If your kid is ready for middle school, be ready to go slow, be extremely supportive and deny the inclination to “let go because they got this.” In no way is that true.
Katie created this award-winning poster for our local water utility. We know water is a limited resource. And I have talked to Katie about it for years. We live in a wonderful area but it is regularly impacted by climate shifts that often result in limits on our water consumption. So today, around the world,… More Blog Action Day: Save Water, Take a Dirt Bath
We are a month into school and Katie is humming, almost purring, with the challenge. Sure it’s been a lot of work but as she said, “Mom, I don’t mind working hard for smart teachers!” No truer words have been spoken. For the first time since third grade, Katie has teachers who are actually “into… More Working Hard for Smart Teachers Makes the Whole Difference
Ahhh, bullies. We have managed to get through six years of school with very few incidents of bullying. But now Katie’s in middle school and the landscape has changed. Thankfully, we started reading Queen Bees and Wannabees together just before school started. What a great book. We are only about half way through (homework is… More We Enter the World of Queen Bees and Wannabees (and Bullies)
Okay, so I talked about how much I miss home school and already ranted about one of the things that worries me about being back at public school, but to be fair, there are so many things I am truly appreciating about being back I wanted to share my list. So here goes! My daughter… More We’re Back! Five Things I Am Loving About Public School
Where else can you see piggie butts! We are so very lucky to live in a county that still plays host to an annual county fair. I hear fairs are closing down all over the United States and I think that’s just a shame. There’s nothing better than the sites, sounds and smells of agriculture,… More Local County Fair Delivers Food, Fun and Self-Esteem
The “Study Nest” where it all happens! I know it’s temporary, it will pass, but today I got a kick in the teeth that reminded me of why I pulled Katie out of public school in the first place: she came home defeated. She worked really hard on some homework, I checked it, it was… More I’ve Got the “Oh Crap We Are Back in Public School” Blues…
Pat the real Hamster in a Littlest Pet Shop creation. Oh, a quiet morning – just like the old days – and a few minutes to finish writing. I love it! Here’s the top five things I really miss about home school. You can see part one, with the other five things here. 5. No… More 10 Things I Miss About Home School: Part Two
Last year was great. I really did like home school. Sure it pushed me to my limits balancing work and teaching, but we had so many great adventures and experiences. With the start of this new school year, I couldn’t help but look back and think about those lovely home school days (top ten, countdown… More 10 Things I Miss About Home School: Part One
After plenty of preparation and excitement, we managed to get the child off to school. Sure she was up at 6am. Of course she was ready and dressed by 7am. We needed to pick up her girlfriend Ashley at 8am (no one goes to school alone on the first day) so we had lots of… More Day One: School Starts; Hello Sixth Grade!
I thought she was going to burst. It was 24 hours before school would actually start and the kid was totally losing it. It turned out to be one of the longest periods of time I have lived through. I know, I have to come to terms with the fact that Katie did not love… More A New Adventure Begins: Middle School – Public Middle School