To Scrapbook or Not To Scrapbook

Let’s assume you have to evacuate your house because of an emergency. Your kids are already safe, and you have an emergency bag stashed outside. What is the one physical item you would grab from your house before you leave?

For years, I said I would rescue my kids’ scrapbooks. Before my daughter was born, I started a scrapbook that documented my pregnancy and included prayers for my child, updates from the doctor and pictures of my growing baby belly.

After my daughter was born, I continued to scrapbook and document her first year. On every page of her scrapbook, I journaled “firsts,” including my parenting fails, fears and hopes.

A small portion of my family scrapbook collection.

The entire scrapbooking process was therapeutic and fun. I enjoyed choosing exactly the right paper for the page’s theme and cropping the pictures in unique ways. Then I’d spend time positioning the pictures on the page and adding the perfect embellishments. I even added sand to one page and learned how to create panoramic pages.

I kept up with the scrapbook for years, and even started one for my son before he was born. In the corner of the playroom, I set up a table where I could work for a few hours on the books before my kids woke up in the morning and started to make new memories for me to document.

Over the years, the scrapbooks took a back seat. We downsized to a new house, and there wasn’t a place for my scrapbooking table. Plus, I started homeschooling and didn’t have much free time to indulge in my favorite hobby. And my son’s autism diagnosis and related needs required me to spend much of my free time and creative energy helping him. I didn’t take many pictures during these years, and we didn’t take any trips other than the necessary outings to the doctor and school events. I was too focused on surviving schooling and autism to work on our memory books.

Only recently have I have realized that I need to prioritize self-care. And I have a bit of extra time since my children are now enrolled in public school. Which brings me back to my scrapbooks.

Even though I love this hobby, I’m seriously considering giving it up We’re cleaning house this summer and purging our possessions as we reorganize our space and make it more usable. One area I’m not ready to tackle is my scrapbooking stuff. I see the unfinished books, piles of decorative paper and pretty pens, and I want to keep them all and toss them all at the same time. I can’t decide if I should bring back my scrapbook table or donate my supplies to a local charity.

What are your thoughts on scrapbooking? Is it a worthwhile hobby or not a priority?

Adventures in Public School

First day of public school. Bring on 3rd grade!

I recently answered some questions for a reporter at Mommyish.com about my decision to enroll my daughter in public school. After homeschooling her since preschool, the transition is bittersweet. She’s very excited, though!

Happy trails to all you parents who are sending your babies off to school for the first time, whether that’s kindergarten, high school or college. Blessings on your first day of school!

How to Decide when to end the Homeschooling Season

My daughter has decided that she wants to go to school.  “Regular school.”  With the school bus that picks her up at 7 AM and drops her back at home at 2:30 PM…every single day. 

No more staying up late watching tv or playing.  No more sleeping in until her body tell her it’s time to wake up (or the neighbor’s dog noisily announces his dislike for the neighborhood’s stray cats).  No more play time at noon, interrupting school so we can run errands for our family business or quick kisses throughout the day just because we’re together.

I feel a bit conflicted.  Perhaps “a bit” is an understatement.  Since she’s been born, I’ve been teaching her at home.  How to walk, how to sign (so we could communicate before she decided to talk), how to color, how to share, how to read.  I am not ready to relinquish my school teaching role to someone else.  

My husband and I agree that we want to do what’s best for her.  But if this is indeed the best decision, it is one of the hardest I’ve ever made. 

I’m not ready to let her go into the big world.  It’s not so much that I want to protect her from it because she is exposed to the world as we live and play in it.  It’s that I want her with me, as long as possible.  And I want to learn with her and enjoy her tender and sweet spirit.

Tomorrow, I call our local school and set up a meeting or possibly an opportunity for her to spend the day in class.  This is another step in the journey called parenthood…letting go, trusting God and accepting that eventually we have to let them go.  I just never imagined it would be this hard.

This brings me to my checklist that is useful for parents deciding whether to send their children to “regular school.”

• Is the child thriving at home?
• Is the local school district known for offering a good education?
• How will the family dynamics be affected if one child goes to school and one stays home? 
• Is the child strong enough emotionally and academically to succeed in brick and mortar school?

Ultimately, every family makes their own decision.  There is no right or wrong decision, just what is best for each family and for each child.  These are the questions I will be asking myself this week. 

 

When Laughing is More Important than School Work

Some days, we just can’t seem to get motivated to finish math worksheets or read literature. 

My children might wake up and decide to play superheroes, race Matchbox cars or paint together.  The latest distraction is the tire swing my son’s occupational therapist assures me will help him burn off excess energy.  Since hubby installed it, my Sonshine has been able to focus more, especially since he knows he gets breaks during his challenging phonics classes.  

I usually don’t worry too much about the kids’ spontaneous play time because we are caught up with school work and have only a few more lessons to complete before summer.  However, some days its easy to wonder if we’re doing enough.

