It’s been a stormy summer here in the Midwest. And we’ve been LOVIN’ it. We get to watch the storms roll in from our back window, and it is just incredible! But just like the storms outside, there are also storms that roll into our living room.
Yeah… not lovin’ those storms.
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Summer & Screens
At the start of summer, I made a deal with myself that I was going to limit screens. Especially for our youngest kiddo, who is a little too attached to the tube. It’s not easy, and I don’t have any magic formula, but I’ve managed to stay true to good screen limits and at least tame the technological beast.
The biggest thing I have to remember in my weak moments (because let’s face it, there are going to be weak moments… HELLO, strong-willed child who loves TV vs. tired mama wanting peace), is that my kid’s (not so pretty) plea for screens is like a storm before the calm.
After he realizes I’m not going to give in, he settles in, whether alone or with his siblings and starts playing, drawing, starts a puzzle, or goes outside, and he’s the happiest child.
And unfortunately, things like screens are such a quick fix that if I go to the screen immediately he’s not able to get past that hump and onto “greener pastures” if you will.
Boredom is crucial for our kids.
It’s essential to let them stew in that boredom a little and see what they move on to next. In our fast-paced culture, immediacy is king and our kids think instant gratification is par for the course. It’s SO hard to counter that! This article, Let Children Get Bored Again, sums it up so well.
So next time there is a storm in YOUR living room, think about this: boredom isn’t always a problem to be solved. It could be just the start of something amazing for your kid!
In the UK they have a common phrase that’s heard when people are stepping onto the train platform. “Mind the gap.” The “gap” refers to the space between the platform and the train. And one should be careful to step over it and not into it. Cuz, yikes, that wouldn’t be good!
Gaps are scary.
And not just literal gaps, but figurative gaps, you know like… *ahem* education gaps. Or let’s get more personal. HOMESCHOOLING gaps.
As a new homeschooler, one of my main goals was making sure we would NOT have education gaps. In fact, that was THE motivating factor in me buying an all in one boxed curriculum for our first two years. The idea of gaps made me tremble in my boots.
Nevermind that there was very little joy using the boxed curriculum. It was my safety net. It meant that I was doing things right and we were going to cover all our bases.
I often wish I could go back to my first year of homeschooling, and start a little bit differently, a little bit more gently, listening to the interests of my kiddo more.
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Gaps have continued to haunt me over the years.
And I know I’m not alone! Right?
This past year was really the first year that I’ve begun to accept that gaps are inevitable AND that they are OK, and *GASP* even to be embraced!
“Not every person needs to know the same things, let alone all things.”
Every education includes gaps.
A big “a-ha” moment for me was when I truly considered how all educations have gaps.
Think about this… Did you learn everything you needed to know for life in school, or have you had to learn things “on the fly”?
Guess what? When you taught yourself something new, you were filling in a gap!
Public school. Private school. Charter school. Homeschool.
You name it. There are gaps.
There is beauty in the gaps.
Gaps mean our kiddos are spending a good chunk of time studying their interests, rather than only filling their minds with information the curriculum or standards deem important. Or worse yet, learning something ONLY because it’s going to be on a standardized test.
Gaps mean our kids are growing in skills that they are excited about, and may possibly pursue a career in someday.
Children are more likely to retain information when they’re curious in a subject matter.
And if we’re so busy dotting all of our i’s and crossing our t’s, we’re missing out on those curious moments, and guess what, those are gaps too! And in my opinion, those gaps are much more grievous.
If we spend our days trying to “mind the gap” in our kid’s education, there may not be time or energy left for them to dive into their interests.
So rather than “minding the gap”, maybe we should keep in mind our child’s interests in our homeschool environment.
Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire.
With the 2018-19 school year all done (not that we really ever stop, because the learning is always happening!), I wanted to look back at what we accomplished this last year. Here is our Read Aloud Book Log from 2018-2019.
As you will see, many tied in with our study of ancient history. These are the books I read aloud with my 9 and 11-year-old.
