Homeschooling: 2018 Has Been AWESOME

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This last year has been INSANE! As a homeschooling parent, I have been totally digging into some new curriculum. By the time all my kids are in college…I will still not be an expert at homeschooling. I think one of the reasons I love homeschooling so much is the fact that it is this living, breathing monstrosity that constantly makes me stretch outside comfort zones and keeps me learning right along with my kiddos.

This last year my oldest started college. He is only 17 and still small for his age, so he gets a lot of comments from other students about how young he looks. I think he would have been uncomfortable in the past with people commenting on how he stands out in life, but he has grown into an incredibly funny guy and finds the whole “Yikes, how old are you?” question to be a great opener to telling the universe about how much he loved being homeschooled. My kids are so strange!

Tanner got into the college he wanted and into the program he was hoping to pursue. When he first came home asking to step outside the traditional public schooling path, I was scared to death. But the past 6 years of homeschooling my kids has given me an opportunity to build courage and find relationships with other parents who home school their kids. It is a much bigger and braver community than I could have imagined, and I’m so thankful to the men and women who have helped me navigate a course I never imagined I would be taking. Some of these families have homeschooled all of their kids from kindergarten through high school, and I have a few friends with 7 or more children…I don’t know how they do it. These parents and children have helped us find peace in the journey. They’ve taught me to let go of what I thought education should be and embrace what education is for my family.

Jake has started high school through the BYU online program. It is a rigorous educational program and I think we will take a couple steps back from the way I did things with my last high school kiddo. I am planning on enrolling Jake in some community college courses for fall and will go ahead and audit the classes with him. I didn’t think I’d be going back to college after I finished my master’s degree. Yet here we are…and I am taking freshmen courses again. This is one relentless reminder that my plans have to remain fluid if I want to let the kids take charge of how they go about learning, and it is one heck of a humbling experience.

Little Moments that Change the World

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I’m finding more and more that flexibility is the key to truly creating an environment that is conducive to educating my children. I truly don’t know how public school teachers are able to teach large groups and stay on task. My little ones have so many questions and we end up deviating from my lesson plans just about every day. I have ended up delving deeper into topics I had no idea my children would be so interested in.

Lately, my kids have been super interested in the religions around the world. Each religion started in one region, and spread across the globe. Hinduism is the topic of conversation right now, and we are learning about the many different gods and their purposes in the lives of the Hindu people. It’s fascinating to watch my kids devour information on people around the world and begin to understand the reasons why we are different and yet so much the same.

About three weeks ago we were covering the reality of poverty around the world. My children have never faced a night of going hungry, and I wanted them to understand just how wonderful a blessing it is to have an abundance of food. I didn’t think the video I chose would have the intense impact on my children that it ended up having. Seeing the conditions many people live in, both within the United States and around the world, had my children in tears. I had not intended to put them into a state of total despair, but that’s where we ended up.

My daughter looked at me as soon as the video was over, and with tears streaming down her face she declared that we must somehow make a difference in these children’s lives. We have decided, as a family, to put aside more money each month to donate to those in need. One way my kids have helped make this possible is by slowing down on the amount of food that is wasted in our home. Their commitment to change has had an enormous impact on our budget. I was amazed at their commitment and ability to make such a huge dent in our weekly finances.

Again, this was one of our many tangents in education. We spent hours researching what poverty looks like and how we can help make the lives of those who struggle just a little less difficult. I’m so incredibly thankful to have the time and opportunity to work with my sweet children as they learn about the world around them. Who could have possibly known that a lesson on cultures could take us down the path that would lead my children to a place of empathy and love? I want them to believe that one person can make a difference, and it is a priceless experience to watch them pursue their plan to make the world a better place. Such a sweet moment as a mother and as a teacher.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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At first I was totally overwhelmed by the whole process of homeschooling my kids. They had asked to come home for their education, and that was completely not part of my master plan. I was looking forward to some alone time while they were away at school. So, when they asked to come home I was totally unprepared. I presented my arguments for public schooling. They outlined their plan for a home based education. In the end, I had to concede. They had a great plan, an infallible argument, and they were just too darn cute. Truthfully, their cuteness factor can persuade me to do things I never thought I’d do.

