Our one-of-a-kind Grace has always had her own unique way of doing life. We have tried every traditional and non-traditional approach that we have known of to try to help her "feel more comfortable in her own skin." In June, you may recall, we discovered she has many food allergies. Since that time we have puzzled over "food allergies" and what is the cause of them thinking there has to be a fix beyond just eliminating the food. Furthermore, the conference I attended last week talked about the neurochemistry of placing a child on a stimulant and the permanent damage it can cause by pre-teen/teenhood. As we obviously want what is best for Grace, but also want the family to be able to feel safe and comfortable, we have remained open minded to options other than Ritalin.
In chatting with a good friend about this dilemma, she shared an interesting story. Her son has struggled with extreme eczema since birth. He is now 6 and she has tried every traditional and non-traditional approach she has known. In the process she has become quite the expert in food issues, digestion, how food affects eczema, etc. She recently had enlisted the assistance of a Biochemist who ran labs on her son and suggested some specific supplements based on the results of his specific biochemistry.
My husband and I were excited that after 6 weeks her son's eczema had completely cleared up for weeks - for the first time in his life! We wondered if this woman could also help Grace. I completed the 1 hour free phone consultation and we decided to move forward. We figured that even if it didn't work we needed to know that we have not left any stone unturned in our quest to help Grace.
We were dismayed and saddened (even more so than when we got the "allergy" results) to find out what the labs revealed about Grace's body. Grace apparently has significant issues with her kidney's and liver not processing toxins (which explains her frenzied behavior if she is toxic) , she is not digesting any food adequately (which explains her not gaining ANY weight in 18 months and ALWAYS being hungry and having chronic diarrhea), and several other issues such as her losing calcium, her potassium and Vit C being very low (she is always the first to get sick in our home), etc.
This information was consistent with what I learned about at the conference on how early stress and prenatal "stuff" affects the organs functioning, etc. To have this confirmed by someone totally not related to the conference via these labs seemed like confirmation that we are headed in the right direction to getting her some foundational help. However, we are very aware that this falls outside of "traditional" medicine and are moving forward skeptically optimistic.
The Biochemist suggested interventions of dietary changes and supplements. We are learning about food that I have not heard of before. I had to call my friend to ask her what Hominy is - since Grace is supposed to eat that 2 times a week. We have lots and lots of green leafy veggies in our house now - expanding our traditional 5 veggies that we normally eat lol! I learned how to make a "green drink" from spinach, celery, and pineapple juice. Sounds appetizing for a 5 year old, right ?!?!?! She has never liked meat and is now on a vegetarian diet - so she likes that a lot:) I am in the process of figuring out the "must eat every day, must eat 3x a week, etc" menu to make sure she is getting the balance of everything she needs.
The Biochemist is very skeptical about "food allergies" and suggests that once her body is able to digest/break down food properly that she will probably not have any negative reactions to food anymore. In fact, we have already reintroduced tomatoes with no adverse effects. The things that her body reacted to in the food allergy test were directly related to the things the Biochemist found were not working right in her body. We are still to keep her off of dairy (although she tolerates raw milk great!) until she is doing better though.
All in all, if nothing gets better with her behavior, we have introduced more healthy food into the house and I will grow my culinary skills:) Hominy, cooking with millet and a variety of grains other than just grinding whole wheat, making green drinks and home made almond milk will diversify our family:) At the moment I am trying to figure out how to get her to eat Asparagus 2x a week. And, if Grace could finally feel comfortable in her own skin...well...my husband and I are trying to wrap our minds around what that could look like...just imagine!!!!
Oh, and if anyone has a Juicer, or knows of someone who wants to sell a juicer, or knows of where to get one reasonably priced - we need one!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Texas Trip: family fun!
We enjoyed our trip to Texas! The kids got to do fun things every day and my husband so was wonderful with keeping them moving and playing while I sat in class day day every day:) They attended the zoo, a museum, Lego Land, a long horn steer stampede, the Botanical Gardens, a Mustang Makeover horse event, and plenty of swimming:)
Food: We had a big breakfast provided by the hotel every morning. It was a great start to the day! Supper was provided 3 nights - we really liked the Texan tacos:) I ate like a queen at the conference. The top restaurant in Fort Worth catered the food. We had all kinds of unique food like Tamales, delicious hot chocolate bread pudding served in a corn husk, cheddar grits with jalapenos, and then basic delicious food like grilled chicken and pork chops. Of course everything had plenty of peppers and spice to made it very tasty!
