We went off to take photos today. I'll add some when I can. It was such a good feeling to be asked to get into the car and just go to somewhere photogenic.
The children have discovered the joys of going to playgrounds to lark around and take pictures of each other. We swap cameras/mobiles and snap away. I hold onto the kit when they need both hands for climbing.
It means being outside so I get some nature observation time too, ie touching sticky leaf buds on low tree branches and peering at nettle flowers. I had no idea they flowered until so late in the year.
It made a good contrast to my filthy temper of yesterday :)
Friday, 30 October 2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Not good
For an autonomous home educator I can rant and rave about handwriting and spelling with the best of them. I well and truly turned into a mum from hell today.
All those awful phrases came out. The ones you know about because you have used them in anger and fury when you are fed up of not being able to easily impress the family and friends with neatly written letters or lap books.
To be fair I only suggested one word of handwriting practice per day, ie copywork. I even said it could be their own names, which they started writing at pre-school. Eye roll. This is regressing by 8 and 10 years!
Oh the arguments ran on and on, upstairs, downstairs....
Private schooling, state village schooling, they said that if with all those years of school their writing wasn't very good then so be it. I said that meant it was now MY turn to impose decent handwriting on them. That stumped them.
Confess, who amongst you hasn't yet used the example of Obama and his mother as an argument for doing the school work your mother sets you? Well, today was my day for bringing that one out.
Finally they both gave me examples of fresh handwriting and I stopped roaring.
We did have a discussion about the fact that I still think my autonomous approach is best even though I can't really say why. My son explained that it was because of my approach he started saying 'I love you' to me. That is the heart of it. They told me to lie down under a duvet and stood around watching me calm down. I felt a bit of a twit after that and couldn't help smiling.
All those awful phrases came out. The ones you know about because you have used them in anger and fury when you are fed up of not being able to easily impress the family and friends with neatly written letters or lap books.
To be fair I only suggested one word of handwriting practice per day, ie copywork. I even said it could be their own names, which they started writing at pre-school. Eye roll. This is regressing by 8 and 10 years!
Oh the arguments ran on and on, upstairs, downstairs....
Private schooling, state village schooling, they said that if with all those years of school their writing wasn't very good then so be it. I said that meant it was now MY turn to impose decent handwriting on them. That stumped them.
Confess, who amongst you hasn't yet used the example of Obama and his mother as an argument for doing the school work your mother sets you? Well, today was my day for bringing that one out.
Finally they both gave me examples of fresh handwriting and I stopped roaring.
We did have a discussion about the fact that I still think my autonomous approach is best even though I can't really say why. My son explained that it was because of my approach he started saying 'I love you' to me. That is the heart of it. They told me to lie down under a duvet and stood around watching me calm down. I felt a bit of a twit after that and couldn't help smiling.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Change
I am using this as a starting point for reflection.
1. My older son has a work experience week next June. So we have been discussing ideas. I approached one local company on his behalf. The answer was no, but I'm glad I asked them. Then my son had a second idea, I approached them with an email, and lo and behold, the answer is yes. I am over the moon. We need to do a careful follow up to confirm things with them and with my son's school, so everyone knows what the position is.
What a change that is, thinking about the world of adults, work and business.
2. My younger son astounded me 2 nights ago by asking to do some maths right there and then. I zipped down stairs to my maths HE shelf, took the appropriate year book plus an exercise book I had free, then whizzed back. We looked at the contents page, saw how clearly it was laid out and my son asked me to just say things when he asked, and asked me to do the writing, so I did.
Come the morning he told me he wants to do Maths O level and A level. So my next project is finding a kind maths tutor and finding out about the Maths sessions at the closest Montessori secondary school to us. The book I have is ideal though and I have the next book up too.
3. My last change has been about the old debate on age ratings. This one just won't go away. However time is on my side, on all our sides, because the children are moving inexorably towards magic 18 anyway. The change was that I used the phrase 'trust the process' with reference to my own growing slackness as a parent.
