In Fourteen Hundred Ninety Two, Columbus Posted in Sharing 472

[Melody]

We also have 3 2 homeschooling families in our church also. One family's kids are graduated now. That helps with the kids' self image. 

Ruby also homeschools her boys. 

[Chseeads]

I did ACE in high school, and look how I turned out.  I'm a successful bird farming greeting card merchandiser with an accounting degree living below the poverty level!

[angel]

My son is ahead by two grade levels except math. He gets pretty lazy, however, when it comes to his school work. Don't know how I can teach him without diciplining all the time. (Maybe it's all too easy for him in 1st grade IDK what the problem is) Got to pull his tooth out to do his homework. but when he does it he is soooo fast. My kids are pretty social, too, so I always come to the conclusion of just sending them to school.

[Melody]

Andrew was similiar.  I wouldn't say lazy though but lacking in that area of character to be self motivated, see the big picture.  The learning style he thrives on is lecturing.  But I seriously could not verbally teach him all the time when also homeschooling Hannah, or even in general. Nathan and I have had to do a lot of tag teaming.  By 7th grade Andrew was a college level reading comprehension but on grade for math too.  If either of those is lagging, I've heard, read and experienced that it's better to just supplement more for what they are ahead in to keep them going but keep them in their grade/age range.  Usually it's because that is what peaks their interest as well.  Hannah LOVES math.  Reading she has acquired a liking for, thank the Lord.  Andrew could just read all day forever.  That is good and bad... lol

The thing about homeschooling is that it is far less about the curriculum and more about the structure and learning environment, I believe.  I think Andrew would have done even more awesome if we had a church school doing the same curriculum.  Whereas Hannah is such a social butterfly, it could be her demise... lol We took Andrew out in 5th grade and put him back into a different school and district for middle school.  During those years of homeschooling, he learned better study habits, better character, personal purpose, and I believe and hope, integrity.  He's such a sweet boy, but that wasn't getting him far in work ethic.  Now he is thriving in public school.  He's on the honor roll, he gets praise from his teachers not for just respectful behavior but interaction in class and subjects being covered.  He won an award last year in social studies because of his input in class discussions, not his grade.  His teacher thoroughly enjoyed him and felt that even though he got a B+ over all that he got more out of the class than most of his peers.  THAT's from homeschooling.  But the time did come that we knew to put him in public school. I won't be surprised if we never put Hannah back in really.  Andrew wants to be a mechanical engineer and the programs here in this district and the engineering companies and college here make it best for him to be in public school. He's thriving, we did the right thing. 

Getting to REALLY know your child, what makes them tick and finding their niche is all of our challenges.  Public school or home.  Yet it IS such a beautiful thing.  Our home has had far more peace since we started that homeschool journey.  Even with Andrew back in public.  My kids know how to get along and enjoy each other's company respectfully.  We truly enjoy family time.  There's so much less attitude and ADD type distraction.  There's time to have the serious conversations we long to have with our kids w/ homeschooling. Some are awesome enough to have that w/o homeschooling but we gained it through h.s. 

So, I'm a square peg in a round whole I suppose.  I see pros and cons for both kinds of schooling and the endless variables that can make either a success or failure.  100% of the time though I believe it all comes down to the parent, what they are willing to do/not do.  Because of all the variables, no one can tell you that public or homeschooling is wrong/right for your kid(s). 

[MsJennJenn]

This is why I'm determined (once I have children - should the Lord tary) to put my children in a University-Model school. Where they attend an actual school for 2 or 3 days a week for certain subjects, and other subjects are taught at home by the parent on the other days.

It's a nice mix of homeschool and "public" school. It's something I've done some research on and would like to do if I'm able.

[Melody]

I edited my previous post to clarify.  I first left Andrew sounding pretty sad.. lol  That's not the case.

That sounds awesome Jenn!

If I could, I would do the Charlotte Mason way of schooling.  But for just one or two children already in motion, it's too much for me to take on.

[angel]

Hmmmm, that's very interesting gals (and guys)
Jesse had a 3rd grade reading level in kindergarten last year. Don't know what it's at now, but he's in 2nd grade reading just because he fits in there socially the teachers tell me. I always wondr if they would do even better in homeschooling, but maybe then I would just be trying to make them grow up too quick and push them. I would probably turn them off to education. I did a terrible job helping my daughter in math when she was in first grade, poor girl. I don't know why I yelled at her so much. Live and learn. I won't do that to Jesse.
Also, the past two years Miriam hasn't had any homework except reading for 20 minutes. I don't know why the school is doing that. I remember getting a lot of homework in elementary school back in the 80s. I guess now days kids are terrible at reading and they are trying to get kids to read better I suppose.

Have a great day everyone!!