Sleep: Not much for anyone...moving on:)
The conference was amazing! I will be posted on what I learned in various posts. There was so much information I need to integrate it in my own brain and try to articulate it here in smaller chunks:) I have begun implementing it already here at home with good results so far:) Kids who come from hard places process and learn and react so incredibly different than kids without early trauma. I will admit that I did not always understand that and have some trepidation about sharing what I have learned with others who will dismiss this information...to the detriment of the children...
I am so passionate about adoption and about parenting. I am brain storming and praying about how God wants me to share this information with others and be a more active part of Orphan Ministry.
For some reason my pictures of the trip are not uploading so they will be on facebook if anyone wants to see them;)
Food: We had a big breakfast provided by the hotel every morning. It was a great start to the day! Supper was provided 3 nights - we really liked the Texan tacos:) I ate like a queen at the conference. The top restaurant in Fort Worth catered the food. We had all kinds of unique food like Tamales, delicious hot chocolate bread pudding served in a corn husk, cheddar grits with jalapenos, and then basic delicious food like grilled chicken and pork chops. Of course everything had plenty of peppers and spice to made it very tasty!
Sleep: Not much for anyone...moving on:)
The conference was amazing! I will be posted on what I learned in various posts. There was so much information I need to integrate it in my own brain and try to articulate it here in smaller chunks:) I have begun implementing it already here at home with good results so far:) Kids who come from hard places process and learn and react so incredibly different than kids without early trauma. I will admit that I did not always understand that and have some trepidation about sharing what I have learned with others who will dismiss this information...to the detriment of the children...
I am so passionate about adoption and about parenting. I am brain storming and praying about how God wants me to share this information with others and be a more active part of Orphan Ministry.
For some reason my pictures of the trip are not uploading so they will be on facebook if anyone wants to see them;)
Monday, September 5, 2011
JJ Update
JJ on his 1st birthday playing with his $50 present we got for $10 for being at the right place at the right time!!!!
JJ loves to play with his big sister (and drag out all of my bowls) lol!
I thought this was such a cute birthday picture of him!!
It has been an interesting couple of months with JJ. He has been fever free for almost a month now. We started liquid Vitamin C around that time (continuing the daily Claritin) and are pleased that this is the longest since May that he has been fever free while not on an antibiotic.
Eating...JJ just does not have a big appetite. He may drink 4-5 oz once in awhile, but usually he will drink a couple of oz and then want to play. He is highly distractable at this age (of course!!) so noise and activity gets him off task. That means that we spend a lot of time "reminding" him that he needs to finish the bottle or the meal. At his 12 month checkup he was almost 25% under the growth chart. The physician gave us 3 months to get his weight up or we will need to do blood work, etc to see what might be going on. When he gets sick he loses his appetite completely and loses a lb in a week - making the battle longer. His mom and full bio sister are also tiny so I suspect genetics are a lot to play in it.
On 9/9 we had a 4 week weight - he has gained 1 lb! He also grew 2 inches...WOW! We suspected he was getting taller since he hits his head on the table when he tried to walk under it now:)
But, aside from those things, JJ is the most adorable, precious, amazing, charming, silly, funny, sweet, curious, smart;) , , , , My vocabulary cannot even begin to think of the appropriate adjectives to describe who he is and how much we totally delight in him. He is such a gift from God and he always makes me smile. I could not possibly be more in love with him than I am.
JJ loves to play with his big sister (and drag out all of my bowls) lol!
I thought this was such a cute birthday picture of him!!
It has been an interesting couple of months with JJ. He has been fever free for almost a month now. We started liquid Vitamin C around that time (continuing the daily Claritin) and are pleased that this is the longest since May that he has been fever free while not on an antibiotic.
Eating...JJ just does not have a big appetite. He may drink 4-5 oz once in awhile, but usually he will drink a couple of oz and then want to play. He is highly distractable at this age (of course!!) so noise and activity gets him off task. That means that we spend a lot of time "reminding" him that he needs to finish the bottle or the meal. At his 12 month checkup he was almost 25% under the growth chart. The physician gave us 3 months to get his weight up or we will need to do blood work, etc to see what might be going on. When he gets sick he loses his appetite completely and loses a lb in a week - making the battle longer. His mom and full bio sister are also tiny so I suspect genetics are a lot to play in it.