As they get older I will worry less about obeying the strict rules and will be more of a push over, but pushing me to be like this just makes me jam in my toes! So I am advising my younger son in all seriousness to back off and let me get more relaxed as a parent in my own time. He has, so I think he can recognise a universal truth when he sees one!
1. My older son has a work experience week next June. So we have been discussing ideas. I approached one local company on his behalf. The answer was no, but I'm glad I asked them. Then my son had a second idea, I approached them with an email, and lo and behold, the answer is yes. I am over the moon. We need to do a careful follow up to confirm things with them and with my son's school, so everyone knows what the position is.
What a change that is, thinking about the world of adults, work and business.
2. My younger son astounded me 2 nights ago by asking to do some maths right there and then. I zipped down stairs to my maths HE shelf, took the appropriate year book plus an exercise book I had free, then whizzed back. We looked at the contents page, saw how clearly it was laid out and my son asked me to just say things when he asked, and asked me to do the writing, so I did.
Come the morning he told me he wants to do Maths O level and A level. So my next project is finding a kind maths tutor and finding out about the Maths sessions at the closest Montessori secondary school to us. The book I have is ideal though and I have the next book up too.
3. My last change has been about the old debate on age ratings. This one just won't go away. However time is on my side, on all our sides, because the children are moving inexorably towards magic 18 anyway. The change was that I used the phrase 'trust the process' with reference to my own growing slackness as a parent.
As they get older I will worry less about obeying the strict rules and will be more of a push over, but pushing me to be like this just makes me jam in my toes! So I am advising my younger son in all seriousness to back off and let me get more relaxed as a parent in my own time. He has, so I think he can recognise a universal truth when he sees one!
LAN party
We loaded up the car with 2 computers, plus all the extras. There was a one hour set up period, then the lights were altered to be more party-ish and Guitar Hero was turned on.
It was such a good experience, calm, fun, chilled, relaxed, silly. There were some parents there too, mainly fathers, for the whole evening. The age range was 8? up to 20ish?, plus parents. There were some girls there too. They played with each other more, laughing and joking, lovely to see, that little bit different from how the boys interact, but all in the same room together, getting what they wanted out of it.
There was a pizza and garlic bread supper at half way, but people took their own sweets if they wanted, so it wasn't regimented at all. I drove off to get some crisps my children wanted half way through.
Someone I knew from years ago was there too and for the last 2 hours I found a corner to sit in and read my book with a cup of coffee beside me!
People took their systems apart around 11pm, all very calm. We were busy at home afterwards setting up the systems again. Amazing...no cables were lost, nothing was damaged, no drink spilt on anything. I'm still on a bit of a high after all that.
It was such a good experience, calm, fun, chilled, relaxed, silly. There were some parents there too, mainly fathers, for the whole evening. The age range was 8? up to 20ish?, plus parents. There were some girls there too. They played with each other more, laughing and joking, lovely to see, that little bit different from how the boys interact, but all in the same room together, getting what they wanted out of it.
There was a pizza and garlic bread supper at half way, but people took their own sweets if they wanted, so it wasn't regimented at all. I drove off to get some crisps my children wanted half way through.
Someone I knew from years ago was there too and for the last 2 hours I found a corner to sit in and read my book with a cup of coffee beside me!
People took their systems apart around 11pm, all very calm. We were busy at home afterwards setting up the systems again. Amazing...no cables were lost, nothing was damaged, no drink spilt on anything. I'm still on a bit of a high after all that.
Thumping Bass
Yes, the ceiling above my head is almost moving! Our household has well and truly moved into the teenage years of music, games, computers etc. One person wears headphones and the other likes a room full of noise. I'm like that too, so I can't complain.
I actually asked H if he'd consider bringing his music and speakers down here so the kitchen would be more fun.
I actually asked H if he'd consider bringing his music and speakers down here so the kitchen would be more fun.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
A Midsumer-Night's Dream
'The raging rocks
And shivering shocks
Shall break the locks
Of prison gates;
And Phibbus' car
Shall shine from far,
And make and mar
The foolish Fates.'
