http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/08/28/par.mom.surprises/index.html
8 things no one tells you about being a mom
By Paula Spencer
Babies are adorable! There's nothing like the love surge of a full-body hug or the amazed pride you feel when your toddler takes his first steps!
Enough about the bright side. We do moms a disservice if we only gush about the countless truly terrific aspects of raising a child and neglect to mention the, well, harsher realities. It's useful to know that there are not-so-hot sides of the job, if only to take the edge off those inevitable pains of feeling exasperated, unnerved, or just surprised. And it's reassuring to know you're not the only one to admit a downside even exists. This is my list -- you'll probably have one, too.
There is no learning curve
Rather, if you graphed it, it would just go up and up. By the time you master colic, it's over. All your smug expertise at changing diapers on an upright toddler becomes obsolete when she graduates to big-kid underwear. Net result: You never feel quite on top of things.
And although the firstborn breaks you in for the next, Number Two is usually so different in temperament, taste, or developmental pacing that what you learned the first time often doesn't work or apply. My oldest, Henry, would respond only to the loudest of shouts and severest of threats. But when I tried my hard-learned disciplinary tactics on next-in-line Eleanor, the slightest raised voice would make her quiver and tear up. Parenting.com: Mom milestones
Silver lining: A good mental workout. I've learned a lot about human behavior that I might not otherwise have -- plus a lot about kids' music and books, the art of bandage application, and how to make dinner really fast.
You run in circles
"The minute you get one thing solved, there's something else to do," says Janine Saber of Orinda, California, about the unending rounds of feeding, diapering, and bedtime that punctuate life with young children. For moms accustomed to completing projects and advancing careers, the chronic spin cycle of caretaking can feel frustrating and mind-numbing.
If you have more than one child, the circles begin to overlap. "It's like multitasking-plus," says Saber. "I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten to feed the baby cereal along with her morning formula because my 6-year-old was late for school." Parenting.com: 6 secrets of happy moms
Silver lining: "Once you realize you have no control, you're in total control," Saber says. "Then you can say, 'OK, I'll just go with the flow.'"
You'll feel helpless sometimes
You're ready and willing to do anything in the world to make your child safe and happy. But even at the playground and at home, circumstances will unfold beyond your direct control. "It hurt to see one of my kids being teased or excluded at playgroup," says Ann Douglas, a mom of four in Peterborough, Ontario, and the author of "The Mother of All Parenting Books." When two of her kids were being bullied at school, she kept wondering if there was more she could do to help her kids deal, she says.
Silver lining: Because it's your child, you'll be amazed at how you can come up with a solution -- or find a friend who's gone through something similar. Douglas made an effort to talk more with the school's teachers; once they were put on alert about her kids' problems, she had a better sense of how they were getting through the day.
You don't get instant replays
You will say the wrong thing. You will do the wrong thing. This is true of life in general, of course. But with a child it's especially tough because you're making so many split-second decisions in any given hour -- and the repercussions of those decisions are helping to form a growing psyche!
I felt sure my daughter Margaret, then 3, would hate me forever when she asked if she could watch "Star Wars" with her brother again and I barked, "No! Time for bed! You've watched too much TV and maybe we should get rid of that TV!" On and on -- transferring a work-related anger to a small, innocent bystander. (Seven years later, I'm pretty sure she loves me still...and we still have a TV.) Parenting.com: Will you be a good mother?
Silver lining: Losing your cool can be a gentle reminder to count to ten before you speak the next time. But it's also humanizing. A few missteps won't scar your child. So apologize if it's appropriate and move on, because your child will.
There's no privacy
"I was in the bathroom when my then 6-year-old looked at the string dangling from my so-called private parts and said, 'Mommy, I think you sat in some gum,'" says Kristine Breese, a Los Angeles mother of two who wrote Cereal for Dinner. "When you become a mom, you can't even put a tampon in without being interrupted."
Silver lining: Your kids can learn patience, self-sufficiency, and the meaning of privacy -- if you set boundaries. "At a certain point, you start locking the bathroom or saying something to stop your child from barging in," Breese says. "This represents a huge step forward as you realize that being at their constant disposal is not really what your kids need."
Your baby will eventually insult you
Indulge in a nice-mommy whim and make a special chocolate-chip face on a toddler's pancake, and you're liable to be met with indignant howls. ("That's not how a pancake looks!") One minute you're the best thing since ice pops and the next, mud. And the mercurial moods of a growing child mean you never know which will happen when.
Silver lining: Repeated verbal stabs make you more immune to them. Unless it's clearly intentional antisocial rudeness (rare before the school years), blame child development and don't take anything personally. Two-year-olds, for instance, are notoriously resistant to change because they're trying hard to figure out the world and once they've "got" a concept down (pancakes don't have faces), it's disorienting to have their expectations foiled. Parenting.com: 8 things grandparents wish you knew
You have to force yourself to back off
If, like me, you're a Type A control freak (or were in your pre-kids life, until they leeched it out of you), it's a constant internal struggle not to step in and finish the puzzle, Velcro-shut the sneaker yourself, or issue reminders every 10 seconds about what your child should do, say, or remember.
Silver lining: The more you incrementally step back, the more self-sufficient they become, which is how it's supposed to be. Kids need to do many things on their own -- and feelings of accomplishment are as mentally healthy for them as they are practical. One morning I watched my 5-year-old laboriously try and try again as my hurry-meter clanged inside me. But you know what? I refrained from butting in as long as she was calm and focused -- and she did it! Her pride was far more valuable than my hectoring would have been.
You won't know if you've done a good job for, oh, 20 or 30 years
Every decision you make -- from discipline to extracurricular activities -- has repercussions, though usually not as momentous as you may think. You can have a pretty good inkling of how things are going, but you won't really know what sort of person you've helped to create until your child is fully grown.
Silver lining: That's the marvelous mystery of parenting. So much time, money, hope, and love poured into one tiny creature -- but I can't think of a better use for those resources.
parenting.com
Friday, August 31, 2007
BUGS
Ethan loves bugs. Since we have been having rains for the past few days, many millipedes have come out of the ground. This delights Ethan to no end.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
HEART HEALTH
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/article/0,19840,648296,00.html
Heart-Healthy Habits To Get Into Now
By Kate Johnson
Chances are, you don't give your blood pressure a second's thought. But while most people don't develop hypertension — a significant risk factor for heart disease — until their 40s or 50s, a healthy lifestyle now is key to prevention. And if you're thinking about having another baby, keeping your blood pressure in check will help reduce your risk of developing hypertension-related complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia.
The good news: Adopting simple lifestyle habits may actually lower high blood pressure — or prevent it in the first place, according to Lawrence Appel, M.D., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore. Make changes one by one or in combination — whichever's easiest to stick to:
• Get 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise, such as swimming, brisk walking, or bicycling, five or six times per week.
• Eat a low-fat diet full of fruits and vegetables — nine servings a day — plus three daily servings of low-fat milk and dairy products. Cut down on salt, red meat, and sugar.
• Keep alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day.
Parenting, November 2003
Heart-Healthy Habits To Get Into Now
By Kate Johnson
Chances are, you don't give your blood pressure a second's thought. But while most people don't develop hypertension — a significant risk factor for heart disease — until their 40s or 50s, a healthy lifestyle now is key to prevention. And if you're thinking about having another baby, keeping your blood pressure in check will help reduce your risk of developing hypertension-related complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia.
The good news: Adopting simple lifestyle habits may actually lower high blood pressure — or prevent it in the first place, according to Lawrence Appel, M.D., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore. Make changes one by one or in combination — whichever's easiest to stick to:
• Get 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise, such as swimming, brisk walking, or bicycling, five or six times per week.
• Eat a low-fat diet full of fruits and vegetables — nine servings a day — plus three daily servings of low-fat milk and dairy products. Cut down on salt, red meat, and sugar.
• Keep alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day.
Parenting, November 2003
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
SWIM FUN
We went to Monte Vista last Sunday for a bit of swim time. Everyone in the family went and the boys had a lot of fun! Here are some photos:
All set and ready to go.
Nikki and Ethan in the kiddie pool.
Having fun.
Even in the deep pools, Nikki isn't scared.
Nikki is scared of the orca. =D
Nikki and Ethan with Lola and Lolo (grandparents).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
BIKE SAFETY
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/article/0,19840,647196,00.html
Kids on Wheels
By Maureen Connolly
Each year, about 350,000 children are seriously injured while bike riding, 200 of whom die as a result. Many of these accidents could be avoided with simple safety measures. Here's what you can do to protect your child, and how to choose the safest equipment
What to look for when you buy...
A BABY CARRIER
Be sure that this seat, which attaches to the back of an adult's bicycle, has a shoulder harness, a lap belt, and a high back, as well as spoke guards to prevent hands and feet from getting caught in the bike's wheels. Also note how much weight the carrier can hold; toting a child who's too heavy can make a bicycle unsteady.
For 1- to 4-year-olds who can sit well unsupported and have a strong enough neck to wear a lightweight helmet.