On 9/9 we had a 4 week weight - he has gained 1 lb! He also grew 2 inches...WOW! We suspected he was getting taller since he hits his head on the table when he tried to walk under it now:)
But, aside from those things, JJ is the most adorable, precious, amazing, charming, silly, funny, sweet, curious, smart;) , , , , My vocabulary cannot even begin to think of the appropriate adjectives to describe who he is and how much we totally delight in him. He is such a gift from God and he always makes me smile. I could not possibly be more in love with him than I am.
Friday, September 2, 2011
State Fair!
State Fair highlights!!!! Superman and Faith entered a cinnamon roll eating contest...Superman WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was so excited and won some neat prizes:) He has always liked to eat fast and we usually have to slow him down...it came in handy today lol!
I just hope Miss Grace continues to like being in the FRONT seat of the police car lol!
We enjoyed the Jeremy Camp concert. JJ and I stood in the back and he walked around charming all of the people walking by:)
Buddy enjoyed the John Deere booth the best...boys and their toys!!
We enjoyed our time at the State Fair yesterday and getting to know some new friends better whom Beautiful will play Basketball with this year on a home school team. There were only two downsides...
1) We had not put tennis shoes on the kids since May - yep - they have grown! Faith was so uncomfortable 1/2 way through the day:( We need to buy new shoes lol!
2) The kids loved the "walking tree" last year. This year were "walking vines." The girls have talked about it for weeks and all day yesterday they asked and asked where they were. Beautiful saw them as she was walking around with her friends but despite our best efforts the rest of us couldn't find them.
Oh...and...Buddy got a PURPLE on his shoulder mount white tail deer mount:)
Good family memories:)
I just hope Miss Grace continues to like being in the FRONT seat of the police car lol!
We enjoyed the Jeremy Camp concert. JJ and I stood in the back and he walked around charming all of the people walking by:)
Buddy enjoyed the John Deere booth the best...boys and their toys!!
We enjoyed our time at the State Fair yesterday and getting to know some new friends better whom Beautiful will play Basketball with this year on a home school team. There were only two downsides...
1) We had not put tennis shoes on the kids since May - yep - they have grown! Faith was so uncomfortable 1/2 way through the day:( We need to buy new shoes lol!
2) The kids loved the "walking tree" last year. This year were "walking vines." The girls have talked about it for weeks and all day yesterday they asked and asked where they were. Beautiful saw them as she was walking around with her friends but despite our best efforts the rest of us couldn't find them.
Oh...and...Buddy got a PURPLE on his shoulder mount white tail deer mount:)
Good family memories:)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Beginning our 8th year of homeschool:)
The short story: We have had a wonderful week of school. The kids are all eager to learn (yes, I am wondering where my children from last year went...Hmmmm:) We have developed a schedule (now just to stick with it!). We also had dentist appointments this week (no cavities!!) and eye appointments (no glasses either...yay!!!)
The LOOOOONG story:)
This year we started a high schooler, middle schooler, and 3 kindergartners. I fretted a lot this summer and talked over my plan with friends as I was so nervous about starting the 3 little ones when they have such varying skill levels. I think we have a plan and, just for fun, I thought I'd share our curriculum and plan with you! (of course, if you don't want to read you don't have to;)
Beautiful: She is a Freshman! First, I am having to get over the shock of her being so old already (meaning that I am getting old!!) We are working on her being more independent in her coursework and she is really rising to the occasion. I have informed her what she needs to have done between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (and what the consequence would be for not finishing;)
Buddy: He is a 6th grader. We are working on some specific skills with him that I will discuss below.
Superman: Kindergarten! He has made huge strides over the summer in learning and we have decided to not have him attend any classes at the public school. We will trust our understanding of his issues based on the testing we have had done (I did learning disability testing in graduate school and worked on IEP's with high schoolers) and focus on attachment issues and the things I am learning from the TCU training. We will reassess at the end of the year where his needs are. For now, he finally knows his alphabet (if he doesn't know the name of the letter he does know the sound) and is even reading short vowel 3 letter words!!!
Grace: Spitfire that she is she LOVES to sit down and work on school. She asked all summer "when can we do school mom!?" She is very artsy and loves to sit and create. She is developing about where I would expect...given that she doesn't attend to one thing very long lol!