This is what I love about choosing to read the Shakespeare play listed for each term. Slowly, in my own time, I discover what has been on my shelf for decades, just there, funny bits, shocking bits, single words used with meanings I had forgotten about. Even the print is frail, some of the letters must have been a tiny bit worn when they were type set, so they have not picked up the ink evenly.
And shivering shocks
Shall break the locks
Of prison gates;
And Phibbus' car
Shall shine from far,
And make and mar
The foolish Fates.'
This is what I love about choosing to read the Shakespeare play listed for each term. Slowly, in my own time, I discover what has been on my shelf for decades, just there, funny bits, shocking bits, single words used with meanings I had forgotten about. Even the print is frail, some of the letters must have been a tiny bit worn when they were type set, so they have not picked up the ink evenly.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
B is for Birthday
My son H doesn't like his biological birthday, so a couple of years ago he appointed 12th October as his official birthday. This took some getting used to. I was worried that come his bio birthday he would be unhappy at not getting a present from me. Anyway we managed to divide up into the people who agreed to go along with it and those like me who preferred to give a present on the anniversary of his birth.
This time I was more content with the idea and while he was asleep went into his room to attach a big Happy Birthday banner right across the walls. I made a little heap of presents and cards too.
When I woke him in the morning he smiled the largest smile ever, a wonderful beam of joy and surprise on seeing the banner.
This time I was more content with the idea and while he was asleep went into his room to attach a big Happy Birthday banner right across the walls. I made a little heap of presents and cards too.
When I woke him in the morning he smiled the largest smile ever, a wonderful beam of joy and surprise on seeing the banner.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
All netted out
I will have an internet free day tomorrow.
All week I have been following what has been happening at the Select Committee and the Lobby to Parliament. Apart from a crash introduction to exam invigilating on Monday, when my coughing older son was determined to do his maths mock gcse at the same time as his classmates were doing it at school.
Wow, teachers have to cope with a lot, I was so nervous, printed off a second copy, just in case, got a calm book to read during it, went to the loo beforehand, read the instructions loads of times, had a drink first so I wouldn't be drinking in front of him, didn't know whether to look at the worker or not....copied it carefully afterwards, mailed it off straightaway, heaved huge sigh of relief.
Over the weekend I need to complete my response to the Consultation. I want to have proper notes so I can rewrite it and resubmit if the link doesn't work. Just in case...
It's hard to find that balance between paying attention to all this and being available to chat and enjoy being at home with my son. Every so often he asks me if we 'have won' yet. I was able to tell him with joy about the video of passing traffic hooting their support in Westminster on Tuesday.
All week I have been following what has been happening at the Select Committee and the Lobby to Parliament. Apart from a crash introduction to exam invigilating on Monday, when my coughing older son was determined to do his maths mock gcse at the same time as his classmates were doing it at school.
Wow, teachers have to cope with a lot, I was so nervous, printed off a second copy, just in case, got a calm book to read during it, went to the loo beforehand, read the instructions loads of times, had a drink first so I wouldn't be drinking in front of him, didn't know whether to look at the worker or not....copied it carefully afterwards, mailed it off straightaway, heaved huge sigh of relief.
Over the weekend I need to complete my response to the Consultation. I want to have proper notes so I can rewrite it and resubmit if the link doesn't work. Just in case...
It's hard to find that balance between paying attention to all this and being available to chat and enjoy being at home with my son. Every so often he asks me if we 'have won' yet. I was able to tell him with joy about the video of passing traffic hooting their support in Westminster on Tuesday.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Overwhelmed
Does anyone else get that overwhelmed feeling when contemplating all the languages yet to learn, parts of history yet to find out about, etc?
It is only slowly dawning on me how many states there are in the USA and how varied and ancient they are.
Am I ever going to learn Hebrew, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, more Ancient Greek?? What about Welsh and Persian?
I think I will go and shuffle (reorganise) the history section of our home ed library into chronological order.
The children don't seem to get this feeling, they simply immerse themselves in whatever takes their fancy. Why don't they worry about this sort of thing?
It is only slowly dawning on me how many states there are in the USA and how varied and ancient they are.
Am I ever going to learn Hebrew, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, more Ancient Greek?? What about Welsh and Persian?