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Read Aloud Book Log for 2018-2019
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness – The first book in the Wingfeather Saga, this book is Andrew Peterson’s first novel, full of fantasy, humor and adventure. And the character’s have the best names!
Adam & His Kin – Written by Ruth Beechick, Adam & His Kin gives a picture of what life was like from Adam to Abram. Should be read alongside the book of Genesis. This book helped us to see Adam, Noah, Abram, etc. as real people.
A Cry From Egypt – One of my daughter’s now favorites! A Cry From Egypt, which is a Christian Historical Fiction novel, was a crowd pleaser for sure. It helped us to see what it might have been like to be living as a Jew during the time of the ten plagues and the exodus.
Golden Goblet – A book that gives a picture of what it was like to live as a common Egyptian in Ancient Egypt. Gives a great picture of what Ancient Egyptian culture was like with fantastic detail. A little slow to start but then it picks up. This was a favorite of my son’s.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson – We read this during the start of baseball season this year. It’s a sweet story about a Chinese immigrant girl moving to New York.
Adara – Another historical fiction novel (set in the period of the Kings from the Bible). This one takes place during the time of General Naaman. This book gave good insight into what life was like during that time. Kind of slow, but still liked by my kids.
Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter – We read this the weeks leading up to Easter and it was a favorite! This book certainly made the time of lent more meaningful for us, and will be read again many times I’m sure! It helped us reflect on the power and beauty of Jesus’s resurrection.
Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent – This was our third time reading this one! We always read to coincide with the advent season. A powerful little story that always helps us reflect on the meaning of Christmas.
Theras & His Town – This was one was slow to start and we almost stopped reading it. HOWEVER, this was perhaps one of the most surprising novels, because we ended up enjoying this one immensely. And it was especially good for teaching the differences between Athenian and Spartan culture. A fabulous living book.
Wanderings of Odysseus – Written by Rosemary Sutcliff, this is great retelling of the Odyssey. Still working through (we had to break so we could read Britfield because I’m writing a review for it!)
Britfield – This is the book we are currently reading. Loving it so far. Has a historical fiction “feel” but set in modern times. I’m personally loving the setting of England. A unique story with a great plot. This one comes out in August! www.britfield.com
Mysterious Benedict Society – We listened to this one on audiobook. It’s about 4 smart kids who go on a mysterious mission. It’s full of codes, puzzles, and intrigue.
Tale of Despereaux – An endearing story about a mouse (who talks!), a rat, a servant, and a princess.
Farmer Boy – The story of Almanzo’s (Laura Ingall’s Wilder’s husband) childhood growing up on a farm. Has the same feel as the Little House books. We listened to this one on audiobook. Great for the whole family!
Anne of Green Gables – Anne is one of my favorite characters and though I love the movie I had never read the book until this year. We chose to listen on Audiobook.
Crenshaw – This is a story about a family who is going through a difficult time, and a boy and his imaginary friend. It’s a touching story that my kids really enjoyed.
Wizard of Oz – This was our third time through this classic. Always a favorite! We listened to the audiobook version read by Anne Hathaway.
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library – With a similar feel to Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, this is a fun quirky book that would make a great summer read! If you’re well acquainted with children’s literature, this book is sure to delight as there are so many references to children’s books.
Shiloh – Ok, I’ll admit, the kids listened to this one on their own! It was a short audiobook we did over just a few car trips. I remember enjoying this as a child so I thought my kids might like it too. It’s a moving story about a boy saving a dog. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is one of my kids’ favorite authors.
Well, here we are. Finally at the end of 36 weeks of Vision Therapy. His therapy pretty much spanned the school year and it seems fitting to be finishing up at the same time as summer just is taking off. We are very happy with his vision therapy results.
I’ll be honest, I’m feeling a bit emotional as I write this. These last seven years (starting at age 2) have been a journey with our middle son. Between therapy in the home, therapy in Early Childhood, therapy at the clinic, Brain Balance, integrative doctors, functional medicine doctors, and lots of diet/supplement interventions along the way, we’ve been through a lot.
We’ve not “arrived” by any means, and I’m not sure that we ever will fully.