Faith: She is doing great. Loves kindergarten. She was reading at age 4 and is very bright.
Coursework:
Apologetics (all 5 kids in school) - most important class! We are doing Creation or Evolution by Mike Snavely. We also bought the DVD's that go with it as they were highly recommended by friends and we look forward to what we will learn this year:)
Devotions (all 5 kids) - Character Building For Families vol 1 and 2 by Lee Ann Rubsam. We believe that home school has as much or more to do with teaching character development as academics.
Math U See (all 5 kids) - obviously they are at different levels but we have LOVED Math U See! It is great to have the DVD teach the lesson and then the kids work in the workbook until the skill is mastered. No endless workbook pages "just because." Once it is learned, move on to the next lesson.
English: Obviously with the little ones I am doing phonics. I have/will continue to use the computer program for "How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." However, with some learning issues present we are also using Dianne Craft's material for teaching spelling/reading to the right brained learner. This is going well.
For Buddy I started using Shurley English. I had a friend recommend it to me 2 years ago. I decided against it last year as I was intimidated by the book. This year I bit the bullet and just decided to start it as opposed to using Bob Jones English as I have done for the past 5 years. Let me tell you just how sad that I am that I did not start to use this curriculum earlier!!!! It is wonderful! It explains things SOO much better! It is much more user friendly that I had thought (now that I am actually diving into the lessons). I will certainly start the little ones in this curriculum next year!
Beautiful has the fun experience of taking 2 English classes this year!! She is doing the Queen Secondary English program for her grammar needs. I am so excited about Home Scholar books. The author of this curriculum uses a popular book series like the Little House in the Prairie books (we are using the Lord of the Rings curriculum) to teach literary skills. Beautiful has to read a chapter, answer workbook pages on content of what she read, learn 10 "old English" vocabulary words from each chapter, and answer comprehension questions. There are sections learning about J.R.R. Tolkien, all kinds of literary terms, and some excerpts from Beowolf and other "old" stories and poems. The best part is that she gets to learn all of these important things while reading books she actually likes!
Spelling: For Beautiful we used several curriculums and settled on Sequential Spelling. For Buddy we have tried lots of options. Right now we are using Andrew Pudewa's Spelling Zoo combined with Dianne Craft's tips to improve spelling by focusing on the visual part of it (you know, trying to learn to spell based on "rules" doesn't work well in the English language lol!). So when there is a word he struggles with we turn the word into a picture somehow to help him "see" it when he is trying to spell it. He also does the "phonics tutor" on CD-ROM.
Spanish: Rosetta Stone - the newest version is a great improvement over the older one!!!!
For Science we are using the Answers in Genesis recommended "God's Design for Science." This year we are doing Biology, last year we did Chemistry (that was tough I'll tell you!!) I love, love, love this curriculum! I also really love the elementary versions of Apologia and we have used 4 of them in the past.
For History we love the approach by My Father's World. We are studying ancient history this year - from Creation until the time of the Greeks. When we started home schooling we used all My Father's World and then adapted based on each child's needs - that is part of the beauty of home schooling!!!
For Art we are in a home school co-op. I really, really, (REALLY) am not artsy so this is so great for our kids!
Beautiful will be on a home school Basketball league this year for PE. Otherwise she helps to teach a PE class for younger kids in our co-op.
We are also learning Greek/Latin root words - very helpful for vocabulary in the English language!
Reading - I require that the kids read age appropriate books daily but let them choose what they are interested in from the hundreds of books on our bookshelves.
We like Quarter Mile Math on the computer to solidify math skills in a fun way:)
I think that covers it. I may be forgetting something.
Structure:
We start the day with Dianne Craft's Brain Integration training. Her book is filled with exercises to help people "cross the midline" and have information become what she calls "unblocked." I have several of her DVD's and CD's (including 1 on biological needs (such as supplements) for kids who struggle with learning) and have gone to 6 of her seminars. The information/exercises that she talks about is also discussed in the TCU training that I am taking on helping kids with attachment/fear issues. I have seen significant improvement in my kids who participate in this.