I think I will go and shuffle (reorganise) the history section of our home ed library into chronological order.
The children don't seem to get this feeling, they simply immerse themselves in whatever takes their fancy. Why don't they worry about this sort of thing?
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Escaping Worms
My mother's wormery needs to be rejigged because the worms are escaping.
I spend a bit of time each day browsing the links at the side of the blogs I follow, so I knew I had read an entry all about exactly this problem. Within a few minutes I had found the blog entry and was able to point her in the right direction.
So those minutes/hours surfing are worth it!!!
I spend a bit of time each day browsing the links at the side of the blogs I follow, so I knew I had read an entry all about exactly this problem. Within a few minutes I had found the blog entry and was able to point her in the right direction.
So those minutes/hours surfing are worth it!!!
Book Medicine
I went on a mercy mission to my favourite book shop. T asked for the latest Cherub book and the latest Terry Pratchett. He read the Cherub one this afternoon and is whizzing through the Pratchett as I write.
Someone on another blog mentioned buying books on the offchance her children would want to look at them. I used to do this when T and H were little, but have got out of the habit, feeling it was wrong to buy books they didn't like, a waste of money. When I mentioned this to T he loved the idea, so I picked up 2 unfamiliar books at the same time.
Some of the unschooling discussion lists have mentioned creating abundance in this way, not considering it a waste, but considering it a worthwhile expense to collect interesting items for the house. Even if things are not used right away thay are there and are available. I will try to spend more time in charity shops again.
Maybe it is time for me to try doing more reading out loud to H. As the younger brother he has the advantage of a house full of books for someone a little older than himself. We couldn't have planned it better.
When he was younger he demanded I read out to him every day for literally hours. Morning, noon and night. We spent a lot of time cuddled up together doing this.
Someone on another blog mentioned buying books on the offchance her children would want to look at them. I used to do this when T and H were little, but have got out of the habit, feeling it was wrong to buy books they didn't like, a waste of money. When I mentioned this to T he loved the idea, so I picked up 2 unfamiliar books at the same time.
Some of the unschooling discussion lists have mentioned creating abundance in this way, not considering it a waste, but considering it a worthwhile expense to collect interesting items for the house. Even if things are not used right away thay are there and are available. I will try to spend more time in charity shops again.
Maybe it is time for me to try doing more reading out loud to H. As the younger brother he has the advantage of a house full of books for someone a little older than himself. We couldn't have planned it better.
When he was younger he demanded I read out to him every day for literally hours. Morning, noon and night. We spent a lot of time cuddled up together doing this.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Back on the flu train
T has flu again. I'm using the digital thermometer to track progress. Both ears sore this time. He is still coughing from the last bout of flu. Had only been back at school for 4 days.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Know Thyself
As T went up the stairs to bed and I asked the inevitable questions, have you brushed your teeth and done your puffer, he explained that something I had bought for him didn't suit him.
It was an experiment on my part and something I thought might be nice for his beauty routine.
I found myself telling him that that was exactly my aim in bringing him up. My overall aim is for him to know what suits him and what doesn't. It means recognising the feelings, putting them into words and knowing what it is like to be in an environment where he can openly share them.
Today H had a similar process, but with electrical equipment. It was more bumpy and lasted all yesterday as well as today. His birthday headphones had started to buzz constantly. He wanted me to return them and get a refund, he still wanted to use them, they just weren't right.
After a lot of feeling frustrated he hit on the idea that the batteries might be worn out. He took them out, asked me for rechargeable ones, fitted them in, tried them for a while, hit on the idea that they might have had hardly any charge when they came out of the packet, let me charge them up again, tried them out, then set up a system for having 2 on charge in his room while he wears out the other 2. Happiness all round.
So 'know thyself' involves a search for truth at all levels and can be easy or difficult. There is a feeling of rightness when it is found.
It was an experiment on my part and something I thought might be nice for his beauty routine.
I found myself telling him that that was exactly my aim in bringing him up. My overall aim is for him to know what suits him and what doesn't. It means recognising the feelings, putting them into words and knowing what it is like to be in an environment where he can openly share them.
