 Throughout high school, students learn the importance of taking notes, developing study techniques, asking questions, and preparing for exams. College is nothing different, unless you consider the fact that you are learning at an increased rate. What would normally take an entire academic year to learn is streamlined into a 16 week semester. Lectures are swift, concepts are added and new terminology is expected to be understood.
All seems well... Until the grade drops.
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Hello everyone! It’s Monday and if your Monday is anything like mine, you got up with the roosters and haven’t slowed since! What I wouldn’t give for a 30-minute slow-down just to breathe, but as a homeschool momma, that doesn’t always happen, and when it does, seldom do I realize it, until it has already passed.
Today’s topic is one that seems to pop into my head, just as we are about to begin the homeschool season. We aren’t scheduled to begin our classes until next Monday, but I wanted to get a jump on this blog because our first week back is always a hit and miss of tantrums, pouting, and a little frustration. The kids aren’t particularly fond of that type of behavior – after all – I am the mom! After a little thought, I posed the question to our children, wanting to know if there is anything that keeps them awake at night. Naturally, we all want our children to be worry free, and if we thought homeschooling would take the edge off, we might have been slightly mistaken. Kids will worry about all sorts of stuff. Christmas, birthday presents, that new video game that was just released. They even worry about what snacks they’ll have (because some are just picky eaters). But I wanted to know more about their thoughts on homeschool. The Question: “Thinking about homeschool, tell me what keeps you awake at night”. And just like the little talkers they are, they each had their response ready in a matter of minutes. This is good because it tells me they are being honest. It’s bad, because they think about it so much, they already had their answer prepared. Their response was typical, but nevertheless, some were not what I wanted to hear. Then I asked myself the question. Of course, they were typical homeschool mom questions. So, sit down and hold on as I prepare to answer the 10 questions about homeschooling that will keep you up at night! Hello all,
The last month has been a difficult one. Not because of any tragedy, nor was it because of any specific 'fault' or "person". It's just been difficult. After acknowledging this, I started wondering about how things used to be. When time was abundant. When worries were small. When I could put on a pair of heels, a little red lipstick, and take on the world. But this past month, try as I might, I couldn't seem to find my "Get up and Go" that I was used to. No, I'm not ill. And I don't think the allergies made me lose that extra pep in my step. It could be age, but I'm still pretty young, seeing as how I've not reached the 40-year mark and I know 50-year-old's that are still going at top speed. No, it was something else. It had to be. And that made me think more about who I had become. To do that, I had to remember who I used to be. A season was changing for me and I was not ready! Dear Readers,
I hope you have had some time to read over and digest my previous post "13 Reasons Why You Should Watch 13 Reasons Why". I hope that my words did not fall on blind eyes (because you couldn't hear them, you could only read them). Nevertheless, I told you I would be following up with second post and I had to take some time to digest how I wanted to approach it. Please keep in mind, I love my children with all of my heart and I've always told them to be a beacon of light for others. It is my hope that this story, while extremely personal, will be a light for others who have been in or are currently in situations similar to these. This is a true story.  Hello Readers,
Tonight, as I sat at my desk thinking about all the things I should be doing, I couldn't help but keep thinking about a post I seen on Facebook. It was the image you see to the left - a Netflix Original based off of a book. I've never read the book, but I found the title to be intriguing and decided to watch it. It wasn't until I pressed play and got about 3 minutes into the show that I realized something: This could be a tool for parents everywhere. Why wasn't this available sooner? After finishing the episodes - all of them - I found myself fighting my brain to piece all of the issues together and how to blog about it. Partly because it was such an informative and empowering show, and partly because it hit home in a way that I can't express right now. Due to my own course work in college, I had almost forgotten about the things I wanted to write about, when I came across another post today that got me thinking. The comment was something like: "... romanticized suicide and should be removed from streaming immediately!". I sat there with my jaw on the floor. Was this person serious? How was it romanticized? You'd have to live in a bubble to think that. Then I thought, OK, let me see if I can "make it seem" like they were indeed glorifying suicide. I could not. I analyzed it from top to bottom, front to back, and all points in between. What I did see being "promoted" was: drinking, bullying, dishonesty, revenge, anger, oppression, embarrassment, selfishness, and pure hatred. Suicide was merely an effect of those things. So, in attempt to provide a less narrow-minded point of view, I started making a list of reasons why parents SHOULD watch the show. Not because I like to cause a stink, but because it hit home in a way I hope none of you ever experience. Here they are! My apologies dear readers,
It has been a little bit since I've posted, but I do not want you to think it is because of you! You are GREAT! This has been one heck of a year and I need a time out! For instance, on January 9th, after a great day of homeschool and babysitting for a neighbor who just started to work the week before, I managed to break my fibula in two places, requiring a week-long hospital stay, a 2 and a half hour surgery, a steel plate and some bolts. Then, as if that weren't enough, my daughter calls me in frantic mode saying her husband of three months wants a divorce and has kicked her out (boy, he had us snowed!). Then, two days after she moves home, she has a sore throat and swollen glands. I initially thought it was her ear acting up again, and possibly strep... But that would be too easy. Hello Readers,
I hope the week has been good to you. If you have already started your homeschool year, you may come to appreciate this post a little more than those who have yet to start back. If you haven't started your homeschool year, take a moment and digest what I'm about to say. It isn't too pretty, but the end is spectacular! As mom's (and dad's) we can become overwhelmed with all that life asks of us. From our children wanted the fanciest gadget to doctors appointments, vision check-ups, teeth cleanings, and not to mention the favors that are asked of us by our family and friends. Hello Readers,
