three-ring binders. Loose ones are kept in labeled file folders. I keep damp paper towels in a baby wipes container to clean off the reusable transparencies.

To learn our Bible verses, we use the overhead projector. I either write or type the article onto a tranparency sheet and slide it into a page protector. The first day we read it the way it is. The second day I use a darker marker and cover certain words. Then the children have to remember what those words were. If it is too difficult, I can pull the original out of the sheet protector and have the document without any marks on it, read it, then slide it back into the marked page protector. Each day, I cover more words. At the end of the week, they have only the name of the Bible book and the first word of the verse uncovered.

The kids love the math manipulatives and writing on the board. If I don't use it for a few days, they will ask when I will be teaching with it again!

rsinnen414

Lang arts: readers/literature
Reading Good Books

Read to your children, even when they are older. This will develop vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of literature. Your children's knowledge and love of reading will soar. If I had to give any advice to any new homeschooling parent it would be this.

Books on tape are a great way to listen to literature when you are in the car.

When I have to go get groceries, the boys carry with them their latest book, and read while I shop; it makes shopping much more pleasant, and you should hear the comments from other people. They often say, ''I wish I would have thought of that.''

jwest

Marriage & parenting
What in the World am I Doing to My Children?

I look at my children every day and sometimes I feel more than just a little overwhelmed. What am I doing, trying to teach them? Am I hurting their chances of being successful in their future? Am I really doing the right thing? Am I sure that God really called me to do this, or did I mistake an upset stomach for God speaking?

It is so easy for us homeschooling parents to second guess ourselves, especially when it seems that not very many people are supporting you, or you've had an extremely hard day in school, or you go over the same math problem for the fifth time in a row and your child still has that 'I'm not getting this' look on her face. These are the times when we just need to set the book down, take our children in our arms and give them a bear hug and reassure them that we love them - even when life and it's lessons are hard.

These children are our future. These are the ones that we are going to have to depend upon for care when we're older, maybe for housing, our churches are going to be run by them, or a million other things. This is when I, as a homeschooling mother, realize that I absolutely love and cherish these kids that God has given to me, and even if they're not millionaires when they're older, they are going to be successful - in my eyes. I try so hard to realize and remember that God is going to take care of these most precious ones that He has blessed me with, and most importantly, success should never be based on what the world thinks. Success only comes from God anyway, and this is when I remember my life verse: ''I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.'' 3 John 4.

I may regret a lot of my mistakes in life and maybe even those times when money is really tight and I don't have an outside job, but I'll never regret the time I've put into our children and how much love is in our home. To me, that is success.

1homemomma

Marriage & parenting
Stop, Really Look At Your Children

In this harried world, we tend to ignore the best for the better. I think of my children. How often do we get caught up in the daily grind of life? We push our children away, ''Not now, sweetie, Mommy has to clean'', or type or finish a wonderful book on how to spend quality time with our children! We ignore precious moments that pass by too quickly and are gone. An experienced mother once told me raising young children involved ''long days and short years'' and I have found that to be so true. You will not have them forever. Treasure them, be kind to them, and smile at them.

''She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.'' Prov. 31:26

eve

Other
Oh the Judgement

Tomorrow I meet with a school advisior with the thoughts of putting our upcoming senior in school. I never thought it would come to this. At the same time I have complete peace. We have two that have graduated from homeschooling and are doing well, as well as three younger ones.

Our options in this small town are home school or public school; nothing in between. I'm preparing for the backlash from other concerned home school friends. Are we insane? No, but they have no true idea of what is behind the often ''perfect picture'' I've felt I've had to maintain. I am reminded of a dear friend who several year ago, when I was concerned over their choice, said to me, ''Pray over each child, seek the Lord, move forward.''

Please remember this, those making home schooling the only ''Christian'' option (been there), that the Lord searches the heart and mind. I am glad I've been given peace from Him in my own concerns and tremblings. It is the wounds of fellow soldiers that hurt most when I need an arm around my shoulder and support.

I have no intention of not schooling this beloved child just because he is in public school, but now I think we will both be able to move forward and we will be blessed by the Lord. Truthfully, the biggest wall that kept me from doing this last year was my pride and the Lord has dealt well with that. He opened my husband's heart to allow us to move ahead and I know He will be faithful.

I joyfully look forward to getting on track with the other three. I thank God He holds them all in the palm of His hand no matter where they may be!

bg695-42

Homeschool helps
Why We Homeschool

My oldest daughter recently graduated, after what we thought was a short adventure. Thirteen years later, it was a tearful event.

We started out taking one day at a time and letting God lead us on our journey. For all of you newcomers it goes by very quickly so enjoy every second of it. When you are stressed about math or that science project you never got completely finished, remember that it all passes by so fast and to enjoy every second that God gives you with that child. When you think you are really screwing up this child's life cause everyone around you is constantly asking you about your child's social skills and telling you, you are too protective, remember you are giving your child the best you have to get them ready for the great big world they having coming at them. I know that my daughter is ready to face that world head on. God bless.

jenclayton

Hist/Geog/SS: US
Enhance Study of the States

Make your study of the US memorable by noteboooking your way through the states. You can make your own pages or use those from Hold That Thought or notebookingpages.com We have enjoyed many picture books, biographies, and non-fiction books while reading our way through each state too.

