{The Best Bits} This isn't always how it looks. In fact, lately, these moments have been hard won. But I'm going to put this on record, because we need to remember the wins when we're struggling to climb back up from those valleys of doubt. We watched the third episode of Planet Earth III over lunch today. I feel like we always learn a lot and have a lot to talk about afterwards. Today was no exception. Those growing brains were churning with questions and deep thoughts. My 8yo was worrying about the little ostrich chicks that might hatch alone in the grasslands, until after he was in bed, and we had some rich conversations from that. It's a privilege to watch as his empathy grows for all those around him, and with it, his confidence that what he thinks and feels is also important. My almost 10yo asked if she could get some paper while I was washing up. I didn't expect her to produce these two posters within the time it took me to finish, crystallising issues she took away from the documentary and our related discussions. She's my no-longer-so-little activist. She will fight anyone tooth and nail for her freedom to be home educated and these little glimpses of her mind give me the much-needed reassurance that what we are doing is necessary for her. Even when it's hard, everyday... for her to not have to dilute her passion, to know in her core that her voice matters...this is worth staying the course.. . . . . . . #thisishomeed #homeeducationlookslikethis #homeedlife #lifelonglearning #learningmykids #thethingsthatmatter #climatechange #planetearth3 #conservation #davidattenborough @davidattenborough #freedomtolearn
Thus far on this parenting journey of mine, I am realizing that my son rather dive into a good book, build things with #STEM toys, or create structures on #MINECRAFT than play a physical sport. And my daughter rather dribble a ball on a field or throughout the house, practice her kicks with an 8-12 year old sized ball (I’ve tried her on smaller balls *pause* and she is not with it), flip around on the couch or my king size bed. And I am fine with this! In fact it sounds about right, given that Etana’s dad and I both played sports in high school and remained active in the gym in our younger adult days. And Zac’s dad and most of the men in his family are great with carpentry and using their hands. #LearningMyKids #Parenting #Parenthood #Motherhood Ps. Did it ever occur to any of you that you essentially are raising strangers? Hear me out. While most of us mothers have carried a child for a number of months and grew them in our body, once born we knew nothing about them other than they were ours, how much they weighed, and what they looked like. As our children grow we get to learn about them each day, if you pay attention and are intentional with your parenting of course. We are never given a manual on the child and what to do when or how to do it. Just like a “stranger” you meet for the first time, and want to keep around…lol, you study them. Learn and pick up on their personality traits and little quirks. And use this knowledge to help cultivate these traits and behaviors to eventually help them succeed in life. While challenging as hell, I think it’s fascinating. PSs. Zac’s team won, in the pic, he was just complaining about the bugs flying in his face. 🙄
The PFC (Prefrontal Cortex) is the part of the kid’s brain that puts the brakes on impulses and helps him make smarter decisions. Telling a kid to sit still, concentrate, and ignore stimuli that are flooding his brain with the NEED to ACT is a lot to ask. The down-regulation of the PFC can have different consequences for different people. For some, it results in an inability to concentrate and solve problems, but in others it manifests as impulsive behavior and aggression.” 📖 The Deepest Well Nadine Harris M.D. #learningallthetime #slowingdown #recognizingfrustrations #thedeepestwell #learningmykids #itsajourney #together #thisbookisawesome #addtendencies #workingoneonone #makeaccomidations #homeschoollife
Having six kiddos I’ve seen a lot of the ages and stages they go through. There’s something to celebrate in each one but there are also some struggles. I don’t know if this helps you but I just love psychology and behaviors. As my kids have all gotten older I have noticed (boy and girl) that they all kind of go through the same stages at the same ages. I typed this up SUPER quickly so I’ll look forward to continuing to add to it - pros and cons. Have you noticed any stages at certain ages too? I’d love your thoughts!
Just got back from dropping off my orders and My baby girl back to her mom. Now I’m back to the crib folding clothes getting the kids washed and fed. They sitting right next to me while I fold clothes and I’m like this is life! I get to spend all my time wit my kids and as much as I thought I might be ready to be a husband. I’m learning how to just enjoy being a father first. This single dad life is an experience I never imagined after Janelle but I’m learning so much about myself it’s truly a blessing. Most importantly my kids are sooooooooo happy to be wit me all the time. They hate summer is almost over but they know daddy is working to give them all the Vbucks they want! It’s gonna pay off one day! God got me! #DadLife #DaddysKids #Carlie #Caleb #FatherHood #BlackFather #LearningMyself #LearningMyKids #LearningTheWay #GodGotMe
True confession, I’m not much of and Office fan, but this was fun to look at. Who are you from the office? Who are your kids? I’m a 9 with a 6 wing. Kid1 is a 5, Kid2 is a 9, and Kid3 is n/a (can’t pin his personality down) see how personality plays into responsibly over at the blog. (Link in profile) #personality #managingpersonalities #learningmykids #bloggingmom #boymom #blogginglife #theofficememes
Many times I've been asked: 'homeschooling? Oh you're a teacher?' I feel always a bit silly cause I don't know the right answer ;-) 'No I'm not', doesn't do right to what I'm doing every single day: teaching my kids. 'Yes I am' isn't right either cause I never graduated as a teacher. So, let's talk about that teacher thing... I believe every single mum and dad (or grandmother, aunt, etc) is kind of a teacher. We give through about what we know. Even my own kids teach eachother skills and lessons. However, through the homeschooling years I've learned an important lesson myself: teaching is about so much more then learning my kids what I know. I've learned that my knowledge is so limited and that I would fall short if I only learn them my knowledge. I have to learn them how they can learn, where they can find there sources, I have to provide in a learning environment, I must give them enough spare time so they can discover about life themselves, I must invite all kinds of people into our live so they can learn about differences and about tolerance. And you know what...I'm learning with them. Every single day I learn and discover new things. I'm a human, I'm a woman, I'm a mom, I'm a pupil, and yes, I'm a teacher! #homeschool #homeschooling #thuisonderwijs #wijlerenthuis #learning #teaching #onderwijs #onderwijsthuis #ikleer #lovetoteach #learningathome #freetolearn #mumlife #homeschoolmom #wereldschoolonderwijs #learningmykids #learningenvironment #thuisleren #iamateacher
Math and candy...concerning to me a very good combination and my daughter totally agrees 😁 How I love the freedom to sit on the ground and learn together. #mathandcandy #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschool #learningmykids #thuis #thuisonderwijs #thuiswerken #rekenen #snoep #ikleerthuis #ikleerrekenen #rekenwonder #rekenonderwijs
Flex Friday 💪 If you think I missed my workout yesterday, you are mistaken. If you think I forgot to take a picture, you are correct 😆 Being "Teacher" yesterday took more time, patience, focus, and lots of prayer!! I'm glad today is Friday 😍 #flexfriday #homeschoolmom #inthemaking #momlife #teacher #learningmykids #learning #learningmom #learningpatience #askingforwisdom #lotsofprayer #prayerworks #changinghearts #purposefulmom
Viktig å lære ungan.... #learningmykids #instamoment #instagood #instamoment #kids #boat #in #nortrip #norway #photography #photo #rsa_bnw_colorsplash #rsa #dreamchasersnorway
She seemed uninterested in our rather "Buller"-like ranger tour of Ellis Island...until I quizzed her and she repeated back his lesson verbatim. Ok then, I guess you were listening! #bullerbullerbuller #learningmykids #strengthsbasedparenting
#elskerhøsten #møreogromsdal #einfinplassåbu #learninghowtohunt #hunting #norway #norsknatur #deerhunting #huntingseason #vanylven #høst #fall #mygrampsandme #learningmykids