Today Only Mom Moment's

"Putting It All Together in a Plan"



Don't put the Bar Too High!



I think something I wish I could have been told is to relax and not expect to much right off ....I went into homeschooling TERRIFIED will I be able to teach them I only have a high school level of education I am no teacher dont have any degrees EXPERIENCE now yes then NO. I have asked the same things I here new mom's asking will we get done will my kiddo's be where they need to be and I say they will more than likely succeed far more than you expect. For example my children two years ago almost 3 now I guess, had taken their first state testing ever and at that time Lish was in 8th/ 9th, Ian 7th, Matthew 4th, Noah 2nd, Daniel K....... Lish and Ian were my starter's good and bad things learned however they both placed average which is great I was thankful many mistakes made in beginning with them yet God answered my prayer to fill the gaps I was proven this when I read Matthew and Noah's test scores Matthew placed above average 7th grade level at 4th grade and Noah well he tested very above average 2nd grader whom placed at a 9th grade level across the board I was so floored and very blessed and my fears were then put to rest I also use to stress about getting all books done well again not always needed MOST FAMILIES WILL DO FAR MORE BY DOING LESS it isnt more important doing alot more than the importance of it being done RIGHT and UNDERSTOOD!!!



"STARTING AND STAYING WITH A FEW THINGS AND BUILDING ON THEM IS FAR BETTER THAN PLANNING MANY THINGS AND FOLLOWING THROUGH ON NONE."



I am going to give you 7 reminders of things to keep in mind as you create your homeschool plan not only that but these are even helpful reminders in raising and disciplining our kids..........

(Also Please remember every families plans WILL be SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT and this is ok

it is the beauty and purpose of homeschool):



SEVEN REMINDERS FOR CREATING YOUR FAMILIES PLAN:



1) BE COMMITTED- Discipline as well as homeschool is something we MUST invest our time to we cant just do it hit and miss especially in the early elementary ages this is when our kids are sponges and take everything in good and bad so very important to be committed to repetition. There WILL be times when it's inconvenient, were tired or busy, or we feel inadequate or unprepared (I still do from time to time)but it is the commitment to the process that will help get us through negative feelings or thoughts and help keep us on track, and to help us see the positive results in the end. Please take these commitments seriously homeschooling is NOT for EVERYONE and that is ok!!!



2)BE REALISTIC- It is equally important to be realistic about how much you should put on your plate when taking on homeschooling and even disciplining in the early years. Dont expect your homeschooler's to be involved in homeschool group activities multiple times a week on top of sports church and so on to much is NOT GOOD!!

PRAY and agree with hubby about a schedule that best fits your family and kiddo's.



3)Be SPECIFIC- It is important to be specific in a schedule you dont always have to be so ridgid however having a schedule is very helpful with small children and when we have a schedule when things do get off track cause they will from time to time you can then go back to that schedule to help guide your family back on track. This is also helpful in disciplining children to be specific what type of discipline and be specific and stick with it.



4) Be Creative- wedont always have to use the basic rules of classrooms I know families who teach a few subjects outside, some take kids to a friends house where the mom's trade off in teaching there are so many things and resources from which to pull amazing ideas from it is endless.



5)BE ALERT- To your kids learning abilities and the subjects they do well in and not so well in and guide in those areas . Also be alert to your child's changing spiritual needs .



6) BE CONNECTED- Don't go at this alone very bad idea God didn't mean for any of us to be lone-rangers in anything we do get connected in a good homeschool group where you are surrounded and encouraged by other likeminded families whom have same goals as you do.



7) BE A LIGHT- Finally there is no better way to learn than by teaching. Once you put together your families potential plan through the process of prayerfully doing so share it with someone else. Offer to help another family in their process share what works and what hasn't worked and be there to support I have found when I do this it helps me keep it all in focus. I learn as well as I see other's plans and what has worked for them or not. Over all be a light to those watching your kiddo's first and foremost then all those around may we be families set apart from the ways of this world.



REMEMBER THIS IMPORTANT TIP MAYBE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT :

There is no photocopy of what a homeschool way of teaching should be like it is up to You to pray and see what that looks like through God's eyes for your family alone. May we all learn to NOT JUDGE another in their journey....our job is NOT to judge, criticize, condemn or pose our opinions of how it should be done our way is going to be different then any other because our children are different and were made to be different and that is ok Folks it really is. Instead friends we need to be encouraging, uplifting, SUPPORTIVE, The Iron that Sharpens Iron, and above all we need to be LOVING to ALL!!!
GOD BLESS your journey to homeschool if your a first timer or a seasoned homeschooler may God Multiply your families efforts this school year.