In the morning I have the big kids work at their pace from 9 - 12 in self-study. I am available if they need help with anything like correcting a lesson or giving a spelling test. However, by this stage they are mostly self-studying. I have the little ones do 30 minute "stations" during this time. Superman and Faith each have 2 30 minutes stations during this time to play with Jonathan since he is absolutely and totally unwilling to ever be alone (in fact, he is on my lap right now!) Superman and Faith LOVE to have this time alone with their brother. Where is Grace you ask? She is kept at the table with me and the older kids doing art projects, practicing her reading, numbers, etc. I keep her in my sights at all times lol! When Superman or Faith are not with Jonathan they are engaged in other quiet activities that they enjoy but are "learning" tasks. I keep the 3 in separate rooms all morning and, wow, it sure is quieter and no one is hurting anyone else lol! Seriously though, they do have trouble occupying themselves since they are used to our "little CEO" constantly telling them what to do and them always needing to be on guard for her. This time allows them to have the freedom to look through books or whatever they choose and have self-directed time.
Once the big kids finish their subjects we all do science and history together. (we do eat in here... I promise!!) Then it is time for kindergarten. I am using the word lists and concepts from the Dianne Craft right brain learner book to teach letter identification, letter sounds, and reading. I am using My Father's World with the rest of what I am teaching them. Since MFW is not "workbook" heavy I also am using the Answers in Genesis Preschool curriculum workbooks to solidify concepts as a review (and some new material) from what I taught them in preschool last year. I find that with 3 of them I have to find something for 2 to do while I do 1:1 work with another one. They LOVE the workbooks - go figure:)
I'm sure I have forgotten something. I hope that if you are considering home school you have been encouraged about how many options there are and how it is very doable...even with several kids! If you are a home school parent and have any suggestions for me, please let me know!! If you have read this far...wow!!!
The LOOOOONG story:)
This year we started a high schooler, middle schooler, and 3 kindergartners. I fretted a lot this summer and talked over my plan with friends as I was so nervous about starting the 3 little ones when they have such varying skill levels. I think we have a plan and, just for fun, I thought I'd share our curriculum and plan with you! (of course, if you don't want to read you don't have to;)
Beautiful: She is a Freshman! First, I am having to get over the shock of her being so old already (meaning that I am getting old!!) We are working on her being more independent in her coursework and she is really rising to the occasion. I have informed her what she needs to have done between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (and what the consequence would be for not finishing;)
Buddy: He is a 6th grader. We are working on some specific skills with him that I will discuss below.
Superman: Kindergarten! He has made huge strides over the summer in learning and we have decided to not have him attend any classes at the public school. We will trust our understanding of his issues based on the testing we have had done (I did learning disability testing in graduate school and worked on IEP's with high schoolers) and focus on attachment issues and the things I am learning from the TCU training. We will reassess at the end of the year where his needs are. For now, he finally knows his alphabet (if he doesn't know the name of the letter he does know the sound) and is even reading short vowel 3 letter words!!!
Grace: Spitfire that she is she LOVES to sit down and work on school. She asked all summer "when can we do school mom!?" She is very artsy and loves to sit and create. She is developing about where I would expect...given that she doesn't attend to one thing very long lol!
Faith: She is doing great. Loves kindergarten. She was reading at age 4 and is very bright.
Coursework:
Apologetics (all 5 kids in school) - most important class! We are doing Creation or Evolution by Mike Snavely. We also bought the DVD's that go with it as they were highly recommended by friends and we look forward to what we will learn this year:)
Devotions (all 5 kids) - Character Building For Families vol 1 and 2 by Lee Ann Rubsam. We believe that home school has as much or more to do with teaching character development as academics.
Math U See (all 5 kids) - obviously they are at different levels but we have LOVED Math U See! It is great to have the DVD teach the lesson and then the kids work in the workbook until the skill is mastered. No endless workbook pages "just because." Once it is learned, move on to the next lesson.
English: Obviously with the little ones I am doing phonics. I have/will continue to use the computer program for "How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." However, with some learning issues present we are also using Dianne Craft's material for teaching spelling/reading to the right brained learner. This is going well.
For Buddy I started using Shurley English. I had a friend recommend it to me 2 years ago. I decided against it last year as I was intimidated by the book. This year I bit the bullet and just decided to start it as opposed to using Bob Jones English as I have done for the past 5 years. Let me tell you just how sad that I am that I did not start to use this curriculum earlier!!!! It is wonderful! It explains things SOO much better! It is much more user friendly that I had thought (now that I am actually diving into the lessons). I will certainly start the little ones in this curriculum next year!
