Hi this is Robert Lancon Patty's son this is my little part of the family blog. First of I just want to say thank's mom for letting me have a part of this I guess my whole point in a blog is being able to have a story that may help people and to be able to have good advice so thanks for reading
In Him
Robert Lancon
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
How Do you Do It?
How do you do it? I get asked this question, alot!! Especially when it comes to homeschooling; during a deployment.
I am never quite sure how to respond. I want to give God the glory; however, I don't want my response to sound canned. I usually say "by God's grace". I really do believe that the only way we have made it this far; and not given up is by God's Providence and Grace; and a committment that I can't quite put my finger on.
I sit down every summer; and pour through catalogs, set schedules, vow to be more structured; and promise myself that this year I won't get too involved with other things.....(yeah, you homeschooling Moms are chuckling right now). You know what I mean!
I always begin with a long, thoughtful prayer; however. I ask God to really lead our homeschooling; and give me the goals that our children need for the year.
Every year; around January I start struggling. Am I failing? Why can't my life be like these other homeschooling family's? You know the ones, The Dad begins breakfast with morning devotions, while Mom takes the homemade bread out of the oven. The children all sit calmly at the table; their dressed and their clothes are all matching. They have done all their morning chores; and are now waiting patiently for their breakfast by the fireplace.
My reality is a little different; however. Dad has not been seen at the breakfast table in so long; I'm not sure if we would know what to do with him. He might be doing devotions; but realistically, he is probably in his 10th meeting of the day, in a country far away; and we won't remember to even tell him what we are studying.
Their is no homemade bread; but if the kids search in the cabinets they might find a bagel; or if we haven't run out of milk over the weekend they might get some Cheerios. Of course, if I forgot to sweep the night before, Katie Grace might find breakfast under her high chair.
The kids are dressed (but usually in pj.'s; except for Mary who prefers sitting at the table in her Dora underwear); and morning chores done (well.....let's just say maybe if I have done that thing I swore to never do (like bribed them, that when there chores are done and they are dressed they can watch, yet another episode of "Dora" or more educational than that " Blues Clues"; then maybe the chores are done. The usual devotion is prayer, and me begging God to just get through this day without, promising myself that I might register the kids in school the next day; well that's reality alot of the time.
However, with all of the doubts, the fears, the expectations that don't quite ever get met; there is something inside of me that just knows that homeschooling our children is what God's will is in our life!
All of our days aren't a struggle. Last week, we went to the comissary and I was feeling guilty about running errands (again) on a homeschooling day. We were doing that, because we wanted to help a friend with her children in the afternoon. That's what our reality is around here; we have to help each other (okay, my kids have learned about compassion, putting other need's first, and childcare).
Anyway, I pulled out this Grocery Math Book; and ran some pages off. Each child had their assignment. Rob had to find the ingredients for a recipe; compare brands, come up with the cost to make the recipe, and decide if the recipe was cheaper homemade or if we could go out to eat for less.
Sydney had to weigh fruit, produce and figure out the total cost of each item. We learned alot about fresh produce versus frozen. We learned what a fraction was; and how frustrating it is when they don't price items.
She also had to compare 5 brands of hotdogs; and find the brand that had the least amount of fat. WOW, LET'S JUST SAY I DON'T WANT TO EAT ANY MORE HOT DOGS. We learned that turkey dogs have the least; and that although most "fat free" items are the most expensive; not things made with turkey. Why? because turkey's are less costly to raise, process etc.
Robert had to talk to the manager, because a coupon that said "buy two" and get a free frozen can of Tropicana; could not be used because the comissary doesn't sell that brand. He did a great job. The manager thanked him; and pulled the coupons off of the shelf. Robert learned, not to buy a brand just because of the deal.
So, did we sit down and do alot of subjects that day. Was that in my plan for the week? No, it was not. It wasn't in our Math Curriculum; and it was a longer trip to the comissary.