This is my fourth year homeschooling, and I have found that homeschooling has a number of “hidden” benefits. One of my personal favorites is how it allows me the time to prepare homemade meals for the kids. We recently discovered a soup that the whole family loves, and I just thought I would share it with you. I ended up making this soup two days ago, at 6:00 am because we had a busy day planned.  I figured I would get the soup made, check that off my to-do-list, and serve it for lunch.

Apparently, this soup smells good enough to wake sleeping children. They stumbled out of their rooms with nests of bedhead hair balanced atop their heads, barely open eyes, and tummies ready to have soup for breakfast. And this is where most of us would say, “What?!? Soup for breakfast. That is just wrong.” And that is actually what I said out loud. And then protested their soupy breakfast by having a bowl of Cheerios, because that is what normal people eat for breakfast.

You obviously don’t need to make this before the sun comes up to enjoy it, but I must say–my home smelled amazing all day.

2 TBS butter

1 Cup finely diced onion

½ Cup of finely diced celery

2 garlic cloves minced

¼ Cup of flour

1 quart half-and-half (I use the fat free one)

2 (14 ounce) cans of chicken broth

¾ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp dried parsley flakes

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup shredded carrots

2 cups chopped fresh spinach leaves

1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken

1 package ready-to-use gnocchi

 

Melt butter over medium heat and add onion, celery, and garlic. Cook these until onion is translucent. Whisk in flour and cook about a minute (this helps to thicken the soup). Whisk in half-and-half. Simmer until thickened. Add the chicken broth, thyme, parsley, nutmeg, carrots, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Autism Support For An Adult

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When a woman finds out she is pregnant, there is a dream that she subscribes to. Each of our dreams are different, but we have them. We hold onto those dreams until something forces us to let go. Some of the families I have the honor to work with are going through the “letting go” process. They are saying goodbye to what they thought would be, and opening the door to a new reality.

One of the struggles parents of children on the autism spectrum face, is finding support services. These services are generally not covered by insurance, incredibly expensive, difficult to get into, and sometimes just plain obsolete. I am currently working with a family whose adult daughter is struggling to find a path that will accommodate her needs and fulfill her dreams.

The first step we are taking is to look into the state run programs. Those programs can be difficult to get into, and often times financial support is based upon the income of the family. In this case, the adult child is old enough to no longer be considered a dependent, and therefore may receive some services that she would not have ten years ago. At a bare minimum, these state programs provide support staff who know their stuff. They know the laws and are able to direct families towards seeking fair treatment in educational settings, job placement, and all other aspects of life. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that someone is there and willing to hold your hand and walk you through the tough moments.

The next step is to ask the experts we are working with to give referrals for different programs in the area. I am new to the state I live in, and so I am always looking for success stories involving any local service providers. We were lucky enough to find that the local community college has just adopted a program specifically for individuals who struggle with the issues found within an autism diagnosis. This program provides great support for their students. Everything within the academic program nurtures the strengths, and supports the weaknesses that each student brings to the table.

We are currently looking for an assisted group living scenario. I am hoping to find an option for the family, as they are truly hoping to see their daughter live independently and successfully. This is definitely not the case for all families. Many want to keep their loved ones in the home. In this particular situation, the adult child is a very high functioning individual and could successfully live on her own with the proper support systems in place.

We are also looking for support systems for the family as they go through this transition. I don’t want them to make rash decisions as they watch their daughter and sister struggle to find her way as an independent adult. It is hard to step back and allow your child to face challenges without stepping in to lighten the load. But it is incredibly important that the family has a professional on their side to talk out their fears, joys, and any future needs they will face.

I will update this post as we get this sweet family on the path they are seeking.