Beautiful has the fun experience of taking 2 English classes this year!! She is doing the Queen Secondary English program for her grammar needs. I am so excited about Home Scholar books. The author of this curriculum uses a popular book series like the Little House in the Prairie books (we are using the Lord of the Rings curriculum) to teach literary skills. Beautiful has to read a chapter, answer workbook pages on content of what she read, learn 10 "old English" vocabulary words from each chapter, and answer comprehension questions. There are sections learning about J.R.R. Tolkien, all kinds of literary terms, and some excerpts from Beowolf and other "old" stories and poems. The best part is that she gets to learn all of these important things while reading books she actually likes!
Spelling: For Beautiful we used several curriculums and settled on Sequential Spelling. For Buddy we have tried lots of options. Right now we are using Andrew Pudewa's Spelling Zoo combined with Dianne Craft's tips to improve spelling by focusing on the visual part of it (you know, trying to learn to spell based on "rules" doesn't work well in the English language lol!). So when there is a word he struggles with we turn the word into a picture somehow to help him "see" it when he is trying to spell it. He also does the "phonics tutor" on CD-ROM.
Spanish: Rosetta Stone - the newest version is a great improvement over the older one!!!!
For Science we are using the Answers in Genesis recommended "God's Design for Science." This year we are doing Biology, last year we did Chemistry (that was tough I'll tell you!!) I love, love, love this curriculum! I also really love the elementary versions of Apologia and we have used 4 of them in the past.
For History we love the approach by My Father's World. We are studying ancient history this year - from Creation until the time of the Greeks. When we started home schooling we used all My Father's World and then adapted based on each child's needs - that is part of the beauty of home schooling!!!
For Art we are in a home school co-op. I really, really, (REALLY) am not artsy so this is so great for our kids!
Beautiful will be on a home school Basketball league this year for PE. Otherwise she helps to teach a PE class for younger kids in our co-op.
We are also learning Greek/Latin root words - very helpful for vocabulary in the English language!
Reading - I require that the kids read age appropriate books daily but let them choose what they are interested in from the hundreds of books on our bookshelves.
We like Quarter Mile Math on the computer to solidify math skills in a fun way:)
I think that covers it. I may be forgetting something.
Structure:
We start the day with Dianne Craft's Brain Integration training. Her book is filled with exercises to help people "cross the midline" and have information become what she calls "unblocked." I have several of her DVD's and CD's (including 1 on biological needs (such as supplements) for kids who struggle with learning) and have gone to 6 of her seminars. The information/exercises that she talks about is also discussed in the TCU training that I am taking on helping kids with attachment/fear issues. I have seen significant improvement in my kids who participate in this.
In the morning I have the big kids work at their pace from 9 - 12 in self-study. I am available if they need help with anything like correcting a lesson or giving a spelling test. However, by this stage they are mostly self-studying. I have the little ones do 30 minute "stations" during this time. Superman and Faith each have 2 30 minutes stations during this time to play with Jonathan since he is absolutely and totally unwilling to ever be alone (in fact, he is on my lap right now!) Superman and Faith LOVE to have this time alone with their brother. Where is Grace you ask? She is kept at the table with me and the older kids doing art projects, practicing her reading, numbers, etc. I keep her in my sights at all times lol! When Superman or Faith are not with Jonathan they are engaged in other quiet activities that they enjoy but are "learning" tasks. I keep the 3 in separate rooms all morning and, wow, it sure is quieter and no one is hurting anyone else lol! Seriously though, they do have trouble occupying themselves since they are used to our "little CEO" constantly telling them what to do and them always needing to be on guard for her. This time allows them to have the freedom to look through books or whatever they choose and have self-directed time.
Once the big kids finish their subjects we all do science and history together. (we do eat in here... I promise!!) Then it is time for kindergarten. I am using the word lists and concepts from the Dianne Craft right brain learner book to teach letter identification, letter sounds, and reading. I am using My Father's World with the rest of what I am teaching them. Since MFW is not "workbook" heavy I also am using the Answers in Genesis Preschool curriculum workbooks to solidify concepts as a review (and some new material) from what I taught them in preschool last year. I find that with 3 of them I have to find something for 2 to do while I do 1:1 work with another one. They LOVE the workbooks - go figure:)
I'm sure I have forgotten something. I hope that if you are considering home school you have been encouraged about how many options there are and how it is very doable...even with several kids! If you are a home school parent and have any suggestions for me, please let me know!! If you have read this far...wow!!!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
small breakthrough??
