“Mom, you’re not old,

you’re only 58!” said my 8 year old to her 49 year old mother.

Back to Homeschool

All across America, whether you have school age children or not, this time of year is often thought of as “back to school.” We had the recent sales tax holiday where many school supplies were tax free for a weekend. We’ve all been inundated with “back to school” ads from various retailers, and most of us are once again seeing the yellow school buses in and around our neighborhoods.

Most homeschools also experience a “back to school” transition this time of year. Even those that homeschool year round often take a shortened summer break or go with a lighter schedule during the summer. Sometimes the transition back to spending more time every day doing school work can be difficult for the whole family. Here are some things you can do to help make that transition smooth and peaceful.

Start your school year in the middle of the week. By starting your school year off later in the week (let’s say Wednesday), you will only have three days of school before the weekend is here and you have a break again. You can make it an even lighter transition, by starting your school year the Wednesday before Labor Day, taking the weekend and Labor Day off, and then you will only have four days of school your second week of school. Even if you don’t start the week before Labor Day, you can still take the next Monday off.

Regardless of when you start cracking the books open again, you most likely will find that there are some supplies that you forgot to purchase. The fast approaching three-day weekend will give you a chance to go out and purchase those supplies that you find you need.

Make your first day of school a day of fun. Instead of cracking the books open right away, take some time to play some educational games. If you use binders or notebooks, let your children make covers for them. Take pictures and record some vital statistics such as your children’s height and weight. Have your children fill out an annual survey asking about all their favorite things. Do very little bookwork on this day. Let your children review and get excited about the materials you plan to use this coming year.

Also remember that you do not have to start all subjects on day one. Another way to transition into the school year is to start with a few subjects and then add a subject or two each week. This method can help the whole family transition back into a regular routine.

Regardless of how your school operates, remember that it’s your school and it is up to you to customize it to fit your family. If something isn’t working (and you will have something that doesn’t), change it or get rid of it. There is nothing that says that you must educate your children Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Education can happen any time of the day and any day of the week, so take advantage of it and do what best fits your children and your family.

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Another Reason to #Homeschool: The Love of Learning

(Photo credit: Luca Barcellona – Calligraphy & Lettering Arts)

In general, home educators try to give their children a well-rounded education.  This can be done by teaching various subjects, going on various field trips, etc.  At the top of our list, is reading.  If a person can read, they can learn anything.  Underneath it all, I want my kids to love learning and have the desire to continue to learn throughout their lifetime. Without the love of learning, there will be no desire to do so. Without the desire to learn, one will never become a mature christian.

Unfortunately, our government schools don’t always foster this love for learning. Some of the local schools here have begun requiring homework for kindergartners. I can’t help but wonder what they do in class all day if they are now sending homework home. Those that appear to be bright are encouraged to go through testing to determine whether or not they qualify for the “gifted” program. The kids and parents are put under a lot of pressure by the school officials and told that this is a big deal. If the child misses qualifying by a few points, they are pressured to take the test again.

This is done all at the age of 5 or 6, and for many it is their first experience in a school environment. Why would any of these kids want to go back to school? Why would any of them have a positive impression of learning?

Thankfully with home education this can all be avoided. Children can be encouraged to learn at their own pace. Each student can have their own specialized program tailored just for them and not worry about being in special ed, the gifted program, or anything else. They are accepted as the beautiful individual God created them to be, while being stretched and pushed a little by their teacher who knows them better than anyone else in the world. They can actually enjoy learning and develop a desire to learn throughout their lifetime. With that, the possibilities are endless.

Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program – Read Your Heart Out

The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program is now accepting registrations for the 2014-2015 school year.  Registrations close on September 1.

Read on!

Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program – Read Your Heart Out.

“I Don’t Talk in Front of a Group”

That was the response I got when I asked someone to share what they had learned at a recent conference with our small group.

First I was shocked that a grown woman (approaching 40 by my guess) would still be terrified to speak in front of a group.  Actually, I wasn’t even asking her to speak in front of a group.  This was a very casual, sit around a circle meeting where we would go over our notes and share what we learned at a recent homeschool conference.

