Homeschool Mother's Journal::May 13, 2012

In my life this week... The image that pops in my mind is of when I was little and would twirl around (really fast) and lay on the lawn to look at the clouds- the whole world looked like it was spinning around me. This week has been like that that. And I can't make it stop!! ;) 

In our homeschool this week... We are leaping in to the Barton reading program. It is daunting. I have been plowing through 15 hours (I actually was able to stop a few hours short of that and will watch it as we progress through book 3) of DVDs to get where I am suppose to be to tutor my son using this program. But what an education I am getting! Paul and I are working our way through Level 3, lesson 1. This program is tedious (more on that later) and Paul has gotten frustrated because he wants to skim over things he knows. My thought process (and that given on the DVDs) is that we need to get the system down. It will get more difficult, and while things are easy is the time to learn the process. 

I am inspired by...  All those I know who are dealing with challenges that make me seem like a wimp! 

My favorite thing this week/I'm grateful for... An adult daughter who listened to her brother's plea for a "pirate birthday cake" and made it happen. With a toddler and a 6 month old in the house, I know making that kind of time can be a challenge. What a special memory she made with her little brother.

What's working/not working for us... Can I say it again? Limited (very) screen time!! I know this, I read about it in every parenting book, I have preached it before, and it is true. Kids "normalize" when they are not vying for screen time. They play Legos, throw the Frisbee, play in the sandbox, ride their bikes, talk (!)- yes, boys actually talk to each other, and are just generally more pleasant people when their brains are not addled by whatever invisible mind-numbing rays are coming out of the screen. As I type this my daughter is at Re*d Box picking out a movie to watch tonight- but it is not a free for all. One movie as a family, and then we're done. 

New Legos bought with birthday money. 

Questions/thoughts I have... My son has dyslexia. There is a lot of information flying around the internet/blog world about this subject (not my son- dyslexia;)). I worry that people who don't have a child with this will think "oh, it's only dyslexia" or that it is the new fad diagnosis. There are many challenges children or adults can face and dyslexia is not the worst one that can happen, but it is not a lighthearted thing. It is seriously painful to be 14yo and not know how to read even close to as well as your peers. To have to ask someone to read the simplest things to you. To have your 6, 7, 8, and now 9yo brother read better than you or even to have to ask him to read something to you. I know that God gives us what we need to become the people that we are suppose to be, and I am confident that my son will grow in to adulthood with the tools and skills he needs to survive. I am not complaining. I am just hoping that people, when the hear that someone has dyslexia, understand how painful it is AND how very hard that person works every.single.day just to learn what his "normal" or "average" counterpart can without breaking a sweat. 

I'm reading... 

I am actually reading Teaching Tips & Techniques by Laura Berquist. This spiral bound notebook/book is packed full of useful information on teaching our children at home. Already, reading it has encouraged me to work on cooperation from my boys- do you ever get to the point that every time you ask for something (unloading the dishwasher), groans abound? Well, that's how it was working around here. As per the author's suggestion, I have set out positive and negative consequences for the response I get when asking someone to complete a task. (and follow through!) Life is much more pleasant around here!

I plan to read lots of good "finds" on my Kindle suggested on the Inspired Reads Blog. I wish I could credit who sent me over there, but I don't remember! I am enjoying the "hot deals" and "free book" suggestions that are sent my way each day. Today's was The Power of the Praying Parent for $1.99. Many of the other suggestions have been Christian fiction. 

I'm cooking... Not much again, but I am glad that my 9yo is not too sophisticated to appreciate his birthday dinosaur sandwiches! 

I'm praying for... So many people and so many things. My favorite quote floating around the internet- "have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?" Hmmm.... 

A photo, video, or link to share... 

Yup, they're at it again. This may be my new weekly feature. What lengths are my children 

willing to go to in the name of plain old goofiness? :)