180 Days!!

We did it!  We completed the required 180 days of school and our first year as a homeschooling family!! 

The laws vary state to state of course, but Indiana's laws are fairly lax on the actual schooling requirements.  State law says that you must complete 180 days of schooling and today was our 180th day! We began last year in June when summer break was just beginning for most children and my little troopers were trucking along and actually enjoying it!

I was teaching kindergarten and first grade this year.  Now that our "requirement" has ended, that doesn't mean we are "done" for the school year.  Now we review what we went over this year and I am currently looking into placement tests to see if we left anything out that we should still cover.  I also want to use this to see where the kids "excel" and where they are "weak".  We believe in "mastery" instead of just simply "passing" the children along to get them into the next grade level - yet another benefit of homeschooling.

Beside completing our requirement and looking into placement testing, I am also working on our syllabus for the upcoming school year.  We haven't yet purchased a set curriculum and I feel more confident this year to create our own again...now that I have a better idea of what is involved,  it's not so "scary". 

So, here's to the last 10 months and 180 completed days of learning FUN....yeah...some days were certainly harder than others...but we DID it.  I can't believe how far we've come from the very first month. My kids have never been happier and it has been such a blessing to watch them progress and know that we did that - together. 

Another Lovely Benefit Of Homeschooling

Like many of you we have been having some unusually warm weather for our area this time of year.
No complaints here!

I couldn't possibly keep my kids couped up in the house to do math, reading, science, blah blah blah...

so I sent them into the vitamin D filled outdoors to get their play on.  As the day progressed I started to feel a little guilty: 'I know they should come in and get some schooling done, but it's too nice out!'  I was a little conflicted.  One day turned into two, the temperature just kept right on rising...

Then reality set in.

'Why am I worried about this??  Public and private schools give their kids vacation time...why can't I?'

Thus prompted another wonderful, joyful benefit of being a homeschooling family:

WE don't have to pre-schedule our vacations...WE can take them whenever we like....like when the weather hits 80 DEGREES in the freakin' middle of MARCH!! Wahoooey!!

And boy did we :)

Of course, we didn't do nothing.  That week my kids learned to garden with my hubby (he took a few days off from work to spend with us) and I learned to just relax and enjoy my family....

...and hang my clothes out on the line of course :)

SPRING('S) AHEAD!

I LOVE Spring.

It's my favorite season of the year.

I like the smell of the flowers poking through the soil, the buds on the trees starting to open, the grass getting GREEN again....ahhhh....

It couldn't have been a more perfect day to set the clocks ahead so we could enjoy one more hour of daylight on this gorgeous springy day.

And on a Sunday...

a day with the fam.  Playing in the backyard. Cleaning the dirt off the toys and lawn furniture.  

Watching my happy clothes waving on the line in the light breeze and the sunshine.

My kids running and playing in short sleeve shirts - soaking in the vitamin D.  My little Adeline, who just turned two yesterday, keeping up with L and E.

My darling dear getting our vegetable garden ready for planting while I guiltlessly ignored the inside of my house for a change.

We listened to the birds singing, watched the lazy clouds in the bright, blue sky.

A perfect day.

....topped off with dinner on the grill and an aired out house :)

What did you do today??

Hey! All You Moms Out There...

Yep.
I am STILL nursing. 
Is that really SO bad?  Is it really anybody elses' business? 

Little A is 23 months.  In my eyes, she's still my baby.  Don't get me wrong - I see how fast she is growing up, talking, potty-learned, tattling on her big brother.   My smart, big girl and one proud mama.

I want to share an experience with you that prompted this post:

The other night, I was with a group of women in a mother's room.  One woman was nursing her 19 month old and the other women had no business being in the mothers room besides to socialize.  The nursing mom has turned to me several times recently for support.  She has been getting heat to stop breastfeeding her little daughter but she and her little girl weren't ready for this close bond to end.  I simply gave her "permission" to do as she sees best for her daughter and herself. This was all she needed to hear - a kind word and support from one mom to another.