A CHILD TRAILER
This three-wheeled cart fastens with a breakaway arm to the back of a bike. Trailers have two advantages over rear-mounted seats: They don't make a bike top-heavy, and they're less likely to throw a child if the bike tips over. Check the maximum weight it can hold — one-passenger trailers usually pull up to 50 or 70 pounds; two-passenger ones, up to 100 pounds. To make a trailer more visible, attach a neon-colored safety flag.
For kids age 1 and up who can sit well unsupported and have a strong enough neck to wear a lightweight helmet.
A TRICYCLE
One that's low to the ground and has big wheels is less likely to tip over. Most trikes have pedals that drive the front wheel, instead of a chain; they tend to pick up speed on inclines, so steer clear of hills.
FOR 3- TO 5-YEAR-OLDS who can reach the handlebars and pedals, and understand the rules about when and where to ride.
A BICYCLE
It should feel sturdy, turn smoothly, and have brakes that don't jam. Rubber or metal pedals are less slippery than plastic ones. Don't buy a bike your child will "grow into" as he gets older; he should be able to straddle it with both feet flat on the ground, and easily reach the handlebars. There also should be 1 to 2 inches of clearance between his crotch and the bike's top tube — the bar that runs from the seat to the handlebar stem. (If you're not taking him to the store, measure his inseam, and subtract 1 or 2 inches.) Your child is ready for his first bike, with training wheels to start, when he can use coaster brakes (where he pedals backward to stop), usually by age 6. He can graduate to hand brakes when his hands are strong enough to squeeze the levers (about age 10).
Use Your Head!
Bike helmets can prevent up to 85 percent of head injuries and 75 percent of bike-related deaths. But when a helmet doesn't fit properly or isn't worn correctly, it can leave a child vulnerable to injury. It should fit snugly and be worn flat atop the head, so that it rests 1 inch above the eyebrows. If the helmet tilts too far back, it won't protect the front of the head; if it falls too far forward, it can block your child's vision. The chin strap should fit securely, without pinching the skin. An easy way to check: If you can slide two fingers under the strap when it's buckled, it's too loose.
Rules for the Road
Instruct kids not to ride in the street and to avoid bike paths that cross busy roads. Don't let children ride on handlebars (it can make a bike unsteady) or go off jumps. Teach kids to ride looking straight ahead to where they'll soon be — not down at the front tire. Avoid letting children ride in baggy clothing; loose fabric can get caught in bike wheels and cause an accident. Always look to see if there are any kids riding around nearby before you get in your car and pull out of the garage or the driveway.
SOURCES: Robert Tanz, M.D., chair of American Academy of Pediatrics' section on injury and poison prevention; Elizabeth Powell, M.D., pediatric emergency medicine physician, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago; Dave Duff, product safety manager, Huffy Bicycles; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Safe Kids Campaign; National Child Safety Council; Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
TIP: Buy a bike helmet that has the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s seal of approval on the packaging.
Parenting, April 2000
Kids on Wheels
By Maureen Connolly
Each year, about 350,000 children are seriously injured while bike riding, 200 of whom die as a result. Many of these accidents could be avoided with simple safety measures. Here's what you can do to protect your child, and how to choose the safest equipment
What to look for when you buy...
A BABY CARRIER
Be sure that this seat, which attaches to the back of an adult's bicycle, has a shoulder harness, a lap belt, and a high back, as well as spoke guards to prevent hands and feet from getting caught in the bike's wheels. Also note how much weight the carrier can hold; toting a child who's too heavy can make a bicycle unsteady.
For 1- to 4-year-olds who can sit well unsupported and have a strong enough neck to wear a lightweight helmet.
A CHILD TRAILER
This three-wheeled cart fastens with a breakaway arm to the back of a bike. Trailers have two advantages over rear-mounted seats: They don't make a bike top-heavy, and they're less likely to throw a child if the bike tips over. Check the maximum weight it can hold — one-passenger trailers usually pull up to 50 or 70 pounds; two-passenger ones, up to 100 pounds. To make a trailer more visible, attach a neon-colored safety flag.
For kids age 1 and up who can sit well unsupported and have a strong enough neck to wear a lightweight helmet.
A TRICYCLE
One that's low to the ground and has big wheels is less likely to tip over. Most trikes have pedals that drive the front wheel, instead of a chain; they tend to pick up speed on inclines, so steer clear of hills.
FOR 3- TO 5-YEAR-OLDS who can reach the handlebars and pedals, and understand the rules about when and where to ride.
A BICYCLE
It should feel sturdy, turn smoothly, and have brakes that don't jam. Rubber or metal pedals are less slippery than plastic ones. Don't buy a bike your child will "grow into" as he gets older; he should be able to straddle it with both feet flat on the ground, and easily reach the handlebars. There also should be 1 to 2 inches of clearance between his crotch and the bike's top tube — the bar that runs from the seat to the handlebar stem. (If you're not taking him to the store, measure his inseam, and subtract 1 or 2 inches.) Your child is ready for his first bike, with training wheels to start, when he can use coaster brakes (where he pedals backward to stop), usually by age 6. He can graduate to hand brakes when his hands are strong enough to squeeze the levers (about age 10).
Use Your Head!
Bike helmets can prevent up to 85 percent of head injuries and 75 percent of bike-related deaths. But when a helmet doesn't fit properly or isn't worn correctly, it can leave a child vulnerable to injury. It should fit snugly and be worn flat atop the head, so that it rests 1 inch above the eyebrows. If the helmet tilts too far back, it won't protect the front of the head; if it falls too far forward, it can block your child's vision. The chin strap should fit securely, without pinching the skin. An easy way to check: If you can slide two fingers under the strap when it's buckled, it's too loose.
Rules for the Road
The Basics of Bike Care
Your child's bicycle should always be kept in good condition. Store it indoors (rain and moisture can rust and weaken parts), and do the following maintenance check every few months:
- Seat must be parallel to the ground and adjusted to your child's height.
- Reflectors should be kept clean and checked for cracks.
- Spokes that are broken or missing should be replaced.
- Pedals may need to be tightened with a screwdriver. Keep bearings and spindle well lubricated.
- Horn or bell should sound properly.
- Hand grips may need to be replaced if they're worn or loose.
- Handle-bars should be adjusted to your child's body height as she grows.
- Tires may need to be reinflated with a hand or a foot pump.
- Tire rims shouldn't warp or push against the frame.
- Chain guard can bend out of place. Make sure it covers the chain.
- Drive chain and sprocket may need to be lubricated to rotate with ease. Also, check that the chain fits snugly.
- Coaster brakes that don't stop easily can be lubricated with a light machine oil, such as WD-40.
SOURCES: Robert Tanz, M.D., chair of American Academy of Pediatrics' section on injury and poison prevention; Elizabeth Powell, M.D., pediatric emergency medicine physician, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago; Dave Duff, product safety manager, Huffy Bicycles; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Safe Kids Campaign; National Child Safety Council; Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
TIP: Buy a bike helmet that has the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s seal of approval on the packaging.
Parenting, April 2000
Monday, August 27, 2007
EGG EXPERIMENT
We did this experiment one night. It was easy enough and Nikki had fun. Here are some photos:
Here are the instructions.
Materials: 2 eggs, 2 glasses filled 3/4s with water, lots of salt and a spoon.
Nikki first stirs the salt in one of the glasses.
Then, he carefully drops one of the eggs into the glass with tap water.
Mommy: "What happened, Nikki?"
Nikki: "It sank!"
"Wow! The other egg floated in the salt water!"
Here are the instructions.
Materials: 2 eggs, 2 glasses filled 3/4s with water, lots of salt and a spoon.
Nikki first stirs the salt in one of the glasses.
Then, he carefully drops one of the eggs into the glass with tap water.
Mommy: "What happened, Nikki?"
Nikki: "It sank!"
"Wow! The other egg floated in the salt water!"
Nikki draws his findings. =D
Sunday, August 26, 2007
DEPENDENCE VS. INDEPENDENCE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/your_kids/toddlers_dependence.shtml
Dependence vs independence
Eileen Hayes
It's tricky encouraging your child to do as much as he's capable of, while making sure he doesn't get too discouraged by difficult things. But these tips may guide you in the right direction.
Let them find their own way
The journey towards becoming an independent adult starts in babyhood, with your child wanting to try things for himself.
You may find it hard to keep up when your child switches from being demanding one minute to being clingy and afraid to let go of you the next. Such rapid mood swings are common.
It helps to try to understand the emotional world of a small child and the confusion they often feel.
Developing independence
You can encourage your toddler to be more independent of you by doing the following:
He may also seem to resent almost any form of control by you. He wants to get dressed by himself and feed himself - the contrary behaviour that results from this is quite normal, even if you find it irritating.
Handling clingy behaviour
It helps to realise that you're the most important person in your child's life. A fear of strangers and separation from you is completely natural.
You may find it quite annoying when your toddler acts in this way. It may be because you need your toddler to be able to manage without you - you may be returning to work or having time for yourself, for example. On the other hand, you may like it, as it makes you feel needed.