BUT, I would say that vision therapy was one of our son’s “magic bullets” in unlocking his potential. He has made huge strides this past year, largely due to Vision Therapy. So right now, I just sit here, thankful.
It is difficult to accept your child’s delays, but also necessary, so you can love and enjoy them as they are. And have peace. However, I do not think we should just stay stuck in this thinking if there is something out there that can help them.
The difficulty is striking the balance between loving them for who they are AND continuing to seek out things that can help them. This is a balance I have often failed at and other times managed to strike quite well.
For us, homeschooling has been a huge ingredient in our child’s confidence and success.
Ok, had to get that sappy stuff out of the way. As much as I want this blog to help others, it’s also healing for me to write. Dual purpose. Win-win. Two birds one stone. 🙂
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Here are the gains we’ve seen from Vision Therapy
(many of these were mentioned in the 12 week update I did too):
Ball play is easier
Not as easily fatigued
Considerably fewer headaches
Handwriting improved
Spelling improved (And I should note – I don’t do spelling as a subject!)
Hiking is easier. He described this as “less stumbling”. When we went to Yellowstone in the fall, he had to stay near me or hold my hand to feel safe on the paths. He would often lose his footing or feel unsure on the trails. This is not an issue now. Just two weeks ago we did a rigorous hike (picture below was taken mid-hike) and this kid was at the head of the pack, trekking with confidence!
Focus while reading much improved. His words were, “It’s easier to concentrate while reading.”
I love objective results, so I was thrilled to find out he went from reading AND comprehending 128 words per minute for his grade level, to reading and comprehending 208 words per minute for his grade level. This was a huge jump!
Obviously, we are elated with his progress. We will still be doing a couple of exercises each day, but in total it should only be about 5 minutes a day. I’m okay with that! Especially since he does most of them without my help.
He continues to use this slant board which makes schoolwork, especially writing, easier.
If you want more info about vision therapy, check out this post I did for his 12 week update.
Introvert or Extrovert? Does it really even matter?
It was “Greek to me” until my first psychology class.
I love learning about all the different personality types and why people act the way they do (maybe a bit too much, ha!)
I’ve geeked out on learning about “introvertedness” ever since I learned the word, and more significantly, since learning I fell into that category. It was reassuring to know I wasn’t just weird (I was surrounded by LOTS of extroverts at that time!)
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And since that was right about the time the internet exploded, it wasn’t long before I found a Myers- Briggs personality test online and discovered I’m an INFJ, in which the “I” stands for introvert.
Sometimes people are surprised to find out I’m an introvert. After all, I’m generally friendly and really do enjoy talking with others. (Though it’s true that I most enjoy a group that’s three or fewer people.)
There are a lot of misconceptions that surround what it’s like to be an introvert, and I hope to dispel some of those here.
Myth #1: Introverts always prefer to be alone.
Truth: Introverts need time alone to RECHARGE – this is the difference. We ALL need community, and introverts are no different. However, when an introvert is “all peopled out” they need to retreat and re-charge. I liken it to charging a phone when it runs out of battery.
If you’re familiar with the multiple intelligences, introverts tend to be more self-smart.
Myth #2: Introverts don’t like people.
Truth: Introverts love people just as much as extroverts. They just need to re-charge alone or in a very small group. Are you seeing a pattern here?!
Introvert ≠ Hermit
Myth #3: Introverts are shy.
Truth: Okay, so it’s probably more likely that a shy person is an introvert rather than an extrovert. But I know plenty of introverts who are not shy at all. In fact, many public speakers are introverts.
Myth #4: Introverts only want to be friends with other introverts.
Truth: It’s true – we introverts do enjoy our introvert friends because let’s face it…. they “get it” when we just don’t want to go out, or need time to do nothing but stare at a wall (haha, kidding!)
BUT, as an introvert, I can honestly say I enjoy having both introverted and extroverted friends. It’s nice to see the world through other people’s eyes and it can grow and challenge us!
Myth #5: You can convert an introvert to be an extrovert.
Truth: An introvert is just who God meant them to be.