Sport has a hard time with time out. He has a hard time all the time feeling "left out." He has such far reaching hurts from the life he had before us... When we put him in time out he used to scream like we are cutting off a limb, now he "just" whines. He really hates time out. He will whine for hours if we would let him stay in there that long.
Today, he was throwing rocks...again. So he went to time out...again... When I went to talk it over with him hoping he had calmed down he was still whining.
I said, "why are you whining?"
Sport said, "because there isn't anything fun to do in time out."
There you have it...we have apparently met our goal of time out (not getting to have fun). Now we need to work on him actually trying to avoid time out by obeying lol! Understanding that disobedience has a consequence is so important - but they need to learn to do right...not just try to not get caught!
I am so frustrated by the premise that I am the cause of his pain. When I worked in prisons for 9 years I learned that the primary thought of criminals is "THEY are the problem" (the judge, the cops, the person who told). So, I may be a bit hypersensitive to my children thinking they they don't have the problem. Isn't that the core problem with sin and Satan's deception? The world is unfair. THEY are the problem. THEY don't understand. "I" am the victim.
But...how does one deal with that with a child who has been deeply hurt? They have learned that "the world IS unfair," "THEY did cause the problem,"" I WAS the innocent victim." Satan is so deceptive and evil. He twists and makes everything confused.
Thankfully we have the LIGHT and TRUTH of Christ. We have the Holy Spirit to help us discern and to give us wisdom. We have God who works ALL things of the good of those who love Him.
Today, he was throwing rocks...again. So he went to time out...again... When I went to talk it over with him hoping he had calmed down he was still whining.
I said, "why are you whining?"
Sport said, "because there isn't anything fun to do in time out."
There you have it...we have apparently met our goal of time out (not getting to have fun). Now we need to work on him actually trying to avoid time out by obeying lol! Understanding that disobedience has a consequence is so important - but they need to learn to do right...not just try to not get caught!
I am so frustrated by the premise that I am the cause of his pain. When I worked in prisons for 9 years I learned that the primary thought of criminals is "THEY are the problem" (the judge, the cops, the person who told). So, I may be a bit hypersensitive to my children thinking they they don't have the problem. Isn't that the core problem with sin and Satan's deception? The world is unfair. THEY are the problem. THEY don't understand. "I" am the victim.
But...how does one deal with that with a child who has been deeply hurt? They have learned that "the world IS unfair," "THEY did cause the problem,"" I WAS the innocent victim." Satan is so deceptive and evil. He twists and makes everything confused.
Thankfully we have the LIGHT and TRUTH of Christ. We have the Holy Spirit to help us discern and to give us wisdom. We have God who works ALL things of the good of those who love Him.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Reading...
I have been reading several books lately that I wanted to share my thoughts on. As I've shared before I am currently taking a class from Texas Christian University on TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) as a means of working with children who have come from hard places. I'll share more about what I have been learning in that class in another post. But, I have had to read 2 books as part of that class that I would like to share here. The first one is The Connected Child - for parents who have welcomed children from other countries/cultures, from troubled backgrounds, with special behavioral or emotional needs. It is written by Karyn Purvis Ph.D. and David Cross, Ph.D. I think that all parents who have adopted kids from hard places should read this book. It has taught me more than any of the other sources on adopting combined. In part it teaching about looking at the brain chemistry changes that occur with early trauma and the long term ramifications of that helps to understand why a child engages in behaviors that as parents we sit back and scratch our heads over...or get very frustrated about. The book offers many ways for us to see our children's behaviors differently so that we can more accurately see the heart of our hurting/fearful child rather than assume "this child is willfully rebellious and will never change." They give many specific strategies for intervention and give much hope to the parents who don't know what to do next. What I appreciate the most about the book is that Dr's Purvis and Cross are Christians who do not rely solely on modern psychology but rather incorporate the truths of Christian parenting - including as part of our parenting to instill in our children their identity as a loved child of God.
The second book I read as part of this class is The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz, M.A. Sensory Processing Disorder (or, as seen in various locations SI or SPD) is a relatively newly categorized disorder on the Autism spectrum. The spectrum goes from Autism to Asperger's Syndrome, to SPD. The book is very readable and helps to explain the causes and behaviors of those children who are highly sensitive to sounds, smells, sights, etc. Those kids who we buffer from out of the box (for them) experiences knowing those experiences will result in triggering a behavioral outburst. It also does a great job of explaining how SPD sometimes looks like ADHD - but delineates clearly how they are two different disorders.