Separation anxiety
This is the developmental stage when your toddler gets upset when you leave him, even if it's only to pop to the loo. It often starts at around nine months and can go on well into the second year, or even longer.
Learning to handle separation is difficult for parents and children, but it does get gradually easier.
Meanwhile, try the following:
Dependence vs independence
Eileen Hayes
It's tricky encouraging your child to do as much as he's capable of, while making sure he doesn't get too discouraged by difficult things. But these tips may guide you in the right direction.
Let them find their own way
The journey towards becoming an independent adult starts in babyhood, with your child wanting to try things for himself.
You may find it hard to keep up when your child switches from being demanding one minute to being clingy and afraid to let go of you the next. Such rapid mood swings are common.
It helps to try to understand the emotional world of a small child and the confusion they often feel.
Developing independence
You can encourage your toddler to be more independent of you by doing the following:
- Accept some behaviours - defiance and disobedience, or refusing to comply with your requests, are essential parts of your toddler's growth into an individual.
- Follow your toddler's lead - if he wants to cling to you, let him; if he wants to do things his own way, go along with it as far as is reasonable.
- Keep your expectations reasonable - stubborn opposition and resentment of parental control are the norm.
- Use distraction - you may find it impossible to get your toddler to follow orders without upset. It's much smarter to use diversion tactics or allow him to make choices and offer him some control.
- Avoid orders and ultimatums - lead and teach rather than getting into power struggles.
He may also seem to resent almost any form of control by you. He wants to get dressed by himself and feed himself - the contrary behaviour that results from this is quite normal, even if you find it irritating.
Handling clingy behaviour
It helps to realise that you're the most important person in your child's life. A fear of strangers and separation from you is completely natural.
You may find it quite annoying when your toddler acts in this way. It may be because you need your toddler to be able to manage without you - you may be returning to work or having time for yourself, for example. On the other hand, you may like it, as it makes you feel needed.
Separation anxiety
This is the developmental stage when your toddler gets upset when you leave him, even if it's only to pop to the loo. It often starts at around nine months and can go on well into the second year, or even longer.
Learning to handle separation is difficult for parents and children, but it does get gradually easier.
Meanwhile, try the following:
- Do all you can to build security - give lots of love and attention, cuddle up or play together.
- Keep separations short - when you need to leave your toddler, especially for the first few times, try to keep separations short and allow enough time for your child to get to know his carer first.
- Reassure your child - even quite short partings, such as going to nursery for the morning, may be difficult. Always take time to talk to your child in advance about what's happening and reassure him you'll be coming back.
- Never just sneak away - even though goodbyes can be upsetting, it's less worrying for your child than if you just disappear. Be positive and upbeat and try not to string out your goodbye. Taking ages to leave or acting worried only passes on your anxiety to your child.
- 'The velcroed toddler' - if your child clings to you even when you're simply going about your everyday business at home or at the shops, try to stay calm and carry on. It may not be easy to make lunch or talk to someone while your child's clamped on to you, but he'll feel more secure soon.
CRATERS
We did this little experiment the other week. I thought that it would be interesting for the boys and pretty soon, they were having fun making caters in the flour. After a few minutes, Ethan decided to make his own "craters" and used all sorts of things like their playdoh cutters which irked Nikki a bit. Then they were funny because after a while Nikki was wiping all the flour on the floor! He really hates making a mess. =D We all had a lot of fun, I forgot to take photos of the boys. Oh well...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
ARE YOU A HOMESCHOOL MOM?
I think this is a fun article and I should share this. =D
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/humor/143.htm
You Know You're A Homeschool Mom When...
You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.
When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she's okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!
You find dead animals and actually consider saving them to dissect later.
Your children never ever leave the "why?" stage.
When your teenager decides to take one community college course, and comes home and asks you why the teacher wrote "At" on his paper. (A+)
You ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis bracelet for your wedding anniversary.
Your kids think reading history is best accomplished while lying on the floor with their head resting on the side of their patient dog.
Your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell how the science experiment went just by looking at the house.
You never have to drive your child's forgotten lunch to school.
Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.
The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.
You never have to face the dilemma of whether to take your child's side or the teacher's side in a dispute at school.
If your child get's drugs at school, it's probably Tylenol.
Your neighbors think you are insane.
Your kids learn new vocabulary from their extensive collection of "Calvin & Hobbes" books.
Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.
You have meal worms growing in a container....on purpose.
If you get caught talking to yourself, you can claim you're having a PTA meeting.
Talking out loud to yourself is a parent/teacher conference.
You take off for a teacher in-service day because the principal needs clean underwear.
You can't make it through a movie without pointing out the historical inaccuracies.
You step on math manipulatives on your pre-dawn stumble to the bathroom.
The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
Your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker that you have put on your car.
If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.
Some day your children will consider you to be a miracle-working expert and will turn to you for advice.
Your kids refer to the neighbor kids as "government school inmates."
You can't make it through the grocery produce department without asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable.
You can't put your produce in your cart without asking your older student to estimate it's weight and verify accuracy.
You live in a one-house schoolroom.
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/humor/143.htm
You Know You're A Homeschool Mom When...
You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.
When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she's okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!
You find dead animals and actually consider saving them to dissect later.
Your children never ever leave the "why?" stage.
When your teenager decides to take one community college course, and comes home and asks you why the teacher wrote "At" on his paper. (A+)
You ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis bracelet for your wedding anniversary.
Your kids think reading history is best accomplished while lying on the floor with their head resting on the side of their patient dog.
Your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell how the science experiment went just by looking at the house.
You never have to drive your child's forgotten lunch to school.
Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.
The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.
You never have to face the dilemma of whether to take your child's side or the teacher's side in a dispute at school.
If your child get's drugs at school, it's probably Tylenol.
Your neighbors think you are insane.
Your kids learn new vocabulary from their extensive collection of "Calvin & Hobbes" books.
Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.
You have meal worms growing in a container....on purpose.
If you get caught talking to yourself, you can claim you're having a PTA meeting.
Talking out loud to yourself is a parent/teacher conference.
You take off for a teacher in-service day because the principal needs clean underwear.
You can't make it through a movie without pointing out the historical inaccuracies.
You step on math manipulatives on your pre-dawn stumble to the bathroom.
The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
Your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker that you have put on your car.
If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.
Some day your children will consider you to be a miracle-working expert and will turn to you for advice.
Your kids refer to the neighbor kids as "government school inmates."
You can't make it through the grocery produce department without asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable.
You can't put your produce in your cart without asking your older student to estimate it's weight and verify accuracy.
You live in a one-house schoolroom.
Friday, August 24, 2007
10 THINGS TO DO
http://www.familylife.com/articles/article_detail.asp?id=946
10 Things to Do When You're Not Watching TV
by Rob Flood
By God's incredible design, the gravitational pull of the sun keeps the planets from drifting randomly throughout space. It unites them into a "family" of heavenly bodies called our solar system. Without the sun keeping us together, all life on earth would be impossible. Orbits would not exist and chaos would reign.
Families have "suns" as well. Throughout time, they have held families together by their gravitational pull. Years ago, it was the farm or the family trade. But in many American homes today, the family "sun" is called the television. This sun is often the central point of a family's relationships. Nearly all time spent together is spent staring into this "sun". Our conversation often orbits around what we've seen…or missed.
Many people are upset about the quality of television programming today. But television's real problem is that it's a time thief. We allow it to reign over our marriages and our children. We allow it to infringe on nearly any and every area of our lives.
Consequently, we miss out on some of the best God has for us. TV is not the only culprit. There are others…many others. However, some of the others do not have a power button.
Some Christian organizations such as FamilyLife encourage families to take a fast from television. You may wonder, "If we fasted from TV, what would we do instead?" Below are some suggestions for alternatives to watching television. Even if turning it off completely is an unbearable thought to you, consider these ideas for replacing a portion of your television-watching time.
You will be surprised at how little you will miss the time of watching. You'll be blessed at what you'll discover. And you'll be just a little sad that you hadn't tried it before.
1. Sleep. My wife and I have three small children. As busy as they keep us, we are completely unable to watch television until they are asleep. However, there is a reality that is hard to face—we are tired, too. Even parents with older children get tired. Between running from baseball to ballet to band concerts, families are exhausted. And yet many parents make it worse by sacrificing sleep to watch their favorite shows.
Once the duties of the day are done, rather than turning on the TV, you could turn out the lights. Think of the energy you'd have if you invested your evening "watching" time in longer nights of sleep.
2. Talk. Whether it is a particular child with a certain issue or some personal, financial, or spiritual goal, there is always something to talk about. Even beyond the practical conversations, there are hopes in our hearts and events in our lives that we rarely share with those who are closest to us. One of the reasons for this is that we don't take the time to talk with each other. Additionally, our children are growing and changing before our eyes. The time we have left with them grows shorter and shorter each day. How sad that the TV steals the time from us. If we'll just turn it off once in a while, we will find the time to get to know our children, and keep getting to know them.