As one of my favorite authors and speakers, Dr. Kathy Koch says,”Be who you were created you to be.”
Extroverts and introverts both have different things to offer. One is not better than the other!
As my mom always told me, the world would be a boring place if we were all the same!
If you’re curious what your Myers-Brigg type is, check out this super easy quiz!
Bugs, Spiders, TICKS, oh my! OK, so ticks are a pretty big “oh my!”
But…
Campfires.
Being outside ALL DAY.
Scrumptious Smores.
SCREEN-FREE days that take us back in time.
Memories being made…
Obviously, you can see where my bias lies. 😉
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I grew up camping so it has never seemed extreme to me.
Though I get it when people say they could never camp. I’ve heard the comments countless times.
“I don’t do bugs.”
“I’ll sleep in my own bed, thank you very much.”
“I’m a beach person.”
“That’s a lot of work just for a few days.”
And it’s true.
Sleeping in a tent or camper ISN’T quite as luxurious as your warm, free from dirt and bugs, comfy bed.
Camp showers are NOT the same as a nice hot (not to mention high water pressure) shower at home.
Spending hours to prepare to (temporarily) live in an environment where a just a canvas or nylon cloth separates you from the often BRUTAL elements DOES seem a littleHUGELY insane.
It IS a lot of work to go camping.
It IS a little uncomfortable to live away from home and the niceties that come with it.
The bugs and ticks ARE a real nuisance.
So WHY do we do it?
Well, the list above says it all.
Family time. Memories. And hello…. CAMP FOOD!
I believe the pros outweigh the cons.
Here’s WHY:
Once camp is set up, there is nothing else to do besides enjoy each other and make a camp meal or two. You can’t be working on household stuff because your house IS the great outdoors.
Kids are forced into boredom and finding ways to pass the time outside. When I was a kid we spent a lot of unstructured time outside. But these days it’s less and less common and kids are in danger of NDD (Nature Deficit Disorder).
Time slows down if only for a few days. We live in an immediate gratification culture. Everything is at our fingertips. We are losing what it means to slow down and be patient. Camping isn’t the solution, and neither is getting rid of all technology. However, camping offers a much-needed break from the hectic busy nature of life.
And let’s be honest, what can compete with the glowing rectangle?!
Camping is a great way to get to know your family better. When we see each other in different surroundings we learn new things about each other. For instance, I see my nature-smart kid come alive when we’re camping. Normally quick to get tired, he has a renewed energy being out in the elements.
If you have a nature-smart kid, this book is a great book all about camping, packed with TONS of ideas for meals, activities and more.
Camping helps foster independence in kids. Children can have some freedom to roam when camping, while still being under your watch. They can fetch some water or maybe walk to the bathrooms themselves, or bike around a loop. Possibly even make a new friend.
Now… about those ticks.
I’ll be honest, I loathe bugs. Like “scream your head off when they fly near your face” loathing. Yes, I’m one of those people. And we’ve been on a few trips where the bugs were BAD. Usually, that’s when I layer up and spray myself with DEET (not ideal for this semi-crunchy mama).
Ticks are the WORST and I really do understand why some people would avoid camping for this reason alone. Although I should point out, you can get ticks anywhere… We had some in your yard when we lived in the suburbs of Chicago!
We’ve learned a few “TICK TRICKS” over time.
Homemade tick spray (recipe here), or OFF for the really wooded areas.
Lint Roller to roll over everybody after a day of playing outside.
Tick Twister (For $5, these are AMAZING!) We used them to get two TINY deer ticks off my son last summer. If you are a camping family, this is a MUST HAVE.
Don’t let the ticks deter you from camping! Use these tricks to deter THEM!
Any great reasons for camping I missed? Please add them to the comments below!
When it comes to read-aloud novels I can think of countless books that are favorites in our family…
And then, there are the favorites of the favorites.
Reading aloud is the spine of our homeschool. A good majority of our time is spent reading (mostly living books) together. It is probably my absolute favorite thing about homeschooling.