On this particular night, several weeks after the aforementioned conversation took place, one of the women who was in the mothers room with her 20 month old son asked me: "Daphne, you're still nursing her, right?"  I proudly responded, "Yes." At which point she ever so rudely thrust her negative opinions about my extended breastfeeding relationship with MY daughter.  
For a second, being the somewhat sensitive person that I am at times, I thought, "surely, I heard her wrong.  She didn't mean it that way." But that thought was very quickly replaced by her repeating herself to make SURE she got her point across. 

Now, let me assure you, I was not broken by her mean words, her "opinion"....no....her opinion matters not to me.  What I choose to do is not her business and I am not ashamed of breastfeeding my almost two year old.  I attend my La Leche League meetings on a regular basis, keep in touch with my league leader and speak to other nursing moms all the time about the joys, benefits and challenges of breastfeeding.  I have PLENTY of support from them, my mom and most importantly, my sweet husband.  What struck me, stabbed me in the gut, tore at my chest, was watching her very detached relationship with her own little boy...as he ran screeching uncontrollably around the room carrying a bottle.  She proceeded to tell her screeching son to "show Adeline how to use that thing" (the bottle).  That "mommy replacement".  Don't get me wrong.  Even for nursing moms bottles can serve their purpose...but criticize ME????  MY decision???  I looked back at the nursing mom, the one who I had recently given support, the one who thanked me.  Who told me "my daughter thanks you, too" and realized what it must be like to be without good support.  I was sad for all those babies whose mothers' quit breastfeeding them out of fear of being chastised.  I was sad for all those moms, this very mom that criticized ME, for missing out on such a special bond with their babies.  Their toddlers.  Their small children.  Why is it that we as mothers who believe in teaching our children to be kind, loving and good to others, fail to 'practice what we preach'?  Aren't we all in this together...the end goal being the same?

I wrote this not out of spite, but out of care and concern for those of you who go through this very thing.  Don't stop doing what you feel is best for your child because someone made you feel "disgusting" for having a natural, loving relationship with them.  Listen to your heart and act with your head.  You'll know when it's the right time for both of you.  Don't let another person determine the length of your breastfeeding relationship with your child.  And all you "haters": Let it go.  Please. I'm not judging you for your choices. 

When I do decide to finish breastfeeding it will be because my daughter and I have mutually outgrown that part of our relationship...adhering to La Leche Leagues' loving recommendation to wean "gradually and with love".

Little A, fast asleep after a nursing session with her mum.

Challenges and Rewards of a Homeschooling Parent

Were you wondering where I had gone?  I have been trying to find the time/energy to get on here and post about our homeschooling success.  Life as a homeschooling parent is BUSY, BUSY!!  It's been great!  but I won't lie.  We've had good days and bad but overall my kids are progressing and enjoying the "one on two" attention.  Sure, they argue and fight and don't always want to do what I ask when I ask - they're kids....however, we read together all the time, take exciting field trips and turn learning into fun whenever/wherever possible.  Besides all of that, I like not having to worry about what kid is bullying my kids or what influence some mouthy 8 year old is having on them, what teacher isn't teaching for the right reasons, et cetera, et cetera.

I am going to break this down into two parts.  Those of you who home school probably will find some similarities to what we are experiencing.  Those of you who are "on the fence" may need to see this so you can make peace with your challenges ahead of time.  Hopefully this will give you the boost you need to "go for it".

Challenges:

• Keep baby A entertained/happy/quiet/out of danger while teaching E and L. 
• Find new ways to teach when learning presents a challenge for E.
• Stop L from giving E all of the answers without discouraging him from being a "peer teacher".
• Find time to get the shopping done, run errands, doctors/therapy appointments, cook meals, clean house, nurse A, and oh SHOWER while still making time for learning.
• Find patience when all things don't play out as "planned".  (See above)

While we have had our share of challenges we have realized that homeschooling reaps a plethora of benefits, too.  Here are some things that I appreciate:

Rewards:

• Schooling in our jammies  (Had to be noted)
• Allowing E and L to work at the pace that is best suited for each of them.
• Teaching my kids what they really want to know when they want to know it.
• Knowing EXACTLY what my kids strengths and weaknesses are.
• Seeing E and L's eyes light up when they really "get it" when learning something new.
• NOT coming home from my kids school with my stomach in knots.
• Feeling accomplished and self-sufficient at the end of the day.