3. Play Games. The point here is not to invest in blood-thirsty competition, rise above the rest and declare your ownership of both Boardwalk and Park Place. The point is to create some great fun together as a family, or even as a couple. Play some games that require no vulnerability or stress. Other times, play some games that will help you get to know each other. These games can spur on conversation. Like the television, playing games is still entertainment. However, unlike television, playing games builds relationships.
4. Read Books. Some books are entertaining; some books are educational. Many that circulate in Christian circles help us know God and people better. In my home, there must be 20-30 books that I have bought with excitement and have never taken the time to read. Before I can open even one of the books, I must be willing to turn off the TV. And don't forget the lost art of reading as a family. Books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House on the Prairie, and even The Lord of the Rings make for much more enriching entertainment than any of those same stories in video form. The corporate imagination of your family will be engaged in fresh ways as you read together.
5. Home Projects. Do you have a corner of your home or garage where your "to-do projects" await completion? In my home, we have actually painted rooms two years after we've bought the paint for that room. It sat in a corner of our garage until I found the time. Whether you own your home or not, surely there are things you've expressed a desire to accomplish in your home that you have not yet done. By turning off the TV, you will have the found time you need to accomplish what you cannot now.
6. Pray. The Scriptures tell us to pray for our pastors and our governmental leaders—even those we don't like. We're told to pray for our families, for our nation and for the return of Christ. Many of us have children. As parents, we are called to pray for our children's current and future needs, not to mention pleading with the Lord for help in parenting them well. Then we are told to pray for the sick and for those who are investing their lives in the gospel. And don't forget the need to pray for the lost. Have you wondered, as I have, where to find the time for all of this prayer?
With the TV off, you will be able to invest time in prayer. Pray alone. Pray with your spouse. Pray with your children. As Christians, we like to tell people, "I'll pray for you." Yet, instead of keeping our word, we'll switch on the TV and allow that time to be stolen from us. Fight that tendency. Turn off the television—and pray.
7. Intimacy. The story of a man who gave his best years to the company is a familiar one, and an easy target. How familiar is the story of the couple that routinely gave their most alert and energetic hours each day to the television leaving only their most fatigued hours for each other? We don't hear it much, but it is all too common. Instead of living in this often unrecognized regret, agree with your spouse that your best hours belong to each other. You'll undoubtedly see the benefit in your time together and in your relationship. And, who knows, you may also find it far more entertaining than television could ever be.
8. Minister. Just a couple of weeks ago, I heard an active church-going couple declare that they were too busy to minister to people. I don't know all that consumes this family's time. I do know they never miss an episode of "Survivor," though.
There are needy people all around us. They are our neighbors, our friends, our fellow church members, even our pastors. We rob ourselves of giving and receiving ministry by allowing TV to occupy a prominent place in our lives. A well-intentioned 30-minute phone call will mean more to a person than an episode of any reality TV show you might watch.
9. Get to Know People. Becoming a student of people is important if we are ever to minister well. We would all agree that Jesus ministered perfectly to people. He knew our hearts and our make-up. He made us—naturally He knew us. Getting to know people not only takes more work for us; it also takes more time. With the amount of quality resources available in the local Christian bookstore and through the Internet, we are left with no reason for not ministering to people other than "we are just too busy." Take some time to discover how people work. You will see the benefit of that in your family relationships as well as your ministry relationships.
10. Get to Know God's Word. God has used mankind across nearly two millennia to capture His will and His heart in a collection of writings called the Bible. Life, both now and eternally, is found within its pages. Guidance for every problem and shortcoming we have is found there. Love beyond description is promised and granted there.
What would happen if, for 30 consecutive days, you spent just a portion of your television-watching time reading through some books of the Bible you have never heard of? What would happen if you did that for a year? Television cannot promise that type of life change. How much better is the investment of time in the Word than the investment in television? The answer is beyond what words could communicate.
Discovering some of the best God has for us is just a single push-of-a-button away. Have the courage to turn it off. Then discover the countless other ways you could better spend your time. The regret will be short lived. The blessings could very well be eternal.
Taken from the July 2005 issue of The Family Room, FamilyLife's online magazine. www.FamilyLife.com/familyroom. Copyright© 2005. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
10 Things to Do When You're Not Watching TV
by Rob Flood
By God's incredible design, the gravitational pull of the sun keeps the planets from drifting randomly throughout space. It unites them into a "family" of heavenly bodies called our solar system. Without the sun keeping us together, all life on earth would be impossible. Orbits would not exist and chaos would reign.
Families have "suns" as well. Throughout time, they have held families together by their gravitational pull. Years ago, it was the farm or the family trade. But in many American homes today, the family "sun" is called the television. This sun is often the central point of a family's relationships. Nearly all time spent together is spent staring into this "sun". Our conversation often orbits around what we've seen…or missed.
Many people are upset about the quality of television programming today. But television's real problem is that it's a time thief. We allow it to reign over our marriages and our children. We allow it to infringe on nearly any and every area of our lives.
Consequently, we miss out on some of the best God has for us. TV is not the only culprit. There are others…many others. However, some of the others do not have a power button.
Some Christian organizations such as FamilyLife encourage families to take a fast from television. You may wonder, "If we fasted from TV, what would we do instead?" Below are some suggestions for alternatives to watching television. Even if turning it off completely is an unbearable thought to you, consider these ideas for replacing a portion of your television-watching time.
You will be surprised at how little you will miss the time of watching. You'll be blessed at what you'll discover. And you'll be just a little sad that you hadn't tried it before.
1. Sleep. My wife and I have three small children. As busy as they keep us, we are completely unable to watch television until they are asleep. However, there is a reality that is hard to face—we are tired, too. Even parents with older children get tired. Between running from baseball to ballet to band concerts, families are exhausted. And yet many parents make it worse by sacrificing sleep to watch their favorite shows.
Once the duties of the day are done, rather than turning on the TV, you could turn out the lights. Think of the energy you'd have if you invested your evening "watching" time in longer nights of sleep.
2. Talk. Whether it is a particular child with a certain issue or some personal, financial, or spiritual goal, there is always something to talk about. Even beyond the practical conversations, there are hopes in our hearts and events in our lives that we rarely share with those who are closest to us. One of the reasons for this is that we don't take the time to talk with each other. Additionally, our children are growing and changing before our eyes. The time we have left with them grows shorter and shorter each day. How sad that the TV steals the time from us. If we'll just turn it off once in a while, we will find the time to get to know our children, and keep getting to know them.
3. Play Games. The point here is not to invest in blood-thirsty competition, rise above the rest and declare your ownership of both Boardwalk and Park Place. The point is to create some great fun together as a family, or even as a couple. Play some games that require no vulnerability or stress. Other times, play some games that will help you get to know each other. These games can spur on conversation. Like the television, playing games is still entertainment. However, unlike television, playing games builds relationships.
4. Read Books. Some books are entertaining; some books are educational. Many that circulate in Christian circles help us know God and people better. In my home, there must be 20-30 books that I have bought with excitement and have never taken the time to read. Before I can open even one of the books, I must be willing to turn off the TV. And don't forget the lost art of reading as a family. Books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House on the Prairie, and even The Lord of the Rings make for much more enriching entertainment than any of those same stories in video form. The corporate imagination of your family will be engaged in fresh ways as you read together.
5. Home Projects. Do you have a corner of your home or garage where your "to-do projects" await completion? In my home, we have actually painted rooms two years after we've bought the paint for that room. It sat in a corner of our garage until I found the time. Whether you own your home or not, surely there are things you've expressed a desire to accomplish in your home that you have not yet done. By turning off the TV, you will have the found time you need to accomplish what you cannot now.
6. Pray. The Scriptures tell us to pray for our pastors and our governmental leaders—even those we don't like. We're told to pray for our families, for our nation and for the return of Christ. Many of us have children. As parents, we are called to pray for our children's current and future needs, not to mention pleading with the Lord for help in parenting them well. Then we are told to pray for the sick and for those who are investing their lives in the gospel. And don't forget the need to pray for the lost. Have you wondered, as I have, where to find the time for all of this prayer?
With the TV off, you will be able to invest time in prayer. Pray alone. Pray with your spouse. Pray with your children. As Christians, we like to tell people, "I'll pray for you." Yet, instead of keeping our word, we'll switch on the TV and allow that time to be stolen from us. Fight that tendency. Turn off the television—and pray.
7. Intimacy. The story of a man who gave his best years to the company is a familiar one, and an easy target. How familiar is the story of the couple that routinely gave their most alert and energetic hours each day to the television leaving only their most fatigued hours for each other? We don't hear it much, but it is all too common. Instead of living in this often unrecognized regret, agree with your spouse that your best hours belong to each other. You'll undoubtedly see the benefit in your time together and in your relationship. And, who knows, you may also find it far more entertaining than television could ever be.
8. Minister. Just a couple of weeks ago, I heard an active church-going couple declare that they were too busy to minister to people. I don't know all that consumes this family's time. I do know they never miss an episode of "Survivor," though.