However, my kids learned alot of important things that day. Things, that I wish I would have learned. I ask God each day, to plan my day. I have to trust him; and I have to trust that if he wants me to homeschool; and he knows my circumstances, then he must also give me the grace and strength that I need to carry this out.
Do I feel guilty, when I realize that I don't have report cards like other homeschoolers; sometimes, I do. How about when people talk about "having to homeschool" all week, because they are off track. Yes, sometimes I think to myself "oh, know I must not really be doing something right, I don't have a clue when we are supposed to finish.....However, when I look back at the goals that I set at the first of the year I am always amazed; floored actually. We always meet those goals; and usually exceed what I thought we would accomplish.
My kids seem to be doing fine; a little slower in some things, a little faster in others. They are socially capable, they have no problems carrying on conversations, they are afforded plenty of opportunities to do things; and most of all they get to do lots of "life" things. They know how to plan a meal, shop for it; and cook at least one item. They know how to change a diaper, make a bottle, feed a child (even with a bib on). They can start a load of laundry; and clean a bathroom. They know how to make appointments, shovel snow and help out an elderly neighbor when they need it.
They also know how to be strong through challenges, disappointments and missed expectations. They know what compassion is, because they see it every day. They know that Mom is not always okay (sometimes, she has very bad days, but asks forgiveness; and doesn't give up) they know, that Jesus loves them; and listens to their prayers, because they are allowed to say prayers in their school.
Here is what they don't know alot about: Bullying, the newest trends, the newest bad words or sometimes regular words; they don't know what it means to raise their hand to go to the bathroom, they don't know what it means to not be able to celebrate "Christmas" in stead of Winterbreak (the newest okay word). They also don't have a clue as to what it means to be tolerant of things that are wrong, just because a curriculum or teacher tells them to.
Okay, I better stop here.....my soapbox.
I guess I just want to say, that in the end I don't do it. God, does. He knows what he is doing; so I will just stick with him.
P.S, If you have not read it, yet. Please, Please go out and buy the book titled "Marketing of Evil"; it's on Amazon and I want to buy this for everyone I know,.
goodnight, again
Patty
I am never quite sure how to respond. I want to give God the glory; however, I don't want my response to sound canned. I usually say "by God's grace". I really do believe that the only way we have made it this far; and not given up is by God's Providence and Grace; and a committment that I can't quite put my finger on.
I sit down every summer; and pour through catalogs, set schedules, vow to be more structured; and promise myself that this year I won't get too involved with other things.....(yeah, you homeschooling Moms are chuckling right now). You know what I mean!
I always begin with a long, thoughtful prayer; however. I ask God to really lead our homeschooling; and give me the goals that our children need for the year.
Every year; around January I start struggling. Am I failing? Why can't my life be like these other homeschooling family's? You know the ones, The Dad begins breakfast with morning devotions, while Mom takes the homemade bread out of the oven. The children all sit calmly at the table; their dressed and their clothes are all matching. They have done all their morning chores; and are now waiting patiently for their breakfast by the fireplace.
My reality is a little different; however. Dad has not been seen at the breakfast table in so long; I'm not sure if we would know what to do with him. He might be doing devotions; but realistically, he is probably in his 10th meeting of the day, in a country far away; and we won't remember to even tell him what we are studying.
Their is no homemade bread; but if the kids search in the cabinets they might find a bagel; or if we haven't run out of milk over the weekend they might get some Cheerios. Of course, if I forgot to sweep the night before, Katie Grace might find breakfast under her high chair.
The kids are dressed (but usually in pj.'s; except for Mary who prefers sitting at the table in her Dora underwear); and morning chores done (well.....let's just say maybe if I have done that thing I swore to never do (like bribed them, that when there chores are done and they are dressed they can watch, yet another episode of "Dora" or more educational than that " Blues Clues"; then maybe the chores are done. The usual devotion is prayer, and me begging God to just get through this day without, promising myself that I might register the kids in school the next day; well that's reality alot of the time.