Seldom do I post anything of great value. Most of the time it's a rant here and there about one thing or another. And usually, it involves homeschool, field trips, freebie downloads, etc. And those are GREAT! But, I'm going to be real with you for a moment. Life happens. Life... just... happens. And we can complain, we can pray, we can procrastinate, we can argue until we are blue in the face. But it doesn't change a thing. Stress, worry, worry, and stress - the uglier parts of being a grown up. And I have had my fair share throughout my life - but never all at once. Let me break it down for you. We are a big family. We drive a full size van. We traded in our Pacifica for this vehicle nearly two years ago. Granted, it was used but it was a pretty penny. We are still making payments on it. We live month to month. We can't afford big ticket costs right when they happen. So our Savana (that's our vans name) starts running hot. I called my dad in Florida and asked him some questions. He gave me some ideas on what could be wrong with it. After spraying off the condenser real well and adding more coolant, she is doing fine. Then, all of Hades blazes were upon us. In trying to keep our vehicle up and going, we went to our local Walmart for an oil change. While it was up on the rack, the man told my husband that our tires were bad. We knew the tread was getting thin, but I thought they would last until September so we could buy a new set of tires. But hubby was concerned and rightly so. Apparently, there were metal wires beginning to show on the inside. Well, I knew that meant the front end was out of alignment. But I had zero to pay to get it aligned. On a hope and a prayer, we went to the local tire place and purchased two used tires on a 30 day warranty that would surely get us through for what little bit of driving we do. All was good... or so I thought. After driving to see my mother 45 minutes away, we were on the road headed home, going 60 mph... And the passenger front tire blew out... Yes, one of the two we just had replaced. *Sigh* We drag the spare out from under the van. Grab the scissor jack and proceed to change the tire. Until the jack bends and the van is no longer safely positioned. *Sigh* I grab the phone and call my lady-knight in shining armor - my neighbor and sister from another mister, Rena. She brings her floor jack out to help us. We get it propped back up and just good enough to loosen the scissor jack, when her floor jack starts to give. *Sigh* Mind you, we are on a fairly traveled highway in Northeast Arkansas and NO one had stopped to see if we needed help. Until a kind young man, who unbeknownst to me at the time, was a former neighbor of Rena's! This young man not only had a second floor jack, but proceeded to change the tire for us. For that, I am truly thankful and the $10 dollars I had to my name was given to him for his hard work, but did not amount to nearly enough, because he changed the tire in the rain! Yes. In Arkansas, the sun shines, it rains, hails, sleets, and snows, all within 48 hours of each other. Luckily, it was just the rain this time. Gladly, we made it home in one piece, minus hubby's shoe! *Sigh* The sole blew out of it as he was trying to climb up the ditch incline to better position himself before the scissor jack gave way. Now, we are at another dilemma. Mother-in-law has a doctor's appointment in Little Rock Friday. I have several options: 1. Drive the van to Little Rock hoping that I do not have a flat (because the spare is being used on it already). 2. Allow my mother in law to pay to rent a vehicle (which is costly) and drive her to the appointment for her biopsy. 3. Reschedule the appointment until we can get tires on the vehicle, and pray the cells do not turn cancerous before they can get them removed. 4. Give up, tuck tail, and run for the hills. NOT! My grandma raised me to do the best with what I have. I have hope. I have faith. I have prayer. I may be at the end of my rope, but I will not let go! I'll tie a knot and hang on! Until next time, LaVonda Hello Readers,
As we begin preparing for our homeschool year, I started thinking about how, as parents, we strive to help our children. Whether we are working on lesson plans that will give them the best opportunity to learn, all the way to coping with everyday stressors that arise. As parent’s we want nothing but the best for our children. As a former public school family, I knew right away that my younger boys were struggling. Not just in school, but with bullying. I fought their fight. I pulled them from public school because I didn’t want them to be afraid. I wanted them to have the ability to learn in a stress-free environment. I wanted them to know that they are loved and appreciated. That their opinions are just as important as the next persons and to be equally responsible for their actions. As I sat down this month to meditate on things, a notion popped into my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder… was my help actually hurting them? Good Monday Morning to you all!
I try to make Monday's more pleasant, but that is not always the case. For instance, as I was (disinterested in) rolling out of bed this morning, I began reflecting on the last 72 hours. Our kids and I went on a camping trip this past weekend. I find that getting out into nature really does help curb the electronic addictions that many of us face, myself included. Time seems different when you are camping. Everything slows down. You can really take a moment to hear your own thoughts. All weekend, we were laughing, cutting up with each other, and despite our oldest coming down with strep throat (I thought it would miss her), we had a great time. A little campfire chat, a random proposal by my eldest son to a tree during a rousing game of Truth or Dare. All the way down to our camp neighbors running down the lane yelling "The red coats are coming" (We bring all kinds of education to our trips) - we had a blast! I even had a campfire s'more for the first time in over 14 years (I still don't like them). A blast, right!?! Yes! A great weekend. That was the beginning of the end. |
HELLOWelcome! My name is LaVonda. I am the wife of Rodney, the mom of 5 remarkable kids (well, 2 are adults now), an avid homeschooler, blogger, and sociologist. I am blessed with the ability to spend my time sharing our homeschool and life experiences with you. It is my hope to provide you with motivation, ideas, and some candid stress-relief through my blog - Mom's Scribe! Grab a cup of coffee, sit on down, and make yourself at home! Past Scribes
August 2020
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