There are needy people all around us. They are our neighbors, our friends, our fellow church members, even our pastors. We rob ourselves of giving and receiving ministry by allowing TV to occupy a prominent place in our lives. A well-intentioned 30-minute phone call will mean more to a person than an episode of any reality TV show you might watch.
9. Get to Know People. Becoming a student of people is important if we are ever to minister well. We would all agree that Jesus ministered perfectly to people. He knew our hearts and our make-up. He made us—naturally He knew us. Getting to know people not only takes more work for us; it also takes more time. With the amount of quality resources available in the local Christian bookstore and through the Internet, we are left with no reason for not ministering to people other than "we are just too busy." Take some time to discover how people work. You will see the benefit of that in your family relationships as well as your ministry relationships.
10. Get to Know God's Word. God has used mankind across nearly two millennia to capture His will and His heart in a collection of writings called the Bible. Life, both now and eternally, is found within its pages. Guidance for every problem and shortcoming we have is found there. Love beyond description is promised and granted there.
What would happen if, for 30 consecutive days, you spent just a portion of your television-watching time reading through some books of the Bible you have never heard of? What would happen if you did that for a year? Television cannot promise that type of life change. How much better is the investment of time in the Word than the investment in television? The answer is beyond what words could communicate.
Discovering some of the best God has for us is just a single push-of-a-button away. Have the courage to turn it off. Then discover the countless other ways you could better spend your time. The regret will be short lived. The blessings could very well be eternal.
Taken from the July 2005 issue of The Family Room, FamilyLife's online magazine. www.FamilyLife.com/familyroom. Copyright© 2005. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
BOOK/TOY
I got Ethan this book at Alabang To
wn Center. I was looking for a present for a baby shower and when I saw this book I thought it was so cute! Not only does it have an adorable stuffed bear, it also has a secret drawer that holds some puzzle pieces! How neat is that? And the best part? Everything only cost me P95!! How could I not buy it, right? Ethan loves the puzzle and he tried to do it by himself but in the end, would ask me for help. Nikki enjoyed the story was a bit concerned about Miss Honey. I think the teddy is adorable. Anyway, really is a win-win for everyone!
wn Center. I was looking for a present for a baby shower and when I saw this book I thought it was so cute! Not only does it have an adorable stuffed bear, it also has a secret drawer that holds some puzzle pieces! How neat is that? And the best part? Everything only cost me P95!! How could I not buy it, right? Ethan loves the puzzle and he tried to do it by himself but in the end, would ask me for help. Nikki enjoyed the story was a bit concerned about Miss Honey. I think the teddy is adorable. Anyway, really is a win-win for everyone!
Here's the secret drawer where the puzzle is!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Teaching Empathy
http://www.parentsuccess.com/parentingtips.php
Teaching Empathy
Dr. Roger McIntire
People involved in hurtful acts perceive the hurt in entirely different ways depending on whether they are causing the hurt or the ones being hurt. So says Roy Baumeister, author and social psychologist. Perpetrators in Baumeister’s studies said their actions caused only brief problems for others and their actions were justified or unavoidable. The victims of these incidents, however, invariably described the actions of the perpetrators as inexplicable, senseless and immoral. Victims never felt the wrongdoers were justified.
If the reasons don’t fit our odd behavior, we change our reasons. For the odd behavior of somebody else, we’re likely to conclude they are mean, stupid or short a few marbles. If someone is ticked because you had to cut them off to make your turn, they should understand your time is valuable. If some wild driver cuts you off, he’s inconsiderate, ignorant or nuts.
Children, faced with many mistakes in their social life, are the biggest fabricators of new reasons. It’s easy to see kids brighter than yourself as nerds and kids doing worse as losers. The attitude separates and segregates students. We can put the logic of those intolerant students back on track by having them experience the other side. Having kids do some teaching will foster social skills and understanding of other students’ problems and encourage empathy for others. And it has an additional benefit: Both “teacher” and student learn.
In my first teaching job as a first year graduate assistant, I had to learn fast. I had been a “B” average undergraduate, but on my first morning in graduate school, I stood on the other side of the desk and faced a discussion section of Louisiana freshmen hoping to have a Yankee for breakfast. The night before, I studied every detail of chapter one. My sympathy for teachers was growing fast.
My wife Carol continued this “in-order-to-learn-teach” notion after we moved north. She invited high school students to spend an after-school session in her middle school library. She paid them $5 an hour to help middle schoolers with their homework.
Everybody benefited. The tutors learned, the middle school students learned, averages at both schools improved and a few went home with extra cash.
Tutors need supervision and training in how to keep students enthusiastic and on task. Carol selected tutors who were having troubles of their own but were willing to learn a lesson well enough to teach younger ones for $5 an hour. Her supervision was strict, and she had to make several personnel changes.
Learning is in the doing of the thing, and everyone is active when kids are teaching kids.
Some high school study halls use peer tutors who gain their community service credits tutoring in a subject they love. Other schools have used tutors from grade school classes to tutor other students in even lower grades. Our country may be short on teachers, but advanced students who are willing to tutor are plentiful. Using them benefits everyone.
Dr. McIntire is the author of Teenagers and Parents: 10 Steps to a Better Relationship and Raising Good Kids in Tough Times, available in our bookstore. His newspaper column appears in a growing number of newspapers nationwide.
Teaching Empathy
Dr. Roger McIntire
People involved in hurtful acts perceive the hurt in entirely different ways depending on whether they are causing the hurt or the ones being hurt. So says Roy Baumeister, author and social psychologist. Perpetrators in Baumeister’s studies said their actions caused only brief problems for others and their actions were justified or unavoidable. The victims of these incidents, however, invariably described the actions of the perpetrators as inexplicable, senseless and immoral. Victims never felt the wrongdoers were justified.
If the reasons don’t fit our odd behavior, we change our reasons. For the odd behavior of somebody else, we’re likely to conclude they are mean, stupid or short a few marbles. If someone is ticked because you had to cut them off to make your turn, they should understand your time is valuable. If some wild driver cuts you off, he’s inconsiderate, ignorant or nuts.
Children, faced with many mistakes in their social life, are the biggest fabricators of new reasons. It’s easy to see kids brighter than yourself as nerds and kids doing worse as losers. The attitude separates and segregates students. We can put the logic of those intolerant students back on track by having them experience the other side. Having kids do some teaching will foster social skills and understanding of other students’ problems and encourage empathy for others. And it has an additional benefit: Both “teacher” and student learn.
In my first teaching job as a first year graduate assistant, I had to learn fast. I had been a “B” average undergraduate, but on my first morning in graduate school, I stood on the other side of the desk and faced a discussion section of Louisiana freshmen hoping to have a Yankee for breakfast. The night before, I studied every detail of chapter one. My sympathy for teachers was growing fast.
My wife Carol continued this “in-order-to-learn-teach” notion after we moved north. She invited high school students to spend an after-school session in her middle school library. She paid them $5 an hour to help middle schoolers with their homework.
Everybody benefited. The tutors learned, the middle school students learned, averages at both schools improved and a few went home with extra cash.
Tutors need supervision and training in how to keep students enthusiastic and on task. Carol selected tutors who were having troubles of their own but were willing to learn a lesson well enough to teach younger ones for $5 an hour. Her supervision was strict, and she had to make several personnel changes.
Learning is in the doing of the thing, and everyone is active when kids are teaching kids.
Some high school study halls use peer tutors who gain their community service credits tutoring in a subject they love. Other schools have used tutors from grade school classes to tutor other students in even lower grades. Our country may be short on teachers, but advanced students who are willing to tutor are plentiful. Using them benefits everyone.
Dr. McIntire is the author of Teenagers and Parents: 10 Steps to a Better Relationship and Raising Good Kids in Tough Times, available in our bookstore. His newspaper column appears in a growing number of newspapers nationwide.
PLANET MOBILE
We found this project in Nikki's book, The Reader's Digest Children's Atlas to the Universe. Since it looked like an easy and fun activity (big plus for me), I thought it would be nice to do that one rainy afternoon. Fortunately we did not have to make the planets from scratch. I bought him a glow-in-the-dark set months before and I thought it would be a good idea to use them for this activity. Nikki really had a lot of fun even if I did the tying. He was so proud of his work, he showed it to his dad and let me hang it by the window. I'm so glad.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
15 MINUTES
http://www.loveathome.com/homeschool/15_minute_school.htm
15 Minute School
by Bernadine Sevy
I find there are two reasons for not doing school work, excluding of course the obvious, which we interpret to be bad attitude, laziness etc. I believe that children actually crave to learn, but their need to display their agency and fight anyone "making" them do something they don’t feel like doing can be overwhelming. The two reasons are being overwhelmed, not seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and boredom. So to fight these problems I put on my "marketing" hat and "packaged" school in a more attractive and palatable way.
First find a button. The button in our home is the computer. So what our children earn is computer time, minute by minute. Each child has a graph, each day they color their total minutes, next to the current date, on their own graph, they compete against themselves and this works well because who better to improve against.
