Tag Archives: Home Schooling

So, home schooling is a challenge, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world…

Posted on by
Reply

Many people have opinions about home schooling that are less than, hmmmm, kind. My answer: It is none of their freaking business. I know my kid best. There are so many reasons that people do it nowadays, and again-it’s none of their freaking business. I sent my kid to a Christian school for kindergarten and she was chastised the whole year by her teacher. I didn’t learn how much so until after it was over, and I still hear about it years later.

My daughter’s problem, or actually it is not a problem, she is very intelligent. Not just book smarts either. She has “street smarts” or “common sense” to balance her smarts. She is good at cooking and building things and art and science, one of those people who is equally left and right-brained.  Some teachers do not value kids that are grade levels ahead, it is too much of a challenge. Since the private school would not work with her need for more work and public schools don’t offer many options, we did an online public school.

This way, she has standardized tests on file, school records that show what her grades are, etc. Basically, for me the structure and accountability are huge factors for why we home school this way. Some home school families even look down on us because they say: “Well if you are not sending your child to public school then why are you doing online public school?” Again, because of the aforementioned reasons. I also like the teacher support, online clubs and classes and field trips.

I am talking about all of this to say that we have one life to live and it is ours. We have our families, our reasons for doing things, choices and paths we have taken, and different ways of viewing things. For me, home schooling allows me to be in control of what she focuses on while doing the necessary work, in a stable and solid learning environment. I can brush over the basic ideals about Greek Gods, but will not waste a month on it. On the other hand, we can spend much more time on American History and do local field trips since D.C. is footsteps away.

I just wish that people would “do them”, and not feel that their way is the only way. I mean when it comes to “Do unto others” or other God’s commandments, of course we should do things God’s way. But when it comes to the way that we live our lives that in no way affects or hurts others, people need to basically keep their mouths shut. I don’t judge those who don’t home school and are wealthy stay at  home moms (I know many), so I don’t need to hear one more convo about how she needs to be around kids her age.

She acts, she sings, she dances, she takes art classes, she is in scouting, she bowls, she plays an instrument. I think she’s good. And, when she goes into the workplace, it is highly unlikely she will work in an environment where everyone that she works with and deals with is 22 years old. So, having friends of all ages and all walks of life is actually very valuable. I guess this post today is half explaining why we home school, half defending it, and complaining about those that have something to say about it.

I will step off of my soapbox now, and get back to my daughter’s Language Arts class. We just took a late lunch break and watched an American Girl craft video, one of the many reasons that I would not trade working from home and teaching from home. We go at our own pace and enjoy each other. Though there are good days and bad days with home learning, seeing my daughter learn in the way that she does best and spending the day with her is worth it all.

I hope that you all have a beautiful day and enjoy the life that you are blessed with in the way that makes you happy.

Simply~

Dee

So, I apologize to you all and to myself for not writing for so long…

Posted on by
Reply

To be honest, we enjoyed the last almost 3 weeks of the pool, every single day. We went on walks and for ice cream and stayed up late watching movies and I read 3 novels in one week and I have caught up on my Real Simple. I love writing, I truly do, but I have been thinking and praying and figuring things out. My fabulous kid go cast in another major DC play, so that schedule starts next week to prepare for December shows. She started 3 more of her activities last week too, and we are doing home schooling again and exercising everyday, so there have been plenty of reasons why I have been incognito!

What have you all been up to? Did you enjoy the rest of the summer? Do you have a fab tan to boast about (like I do?)? Did you squeeze every last minute out of August that you could before succumbing to and getting into the swing of September?

For me, the late Labor Day really put us behind! My bday is soon, I am not financially prepared for the beach trip I wanted to take and all of the other things I want to do for it, so we are going for the day. It is 3 hours to the beach with DC traffic, but we are leaving at 530 am and hope to make the drive in just 2. I can’t wait for this weekend because I have 3 days of bday fun planned with my kid.

