Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Children Are Too Smart!


I have started my journey of homeschooling although truth be told we're rarely home and rarely schooling by any definition you might expect. When we are home I try to find a balance between technology and what I call "real life" but as many mammas I even struggle personally with this concept.

My children all do "homework " on the computer and my oldest at 6 years old has started an online typing class. So the other day when she wanted me to print out a computer keyboard for her to practise i didn't think much of it -she glued it on cardboard and made her own computer with 4 sections on the screen, camp (an online mommy group), facebook, yahoo and reading eggs (one of the greatest children's learn to read online programs)

I realized i obviously spend too much time on the computer in front of them. So my husband and I talked and decided I would set a 30 min limit (in front of them) and then they would see me use it in moderation.

The next morning - proud of the idea of setting a limit for them as well as for me I announced excitedly "we have a 30 min computer rule now in our house" when my oldest woke up and jumped on her "computer".

She paused- looked up and said- "um...mom do you mean i am only allowed to look at this piece of CARDBOARD for 30 mins a day- are you serious?"

And i had to laugh- and then say um....i guess so.?!

How do you manage the computer time in your house for the kids? For yourself?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Homeschooling Resources

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Whack - A- Mole (aka a day in the life of a mother)


Do you remember this game? It was one of my favorite games growing up (little did I know that once I got married and had children it would be the theme of my life!). For those who don't know the game - one or two or three of the little moles will pop their head out of the holes and you have to use the padded hammer to hit them hard enough to make them go back inside. The object of the game is to hit each one that pops up before it goes down on its own. It sounds simple enough but as the game progresses more moles pop out and it goes faster and faster and you never know which hole a mole will pop out of so by the end of the game you are exhausted by the tension!

Doesn't that sound familiar? Mommy needs to whack a mole- someone had a potty accident on the floor- let me run deal with that before the next mole pops up. The phone rings, the baby cries, the dog needs to be let outside. Then the game continues. You work on speech therapy with your oldest, juggle strange a strange diet for your youngest, make sure your middle child gets enough playdates and then run to work out and do the shopping, the laundry and then your husband needs your attention too. You're asked to make cookies for playschool, brownies for church and then clean up because mom's coming over.

When you think you're done at the end of the day because your little darlings are all sleeping snug in their beds- then the mental game persists. There was a lot of whining today- we need to start doing more community service. My girls are struggling with neat writing- we need to do more schoolwork. Actually we really need to up the school work- this is our first year homeschooling and so far it feels like we're never home and never schooling! We haven't had the neighbors over for supper yet- it's only been 2 years- but we'll schedule that for this weekend too. Tomorrow I'll pay the bills and do the taxes and plant the garden and register for violin lessons for next year. And what about Bible study- how did that get neglected 4 days this week? That will be a priority for tomorrow.

By the next morning I've got 32 moles staring looking at me before the day even begins!

But I loved the game as a child because it has purpose. You knew what you were supposed to do- and sure a few moles slipped through the cracks- but you attacked each one you could with zeal. And that was a good feeling.

I pray that I can remember Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.

And be thankful that today I'm here and that i have things to do and the ability with which to do them- even if sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming.

** A special thank you to my dear friend Rachael for the analogy**

What game do you play each day?