They earn 1 minute of computer time for every correct spelling word. They are given 15 minutes to accomplish as much math as they can, they get more done than they used to all day, in some cases. One of my children could sit in front of a blank page, not even writing the date on it, from breakfast until dinner. It drove me crazy and he felt angry. 15 minute math fixed the problem. At the end of 15 minutes we check their math, figure out why they had problems with certain questions, and add to their computer time. Each correct math problem is an additional minute of computer time. Each 5 minutes of reading equals one minute of computer time. Once again I require 15 minutes but they read a lot more than that. It is, once again, for the reluctant child the "light at the end of the tunnel."
And so on, each subject will only last 15 minutes, and generally I hear a lot of: "Please let me finish this math problem", "Just 2 more pages Mom!" This is music to a mother's ears. This simple exercise in "marketing" has made the school day much more pleasant for the whole family. The reality is that we don’t get bogged down with anything, because we only have to do any one thing for 15 minutes. We actually get much more than the 15 minutes, but no one is making anybody do anything.
15 Minute School
by Bernadine Sevy
I find there are two reasons for not doing school work, excluding of course the obvious, which we interpret to be bad attitude, laziness etc. I believe that children actually crave to learn, but their need to display their agency and fight anyone "making" them do something they don’t feel like doing can be overwhelming. The two reasons are being overwhelmed, not seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and boredom. So to fight these problems I put on my "marketing" hat and "packaged" school in a more attractive and palatable way.
First find a button. The button in our home is the computer. So what our children earn is computer time, minute by minute. Each child has a graph, each day they color their total minutes, next to the current date, on their own graph, they compete against themselves and this works well because who better to improve against.
They earn 1 minute of computer time for every correct spelling word. They are given 15 minutes to accomplish as much math as they can, they get more done than they used to all day, in some cases. One of my children could sit in front of a blank page, not even writing the date on it, from breakfast until dinner. It drove me crazy and he felt angry. 15 minute math fixed the problem. At the end of 15 minutes we check their math, figure out why they had problems with certain questions, and add to their computer time. Each correct math problem is an additional minute of computer time. Each 5 minutes of reading equals one minute of computer time. Once again I require 15 minutes but they read a lot more than that. It is, once again, for the reluctant child the "light at the end of the tunnel."
And so on, each subject will only last 15 minutes, and generally I hear a lot of: "Please let me finish this math problem", "Just 2 more pages Mom!" This is music to a mother's ears. This simple exercise in "marketing" has made the school day much more pleasant for the whole family. The reality is that we don’t get bogged down with anything, because we only have to do any one thing for 15 minutes. We actually get much more than the 15 minutes, but no one is making anybody do anything.
Monday, August 20, 2007
NOSES
The other day, Nikki and I had some fun with disposable cups. We got the idea from an episode of Out of the Box on Playhouse Disney and I told Nikki it would be nice to do the crafts idea there. They made some animal noses out of the cups and it looked like a lot of fun and was easy to do (which appealed to me). In the episode, they made an elephant's nose, a pig's nose and a duck's nose. But after we made all those, Nikki wanted a cat's nose as well so I had to improvise. I must say it turned out pretty well. =D 
Here's Nikki with an elephant's nose. He was giggling when I took this picture. He thought he looked silly. There's Ethan behind Nikki, playing some online games (at the sesame street site) on the computer.
Some photos:
Here's Nikki with an elephant's nose. He was giggling when I took this picture. He thought he looked silly. There's Ethan behind Nikki, playing some online games (at the sesame street site) on the computer.
Pig's nose! Oink! Oink! Snort!
Not a bad cat's nose, aye? I was not able to take a photo of the duck's nose but that one was cute as well. =D
Sunday, August 19, 2007
10 TIPS
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/gettingorganized/real_moms_homeschool.php
A Real Mom's Home School
by Maggie Hogan
What are your priorities? Are you the type to plan ahead? Do you have lists for daily activities, weekly menus, grocery items and coupons ...or even a list of things for which you need to make a list? Or instead, do you find yourself disorganized and short on teaching time?
I am a Real Mom, not the Martha Stewart of Home Schooling. Planning ahead and staying organized are not my strong suits. I will admit there have been times when I've had to run to Wal-mart for underwear when I got too far behind with laundry. And even though I've been married to the same wonderful, forbearing man (with a healthy appetite!) for 22 years, there are still days when I've simply forgotten to cook dinner.
How does one keep on track with teaching when one is organizationally challenged? I could attempt to inspire you with Biblical principals and great quotes and examples regarding planning ahead. I could set before you lofty goals. I could even try and make you feel guilty for not being better organized. (Although with my own reputation for using a shovel to clear off my desk, who would take me seriously?) But that is not my purpose.
Doing my best in home schooling is important to me and, therefore, I've had to develop strategies for successfully completing each year. I hope these ideas will encourage you as well.
Before I share, one caveat: you have to find your own style. Just because I do things a certain way doesn't mean you should, too. I intend for this list to be suggestions - not the ten commandments of home schooling. If a tip doesn't work for you, evaluate and adjust it, or toss it.
10 Tips I've Learned the Hard Way
1. Plan. Okay, you're laughing at me. But at some point I realized that if my kids' educations were really important to me, I'd have to put some time into planning. Realistically, I know I won't keep up with daily lesson plans. But I found out that I can sit down once a month and write out monthly objectives. What works best for you? A summer planning marathon? Monthly planning times? Weekly updates or nightly reviews of what you got done that day and hope to accomplish the next?
2. Consolidate Teaching Time. How often per week do you teach history or science? Do you and your children function best with a little everyday? A medium amount 2 or 3 times per week? Or a big chunk once a week? For me it works best to teach these two courses twice a week through about fifth grade, moving to a weekly time frame in the upper grades. On the days I'm not specifically teaching, they have reading and other assignments to work on. I find doing history or science in one or two big chunks is more interesting because we can dig deeper into the subject before running out of time.
3. Choose Your Time Wisely. Know your students, yourself, and your household. When would be most productive? Personally, I could care less about Alexander the Great at 8:00 a.m. but find him truly fascinating later in the day!
4. Bedtime Bonus. One ritual that was consistent in our home when the boys were younger was our evening bedtime stories. We often used compelling history books or books with science topics during this special time.
5. Combine Courses: Literature with history, history with geography, or geography with science.
6. Think Outside the Box. A. Creative map and timeline work can count for history, geography and art. Pay attention to community service hours, Scout projects, and other "non-school" endeavors that are actually educational. B. Keep school fresh by occasionally surprising the kids. Would they get a kick out of having school in a weird place for a day? Pile pillows in the bathtub (empty, of course) and have the kids work in the tub. Or go undercover by draping a blanket over a table and doing school underneath with pillows, blankets, and flashlights. My favorite: turn the master bedroom into the classroom. Take everything you might need onto the bed (including the popcorn!) and pretend to be on a boat surrounded by sharks. Provide a pathway of socks that become tiny islands to step on for getting to the bathroom.
7. "Mini" Mega-Cooking. The days I cook a few extra meals to put in the freezer are a blessing. I often double up on any given meal so that I can have one for a busy day or a sick friend. I almost never cook a single chicken! I prefer to brown 5 or 10 pounds of ground beef at a time (perhaps with onions) and I'll freeze what I don't immediately need. The extra can be pulled out for a head start on chili, tacos, spaghetti, etc. Crock-pots are a mom's best friend. Good pizza coupons are treasured. And the husband who offers to bring home the occasional Chinese or deli meal is worth his weight in gold!
8. Share. Teaching plans and resources can be shared with a friend. Although I love co-ops and have been involved in them yearly since 1991, they aren't feasible for everyone. But if you have a friend who is teaching the same course as you and would be willing to share the work load in planning lessons or gathering resources, what a blessing! Bonus - checking in with each other to see how it's going adds accountability.
9. The Baby Connection. Babies & toddlers - gotta love 'em! Learn when to include them, when to work around them, and when to wait until they are asleep. Some moms have a high tolerance and some babies are low maintenance. As a mom with low tolerance and high maintenance babies, I had to learn flexibility. Special toys only brought out during teaching time helped. They enjoyed the read-alouds even though the material was over their heads. History costumes, building forts or re-creations, and other hands-on projects can often be completed with little ones in tow. For work best done uninterrupted, use naptime or videos. (Yes, I happily used quality videos as babysitters!)
10. Summer School. Use summers for history/science projects and field trips. We even had a couple of short summer school sessions utilizing appealing material that the kids were eager to dive into. Count the hours toward the following year's school. This provides leeway and less pressure during your more formal school time.
Maggie Hogan is a motivational speaker and author. Maggie and her husband own Bright Ideas Press, where you can find the best in practical and fun geography, history and science resources.
A Real Mom's Home School
by Maggie Hogan
What are your priorities? Are you the type to plan ahead? Do you have lists for daily activities, weekly menus, grocery items and coupons ...or even a list of things for which you need to make a list? Or instead, do you find yourself disorganized and short on teaching time?
I am a Real Mom, not the Martha Stewart of Home Schooling. Planning ahead and staying organized are not my strong suits. I will admit there have been times when I've had to run to Wal-mart for underwear when I got too far behind with laundry. And even though I've been married to the same wonderful, forbearing man (with a healthy appetite!) for 22 years, there are still days when I've simply forgotten to cook dinner.