However, with all of the doubts, the fears, the expectations that don't quite ever get met; there is something inside of me that just knows that homeschooling our children is what God's will is in our life!
All of our days aren't a struggle. Last week, we went to the comissary and I was feeling guilty about running errands (again) on a homeschooling day. We were doing that, because we wanted to help a friend with her children in the afternoon. That's what our reality is around here; we have to help each other (okay, my kids have learned about compassion, putting other need's first, and childcare).
Anyway, I pulled out this Grocery Math Book; and ran some pages off. Each child had their assignment. Rob had to find the ingredients for a recipe; compare brands, come up with the cost to make the recipe, and decide if the recipe was cheaper homemade or if we could go out to eat for less.
Sydney had to weigh fruit, produce and figure out the total cost of each item. We learned alot about fresh produce versus frozen. We learned what a fraction was; and how frustrating it is when they don't price items.
She also had to compare 5 brands of hotdogs; and find the brand that had the least amount of fat. WOW, LET'S JUST SAY I DON'T WANT TO EAT ANY MORE HOT DOGS. We learned that turkey dogs have the least; and that although most "fat free" items are the most expensive; not things made with turkey. Why? because turkey's are less costly to raise, process etc.
Robert had to talk to the manager, because a coupon that said "buy two" and get a free frozen can of Tropicana; could not be used because the comissary doesn't sell that brand. He did a great job. The manager thanked him; and pulled the coupons off of the shelf. Robert learned, not to buy a brand just because of the deal.
So, did we sit down and do alot of subjects that day. Was that in my plan for the week? No, it was not. It wasn't in our Math Curriculum; and it was a longer trip to the comissary.
However, my kids learned alot of important things that day. Things, that I wish I would have learned. I ask God each day, to plan my day. I have to trust him; and I have to trust that if he wants me to homeschool; and he knows my circumstances, then he must also give me the grace and strength that I need to carry this out.
Do I feel guilty, when I realize that I don't have report cards like other homeschoolers; sometimes, I do. How about when people talk about "having to homeschool" all week, because they are off track. Yes, sometimes I think to myself "oh, know I must not really be doing something right, I don't have a clue when we are supposed to finish.....However, when I look back at the goals that I set at the first of the year I am always amazed; floored actually. We always meet those goals; and usually exceed what I thought we would accomplish.
My kids seem to be doing fine; a little slower in some things, a little faster in others. They are socially capable, they have no problems carrying on conversations, they are afforded plenty of opportunities to do things; and most of all they get to do lots of "life" things. They know how to plan a meal, shop for it; and cook at least one item. They know how to change a diaper, make a bottle, feed a child (even with a bib on). They can start a load of laundry; and clean a bathroom. They know how to make appointments, shovel snow and help out an elderly neighbor when they need it.
They also know how to be strong through challenges, disappointments and missed expectations. They know what compassion is, because they see it every day. They know that Mom is not always okay (sometimes, she has very bad days, but asks forgiveness; and doesn't give up) they know, that Jesus loves them; and listens to their prayers, because they are allowed to say prayers in their school.
Here is what they don't know alot about: Bullying, the newest trends, the newest bad words or sometimes regular words; they don't know what it means to raise their hand to go to the bathroom, they don't know what it means to not be able to celebrate "Christmas" in stead of Winterbreak (the newest okay word). They also don't have a clue as to what it means to be tolerant of things that are wrong, just because a curriculum or teacher tells them to.
Okay, I better stop here.....my soapbox.
I guess I just want to say, that in the end I don't do it. God, does. He knows what he is doing; so I will just stick with him.
P.S, If you have not read it, yet. Please, Please go out and buy the book titled "Marketing of Evil"; it's on Amazon and I want to buy this for everyone I know,.
goodnight, again
Patty
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