Moms to Moms: Homeschooling

The first question people asked me about homeschooling was “What about socialization?” By that I suppose they meant, “Would my son be isolated?”  My response to this is that there are many ways to socialize and sitting in the school for 6 hours a day with the same children in the same age group is just one way of socializing.  It’s not better, it’s not always the most positive … Continue reading Moms to Moms: Homeschooling

Teaching Children the Art of Making Decisions

Start young. I let my 2 year old choose her clothes. I would put out 2 outfits on her bed to choose from. As she got a little older, she would pick out her own outfits. Some days I might say, “Ok. You can keep the top or the pants on.” Then she would run back to her room and change either the top or … Continue reading Teaching Children the Art of Making Decisions

From Moms to Moms: Moving

While my husband and I were house hunting we never took the children with us.  When we did select a house, we waited until the contract was accepted before showing the children their new home.  Then we has to sell our old house.  We packed away the messiest toys and when someone called to see the house, we’d play the “pick-up game”.  I’s race the children to see … Continue reading From Moms to Moms: Moving

This Works for Me!

Fall is a great time to go outdoors and LOOK.  Teach your children to notice things- patterns on the ground, the sun shining through the leaves, the many shades of leaves, various bark trees.  A nature walk could include taking a book along to identify birds, trees, leaves, and bugs. Best medication for TEETHING TODDLERS crushed ice!  Give child spoon and little dish of ice.  Really … Continue reading This Works for Me!

Kitchen Kapers

After washing lettuce, tear with hands rather than cutting with knife.  Metal turns the adges of lettuce brown.  To keep, wrap lettuce in a paper towel to absorb excess liquid then place in plastic bag. Cut- up fresh garden veggies such as carrots, cucumber, and beans and serve as a snack to children while they watch their favorite T.V. show/video.  This keeps children from being … Continue reading Kitchen Kapers

Thinking about Homeschooling?

Reasons for homeschooling can vary: Your child is not doing well in school and nothing seems to help. Your child is not having a good learning experience and is very unhappy in school. You feel that your child would benefit from spending more time with you. You disagree with the moral or religious teaching (or lack of it) in the school system. There are several … Continue reading Thinking about Homeschooling?

See you in September….

Remember how you felt in September when you were child getting ready for school?  The newness, the excitement.  Were you eager to see your friends again?  Did the excitement wear off by the end of September as you look forward to June again? Recall buying new clothes, new shoes, pencils, erasers, rulers, copybooks with blank pages waiting to be filled. I was always full of … Continue reading See you in September….

Homeschooling: An Option (part 1)

For some, learning is something we are forced to do.  It is a chore- a sentence.  For 12 years we must go to school.  I hear parents say to little ones, “Get used to it.” Yet, a “grin and bear it” attitude takes away from learning.  Most of us believe that learning should be fun; that learning is growing; that each year should be like kindergarden- lots … Continue reading Homeschooling: An Option (part 1)

Lunch Box Delights

For variety, make sandwiches using hamburger buns, hot dog buns or whole wheat bread. Include one chocolate “kiss”.  Adds a little sweetness and lots of love. Make jello with lots of fresh fruits (add when jello is partially set.) Sen to school in thermos. Add fun stickers or holiday stickers to sandwich bags. Warm soup in the morning and send in a thermos.  Add a … Continue reading Lunch Box Delights

This Works for Me!

Trade Skills with another mother.  Swap lessons in cooking, arts and crafts, sewing, make-up.  You teach her children and she’ll teach yours. Straws: Use “fun” straws, bendable or looped ones, to encourage kids to drink more fluids. Save popsicle sticks and make planes, crosses, photo frames.  Use your imagination! Use baking soda to remove skid marks on floors, stove tops.  Works great! Play CD’s during … Continue reading This Works for Me!