The next group of books I am reading are parenting books (not that the above books aren't helping me parent my kids who have a wide range of "issues"). I believe strongly that parents need to be intentionally parenting their children and not just "getting through the day" by clothing, feeding, and keeping their children alive. We need to get to the heart of our children, teach them how they are loved by their Creator and the need for them to live for their Creator.
I was very, very impressed with Voddie Baucham Jr.'s book Family Driven Faith: Doing what it takes to raise sons and daughters who walk with God. He clearly goes through the reasons why we need to be parenting more intentionally, and wonderful suggestions on how that would look. Many of the precepts his discusses I already agreed with, but he had more practical suggestions and laid out the Biblical foundation well. I highly, highly, highly recommend this book.
And, because we have a teenager who is...well...a teenager...I also read What He Must Be...if he wants to marry my daughter - also by Voddie Baucham Jr. My husband and I were not raised in Biblical homes and this world of parenting...and parenting a teenager... has made us really examine our Worldview. We desire to have a Biblical Worldview and I am so thankful for such great leaders such as Voddie Baucham Jr who write such excellent books on this topic. This book takes a look at what Biblical Manhood should look like and how our daughters should settle for nothing less than a solidly Biblical Man - and how it is the father's responsibility to be actively involved in that process. It was very convicting about the goals we need to have for our own sons as well...
Finally, I read Boy Meets Girl - say hello to courtship by Joshua Harris. It the follow up to his "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." It is a great book that clearly defines what "courtship" means, has excellent practical ideas on what courtship looks like, and explains why courtship is the Biblical model.
My hope is that if any of you are looking for help or helpful ideas in parenting your children that you would check out these resources. I am always learning such great ideas from other blogger friends that I want to pass along what I have found helpful too:)
The second book I read as part of this class is The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz, M.A. Sensory Processing Disorder (or, as seen in various locations SI or SPD) is a relatively newly categorized disorder on the Autism spectrum. The spectrum goes from Autism to Asperger's Syndrome, to SPD. The book is very readable and helps to explain the causes and behaviors of those children who are highly sensitive to sounds, smells, sights, etc. Those kids who we buffer from out of the box (for them) experiences knowing those experiences will result in triggering a behavioral outburst. It also does a great job of explaining how SPD sometimes looks like ADHD - but delineates clearly how they are two different disorders.
The next group of books I am reading are parenting books (not that the above books aren't helping me parent my kids who have a wide range of "issues"). I believe strongly that parents need to be intentionally parenting their children and not just "getting through the day" by clothing, feeding, and keeping their children alive. We need to get to the heart of our children, teach them how they are loved by their Creator and the need for them to live for their Creator.
I was very, very impressed with Voddie Baucham Jr.'s book Family Driven Faith: Doing what it takes to raise sons and daughters who walk with God. He clearly goes through the reasons why we need to be parenting more intentionally, and wonderful suggestions on how that would look. Many of the precepts his discusses I already agreed with, but he had more practical suggestions and laid out the Biblical foundation well. I highly, highly, highly recommend this book.
And, because we have a teenager who is...well...a teenager...I also read What He Must Be...if he wants to marry my daughter - also by Voddie Baucham Jr. My husband and I were not raised in Biblical homes and this world of parenting...and parenting a teenager... has made us really examine our Worldview. We desire to have a Biblical Worldview and I am so thankful for such great leaders such as Voddie Baucham Jr who write such excellent books on this topic. This book takes a look at what Biblical Manhood should look like and how our daughters should settle for nothing less than a solidly Biblical Man - and how it is the father's responsibility to be actively involved in that process. It was very convicting about the goals we need to have for our own sons as well...
Finally, I read Boy Meets Girl - say hello to courtship by Joshua Harris. It the follow up to his "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." It is a great book that clearly defines what "courtship" means, has excellent practical ideas on what courtship looks like, and explains why courtship is the Biblical model.
My hope is that if any of you are looking for help or helpful ideas in parenting your children that you would check out these resources. I am always learning such great ideas from other blogger friends that I want to pass along what I have found helpful too:)
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