[kkay]

I'm probably never having kids (even if God does tary), but I like that idea, Jenn. Though it would be hard if both parents are working.

No calls for over an hour. I'm hoping that's a good sign.

Test tomorrow. Not looking forward to it since the practices I took weren't so great Oh well, only need a 70%.

[kkay]

It's always best to have a plan...and he has one! Though it's going to cost quite a bit more than he anticipated to fix his car, it should get done today. My main issue is that he probably hasn't eaten anything since yesterday morning. I always hate when he's away like this because I can't make sure he's eating.

Makes me sound like his mother, but still..I worry :p

Think I might be ready for my test tomorrow. Hoping I pass since it would get me $250. Also hoping the $100 from my other test will be on my next paycheck.

[Chseeads]

Fried a can of green tomatoes.....  I used soy flour....that always makes me think of MellowYellow.   

[Lynx]

I just had fried green tomatoes for lunch, coincidentally.  At a local restaurant that specializes in southern food.  Livers in gravy and onions, green beans, good southern potato salad, cornbread and fried green tomatoes.  The tomatoes were sliced thinner than I've ever seen them sliced before, and tasted pretty good that way.  Usually fried green tomatoes are thick, tough and chewy. 

[kkay]

*puke* Sorry, kiddo. Sounds like an awful lunch :p lol

Thinking about getting a second job. Seems like I'm gonna need one the way this kid is draining me.

[Melody]

Fried a can of green tomatoes.....  I used soy flour....that always makes me think of MellowYellow.   

You probably don't want to know what I think of soy.  But were they good?  What makes you choose soy?  More crispiness?

[Melody]

Thinking about getting a second job. Seems like I'm gonna need one the way this kid is draining me.

What kid?  Your boyfriend?  You're going to get another job to help support your boyfriend? 

Yes.  I think that's a brilliant idea.

[kkay]

Thinking about getting a second job. Seems like I'm gonna need one the way this kid is draining me.

What kid?  Your boyfriend?  You're going to get another job to help support your boyfriend? 

Yes.  I think that's a brilliant idea.

:p

Yes, he's the kid. Just joking though. He's draining his own pockets, not mine

I'm already working hard enough to make extra money taking these tests. I'm hoping some of the bonuses will be on my next paycheck. I just don't like having less than a certain amount in my bank account.

[Chseeads]

Usually fried green tomatoes are thick, tough and chewy. 

I don't know as I've ever seen a tough, chewy fried green tomato if it was cooked till it was done.

These were canned so they were already tender.

You probably don't want to know what I think of soy.  But were they good?  What makes you choose soy?  More crispiness?

I'll be sure to hand scrape some shavings of fresh tree bark to use next time. 

I just used soy cause it's more protein than carbs.

[Chseeads]

The lack of gluten is what spawns images of you.

[kkay]

Trying to figure out exactly what I'm making on Thanksgiving. Going shopping today for food.

This is what I have so far:

-chicken or turkey
-stuffing
-sweet potatoes
-elbow macaroni and colby cheese (to make grammy's mac n cheese)
-cranberry sauce

I was gonna make a fruit pizza but I don't think we'd eat it all. For only 2 (maybe 3) people, I think that should be alright.

[Lynx]

Oh... before you got to the part about 2 people I was thinking that was a bit thin.  Yeah, for 2 or 3 that sounds about right.

Homemade cranberry sauce or the jelly shaped like a can?

[kkay]

Jelly shaped like a can. That's the only kind he likes. Won't even eat the kind from the deli. I don't really like it so I don't mind.

I was going to make more things or buy a pie or something but he's trying to get in better shape so I don't wanna ruin his whole success by making too many sweets. PLUS, the sweet potatoes are gonna be sweet enough

[Lynx]

If he's trying to get in shape, the holidays are tough enough.  Besides, the pies at the store never do taste quite right...

[kkay]

Yeah. I was gonna make a fruit pizza or something like that but it's still a little on the fattening side. My great aunt used to make homemade pies alllllllll the time. Mom said she's (my aunt) making thanksgiving dinner this year but I'm not sure if they'll have any leftovers for when I get there.

[Melody]

You could make it healthy and still yummy.

My sister is making a complete Paleo Thanksgiving.  That's as healthy as it gets.  A lot of the food is amazing!

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-thanksgiving-recipes/ 

I know she mentioned some of those things but not sure if it's the same website she uses.

[kkay]

Well...I'm looking to do less food instead of healthy food. lol I HAVE to have my grandma's mac n cheese ('cause I can't make his mom's) and that has just regular elbow macaroni with milk and colby cheese. Everything else might not be too bad. The sweet potatoes are probably the worst but I'm going to try to use less brown sugar and see how it goes.

[MsJennJenn]

The sweet potatoes are actually the BEST food out of the bunch.
Sweet potatoes are VERY good for you.