On these days, I remember why I teach my children at home.  We are building relationships, learning how to relate to each other, learning to love our neighbors, completing state requirements, completing house and yard work and having fun together.

My children are affectionate, and they love to laugh.  As much as possible,  I want to laugh with them while they still want to and are able to spend time with me. 

We are not “doing school” at home.  We have a flexible schedule, time to pursue their interests and a variety of  entrepreneurial activities.  In my mind, these activities are as important as learning how to read, write and perform complicated math in their heads.

And quite honestly, we have lots more joy, fun and laughter when we are relaxed and when my students at home have some freedom in deciding our daily schedule.

Why do I need to Rest?

My day is full!  I homeschool, write, keep financial records for the family business, cook, clean, pay bills, drive to doctor’s appointments,  buy groceries, find overdue library books….

You get the picture. 

Does my life looks a lot like yours?

This past weekend, I determined to slow down and rest.  While I was partially successful, I also needed to meet two deadlines.  I’ve never felt better submitting an article!  Yesterday, I actually hung out with my hubby without worrying about work. 

That’s really the desire of my heart.  I long to just relax and be in the moment.  If it’s time to write, sit down and write my heart out.  If my children ask for story time, read and cuddle like there’s no tomorrow.  If hubby’s home, sit with him and cherish the time together.  In addition to the health benefits of rest (weight loss, reduction in risk of developing ulcers, more positive mental outlook), my family needs me to rest and just be with them.  

As soon as I’m finished writing this post, I’m off to scrapbook.  This creative outlet rejuvenates my spirit and makes me feel happy and fulfilled.  Not only will I be crossing an item off my “to-do” list, but I need this break as a new work week starts.

What enjoyable activities do you enjoy?  What makes you feel smiley inside?

May you enjoy your day and all the activities it brings!

What Makes a Student Successful?

Unschooling makes sense to me, but I worry too much about giving my children a well-rounded education.  If I let them spend their day only doing what they wanted to do, my daughter would write and draw all day while my son rides or fixes his bikes outside.

 Now there is nothing wrong with play.  That’s how kids learn!  But my children need more than limitless free time.  They need to learn how to read even though phonics is not easy.  They need to learn to write even though handwriting is challenging. 

 The definition of “student” is a person formally engaged in learning or a person who studies, investigates or examines thoughtfully.  When I started this blog, I named it “Students at Home”.  As a homeschooling family, we do more than focus on formal book learning.  We study, investigate and examine.  We explore, ask questions, hypothesize and engage in learning, whether we are at the grocery store, taking a walk or finishing math worksheets. 

 Even more than I want my children to learn math, reading, language arts, history, science, music and art, I want them to learn to wonder, question and THINK.  Instead of accepting, what they read, I want them to be free to question.  And I want them to have fun.  Learning is so much easier and productive when we are having fun!

 With their ability to question, reason and think, my children will find more than success in school.  They will find success in their personal lives.  They will be able to say no to bullies or to friends who pressure them to do something they do not want to do.  They will be innovative on the job and able to think on their feet as self-starters.  They will lead rather than follow in their families, church and civic groups.

 In my mind, these traits mean a lot more than straight A’s in school.

Balancing Two Homeschooling Children

For my friends with more than two children, you will probably laugh at this post.  For my friends with no children, you probably will not get it.  Several months ago, I talked with a pregnant mom of a toddler.  She wondered how she would meet the needs of her son after her daughter is born.  I encouraged her that she will learn to adjust, and indeed, she is learning.

So what do I, as a homeschooling mom, recommend to other moms who juggle the schedules of their students at home?

First, I plan the day.  A weekly printed schedule in my planner includes the mandatory lessons my children must attend for their online school, our weekly lesson goals and personal commitments.  Each morning, I consult the planner and see where we’re at for that day.  

After breakfast, I give my children a verbal overview of the day’s events.  They appreciate being prepared, and I need to hear what the schedule is so I don’t forget anything (I’m a visual and auditory learner).   This time also prepares us for additional stuff we may need to do like errands or a library run.  We can take time to organize our books and activities depending on the time schedule for each day.  

I start my son with his online classwork while my daughter commandeers the laptop for spelling word practice.  After his class, he takes a break, and she goes online for class.  We take turns all day until the work is done.

I must admit, I miss the cold weather just a bit.  The sunny days we’re enjoying this week make us all antzy to get outside.  Instead of enjoying history class or storytime during lunch, we’re pickincking on the patio. 

On second thought, maybe I do like the warm weather after all.  🙂

Welcome!

Thank you for joining me on the educational journey.  Like most parents, we want the best possible education for our children.  In my case, I choose to homeschool.  Other families choose public or private school.  All options contain pros and cons, and I don’t wish to promote one avenue over another.  My intent with this blog is to share educational tips and resources that make your child successful in school.   I intend to post tips and techniques that work for me, and I welcome feedback and questions.  Personally, I learn so much from browsing other sites, and I will share what I learn with you as we journey together in creating lifelong students at home!