Last year, I went to different dinners and lunches with friends, but this year I am doing winery tours a few weeks after my bday. It feels kind of weird that I won’t be seeing friends this week, but next month it will be a celebration again. I chose that time because my kiddo will have an activity overnight then that will afford me the chance to do the limo ride with friends and go to dinner after and not have all the guilt.:)

I really do miss writing and I really miss reading some of your blogs. I have just had to work on a few things that were outside of the creative, for a few weeks. You know, get my household together. I got rid of some small swimsuits and have donated clothing that my kid will not be able to wear next summer. I am still going through clothes as we speak, to fit all of the new fall clothing in the closet that my mom sent.

Oh! I forgot to mention that I got my first record player that I have had in 2 decades! So super stoked. It is a bluetooth/cd/radio/record player. I had to pull out my old Thriller album from my childhood. I was shocked it did not have one scratch at all! Anyway, been rearranging our place, discarding things, organizing school stuff and now I am ready to “do me”-aka write and sing. I started back in choir last week too.

Many, many changes! Tell me what you all have been up to! I am blogging again. Yayyyyy! Happy, Happy Fall to all! I am getting back to basics. Insurance work, home schooling, activities and I love it all! Except work:)

Autumn-02-1024x682

So, I can plan parties 3 months ahead of time and help fix others’ problems, so why do I not fix…

Posted on by
2

My job situation?? I have been caring for kids in some way/shape or form for 12 years straight. I also have a part-time job that I do from home that I am grateful for, but I am not happy with it. It isn’t a lot of money and it is not fulfilling my dreams. It is helping someone fill their dream-AGAIN. I want to wake up everyday and love what I do in the way that I love and appreciate being a mom.

I can’t imagine what I could do that would give me that sense of fulfillment. I am so traditional in some ways and so non-traditional in others. But, now I understand why some people go to college to “meet a husband”. I never thought that I would love caring for someone so much. Being a mom is what I am so good at and I truly love, which is great for my daughter. If only I could get paid for all that I do as a mom because besides writing and music, there is not much more that I am passionate about.

It’s kind of foolish because I have tried to be a stay-at-home mom as a single mom and it doesn’t work well because I do have to bring home the bacon. Staying home and home schooling my kid while trying to make ends meet is tough, and to some perhaps silly, but it’s a calling to me. I feel led to be here for my daughter and have a great relationship with her, and to raise her in the way that I see fit.

I would be possibly better off if I worked full-time, but with child care costs and being away from my daughter every day all day, I don’t know. I am not judging working moms because I had one. But I really wish my mom could have been around more. Especially since I was a child of divorce. I think that I am trying to fill in the gap that my kid’s dad doesn’t fill since we split up 5 years ago. To be honest, he never filled it. He was just someone who brought extra income to the house, but he was absent in every other way.

So, I try so hard to be supermom (to the best of my ability) because I want to, but also because this little girl needs me to be. It is different from it was when I was growing up. We don’t have the same neighbors forever. We can’t send our kids out to play with no parental supervision. She has tons of friends and we do a lot, but a lot of her life revolves around me.

My whole point in this long monologue is to say that I wish I could do my own thing and do it as well as I parent. I would be rolling in the bucks if I knew how to put that type of dedication into work as I do into child-rearing. I am very bright and quite brainy and funny and so many other things that are positive, but I would never win an award for being focused. I try so hard to be. I have started up businesses. I have come up with great ideas, but nothing has come to fruition.

SO, to all of you praying folk, please pray that I can find a way to support myself and my child in a way that I can enjoy and do well. I want to love waking up not only because I am blessed in my home life, but because my whole life is blessed. It may be a lot to ask for, but I am tired of pinching pennies and still being miserable in what I do.

God Bless you all and good night!

Simply~

Dee

You win some and you lose some while blogging and drinking lattes at Starbucks:) (First World Problems)

Posted on by
Reply

So, I am here to do around 4 hours of math with my daughter for her home school studies because she goes to an actual online school it can be quite demanding like going to a physical school. They are having a super fun day where there are props to take pics with and post to social media for employee appreciation. Walking in the door after my morning job to this cheery atmosphere made me smile and feel that today would be a good day.