 

The top three places to start a search for support services:

  1. Vocational Rehabilitation: this is generally a government funded program with individuals who have fabulous training and are prepared to provide extensive support for anyone who is looking for work and has a documented disability.
  2. Community Colleges: Contact the disability resource center of your local community college and ask to speak with the director. These folks are very aware of what resources are available within the community.
  3. Google local support groups for the issue you are looking to address. The absolute best place to find good information is from others who are working through similar issues.

Driveway Art

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I recently found some seriously amazing sidewalk chalk paint at Sam’s Club and could hardly wait to get the kids outside. Unfortunately, the weather boasted a high of 34 for a week before we finally hit the low 60s, and I was able to take my “cold weather resistant” children outside.

The three kids took over the driveway and created a “coral reef meets space odyssey” mural.  I think it’s interesting to let kids loose with their imaginations. My only stipulations were that they use all the paint in the little cans, and no “potty humor” painting. As much as I appreciate a good bodily function joke, I don’t think my neighbors would enjoy the presentation of these splayed across my driveway. The kiddos agreed to my rules, and took over.

I let the kids have at it, and watched as they brought our driveway to life. Their little conversations melted my heart. With three kids at home all the time, you would think that there might be a bit more contention. These kids constantly amaze me with the obvious love and respect they show each other. There was sharing, team work, and a final product that really made our driveway come alive. I just noticed there is rain in the forecast for next Thursday. I’m hoping the report is wrong, because I am not ready to say goodbye to my driveway art.

I am seriously considering letting them take their work to one wall in the house. That way I can keep their work displayed come rain or shine, but I need to get my hubby on board first.

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Parenting Three Kiddos

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I am constantly learning how to be a better parent and teacher to my three kiddos. There are days I feel like I’ve totally got this gig down, and then there are those “reality check days” when I am reminded that I have absolutely nothing figured out, and I need to revamp all my strategies.

When I had my first child everything was new and I felt like I was learning all the many tricks to parenting a child. When my second child joined our family, I was sure that all my previous experiences with our oldest had in fact prepared me for the challenge of mothering any child. Oh how wrong I was. The second little boy I brought home from the hospital had completely different needs and totally different expectations of me, as a mother. Thankfully, I was a little more realistic when my daughter was born. And she proved to be yet another completely different individual than her brothers.

I guess parenting three children is a lot like planning a road trip three different times and taking completely different routes to get to that final destination. I am hoping to raise all three of these amazing individuals to be strong adults who will have the ability and the vision to make the world a better place than they found it. But the path to that dream is completely different with each of these little kiddos.

I love the way they challenge my abilities, thinking process, and sometimes my patience. They keep me humble with their understanding of the world and their insights into how others should be treated. Kids come innately pure and kind. I pray that I am able to nurture this natural talent. I want to give them the strongest foundation possible to build their personalities and become solid in the knowledge that they truly are capable of making a great impact on the world around them.

Museums

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One of my favorite aspects of homeschooling is the flexibility it affords us. I love working hard on the days we are completing a normal class schedule and then taking a day off to hit up a museum or some other field trip. We recently made a little trip over to Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville Arkansas and had a complete blast.

The hiking trails around the museum are amazing and the museum itself is absolutely incredible. Our favorite exhibit was the “100 Unknown Artists”. This particular exhibit showcases the works of artists who are not well known and all of them are from the United States. It was fun to see all the “out of the box” thinking that comes with artistic freedom. My personal favorite was the pigeon knitwear. I have recently taken up knitting and crocheting and neither of these things is particularly easy for me. But the intricate costumes this designer created for pigeons were off the charts amazing. I can only assume this person has patience that goes beyond most humans, because these things were detailed beyond belief. I would pay good money to witness a NYC fashion week “pigeon walk” of these designs.

