So, here’s the thing: mean girls and bullies exist everywhere. If you think that those of us that homeschool are trying to shelter our kids from this stuff (or if you’re considering homeschooling in hopes of eternally avoiding it)… guess again. Continue reading Mean girls and bullies exist in homeschooling, too
I thought of this as I drove the 26 miles that takes 45-50 minutes without traffic to the co-op we’re newly involved in this year. Traditionally, we don’t travel this far too often. We have definitely made a similar trip twice before: both times for a specific writing teacher for a half-year because she worked REALLY well with BigGuy (who only ever enjoyed writing with this woman and she really enjoyed him–worth the trip).
Don’t get me wrong, we make trips. Going into downtown Chicago for museum free days or heading out to a specific location for a special trip–these happen. Likely more often than most schooled kids; but possibly also more often than many homeschooled kids. Homeschool families vary in both their tolerance for trekking around and their availability to do so. My family is out a LOT. “Homeschooling” is a misnomer because we’re not home as much as people think we are. Continue reading We spend a lot of time in the car
During my Master’s in teaching, I had to review a lot of research that didn’t sit well with me. Often, my classmates and I would exclaim “No wonder what we’re doing isn’t working! The research says it won’t!” Or we would ask “If the research says this, then why is public policy doing the opposite?” We were told that we–the new, untenured teachers–would have to be the change the system needed.
The current teachers in the schools are laughing right now at the idea of a new, untenured teacher attempting to change culture and policy in a school… Continue reading Challenges in educating (all of) our kids
Girly came to us by adoption. Her story is many miracles at a time. Continue reading Our little adopted sparkly girl
I love homeschooling
No rush to wake up early
Just snuggles in bed
So, I get this a lot. Especially since I run in unschooling circles (and please keep in mind that “unschooling” is, at it’s heart, about following the child). Just to be sure we’re all on the same page here: “Neurotypical” refers to a child who develops in a way that is free of disabilities of any kind.
That is not my BigGuy. Continue reading Applying neurotypical logic to kids in the spectrum
Girly loves, love, loves, LUUUUURRRRRVES the Magic Cabin catalog. Me, too. Inasmuch as our family has tried to phase out “Santa” for more reality-based ideas about the December holidays, Girly will have none of it. She wants to believe in Santa and there’s really no way to gently let her down; and I will not shatter that illusion in a disturbing manner. Continue reading My kids did a LOT of writing today
Last night, our BigGuy went off to his second performance with his boys choir; and his first in full regalia. I broke down and got his hair cut so he didn’t ACTUALLY look like that. I don’t care what other people think of his hair. It causes me physical eyestrain pain to see it hang in his eyes. Nobody’s ever said anything about his long hair (and dude–it’s been WAY longer than this. I’m not sure how I got through this stage when he grew it longer).
But my son’s choir sang with the American Boychoir (which is like the United States version of the Vienna Boys Choir). It was such an honor! Continue reading BigGuy had quite a performance
Saturday night, I got to go out with a group of homeschooling moms to The Melting Pot. It was gluten, dairy, chocolate, Big Gingers… total contraband evening. It was chatting about our kids, occasionally double-dipping by accident, and having the waiter catch me saying “When I’m out, I cheat” as I walked back from the bathroom and giggling with the mama I was saying it to–who caught his reaction.
It was a fun night. Continue reading Socialization… for moms
I’m not sure if I told y’all this, but last May I entered into conversations with the local elementary school about partial enrollment for BigGuy. I wanted him in math and science. They wanted him to start with art, music and phys ed. Ummmm… nothanks. And they wanted him to take some math test that would have determined whether he could be in advanced math… even though he wasn’t going to be put in math at the school. Ummmm… no, thanks again.
Wait, wait, wait… I don’t mean for this to sound like the district people are unhelpful morons. Quite the opposite. Honestly and truly. Continue reading Testing, testing… 1, 2, 3
Educated Adventures 