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I compiled a list of all the books we have read aloud together during the last few years and then pulled our top 5 from that list.
These are perfect for ages 6-12, or elementary age kids!
Based on a true story, and set in Wisconsin in the 1860’s, Caddie is a spirited young lady who gets into all sorts of mischief fun. This is one of the most entertaining historical fiction novels we’ve read.
Who doesn’t love Pooh?! We especially loved listening to the audiobook version of this book. The dramatization was fabulous and piglet’s snorts make us burst into giggles every time. And the characters have such different personalities. Winnie the Pooh is a classic!
Okay, so full confession here. Of this list, this is probably MY least favorite. But when I asked my kids what their favorite read-aloud books were, Pippi was the first book to come out of their mouths. And it’s been almost 3 years since we read it! Obviously, it made an impression! If you’re not familiar with Pippi, she’s a strong-headed orphan girl who lives alone and loves adventure and crazy antics. (No wonder the kids loved it!)
Based on the original Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, this version is a just a teeny bit easier (translate: RIDICULOUSLY easier) for kids to understand. The author has simplified the vocabulary and written it in modern English (the original is in Old English!) while still maintaining the same beautiful storyline. This title is a great read for both children and adults, and a FANTASTIC allegory of the Christian life.
We just love these books by Arnold Ytreeide that take us back to the time when Jesus walked the Earth. I couldn’t pick just one as we loved BOTH of these. They have helped us understand what it may have been like to have lived during both the time of Jesus’s birth and death and resurrection. Not only do these books keep you on the edge of your seat, but they also foster spiritual growth and keep you focused on the meaning of Easter and Christmas.
There are three others in the series that we hope to read soon:
We read this when we studied Ancient Egypt and my daughter has re-read it several times since and wanted to make sure it made the list. 🙂
All of these books, and many others that weren’t mentioned here come up in conversation often, whether it’s an amusing part of a story we remember together, or something meaningful that we dive into deep discussion about. I love how books have enriched our family culture.
Do you have a “favorite of favorites” read-aloud? We’d love to know!
It’s been a week since we were at the Great Homeschool Convention in St. Louis, MO, and I have been thinking about and implementing a lot of what we learned or re-learned. And most of it’s not even related to homeschooling!
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Packing
Okay – a few notes on packing…
We should’ve brought even more food than we did. We spent more on dining out than planned. Next time I’m keeping it simple with PBJs for lunches.
Having a backpack was essential! There were lots of handouts, papers, not to mention the items we bought in the exhibit hall. Some people even had rolling crates. I think I even saw a toddler napping in a wagon! Genius!
Concerts
We enjoyed both concerts – Andrew Peterson and Slugs and Bugs. The kids were ecstatic to get a picture with and signed tickets from Randall Goodgame. We laminated them to use as bookmarks! 🙂
Kids with Randall Goodgame of Slugs and Bugs and his daughter
Speakers
Dr. Kathy Koch
We were blessed to hear Dr. Kathy speak twice. I would have loved to have attended more of her sessions but there were so many sessions we wanted to hear, it just didn’t work out. But I did get a lot of great takeaways from those two sessions.
Meeting Dr. Kathy in the exhibit hall
#1 Takeaway – Talk about the behavior you WANT to see.
For example, instead of “You’re so rude”, use “I look forward to the day you can talk kindly.”.
When you focus on what behavior you’re looking for, it gives hope and tools for change.
#2 Takeaway – Use Consistent comebacks
Consistent comebacks have helped me immensely. It’s very empowering to have tools in your toolbox that are easy to implement and that WORK! These comebacks have aided me in not getting entangled in otherwise fruitless (and draining) conversations this week.
Here are a few examples. There are many more in Dr. Kathy’s new book Start With the Heart.
Kid says:
“I can’t do this.”
Consistent Comebacks:
“What can you do?”, “How can I help?”, “What don’t you understand?”, “You can when you try.”
I attended all three of Colleen’s talks. Her talk on executive functioning was very enlightening. And her talk on perfectionism/anxiety was extremely helpful. Her talk on rabbit trails had lots of practical tips. Here are my main takeaways.
