From a Homeschool Victim Who Obviously Survived

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to discredit real abuse. Real abuse happens within all walks of life. It does need to be addressed and dealt with - with punishment for the offender and healing for the very real victim. But this post is a satire about a life that often seems hard and unfair. What child does not think life is unfair at times?

Six years have passed since I graduated from what I have been trained to call formal education. I was taught that education was about more than the books and grades, so we called our curriculum, our scheduled learning, “formal education”. It is all documented in those records we kept, just in case anyone accused us of not doing real school.

To Be a Good Mommy!

We piled in the van, I was getting ready to pull out and I hear Peachy-girl say, “Mom! Look! I’ve got my babies safe with me.”

I turned to see she buckled them in with her. How stinkin’ cute?! I am so thankful for my iphone that Olivia gave me so I can snap all these beautiful moments so I can remember, and she can remember!

Trash the unrealistic Barbies and the Bratz dolls and give the girls baby dolls to play with. Let them pretend to be mommy.

Teach Them to WANT to Be a Part of the Work

I haven’t been blogging much, been busy around the house. We are working on a little home improvement project, although it doesn’t feel so little! Today I watched as Jeff took time to give Peachy-girl a “job”.

I LOVED watching him tell her what to do. She just wanted to feel like she was a part of the project. There is not a lot that a 4 year old can do, but she can work the shop-vac!

So Where Do We Start?

I received many private emails in response to last week’s post, I challenge you….

A few emails had the same questions like the one I received from “Mandy”, she has given me permission to share her email with all of you.

” Homeschooling my 3 kids and keeping home and managing the finances keeps my days full. I just… found out that the place my husband works is closing. We are just trying to keep our heads above water. I do try to be an encouragement to other moms in our homeschool group, but we neither have the space (very tiny house), the time, or the money to have people in our home.

Why They (kids/husband/housework) Get On My Nerves

I’m not sure what it is right now, but the kids are hungry all the time, maybe it’s because it is summer and they are running around more, swimming more or maybe they are all just growing! Sometimes I think they are just bored.

We don’t buy a lot of junk food around here and most of our cooking is from scratch…so that takes time.

This morning I was making waffles for the kids using wholewheat that I ground myself and with blueberries that were just picked by my husband. My hopes were that these waffles would keep them ‘full’ for a while, and I made some extras for them to snack on this afternoon. Making waffles takes time.

Teach Wisdom and Hope They Get It!

We have been doing a lot of character study in our home about the difference between a wise person and a foolish person.

A GREAT way to study Proverbs is to have your children keep a notebook with two columns, one side titled WISE and the other FOOLISH. As you read the Bible together, especially Proverbs, have them write down that verse or characteristic.

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…” Proverbs 22:15

Preparation Takes Years and the Years are Short!

Don’t let this sweet little face fool you, this girl is a firecracker…

she keeps all of us hoppin’!

Because all we’ve talked about in our house for the last 4 months has been wedding, Peachy girl will ask when is she going to get married, I would respond, “You need to learn to obey first.”

The making of a good husband or a good wife does not start on the wedding day, it actually takes years of training.

Hiding God’s Word

This school year we have been memorizing Proverbs 3, we are almost done! We learn a new verse each week using our binders.

The sum of Proverbs is to seek wisdom.

My son, do not lose sight of these—

keep sound wisdom and discretion,

and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

Proverbs 3:21-22

If above all we can help our children hide God’s word in their heart, to fear Him, and to seek wisdom they will live a life that will bring the Father glory and bless those around them.

Sometimes you have to wait until they are thirsty.

You can lead a horse to water,

but you can’t make it drink!

Yes, this is my daughter who was drug to the quilter’s guild every Tuesday for 4 years starting at age 10. The same one who was made to sew and cook, even though her heart was not in it. Now she is sewing curtains for her new home, on her new sewing machine (a bridal shower gift!), not because she has to, but because she WANTS TO!

Food for the Sick - Suggestions and Tips

One of the great privileges we have in life is to serve others when there is sickness or times of great stress.

One of the first and most important needs when a crisis hits is food. If you want to serve others in this way you need a plan. You need a few foods that can fixed quickly and delivered on fairly short notice.

Think of 2-3 meals that you are good at making, meals that don’t take a lot of effort because you know the recipes so well. Write these down so when a crisis hits you don’t have to think.
Think of meals that can be frozen or kept for a few days in the refrigerator.
Try to keep the ingredients for your ‘standby meals’ in stock, perhaps put on a shelf designated just for outreach.
If you don’t have time to cook consider taking a basket of fruit, lunch meats with rolls, or a bucket of chicken.
If you live far off you can order pizza or even something nicer from a restaurant to be delivered.

Other things to consider:

Inquire about food allergies.
Paper goods are always a good thing to include.
Always check to see when is a convenient time to bring the food.
Too much food at one time is more of a burden than a blessing. Sometimes food/help are needed several days later.
Always label your food and include any cooking instructions.

In times of great need these sites are good to help coordinate food for a family. This helps communication greatly and you can see when you are really needed. It is usually good for a close family member or friend to manage this for a family.