My kids were totally amazed at some of the work shown in this museum. We have a small pottery wheel in our home, and my kids have truly tried to master the art of throwing a pot. Their work is displayed in our home, and they regularly complain about my pride in their original pieces. I guess none of them want to showcase their masterpieces, but I insist. The pottery and ceramic works this museum contains are beyond anything my children had ever seen before. It is one thing to read about art in a book, but it is a whole different animal when you actually have the opportunity to see the piece with your own eyes.

Seize the Day

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I am constantly reminded of just how short and precious life truly is. Losing both my parents in a three year timeframe has given me a deep respect for each day I am here. This perspective influences the way I plan both short-term and long-term goals. I used to believe that there would always be time to do whatever I wanted, but I have converted my thought process to “seize the day” and “put your money, and hard work, where your mouth is.”

I recently came across a father who inspired me immensely with his “seize the day” attitude. Brian Smith has a son who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. He, as do all parents of children with any non-typical developmental struggles, faced a myriad of unknowns. Brian found that his son responded extremely well to music and connected to the messages within the lyrics. With fortitude and planning, Brian began the process of creating songs to help his son navigate through new experiences life presented. I was thrilled when I was introduced to Brian’s work, and even more enthralled when I found out more about the man behind the music. Each of us faces moments when we realize someone needs to step up and make a difference. But very few of us look within ourselves and choose to become that catalyst for change. Brian was one of the few who looked inside and opted to do the hard work necessary to make a change.

I have been inspired by Brian’s attitude and his ability to make the world a better place than he found it. As I move forward with my goals and continue on my journey, I am working to become more of a catalyst for change. If you are interested in finding out more about Brian Smith and The Aus-Sums go to http://theaussumdad.com/ and check out what they are working on now.

Pranksters

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One of the downsides to homeschooling is the way my kids have decided to harass me with fake snakes. I guess, as their teacher, I should know better than to think that they would let me teach in total peace. But I was under the impression that, being my children, they would not try so hard to induce panic and possible heart attacks. Most of their extra time in the day goes towards hobbies and educational activities, but a portion of it clearly goes into planning strategic snake attacks for their personal entertainment.

I’m only including a couple of the pictures of the last few “fake snake attacks” as evidence of their crimes. I’m thankful I have never had the old-school “tack on the chair” prank, but these snakes are seriously realistic and have elicited numerous screams. The problem is the fact that we have actually had two snakes in our home in the last four years, and so each fake snake attack evokes some level of PTSD style reaction.

 

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Hands-On Activities

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I absolutely love all hands-on teaching methods, and this is one of my favorites from the last two weeks. My 5th grader is learning about some of the most important advancements made in the world of transportation. I am blown away by all the educational materials available to my children. We can jump online or head over to the library and find an insane amount of supplemental materials for each topic. I had no idea the Wright brothers ran a bicycle shop full-time and made planes in the winter when the shop was slow. This is just one of the fun facts we learned while researching some of the amazing inventions and inventors from America’s past.

My son was particularly interested in Henry Ford and his amazing Model T. We talked all about the advancements made in production, and why this car made such a huge impact on the world of motor vehicles. The Model T was the first affordable car for the general population, and it was the beginning of a total shift in how we would mass produce the enormous number of items used by today’s consumer. There is clearly a down side to the mass market mentality, but we tried to focus on the upside of this new production method.

In order to show my kids just how much of an impact an assembly line can have on production, I challenged each of my three kids to produce as many candy cars as they could in just one minute. Each of the kids did their best to run around the kitchen and grab all the items they needed to create one car at a time. The outcome was one sloppy car from only one child. The other two were not able to create one single finished product in 60 seconds. Then each child chose their jobs, and we created an assembly line to produce the tiny candy cars. The kids were able to pump out three completed cars and one half finished product in just 60 seconds. It was a real learning moment for each of them. The amount of time and energy needed to complete this challenge diminished significantly when they implemented the “assembly line” mentality. I’m sure they could have pounded out a few more if we would have had access to a moving assembly line, but that was not to be… I hope they never forget Henry Ford and his moving assembly line.

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