#3 Takeaway – Importance of Fostering Resiliency In Our Kids
Both Dr. Kathy and Colleen spoke on this. And both also recommended the book: Mistakes That Worked – a great little book full of stories of inventions that were created by mistake, including chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, and many more! Some ways we can foster resiliency in our kids are to let them see us make mistakes or talk about our own struggles.
Remind them the process is more important than the product.
From Colleen’s talk on perfectionism:
Takeaway #4: VALIDATE VALIDATE VALIDATE
I think I do a pretty good job with this, but it was just a good reminder… If you have a child who struggles with emotional regulation, or anxiety, or really just any kid (or person!) who’s dealing with big emotions, it’s so important to validate their emotions. To us, it may seem silly or not a big deal that they’re so upset, but to THEM it’s a big deal.
Also, remind them their emotions are valid but their behaviors are a choice.
Sarah Mackenzie
I only went to one of Sarah’s talks, but it was packed full of great homeschooling advice. But one thing she said really stuck with me…
Takeaway #5: The baby is the lesson.
Sarah could definitely speak to this as she had twin newborns and a 1-year-old (as well as three older kids) at one point. Now we don’t have babies here anymore, but I do have a busy and strong willed 4-year-old. And often it seems so hard to get things done because of that, which can be discouraging. Her talk was a good reminder that a lot of what our kids will learn has more to do with life and relationships than academics.
Kids with Sarah MackenzieI got to meet her briefly before her session. 🙂
The Loot
We bought more than we planned. But they were a bunch of resources we were excited about!
The Picture Smart Bible really caught our eye. It’s more hands-on and also pretty in-depth. As we get started on it, I’ll make sure to update on how it’s going.
Two books by Colleen Kessler: Electricity and Magnetism and Raising Creative Kids. Colleen actually suggested cutting the binding off “Raising Creative Kids” and then laminating them as activity cards, so I’m going to do that! Our science kiddo specifically picked out the Electricity and Magnetism book and the ideas in Raising Creative Kids looked right up my kiddos’ alley. We’re excited to dive into both!
Like I mentioned, Mistakes That Worked, was recommended by two speakers! The kids are loving it!
Exploring Dinosaurs with Mr. Hibb was sold by Creation Ministries International and is designed for middle school. It appealed to our oldest, so we purchased it.Another vendor we spoke to, but did not purchase from, was The Color-Coded Chef. She had a great product for getting your kids cooking, especially kids who need step-by-step instructions. She created it for her son with special needs, so he would be able to cook independently as an adult. For those who need a product like this, it is fabulous!
Giant Cow
Our kids loved the Giant Cow program. It was affordable and fun! They also took lots of safety precautions which is reassuring for parents!
Have you been to a GHC? Any tips here to add? Please comment below!
Hey hey hey…. did I happen to mention, we’re heading down to the Great Homeschool convention?
We’ve been to two homeschool conventions in the past. When I calculated it, I realized our last homeschool convention was 5 years ago. So we are pretty excited about going, especially since we’ve never done a Great Homeschool Convention.
Since we now live in WI, we do have to travel a bit further to get to a convention. This year we will be heading to the Great Homeschool Convention in St. Charles, MO. This is the first time we will be taking kids with us (just our older two, the youngest gets a weekend at “Gramma Camp”).
Why go to a convention?
You don’t NEED to go to a homeschool convention, but they definitely are an oasis for the weary homeschool mom. A time to re-charge, re-focus and get your hands on tons of different homeschool curriculum.
While I appreciate the internet and all it has to offer with connecting with other homeschoolers and checking out curriculum online, it pales in comparison to “in the flesh”.
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Packing List
As with any trip, going to a homeschool convention requires some preparation.
Here are some of the staples we are bringing:
Audiobooks for car – I’ve been stocking up on a bunch, but we’ll probably start with On the Banks of Plum Creek ( the Little House Audiobooks are just amazing!) If you’re curious where we find audiobooks without breaking the bank, check out this post.
