Confessions of a Homeschooling Mama

There are great days and there are not so great days.  I have only schooled The Older three days and already we have had both.  The first day, we - Mama, Dada, The Older, and The Younger - went to the beach...it was called Paradise Beach, with a park/playground, beautiful sand and it is the only beach in the south part of my county to be staffed year-round with lifeguards.  If it wasn't so far away, we would be there more often. 

When we got in the water, the lifeguard (Georgie) came over and commented on how wonderful that I was using a Fuzzibinz cloth diaper (she used them on her kids years ago) on my littlest and we talked about homeschooling and natural mothering things.  Would have liked to talk to her more but had to watch The Younger because she was getting pummeled by the rough waves (and liking it).

It was unfortunately way too hot to play on the playground (all the equipment was burning from sun exposure), but vowed to come back when the weather cooled off.  But they had a wonderful playground, kids swings and toddler swings, slides, and a large resin boulder with rock climbing handles on it!  So cool!

But not all is so wonderful.  The first week, we are learning to make the capital letter A correctly.  Up until now, she would make good letter As the right way, but lately, she has been getting sloppy....and refusing to accept that the way she had always been making As was correct....

Ah, joys of life!

"Trees are nice..."

For many reasons, my husband and I decided to homeschool. Our oldest is 4 so now we are investigating all our options. I am part of a Mom's Book Club which used to be a playgroup and is becoming a homeschooling group. We had a Nature Project at one mom's house last month and I volunteered to do the next one here at my house. I really love to teach those who want to learn. Especially things I am interested in :)

This month, the topic is "Trees." Broad subject, I know, but I am trying to keep it simple. 'Tis the season so we will be making Christmas trees out of construction paper and decorating them in addition to other activities. I am posting a few videos here so I don't have to look for them later :)







There. That should do it....

Re: Lotus Birth Challenge...

"But how does your husband feel about this?"

After he said "ew gross," he said, "If we do this, you have to let me go to Megacon..."

Apparently he has been announced to be on a panel of filmmakers for the Indie Film Expo.

[From the website:] As part of Megacon's "Indie Film Expo" program, a panel discussion on filmmaking will be hosted by "Students of the Unusual" publisher Terry Cronin on Saturday February 28th. This will feature guest filmmakers and actors including guests Patrick Algermissen, Lear Bunda, Pat Martin, Brian Pulido, Steven Shea, Todd Thompson, and Bill Williams(FMPTA). Other surprise celebrity guests and filmmakers are expected. Cronin relates that "this is a unique opportunity to meet and discuss independent filmmaking with the filmmakers themselves."

Of course it is only if we have had birthed by this time! (Feb 27 &28, 2009...two weeks from now...)

Talk about a CHALLENGE!

And now...your moment of Zen:

(Actually several parenting moments of Zen:)
~ Encourage your child's dreams ~
~ Look past the behavior - what is your child feeling? ~
~ A child at play is a young scientist, learning about the world ~
~ Show your love for your child in actions as well as in words ~
~ Children reflect the treatment they receive ~

[For more information, visit The Natural Child.]

This is the post from "Mama Is..."

"I BFed my DD until she was 3 years old. I have a friend who is BFing her 5 and 3 year olds. But at the same time, my brother’s ex-wife and her mother think that BFing is the ‘most disgusting thing in the world…’
I have also heard in this economy that mothers are skimping on formula (not mixing it to proper dose) and the babies are suffering Unfortunately, it may get worse before getting better. And hopefully with the speed of the internet and news, more moms will finally ‘get it’ through their thick formula-fed skulls that the only way to survive is to go back to the basics - breastfeeding, natural birth, everything in moderation, etc!!"

"Mama Is..."

I just left a post on today's "Mama Is..." And in case you don't know what that is, it is an online breastfeeding (among so many other wonderful topics!) advocacy comic. Done by Heather Cushman-Dowdee (I think I got that name right ;o) the "Mama Is..." and "Hathor the cow goddess" comics talk about natural mothering/parenting, with topics such as: breastfeeding, baby-wearing, attachment parenting, homeschooling or unschooling, co-sleeping or bed-sharing, and then she will also get into politics and economy and issues affecting any of the above topics. I had the fortune to meet her briefly at the local La Leche League conference in 2007. Awesome Mama she is! Full of creative energy and the same need (as any good mother has) to change her world for the better with the talents given her!