How does one keep on track with teaching when one is organizationally challenged? I could attempt to inspire you with Biblical principals and great quotes and examples regarding planning ahead. I could set before you lofty goals. I could even try and make you feel guilty for not being better organized. (Although with my own reputation for using a shovel to clear off my desk, who would take me seriously?) But that is not my purpose.
Doing my best in home schooling is important to me and, therefore, I've had to develop strategies for successfully completing each year. I hope these ideas will encourage you as well.
Before I share, one caveat: you have to find your own style. Just because I do things a certain way doesn't mean you should, too. I intend for this list to be suggestions - not the ten commandments of home schooling. If a tip doesn't work for you, evaluate and adjust it, or toss it.
10 Tips I've Learned the Hard Way
1. Plan. Okay, you're laughing at me. But at some point I realized that if my kids' educations were really important to me, I'd have to put some time into planning. Realistically, I know I won't keep up with daily lesson plans. But I found out that I can sit down once a month and write out monthly objectives. What works best for you? A summer planning marathon? Monthly planning times? Weekly updates or nightly reviews of what you got done that day and hope to accomplish the next?
2. Consolidate Teaching Time. How often per week do you teach history or science? Do you and your children function best with a little everyday? A medium amount 2 or 3 times per week? Or a big chunk once a week? For me it works best to teach these two courses twice a week through about fifth grade, moving to a weekly time frame in the upper grades. On the days I'm not specifically teaching, they have reading and other assignments to work on. I find doing history or science in one or two big chunks is more interesting because we can dig deeper into the subject before running out of time.
3. Choose Your Time Wisely. Know your students, yourself, and your household. When would be most productive? Personally, I could care less about Alexander the Great at 8:00 a.m. but find him truly fascinating later in the day!
4. Bedtime Bonus. One ritual that was consistent in our home when the boys were younger was our evening bedtime stories. We often used compelling history books or books with science topics during this special time.
5. Combine Courses: Literature with history, history with geography, or geography with science.
6. Think Outside the Box. A. Creative map and timeline work can count for history, geography and art. Pay attention to community service hours, Scout projects, and other "non-school" endeavors that are actually educational. B. Keep school fresh by occasionally surprising the kids. Would they get a kick out of having school in a weird place for a day? Pile pillows in the bathtub (empty, of course) and have the kids work in the tub. Or go undercover by draping a blanket over a table and doing school underneath with pillows, blankets, and flashlights. My favorite: turn the master bedroom into the classroom. Take everything you might need onto the bed (including the popcorn!) and pretend to be on a boat surrounded by sharks. Provide a pathway of socks that become tiny islands to step on for getting to the bathroom.
7. "Mini" Mega-Cooking. The days I cook a few extra meals to put in the freezer are a blessing. I often double up on any given meal so that I can have one for a busy day or a sick friend. I almost never cook a single chicken! I prefer to brown 5 or 10 pounds of ground beef at a time (perhaps with onions) and I'll freeze what I don't immediately need. The extra can be pulled out for a head start on chili, tacos, spaghetti, etc. Crock-pots are a mom's best friend. Good pizza coupons are treasured. And the husband who offers to bring home the occasional Chinese or deli meal is worth his weight in gold!
8. Share. Teaching plans and resources can be shared with a friend. Although I love co-ops and have been involved in them yearly since 1991, they aren't feasible for everyone. But if you have a friend who is teaching the same course as you and would be willing to share the work load in planning lessons or gathering resources, what a blessing! Bonus - checking in with each other to see how it's going adds accountability.
9. The Baby Connection. Babies & toddlers - gotta love 'em! Learn when to include them, when to work around them, and when to wait until they are asleep. Some moms have a high tolerance and some babies are low maintenance. As a mom with low tolerance and high maintenance babies, I had to learn flexibility. Special toys only brought out during teaching time helped. They enjoyed the read-alouds even though the material was over their heads. History costumes, building forts or re-creations, and other hands-on projects can often be completed with little ones in tow. For work best done uninterrupted, use naptime or videos. (Yes, I happily used quality videos as babysitters!)
10. Summer School. Use summers for history/science projects and field trips. We even had a couple of short summer school sessions utilizing appealing material that the kids were eager to dive into. Count the hours toward the following year's school. This provides leeway and less pressure during your more formal school time.
Maggie Hogan is a motivational speaker and author. Maggie and her husband own Bright Ideas Press, where you can find the best in practical and fun geography, history and science resources.
ETHAN AND SUSHI
Here's Ethan with our pet Sushi. She's a really sweet rabbit. She never bites and always loves a rub from time to time. Even the rowdy Ethan becomes very careful when he's around Sushi.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
BIRD FEEDER
I think this will be a fun activity for the boys. =D
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1252.html
Bird Feeders
Materials:
Cardboard toilet paper roll wax paper or newspaper (about 8 inches by 8 inches at least) peanut butter plastic or regular knife 2 foot piece of yarn paper plate bird seed (small seeds work best, sunflower seeds fall off)
Directions:
1. Put the yarn through the hole in the toilet paper roll and lay out on a piece of wax paper or newspaper.
2. Spread the peanut butter all around the outside of the roll.
3. Put bird seed on a paper plate.
4. Roll toilet paper roll in bird seed
5. Tie knot in the yarn, and hang on a tree.
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1252.html
Bird Feeders
Materials:
Cardboard toilet paper roll wax paper or newspaper (about 8 inches by 8 inches at least) peanut butter plastic or regular knife 2 foot piece of yarn paper plate bird seed (small seeds work best, sunflower seeds fall off)
Directions:
1. Put the yarn through the hole in the toilet paper roll and lay out on a piece of wax paper or newspaper.
2. Spread the peanut butter all around the outside of the roll.
3. Put bird seed on a paper plate.
4. Roll toilet paper roll in bird seed
5. Tie knot in the yarn, and hang on a tree.
Friday, August 17, 2007
WRITE AND WIPE
Ethan really loves to doodle a lot and I try to give him scratch papers so he won't be wasteful. I also bought him a magic slate and those magnetic boards and he really loves those. When I saw these write and wipe books, I thought that they would be great for Ethan because he is a kinesthetic learner. So I thought that it would be nice for him to doodle and learn at the same time. I found these books at Toy Kingdom and they are less than P200 each which is quite reasonable for me. When I showed the books to Ethan, sure enough, he wanted to write on them immediately. So, we went to Auntie Anne's where I could get a pretzel and they could doodle for a few minutes. Even Nikki enjoyed writing in the book. When he saw a photo of the pretzel, he exclaimed, "Mommy! This book also has a pretzel like the one you have!" So cute. =D
Ethan loves numbers.
Nikki answers the "word" book.
LABELS
I have always been careful with labels when it comes to my boys. I think this article is very insightful...
http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/4_9/pri_htp20.asp
Labels - Don't Give Your Child A Bad Name
'Keep on telling me what I am, and that's what I'll become' ...so be careful how you describe your children.
Listen to what family members say about each other. Consider the nicknames, the stories told about each other and the jokes. These are the signs that family members are cast into roles and given labels to match.
'Oh, he's the clever one in the family but he's got no common sense', 'She's a bit of a tearaway' 'My youngest is such a scaredy cat, she's nervous about absolutely everything!'
Labelling is disabling
Although it may be true that your child is more fearful than other children, labelling him as 'fearful' may make things worse. Labels - good or bad, become a part of the child's self image. Although a label may start with a germ of truth in it, it quickly acquires its own force. A 'clumsy' child becomes apprehensive about picking up something delicate and in a state of nervousness, drops it. More proof that he is clumsy!
Good labels, bad labels and labels in pairs
Parents often label their children by comparing and contrasting them. First children are often 'nervous and shy' and their younger siblings 'outgoing and sociable'. Some labels link the child to another member of the family. 'You're just like your father.' Sometimes the labels are given affectionately but convey equally powerful messages. 'You're such a butterfingers!' 'My son, the urban terrorist!'
Even good can be bad
Positive as well as negative labels have their downside. A child constantly labelled as the 'responsible one' in the family, feels he always has to be on his best behaviour. His 'real self' is both responsible and reckless. Sometimes he feels the desire to break out and be irresponsible but the label inhibits him. He may also fear that his parents only like the responsible boy and if they see the 'real boy' they won't like it or him.
Mixed messages
A label may fulfil a need of the parents. Sometimes an apparently negative label conveys a mixed message. The parents of an 'urban terrorist' may be secretly proud of his energy and recklessness. A 'fearful' child calls out strong nurturing instincts. He looks to his parents for help. Ask yourself if you like having your son turn to you for reassurance. If so, try to wean him away from his reliance on you and help him stand on his own two feet.
http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/4_9/pri_htp20.asp
Labels - Don't Give Your Child A Bad Name
'Keep on telling me what I am, and that's what I'll become' ...so be careful how you describe your children.
Listen to what family members say about each other. Consider the nicknames, the stories told about each other and the jokes. These are the signs that family members are cast into roles and given labels to match.