Until Next Time,
Cindy

SPEAK TO MY HEART TUESDAY'S

Well today what spoke to my heart was lots of things but the one stood out the most was being able to encourage a group of ladies in their homeschooling .......I am so not a pro veteran... maybe a veteran but still much to learn myself. I know most want one easy answer to grasp on to and you see there is not one answer every families teaching type, style, curriculum are ALL so different and it really isnt something we can carbon copy there is no mold to follow. Children are also ALL so very different and what works for one family may not work for other's and that is ok it really is. I just read somewhere that when kids are younger Primary(pre-school - second grade) and elementary (third- sixth) are the years they are sponges and should be taught the basics and begin to master some areas more than other's ... we as their mom's have the opportunity to see where they may be gifted in more and steer them in those directions. For instance our Matthew is a computer geek like his dad he is also looking at wanting to do this for a living so we as parents know this and make sure we are more concerned with this areas and not as concerned with others we do it yet not stress over it. Noah wants to be a worship leader / youth Pastor so we focus on things he will need to steer him in that direction and so on for my older three Ian really believes he is called to be a Pastor so we steer him heavily in God's word People skills and other beneficial things for that calling not forsaking other studies PLEASE dont get me wrong however just not stressing over them. Mom's my advice and encouragement is to not mold yourselves after what your girlfriends are doing we ARE NOT TO TRY TO KEEP UP WITH SO AND SO'S CLASSROOM or style but be encouraged that we are all different with different needs and that is ok...............I want to encourage you to do what the Lord speaks to your heart the heart of YOUR FAMILY not the Jones' Family who says they even know what their doing is right when we try to keep up with the Jones' it usually brings destruction so I encourage you to pray for your families LESSON PLANS and then encourage others in their journey too I also really recommend being involved in a homeschool group it really is IMPORTANT!!! God bless you in your 2010-2011 homeschool year!!
Until Next Time,
In His Grip,
Cindy

SPEAK TO MY HEART MONDAY'S

SO SORRY FOR THE LACK OF POST .....the end of my week got crazy busy but it is all Good!!
Today's thru the word was 1 John 4-5 now this was good however another part of my personal study time stood out to me it is found in Psalm 34:8-10:

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, But those who seek the Lord shall NOT lack any good thing. "

Oh taste and see the Lord is good ....just dig in His Word today and taste and see the goodness He really is here for each of us with our many different needs He is here for us wanting to meet each of those needs through His word all we need is found in the pages of scripture.
Blessed is the man who trusts Him.....blessed(happy, fortunate, to be envied) no matter what the road may look like dark and weary or lit up and amazing we must TRUST Him and in doing so we will be blessed His word says so.
Oh fear the Lord...... this means to revere and worship Him for there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. So for me this morning I have been encouraged and wanted to pass that encouragement on to you....May we taste and see God's GOODNESS all around today not focusing on any circumstances today but His goodness, may we TRUST ALL He puts in our path may we revere and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, may we seek long and hard after God and trust that in doing so we shall lack nothing!!


Cindy's Mom Moment's:

"Principles of Obedience"

Have any of you found yourselves at one time saying to your children if you do this or that Mommy (or daddy) will get you a treat!!! Yep yikes I have to admit I have said those words several times and this is bribing parents and NOT effective parenting the way GOD would have us parent. God's word is clear "CHILDREN OBEY YOUR PARENT'S IN ALL THINGS FOR THIS IS WELL PLEASING TO THE LORD." Col. 3:20 doesn't instruct them to obey if they get something yikes ouch. God's word says the following on Bribes:
"Do NOT accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous."
Exodus 23:8
"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." Deut. 10:17
"Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Deut. 16:19
So there we have it the Lord does not want us bribing our children we need to teach them to OBEY NO MATTER WHAT and in our home this is what we follow;
OBEDIENCE MEANS:
IMMEDIATLY
COMPLETELY
AND JOYFULLY NO TREATS INVOLVED
now I am not saying we can NEVER give children treats I am saying a treat should NOT be given in return for an obedient child our kids need to be taught we obey God and His Word no matter what.
God Bless and Until next time God Bless,
In His Grip,
Cindy