Archive for the ‘Homeschool’ Category

As we travel through the annals of history with our children, we marvel at the redundancy evident in the pages of our world’s past. Sure there are different leaders, different countries, different battle names, but the general prevailing incidents that have resulted in the people’s loss or willing surrender of their freedoms are eerily similar. The parallels continue in our own country today.

As Americans we live in an era where the true remaining heroes of our nation’s independence are few. Americans have grown spoiled, partly due to the relatively small impact wars have had on the personal lifestyles of most of us. Too many of us have an entitlement mentality, believing it is our right to have a nice house, a nice car or three, food on the table whether we earn it or not, and the rest of the privileges that our forefathers worked hard to achieve. Many Americans, at least the most vocal set, feel that we are also entitled to freedom without sacrifice. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the simple joys of homeschooling is that my family spends a lot (and I mean a lot) of time together. This constant togetherness provides numerous opportunities for impromptu lessons.  I remember one such lesson in particular, a study in vocabulary.

While driving home from an appointment, my then six-year-old Elisabeth asked for the specific definition of the word “deflating.”  (She likes to confirm the definitions of words she is already using.  Better late than never.) I explained that deflating is when a person’s joy or energy seems to be leaking out or when the air comes out of something.

Pleased with myself for presenting such a simple, yet all-encompassing explanation, I was even more delighted with Elisabeth for her mature intelligence.  A quick glance in the rearview mirror assured me that, indeed, her “gears” were turning.

Confirming in her matter-of-fact way that the definition had, in a sense, sunk in, she said, “Oh, like pooting. You’d better open the window, ‘cuz I’m deflating.”

I believe all homeschool mothers with an ounce of honesty have closet confessions regarding their dual role as mother and teacher. I can’t imagine any not having a few mixed emotions about the many facets of being both parent and teacher, homework giver and homework helper, alarm clock setter and school bell ringer, lunch lady, bus driver, and substitute teacher. Many have taken a glance or two at the giant twinky (a.k.a. school bus), some, perhaps, with a bit of longing. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t make a few confessions of my own.

Although the twinky has held certain unrealistic appeal at times, the closest I have ever gotten to sending my little lambs out to a different pasture is enacting my patented decoy bathroom routine. It’s remarkably simple, and amazingly effective. Here’s the routine. I turn the light on in one bathroom, lock the door, and close it from the outside. Then I head to a separate bathroom, leave the light off and the door open. There I sit, holding my breath, trying to read something of adult content (Christian adult content, I mean) while the flock bleats at the door of the decoy bathroom. In other words, I’ve been there! I’ve had those days where all I want to do is sit on the floor of the pantry eating chocolate chips out of the bag! Read the rest of this entry »

Real answers from real homeschooled kids:

What does a meteorite create when it hits the earth?
Hannah: a national monument

What is a constellation?
Bean: when you have trouble going to the bathroom.

Who made the sun?
Elijah: God made the sun . . . and He made me!

One out of three ain’t bad . . . I mean isn’t.