My next response was sadness for this woman.  Sadness that she does not have the confidence to speak before people.  Sadness that she doesn’t think that any knowledge she has is worthy enough or important enough to share with her fellow homeschoolers.  Sadness that she can’t find the courage to do something she is uncomfortable with in hopes of helping someone else.

My last response was sadness for this woman’s children.  Sadness that they will never see the example or feel the pride in seeing their mother speak before a group.  Sadness that they will probably never be encouraged or even pushed to speak in front of people.  Sadness that these boys will probably do they same and when asked say, “I don’t speak in front of a group.”

This is the very reason I encourage parents, especially homeschool parents, to put their kids in activities such as spelling bees.  Spelling bees, geography bees, Bible quizzing, etc., all have a much bigger lesson than the topic at hand.  Your children can learn study skills as they study for the big day.  They will learn sportsmanship as they learn to be a good loser and to congratulate the winner.  If they are fortunate enough to be a winner, they will learn to accept their award and not be boastful.  They will also learn, gradually, to speak in front of people.

Speaking in front of a group can be terrifying for someone who is inexperienced.  However, as a homeschool parent you can begin with baby steps by giving your children little experiences that will put them in front of a small group of people.  As an adult, your child might have something important to tell the masses.  You can start preparing him now to have the courage to do so.

Related articles

• Local homeschooler wins state Geographic Bee (bismarcktribune.com)

How to Save Substantially (Maybe Even Free) EpiPens

EpiPens are portable epinephrine-dispensing devices which can be used to alleviate the symptoms of severe, acute allergies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We had a situation a few weeks ago where DD’s remaining EpiPen was left in the car one evening and froze. While looking around the net to see if this ruined the effectiveness of the pen (the conclusion is yes), I found a bargain from the manufacturers of EpiPen.

I had to fill out a brief survey, and then the card came up on my screen. When it asks for your age, make sure you give them your age, not your child’s age. I could print it or have it sent to myself in a variety of matters. If you don’t print it, it will be sent to you as a .png document. This card can be used over and over through the end of 2014, so I suggest storing it on your phone so you’ll be able to find it.

I want to be clear that the pens may not be free for everyone. EpiPen is offering up to $100 off a two-pack, so if you have insurance and your co-pay is less than $100, you will get them for free. If this is not the case, you will get $100 off and pay the remainder.

We were shocked to find out that EpiPens have nearly doubled in price since the last time we bought them about two years ago. At that time, they were $239 for an EpiPen Jr. two pack. I was able to use a discount card and pay right at $200. This time around, the closest pharmacy in town is selling them for $375, and the next big pharmacy in town is selling them for $331. To think that this is emergency medication for children that we all hope we will never have to use and instead will one day throw in the trash is maddening.

Related articles

• EpiPens Can Be Used for Emergency Allergy Treatment (123mymdblog.com)

8 Year Old Removed from School Because She Looks Like a Boy

The grandparents and adoptive parents of an 8-year-old little girl have been told that she can no longer attend the Christian school she goes to unless she meets some conditions.

Did she bring a gun to school or make reference to a gun?  No.  Did she do anything violent or bully other children?  No.  Did she bring drugs or a knife to school?  No.

Sunnie’s parents were told that she looks like a boy and that some students have been confused over whether she is a boy or a girl.  (A simple solution to this problem would be for the confused students to be told that Sunnie is a girl.)  Sunnie’s parents were told that unless her boyish appearance changed, that she could no longer attend this school–all in the name of God, of course.

Doris and Carroll Thompson are Sunnie’s grandparents.

They adopted and raised the little girl and took her out of Timberlake Christian School when they received the letter from the K-8 principal.

“You’re probably aware that Timberlake Christian School is a religious, Bible-believing institution providing education in a distinctly Christian environment,” the letter stated.