Today H had a similar process, but with electrical equipment. It was more bumpy and lasted all yesterday as well as today. His birthday headphones had started to buzz constantly. He wanted me to return them and get a refund, he still wanted to use them, they just weren't right.
After a lot of feeling frustrated he hit on the idea that the batteries might be worn out. He took them out, asked me for rechargeable ones, fitted them in, tried them for a while, hit on the idea that they might have had hardly any charge when they came out of the packet, let me charge them up again, tried them out, then set up a system for having 2 on charge in his room while he wears out the other 2. Happiness all round.
So 'know thyself' involves a search for truth at all levels and can be easy or difficult. There is a feeling of rightness when it is found.
Monday, 5 October 2009
The Swing
H and I have chats while he is on the swing. The school next door to us has a very annoying security light which flashes on and off all night. It is now a very valuable and useful night time light for us because the swing is right next to it.
Last night's discussion touched on maths. I want to buy maths text books and he explained carefully to me that he likes autonomous education. So I counter explained that my plan was to have a well stocked maths shelf which he could ignore or read privately when I am not around.
I think he can spot mission creep a mile off. I very much hope my mission is not about to creep and the books will not turn into weapons in a household maths war.
Last night's discussion touched on maths. I want to buy maths text books and he explained carefully to me that he likes autonomous education. So I counter explained that my plan was to have a well stocked maths shelf which he could ignore or read privately when I am not around.
I think he can spot mission creep a mile off. I very much hope my mission is not about to creep and the books will not turn into weapons in a household maths war.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
the dead parrot sketch
oh my goodness this is from 1972 and is wonderful
this bird is no more
this is a late parrot
the children are glued
this bird is no more
this is a late parrot
the children are glued
Friday, 2 October 2009
Free Food Friday
My mother in law brought us 2 doughnuts with icing faces on them.
I gave a friend 2 strawberries before she rushed off to do more errands.
My son T gave a sweet to his brother H.
The village had a harvest supper, we were given extra chocolates at the end, yum.
Giving and receiving rather than foraging this week.
I gave a friend 2 strawberries before she rushed off to do more errands.
My son T gave a sweet to his brother H.
The village had a harvest supper, we were given extra chocolates at the end, yum.
Giving and receiving rather than foraging this week.
Duty Doctor
I had a call back from the duty doctor today to discuss T's chest infection. All I needed to know was what to look for if it was getting worse and whether to take him to be listened to with a stethescope. It sounds like there is no need for antibiotics and time + rest will cure this.
The discussion took about 3 minutes and I learned just enough for today's duties as a mother/nurse. If I need to know more I can google and I can call for NHS expertise by phone anytime day or night.
Now I need to spend some more time with H. He is well, but being very patient about being ignored. I have forgotten how mentally and physically tiring it is looking after an ill child. The rest of the household is on the back burner. Tax return, tree surgery work, a little cousin's birthday tomorrow....all unattended to because they are lower priority at the moment. I think my mind processes are slightly off kilter too.
The discussion took about 3 minutes and I learned just enough for today's duties as a mother/nurse. If I need to know more I can google and I can call for NHS expertise by phone anytime day or night.
Now I need to spend some more time with H. He is well, but being very patient about being ignored. I have forgotten how mentally and physically tiring it is looking after an ill child. The rest of the household is on the back burner. Tax return, tree surgery work, a little cousin's birthday tomorrow....all unattended to because they are lower priority at the moment. I think my mind processes are slightly off kilter too.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Boast Boast Boast
In the last half hour H and I have discussed rebuilding an old outhouse and the falling down shed added on to our garage years ago.
Then, miracle of miracles, he asked his brother T for tips on a course to learn soldering, T replied that he could show him. Followed by asking T for help at the weekend with taking apart his own computer and then putting it back together again.
This works, this really does!
Then, miracle of miracles, he asked his brother T for tips on a course to learn soldering, T replied that he could show him. Followed by asking T for help at the weekend with taking apart his own computer and then putting it back together again.
This works, this really does!
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