Homeschool Mami's World

Cute jokes I found at this blog that I found when I googled "unschooling jokes".

How many unschoolers does it take to change a light bulb?

Dad: "We don't have any dim-bulbs around here!"

Mom: "Well, of course the parents take care of it until the children are ready to learn how to change the bulb. It's a readiness issue."

Blonde Child #1: "What's a light bulb?"

Delight Directed: "If the child has shown an aptitude or interest in the light bulb, we will let him change it by himself!"

Unit Study : "First we will go to the library and check out some books, then.......you know the rest of this one :)"

Charlotte Mason: "If the light bulbs go out, we will just play outside all day!"

Classical: "Hark, what lightbulb in yonder ceiling breaks!"

Moore Method: "We will wait until the child is tall enough to reach the lightbulb."

Textbook Method: "We haven't done that chapter yet!"

Blonde Boy Child: "First you let it grow."
Mom: "What??"
Blonde Boy Child: "The Plant."
Mom: "What plant?"
Blonde Boy Child: "Isn't there a plant called a bulb?"
Mom: "Ahhhh, isn't he the smartest thing???!!! That's my smart little sweet thing, give me high five!"

Principle Approach: Jesus said; "I am the light of the world."
So I say, Who needs light bulbs!?

Just a little something to amuse myself this morning.

Homeschool Mami

A rant from Homeschool Mami:

Read this outrageous bit of Americana. The average household apparently has more television sets than people and families bombard themselves with noise from the little blue screens and flat screens and plasma screens for over eight hours each day.

Half of American homes have three or more tvs.

19% only have one. (We are in this minority group.)

Do you wonder why reading skills are plummeting as obesity rises? Forgive the ranting, but this is just plain stupid.

Homeschool Mami

My husband and I have really tried to invest in our city, to get to know our neighbors, to reach out to new people, and to try to be hospitable. We find it takes hard work to make friends for our family and for our kids. I think much of this comes from being in the city--people are more cautious than in smaller towns or more close-knit suburbs. This is also New England, so people (myself included) have a natural reserve and can be slow to warm up. I have been combating this in my own nature for years because I want to have a vital connection to community.

Nearly all of my homeschooling friends I have met on the internet and through various Yahoo groups, including the one I started. This took me a while to get used to--at first it felt so much like a blind date when I would meet someone at the park or museum that I would almost get nervous. Once I started relaxing, it became an adventure.

"Okay, kids, we're going to the Ecotarium today and we're going to meet our friends!"

"Who, Mami?"

"Well, I don't know for sure if anyone you know is going to be there, but we'll meet some other homeschooling friends today."

And I put on my best Indiana Jones adventure hat and off we go. I'm glad that I have pushed myself to do this because I have met lots of really nice people I otherwise never would have. Now, when we go to some group activity, there are usually a few people that I know in the group, and I can let the kids know who will be there that is around their age or interested in the same things as they are. Sometimes, there is even a friend or two for each child. Those are the days that I really feel blessed.

The other thing that I have appreciated about this is the wide spectrum of people we have met. In case you haven't noticed, homeschoolers are far from cookie-cutter people. I am constantly surprising my non-homeschooling friends and family by sharing with them the wide variety of homeschoolers there are. In spite of the wide differences in motivation or style, all homeschoolers share a deep love for their kids and a high priority on family time and education. This common ground goes a long way in bridging other differences.

The best thing about my house is the quiet in the morning. I typically get up an hour or two earlier than my kids and have the place to myself to read my bible, to pray, to exercise, to surf the internet, to answer email, and to think. As my children come downstairs they get their own breakfasts independently--for the most part--and then they play or read or play keyboard or color or just hang out. No television. No stereo. No talk radio. Just quiet, calm and peace. (Unless they decide to quarrel which doesn't usually happen this early in the day--not that it won't happen later!)

This alone might be enough to persuade me to homeschool. The space to be a family, not rushing, not being told what to buy or what to do by loud, obnoxious voices who want our money and our allegiance, not having to throw their stuff together and find their homework and throw them on the school bus which comes so early. On days when we need to be somewhere--like today--I still savor the ease. Pretty soon I will round everyone up, send them to shower, make beds, we'll pack a lunch and head off to Old Sturbridge Village for a day of experiential learning and meeting up with friends.

Simply lovely.

Homeschool Mami

Homeschool Carnival is up at Why Homeschool.

Be sure to check it out and look for Homeschool Mami while you are there.

I guess I am fairly balanced! It's probably a coping mechanism because I wear so many different hats in my life and sometimes need to be one way, sometimes another.

You Are 55% Left Brained, 45% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Homeschool Mami