Our laws in Indiana are fairly lax.  The only requirement is that we school 180 days a year.  We started in June and plan to school year round and have logged about 140 days to date.  L is finishing first grade and is already doing second grade math and spelling while reading at a third-fourth grade level.  E is in Kindergarten and although behind because of some other challenges she faces, is quickly catching up and will be ready to move into first grade in no time.  I was so worried that I would screw things up somehow and even though I have to put forth a great amount of effort, the kids LOVE to have ME teach them.  AND, they're learning.  They prove that to me as I watch them progress. 

I promise I will start making this blog more of a priority and squeeze in in somewhere to my busy schedule that I just love.  I want to expound upon our challenges and rewards further. I also want to talk about what we DO and how I keep the kids interested and socially active.  There's so much to say...you'll just have to come back to find out more.  :)

Month ONE - Our Homeschooling Journey

So our homeschooling journey has begun.

We are now into week four and just enjoying every minute of it - so far.  I am well aware of the fact that there will be days that I question my sanity in making this decision but in the long run I feel pretty sure it will pay off for us.

My biggest challenge at this point:  "What do I do with the 16 month old who wants to run around and get into everything while we are trying to focus?"  I have tried giving her plastic containers with clear lids and noisy things inside to shake around...that held it's appeal for about 10 minutes (which was way longer than I expected it to!).  I bought those little marker pals that look like little weeble wobbles and are suppose to be easy for babies to hold....or eat in our case!  I'm sure I will figure out a way to keep all children safe and entertained eventually. lol!

My biggest "shocker" at this point is how much my plans have already changed since we've begun teaching/learning at home.  I was so worried about finding the perfect curriculum in the beginning and now it's become more hands on on my part.  I am using my brain (who'dathunkit?) to put fun projects and learning activities together that the kids are really enjoying and so far so good!  I'm sure at some point I will purchase a subject or two if it's something I don't feel confident in putting together or my own, but for now we're doing alright and having fun! 

Currently: We have been reading the "Little House" books and just finished "Little House in the Big Woods".  We might read a chapter in the morning before schooling or in the evening and then the kids will then draw a picture of their favorite scene in the book and Landon (since he's older and writing now) will write a couple of sentences to "tell the story" of what he has drawn.  We use that to work on his grammar.  We will be using these books for language arts and history.  (And a little math, too!!) Landon helps me out with some of the reading as well. 

I started a homeschooling group 4 weeks ago as well.  Through the summer months we will be meeting at the park where the kids can play and socialize and we can get to know eachother better.  We plan to start a Co-op this fall and have been discussing what our group goals are and what will be offered to the children in the co-op.

There's alot more I could say but for now I am off to bed since we have lots to do in the morning!  I will try to update soon and fill you all in on what else we have been up to!  Feel free to share your thoughts or advice~ 

So Long Public Schools....It's Time We Said Goodbye.

Finally!

I have been more anxious for this day than my son was! 

The LAST day of school - and not just before summer break.

Hopefully for GOOD.

Those of you who have been following this blog already know about the decision we made to homeschool our children.  And if you read that entire novel I wrote, then you also understand our reasoning why.

I have been scouring the internet, harrassing fellow homeschooling parents and following online groups, blogs, facebook pages - DIGGING for information and poring through catalogs to decide on our curriculum.

For now, I think we have a plan-

Plans can always change -

especially when it comes to children...

but for now

I feel confident in our decision and how we plan to school our children.

It's been such an exciting step for us to take that I could hardly wait for my little man to get off the bus on his last day in the Public School System and walk home to us -

where he can stay to learn,

to play,

to be himself,

to just be FREE.

Not bound by rules and judgement and criticism from people that don't want to listen to his 6 year old imagination

But with people who embrace his ideas and have a reason for wanting to see him succeed in everything he does. 

And where he can have a curriculum designed specifically to fit his individual needs and learning style.

I think that is pretty special.

So in one week -

we start our journey of year round schooling.

AND finally STOP

wishing, hoping, PRAYING,

the Public Schools will change

in time for OUR KIDS.