A couple of booklists have helped
(www.nea.org/readacross/resources/statebooks.html or www.booknutsreadingclub.com/readacrossamerica.html) as well as the book ''Simply... Stated''. Record the famous people, landmarks, events, and places to visit from each state on a Who, What, Where, and Why page. Divide your page into fourths, and write/draw the most important person, place, event and why for each state.

An example for Wisconsin might include: Who? Laura Ingalls Wilder, What? Major products of cheese, ginseng, and paper, Where? Wisconsin Dells, and Why? answer ''Why is Wisconsin known as the Badger state?''.

A close second to actually visiting each state is receiving postcards from around the country from other young people. Join www.postcardkids@yahoo.com to request certain cards and trade with others. Recipes from each state can also be enjoyed throughout your study from those you find in individual state books at your library, online state resources or a complete state recipe book. We have used the ''United States Cookbook''.

Hope this helps in your study of America.

andrealj

Other
Notebooks!

We have found a wonderful way for the children to express what they've learned in a particular subject.

They have notebooks for history right now (3-ring binders), and whenever we finish reading a book, discussing an idea, taking a walk, or just about anything, I have them do an 'activity' in their notebooks. The activity can be any form of expression. An imaginary interview with a historical figure; a pencil drawing; a poem or song; a report or essay; a children's book on the subject for younger siblings; a postcard of a place we studied; mapwork; a journal entry; You get the picture.

I got this idea from Robin Sampson of Heart of Wisdom, and it not only gets the kids to use their favorite methods of expression (some prefer writing, some are more artistic, some like to speak) but after a while, I end up with a beautiful collection of my children's work.

esargent0307

Finance/Econ
Great Way to Teach Home Economics

When its time to register for a class, write a note to go along with a bill, or just send bills, I have my 10 year old write the checks and address the envelopes.

I keep my finances on the computer so I dont use a check register and the only bills I pay are subscriptions, classes, and that occasional bill for something I dont pay electronically (like used books). If you dont keep your bills electronically give you child a register of their own and just a few of the non-essential bills (unless you want your neighbors to know what your mortgage payment is).

I start it out with a fictional amount of money in the bank (like $1,000). I let her write out the checks and pay the bills.
She writes everything on the check, including the memo field (but I sign the checks). She has to record the amount in the register and figure out the new balance. When the balance is low we deposit money into the account.

If a note has to go along with the bill she writes, or types, that too. She then has to write out the envelope (something she has a hard time with for some reason she likes to center each line of the address)

This allows her to track her spending as most of these bills are hers, learn to balance a check book and learn how to write a note/envelope.

lauraannq

Other
The Storms of Life

Our power was out for two days due to a major storm that rolled through the area this week. Some homes around us have large trees down. One home has a tree straight through the roof and into their house! My gracious father purchased for us a small generator a few years ago, but we use it only for brief periods. We are on well-water, so we only have water when the generator is running.

Isn't it amazing how much we take for granted? That a mere 100 years ago, there was no such thing as air conditioner? A washer and dryer? If the worst part of our day is having to deal with no air conditioning or water, we're doing pretty well. Think about all the folks in other countries that live with conditions much worse than ours as a way of life on a daily basis! We are given so much.

Abba, thank you for your Grace -- for the kindnesses you've given to us that we don't deserve, and the judgment you withhold from us that we do deserve. Teach us to be content in all things, and to be able to share your love with those around us, especially those faced with need.

mamma_mia

Other
I Didn't Realize my Blessings...Until Now

Our son will be going into the 6th grade, and we have homeschooled from preschool. We believe the Lord has called us to homeschool through high school by His strength and grace.

Recently, we had a couple of issues with my husband's business due to the economy and with him injuring his back. I have had to take on more work, outside the home. The Lord truly has blessed us by providing a work at home job for 70% of the work, but I still have to work one day a week in the office. I average about 35 hours a week, on top of homeschooling.

I never stopped to realize how blessed I was before I had to go back to work temporarily. All I had to do was take care of our home, husband, occasionally help with the business and homeschool. That's a full time job in itself! Now, I'm doing payroll, schedules, and web development on top of all that, and life can get really crazy.

Some of you may know what it's like to have to work and homeschool. While I know this is temporary, I realize now how easy I had it. I want to encourage you all...enjoy every minute that you are a stay at home mom. We are all so blessed to be able to do what we do. Take a moment to pause and think about all your blessings, especially about being home with your children. There is nothing better than that!

singingmom

Other
Remember Why

I have spent many days, frustrated to the point of wanting to pull my hair out over a math lesson with a seven-year-old boy. There have been times when I have cried over my nine-year-old daughter seeming to waste her time daydreaming or doodling on the workbook pages I have assigned to her. I have felt like I have neglected my five-year-old due to having two older children to teach more difficult subjects to (than ABC's or 123's). I have had days where I felt like none of us have learned anything at all. But these are not the days that count.

The days that mean something are those that we have sat and read together all afternoon. And the days my six-year-old was the moon and the other two kids were planets rotating and revolving around him in the back yard -- we all remember that. And the day we melted a Hershey bar with a magnifying glass and the sun's light, then we got to eat the melted chocolate.

So don't dwell on the difficult days, they will pass. Focus on the good days, the smiles, the laughter, the time spent together that can never be replaced if you miss it the first time around. Remember why you started this journey.

hcinfo