It goes on to say that students have been confused about whether Sunnie is a boy or a girl. It specifies that administrators can refuse enrollment for condoning sexual immorality, practicing a homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity. It even referenced specific Bible verses that affirm these beliefs.

“We believe that unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female, and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education,” the letter goes on.

The Thompsons said they have no desire to re-enroll Sunnie in the school.

via Grandparents take girl from school after objections to clothes – KCTV5.

Clearly, the idea of rigid, zero tolerance has entered the Christian schools. I can’t imagine how this must make this little girl feel and how this might permanently effect her feelings for God and Christianity.

I was a tomboy myself. I don’t remember ever being told that I looked like a boy, but at some times I had long hair and at others time short hair depending on what was the popular style. Anyone remember the Dorothy Hamill?

My number one playmate until 5th grade was the boy next door. I had Tonto, the Lone Ranger, Silver, and Scout. He had GI Joe and a Hot Wheels racetrack. If it was warm enough, we were outside. And my belief as a young child was that if he didn’t have to wear a shirt neither did I.

None of us were scarred. None of us turned out weird. None of us ended up with gender identity confusion. At the young age of eight and below, gender and anything to do with sex was the last thing on our mind. It wasn’t important. It didn’t matter. We just wanted to be kids, and the adults in our lives were happy to let us do just that.

If You’re Going to go Speeding Down the Highway

take that Christian bumper sticker off the back of your car first. That was my thought today when a van with a sticker on the back glass of a popular Christian school in our area went flying by me.

This driver is making themselves look like a hypocrite.

This person is making the school look bad.

And this person is giving Christianity a bad name. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, and we all make ourselves and the things we represent look bad from time to time. But racing down the highway at the speed of light with a Jesus bumper sticker on the back of your car screams, “Look at me. I’m a hypocrite and all Christians are like me.”

Whether we like it or not we are all ambassadors. We are ambassadors for what we believe in or for what we say we believe in. First of all, we are ambassadors for ourselves. Then, it extends to our family. If you are a homeschooler, you are an ambassador for all homeschools. If you claim to be a Christian, you are an ambassador for Christianity and for Christ.

You may not realize it, but people are always watching. Not only do your actions reflect on you, they also reflect on everything you represent. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you are an official representative. Would you want you as an ambassador?

Planned Parenthood President: Life Begins at Delivery

Planned Parenthood President: Life Begins at Delivery

Jeremiah 1:5 begins, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, . . .”

All of our days are ordained long before we are even born.  From Psalm 139:

“13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.”

As humans can we discern, decide, or even comprehend when life truly begins?  Clearly, God recognizes us and knows us before we were even formed–formed by Him.  Who are we to determine when life begins?  Clearly, we cannot delineate a precise point in time which life begins or in which God recognizes our life.  However, the prideful, all-knowing humanist thinks he can determine these things.  The goal is to keep pushing the date back.  The whole idea is to make life meaningless and of no value.  That will pave the path to all kinds of ideologies such as abortion at any stage during and after pregnancy, euthanasia, etc.

You can’t celebrate America, school says | Fox News

Students and parents at a Colorado high school are outraged after administrators turned down their request for a spirit week day honoring America because it might offend non-Americans.

“They said they didn’t want to offend anyone from other countries or immigrants,” a 16-year-old member of the student council told me. “They just really did not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.”

The student council at Fort Collins High School had proposed having a day to celebrate the United States during next week’s Winter Spirit Week. The young people pitched “’Merica Monday” – and invited their classmates to dress in patriotic colors. Their proposal was promptly shot down by administrators.

“They said they didn’t want to be exclusive to any other country,” a 17-year-old member of the student council told me

via You can’t celebrate America, school says | Fox News.

There’s more to this story. But, why is it that here in America, celebrating America is offensive? What is it about displaying the American flag that makes people’s blood boil? Why is it that we can have gay pride and we can proudly fly the Mexican flag, but flying the American flag and celebrating this great country that the world is flocking to is something we should comdemn? Whatever happened to having pride in this great country America?