'Oh, he's the clever one in the family but he's got no common sense', 'She's a bit of a tearaway' 'My youngest is such a scaredy cat, she's nervous about absolutely everything!'
Labelling is disabling
Although it may be true that your child is more fearful than other children, labelling him as 'fearful' may make things worse. Labels - good or bad, become a part of the child's self image. Although a label may start with a germ of truth in it, it quickly acquires its own force. A 'clumsy' child becomes apprehensive about picking up something delicate and in a state of nervousness, drops it. More proof that he is clumsy!
Good labels, bad labels and labels in pairs
Parents often label their children by comparing and contrasting them. First children are often 'nervous and shy' and their younger siblings 'outgoing and sociable'. Some labels link the child to another member of the family. 'You're just like your father.' Sometimes the labels are given affectionately but convey equally powerful messages. 'You're such a butterfingers!' 'My son, the urban terrorist!'
Even good can be bad
Positive as well as negative labels have their downside. A child constantly labelled as the 'responsible one' in the family, feels he always has to be on his best behaviour. His 'real self' is both responsible and reckless. Sometimes he feels the desire to break out and be irresponsible but the label inhibits him. He may also fear that his parents only like the responsible boy and if they see the 'real boy' they won't like it or him.
Mixed messages
A label may fulfil a need of the parents. Sometimes an apparently negative label conveys a mixed message. The parents of an 'urban terrorist' may be secretly proud of his energy and recklessness. A 'fearful' child calls out strong nurturing instincts. He looks to his parents for help. Ask yourself if you like having your son turn to you for reassurance. If so, try to wean him away from his reliance on you and help him stand on his own two feet.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
A REALLY NEAT IDEA
from a homeschooling mom (homeschoolfreestuff).
Encouraging Kids To Learn On Their Own
I think that some structured school for younger kids is very important, but I also think that encouraging kids to learn and explore "school" on their own is equally important.
I keep a cupboard that is right at the kids level stocked with all sorts of school type stuff. I have construction paper, writing paper, glue, scissors and that kind of school stuff in there.
But I add new things in there all the time. I add books that are their level and are about subjects that I think might interest them. I stick fun and educational workbooks or cool new board games in the cupboard. And I add other cool things like bags of fabric scraps, pipe cleaners, empty jars and anything else that I think might get them exploring our world.
The kids know that they can go in this cupboard whenever they want and use whatever they want in it. It is their space. Sometimes that ask for help with projects but most of the time between the three of them (ages 2 to 7) they do amazing things.
We've used fabric scraps for everything from doll clothes to parts of castles. I can't ever seem to keep enough paper in there because they communicate so much with drawings, maps, stories (even just scribbles from the youngest.) It also helps make choosing topics easy for me because they go in the cupboard and come out with something they want to learn!
And it's fun for me to find new things to stick into our big "school box"!
~Renee Canham, Murrieta CA~
Encouraging Kids To Learn On Their Own
I think that some structured school for younger kids is very important, but I also think that encouraging kids to learn and explore "school" on their own is equally important.
I keep a cupboard that is right at the kids level stocked with all sorts of school type stuff. I have construction paper, writing paper, glue, scissors and that kind of school stuff in there.
But I add new things in there all the time. I add books that are their level and are about subjects that I think might interest them. I stick fun and educational workbooks or cool new board games in the cupboard. And I add other cool things like bags of fabric scraps, pipe cleaners, empty jars and anything else that I think might get them exploring our world.
The kids know that they can go in this cupboard whenever they want and use whatever they want in it. It is their space. Sometimes that ask for help with projects but most of the time between the three of them (ages 2 to 7) they do amazing things.
We've used fabric scraps for everything from doll clothes to parts of castles. I can't ever seem to keep enough paper in there because they communicate so much with drawings, maps, stories (even just scribbles from the youngest.) It also helps make choosing topics easy for me because they go in the cupboard and come out with something they want to learn!
And it's fun for me to find new things to stick into our big "school box"!
~Renee Canham, Murrieta CA~
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
BOARDGAMES
Nikki has lately become interested in board games for which I am glad. A few months ago, Nikki had a pretty difficult time losing. Yes, he was a sore loser. He would usually whine, cry, toss something or even hit his dad when he would lose in one of their Mario Bros. games. That kind of worried me because I wanted him learn how to lose gracefully. But I didn't push it and instead, whenever he would lose, I would simply encourage him and tell him, "It's okay, Nikki. You will do better next time and beat Daddy." And he would try again. I bought him these board games in the past to just let him know that games are fun whether he wins or loses. I'm happy to say that now, Nikki is no longer a sore loser. When I would win a game, he would just say, "I'll win the next time, Mommy!" No more tantrums, no more throwing things, no more crying. I'm so proud of him. =D
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
PARENTING TIPS
I think these are handy tips for all parents...
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/368.html#top
PARENTING TIPS
I sometimes lose my temper. Does that mean I'm a bad parent?
No. Many parents lose their temper with their children. It's OK to feel angry, but it's not OK to take it out on your children. When you're really angry, take a break. For example, take your children for a walk or call a friend to come help you. If you feel angry with your child almost every day or have trouble controlling your temper, get some help. You might talk to your family doctor. There are groups that can help parents, too. One group is listed on the right side of this page.
I love my children, but being a parent can be so hard!
Being a parent can be a joy, but it's also a tough job. No parent is perfect. We all make mistakes. Even loving parents sometimes do things they don't mean to do, like yell at a child or call a child a bad name. But if you think you're having trouble controlling yourself, get help so a pattern of abuse doesn't start.
I get so frustrated sometimes. Is this normal?
Yes. All parents get frustrated. Children take a lot of time and energy. Parenting is even harder when you have problems in your life, such as worries about your job, your bills or your relationships, or problems with alcohol or drugs. To be a good parent, you have to take care of yourself. That means getting help for your problems.
What can I do when I feel frustrated?
Take a break. Everyone needs a break from being a parent once in a while. If you have another adult in your family, take turns getting away. For example, have your partner stay with the children so you can visit friends. Take turns sleeping late on the weekends. If you're a single parent, ask friends and relatives to help by running some errands for you. Maybe they could watch your child while you go out.
Source
Primary Prevention of Child Abuse by L Bethea, M.D. (American Family Physician March 15, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/990315ap/1577.html)
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/368.html#top
PARENTING TIPS
I sometimes lose my temper. Does that mean I'm a bad parent?
No. Many parents lose their temper with their children. It's OK to feel angry, but it's not OK to take it out on your children. When you're really angry, take a break. For example, take your children for a walk or call a friend to come help you. If you feel angry with your child almost every day or have trouble controlling your temper, get some help. You might talk to your family doctor. There are groups that can help parents, too. One group is listed on the right side of this page.
I love my children, but being a parent can be so hard!
Being a parent can be a joy, but it's also a tough job. No parent is perfect. We all make mistakes. Even loving parents sometimes do things they don't mean to do, like yell at a child or call a child a bad name. But if you think you're having trouble controlling yourself, get help so a pattern of abuse doesn't start.
I get so frustrated sometimes. Is this normal?
Yes. All parents get frustrated. Children take a lot of time and energy. Parenting is even harder when you have problems in your life, such as worries about your job, your bills or your relationships, or problems with alcohol or drugs. To be a good parent, you have to take care of yourself. That means getting help for your problems.
What can I do when I feel frustrated?
Take a break. Everyone needs a break from being a parent once in a while. If you have another adult in your family, take turns getting away. For example, have your partner stay with the children so you can visit friends. Take turns sleeping late on the weekends. If you're a single parent, ask friends and relatives to help by running some errands for you. Maybe they could watch your child while you go out.
Source
Primary Prevention of Child Abuse by L Bethea, M.D. (American Family Physician March 15, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/990315ap/1577.html)
Monday, August 13, 2007
RAINY DAY ACTIVITY
During those days when we had non-stop rains, I thought that it would be nice to go out of the house still. So one day, when there were no lightnings and thunder and the rain was just a cheerful shower, the boys and I enjoyed a leisurely walk outside. We didn't bring any umbrellas so it was a very stimulating walk for us and it was wonderful feeling the rain on our faces and skin for a change without any worries that we will be drenched or a bit muddy from our stroll. We ended up looking for different bugs because once Ethan spotted a millipede there was no stopping him from looking for more bugs. He loves bugs. Anyway, we did find some black ants scampering about. Then 2 more millipedes and a lonely butterfly that seemed to enjoy the shower as much as we did. But our biggest find was when we spotted this huge, HAIRY caterpillar in the middle of the road! Ethan shrieked, "CATERPILLAR!!" (which sounded like caderpillar) and I yelled, "Don't touch it!! It's itchy!" I had a terrible experience with a caterpillar once. So anyway, what we did was we picked it up on a stick and then brought it to a nearby plant. Ethan was VERY fascinated because I recently bought him an insect book and there was a hairy caterpillar in it. I suppose he was thinking, "It's so cool!" =D It was such a fun activity maybe we'll do it again soon.
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