The coffee is smelling good. It is not freezing cold in here today. The atmosphere is quiet, but there is this one ANNOYING random guy speaking as loudly and quickly as possible in his native tongue. Native tongue is fine. But I don’t care what you language is, I don’t want to hear what you have to say on your cell phone. Starbucks is not an office. I mean, it is okay to treat it like an office, but if you are “hosting conference calls”, host them from your Hyundai or whatever it is you are driving. Please!

I know, I know. First World Problems. Or, what my brother often says: White People Problems. Not because he is racist, but because ummm, we are white.:) Anyway, there are wars and famine and hunger issues and I am complaining about this. Ridiculous, I know, I know. But if I can’t talk about it on my blog then where can I except to perhaps God? Even God would probably say: “Ain’t nobody got time for that”. So thanks for listening (reading).

It probably seems like I am in a bad mood because I was tired last night and I am tired today, but I find it obnoxious to hear every detail of someone’s conversation on the phone or if they are at a table nearby speaking to a friend. I talk loud because I am originally from the south. My daughter even thinks I am yelling at her sometimes when I am not. But, I know how to tone it down when at the movies, or at a restaurant or other public place. Is it a trend, or do I feel that people are always yelling to the top of their lungs when having a conversation?

Am I the only person that is annoyed with this uncouth behavior? Am I TOO old skool? Am I easily aggravated? Am I too high-strung? Well, I can tell you a few things: I am super fun, super exact, super silly, super serious, majorly organized, majorly loyal, rule follower, and rule breaker all in one. Within all of these qualities, there is something about me that can’t stand nonsensical, obnoxious or rude behavior. But we can win ’em all now can we?

P.S. The guy has gone from his super loud over the top convo to listening to a cartoon on his laptop.Go figure…

Simply~

Dee

I took melatonin last night, but woke up at butt crack of dawn!

Posted on by
Reply

So, I was a lazy bum Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I actually think that these funky mold allergies are the culprit. Since I was so well rested yesterday, I decided to take a melatonin tablet at 9 pm. I got in the bed by 11:30. I slept pretty well. But, I woke up at 4:30 and went back to sleep until 5:30 and we have been busy ever since then. I have to leave out at 6:30 for my morning job, but dang-5:30!!!

I will be honest, it was actually nice. I wrote in my devotional for 3 days. It was weird because I had read a couple of the devotionals, but did not write those 2 days. So today, I read them again, including today’s and I wrote about them. The devotional book is really cute and is written by 4 friends that happen to be authors. Or at least I think they are friends. Anyway, they write personal stories, and not always sappy ones either. They are kind of like my blog-all over the place!:) One story was about a woman who became really close to her mom when her mom got ill. One story was about an experience at a grocery store. They are all different, and have a scripture passage at the top and then there is a story that relates in some way as do all devotionals.

But I like this because it is for someone who may not be a bible pro or someone who is not super well-versed in the word. It was actually nice to write that this morning when it was still dark and I was the only one or one of the few in my neighborhood that was awake. Then I got our breakfast stuff ready, too my medicine and got my daughter up. It was so nice to not be in a rush. Then we spent three and a half hours on math today-whew!! We came home after going to Target and then 2 hours of composition. Now, my little girl is making dinner (better chef than I) and I am relaxing before doing my part of the dinner which is a squash side dish.

It has been a very productive day and it feels freaking awesome! Tomorrow, is work early again and then my daughter’s 2 hour art class and maybe an hour to an hour and a half of school work. When a child is taught at home solo, and if they are bright, 15 to 20 hours a week is more than enough. Because the difference is, it is 3 hours straight of math with maybe a bathroom break. Minimal interruptions, no behavior drama, straight learning. It is kind of neat too because 5 hours a week she has classes that she HAS to attend or her report card is affected. So between extracurriculars which count as 8 hours, the hours we spend and the classroom hours it is actually closer to 30 hours.

I love days like this where I have completed my work both childcare and insurance work, my kid’s school work is up to date and on point, food shopping is done, animals are fed, dinner is prepared. These days are rare, so I will brag and brag and brag about this day for a long time!:) Hope that your day was productive or happy, or both!

Snow in the morning! This former “peach” is so excited to get snow no matter how many years I have been in D.C. region and no matter how little snow we get compared to other areas. To a former southern girl, it is still magnificent and beautiful snow!!

Simply~

Dee