Money – One of the coolest things about homeschool conventions is the exhibit hall where you get to check out all sorts of homeschool resources and curriculum, and often there are discounts. At our last homeschool convention, we discovered one of our favorite devotional books – Long Story Short.
Comfy shoes – For all the walking around from “to and fro”.
Water bottle – Save $$ and bring your own!
Backpack – Leave the purse behind! Put it all in your backpack!
Journal & Colored Pens – I have to take notes in order to remember things I’ve learned. And I love using these journal planner colored pens to do so!
Cooler and snacks – The hotel provides breakfast and an evening “reception” each day, but we have to provide our own food beyond that. We stocked up on cold cuts, cheese, and lots of snacky stuff from Aldi. Our family likes to eat, so we want to be prepared! 🙂
Who I’m Excited to Meet and Hear
Colleen Kessler -I’m probably most excited to hear (and meet!) Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners speak. She is an expert on differently-wired kids and her podcast has given me great encouragement. I’ve also been doing her “Crash Course for Homeschooling THAT Kid” which has been very helpful.
Kathy Koch – I first heard Dr. Kathy speak in South Korea in 2003. The next time I heard her was at a Hearts at Home conference in 2015. She is one of the most encouraging and motivating speakers I’ve heard. With a combined passion for children and a degree in educational pyschology, she is a (positive) FORCE to be reckoned with. As many of you know, I was also on her recent Book Launch team for Start With the Heart, which is an invaluable resource about motivating your kids, with loads of practical tips for parents.
Sarah Mackenzie – I’m not sure we’ll make it to one of Sarah’s sessions, though my son specifically asked if we will meet her (I told him it’s likely!) 🙂 Her website – Read Aloud Revival, is an extremely helpful resource for finding great read aloud selections. I hope to at least visit her booth in the exhibit hall.
Slugs and Bugs – We have listened to Slugs and Bugs since the kids were itty bitty, so they do not remember a time without Slugs and Bugs in their lives. This concert is sure to be a treat. We love the way Slugs and Bugs fuses the silly and the serious in a sweet, sweet way. The kids are really hoping to hear some songs from the Under Where? album. We also love his Sing the Bible albums, where he puts scripture to music.
Other Highlights
I mentioned the exhibit/vendor hall which is a big draw to any homeschool convention. With modern technology and the internet, you can research a lot of curriculum online, but seeing it and getting your hands on it is SO much better!
Last but certainly not least, the kids will be going to day camp type event Giant Cow while we attend the sessions, which they are pretty pumped about!
I recently read the book, Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners by Cindy West. Lots of great stuff in there. Perhaps my biggest takeaway was her advice regarding creative children. She advised to include your creative child when making plans. Let them play a part in the planning process
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I’ll be honest, I read Cindy’s book a few months ago and haven’t implemented the “include your creative kid when creating plans” idea yet.
However this past week, I was creating a “to do” list for myself. Actually, in an effort to tame the technological beast, I was just moving said list from my phone to a pen and paper checklist I could tape to the fridge and not have to rely on my phone as much. (Because, inevitably when I go to check my list, I end up distracted and forgetting why I got on my phone in the first place!)
I digress. As I was making my list, I thought for the kids’ writing assignment that day, they could make their own lists and design them to their liking. They obliged and enjoyed it!
For my creative child, there were pictures and colors. And laminating.
There was also pushback after this list was done and taped to the fridge.
Creative Compromise or Big Mistake
For the first few days of using the list (which BTW were the same core tasks that already had to be completed every day – but at MY prompting), there was unhappiness and even some anxiety. I wondered if I had made a mistake. I mean the list was pretty long. Maybe we bit off more than we could chew.
But on day 3, low and behold I heard the words, “I like the list.”
GASP!
SUCCESS!
And can I just say it’s been amazing not to need to nag? It’s been delightful actually.
The novelty may eventually wear off, and that’s ok. The point is to remember to bring my creative child into the planning process. And also to remember that sometimes the kids who hate structure the most, still want/need it. Their structure may just look different than we think it should.
How do you work with your creative child to create more calm?
