First Day of School

This was NOT today.  Foxtrot read this book to me a couple of months ago...
But, it is close to the type of pictures I wanted for the First day....

You probably noticed I haven't posted much this summer.  I had a few posts in mind - 'return from camp', 'off to the zoo', and other great summer topics.

But the facts have been - I've been sick.  I spent most of August going for a Daily IV, and spending the day on not-quite bedrest (but close.)   Yup - I wasn't in the hospital this year - but I may as well have been.   The kids did do a lot of work to keep the house going - even making some simple suppers - but they aren't quite up to running a household, and I wasn't quite up to keeping habits going (or trying to get habits going is more like it) - so lets just say the house isn't in the best shape.  Mike has done a lot too, but was working long hours.  In the words of a good friend - "It is all good".

So - I'm not up to 100% health yet.... but things are improving.  We started school a week later tan I had hoped, and a few subjects aren't worked out yet...  I haven't got the poetry all ready, and Foreign Language is still a puzzle to me on what would work for us.   I also didn't setup the cute First Day of School pictures I had wanted to do.... I just couldn't get enthusiastic about getting all the school books for the year out for the pictures.... sigh - such a good idea....

We got a lot done today.  My kids have a planner/logbook with their independent work listed.  But of course the first day has some working through the details.  They did a lot of that work - there are a couple of things I need to setup so they can do it on their own.  I also discovered that somehow all the audiobook chapters of "Our Island Story" disappeared from my Year 3 weekly playlists... not sure how that happened!  Delta was able to make-do by using the TTS on the Kindle instead.  I have fixed it for the rest of the year - but am curious as to what happened, and worry that other books might have 'disappeared' too.  Guess we will find out!

I have more "daily" work to do with each child 1 on 1 than I have time/energy for each day.  So for that, I'm going to have to rotate though those and do what we can.

Sometimes I feel like a "No" mom....  I just had this exchange with Echo...

Echo: "Can I play Chess"
Me [thinking of the books on top of the chess board, the fact that pieces never get put away, etc]: "No, we aren't getting all that out..."

Echo: "Can I paint then?"
Me [ok, I should say yes as they actually do this fairly well on their own... but I don't think we have flyers to cover the table]:  "not today"

Echo: "Could I sew badges on my campfire blanket?"
Me [good activity - but I'll end up having to help a lot]: "No..."

Echo: "Could I work on my bag then?"
Me: [this is a cross-stitch project - requires a lot of my help... sigh] - "I need you to find something you can do without my help"

I just feel like I end up saying "no" to good activities because of MY energy levels....

Anyway - that was just an aside.  First Day went well.

Making AO our Own

When I first set to the task of Canadianizing AO, it seemed like an insurmountable job.  But I eventually found some help from this post at A peaceful day, which helped me define the steps better for what I was trying to do.  I do a few things a little differently, and thought I would try to put to words the process.

I think there are 2 main stages - general planning, and then scheduling.  The general planning takes the longest.   (It took me 3 years to find a Canadian History spine for years 3-5 that I felt met the CM standards, and was available for free.)

General Planning

First I look through the AO year that I am working on next.  I try to do this over a year in advance, as this can take a while.  What books are very American, that I might want to take out?  What time period are we in?

For each book I decide to replace from AO, I do some looking around to find an appropriate replacement Canadian book. For example, in Year 3, I knew I wanted to replace Squanto.  It was American History (not to mention out of print.)  I determined it was placed in about the 1690's.  So I hoped to find a good Canadian History book in around the general time frame.    Obviously I can't always meet all the criteria, but I hope to find something around the same length, with a similar number of chapters, similar difficulty.  And it should be a living book.  And my preference is for it to be something that is available free, or is available at our library, or is something we already own.

I try to find history books - but I also try to find Canadian literature as well.  (I hope to do more Canadian artists, music, etc as well...  we have done some, but not too formally at this point.)  I try to have at least one Canadian literature book each year....

Scheduling

By this point, I should have a good idea of which books will be replaced, and which books are being added.     I copy the AO weekly schedule for the year into Microsoft Word.  I do a bit of formatting changes - mainly taking each list for each week, and change it to a numbered list.  (I do this to help me know how many readings there are.)  For AO books that list a reading with several chapters together, I separate those readings to a reading per chapter.

I then look at the first book I am replacing.  If the number of chapters/readings are the same - then I just replace the one book with the other on where it is scheduled.  If the number of readings are different (or it is a rarer added book) - then I look at the number of readings for the book I'm adding.  Is it something that will go nicely into the year (or term, if for only one term?)  For instance, I determined that the History Spine Readings for Year 3 (Child History of the US, and the way I'd broken down Story of Canada) came up to 18 readings over the entire year.  This would fit nicely for every other week.  I celebrated that one as the Marco Polo book I chose also had 18 chapters - so we alternate a Canada/US reading with a Marco Polo reading.     Some patterns can be a little weird.  20 chapters over a term, for instance, go along the lines of 2 chapters, 2 chapters, 1 chapter....

So now, I have removed all books we won't be doing, and have "pencilled in" the new books.  I now look at the number of readings each week - which is easy because Word numbered them for me!   The number of readings generally isn't the same every week - but is generally within a couple.  Year 3, for instance, seemed to vary from 8 to 12 readings.  I look at the heavier weeks (the 12) and see if something could easily be moved to one of the lighter weeks (the 8).  

A couple of other things I do - I use a different coloured font (blue) for the new books I put into the schedule, so I know at a glance if something was from AO or from me.   I also go through and highlight (yellow) the first time a book is used that we need from the library.    The weekly lists that I have as a result are put in my children's planners.  When they do a reading, they cross it off the list.

Still here!

Ok, I realize that it probably feels like I've fallen off the face of the planet.  I do have a couple of draft posts that have been sitting.... but honestly I just haven't had the time or energy.... and I'll also admit to not feeling like I had anything "profound" enough to say.

Either way - I think I'll give you a basic update.   Because of my health issues, as well as a few other reasons - it made sense for me to go with a move towards independent studies for my kids.  However, that hasn't meant that we had to get rid of a Charlotte Mason method.  It did mean that I had to reduce the family studies, however.

I'm pretty sure that I put up a post earlier this fall that we were moving to doing AO again, with Canadian modifications.  That has been working out really well for us (after a stressful first week....).  Delta (9) is doing Year 2, and Echo (7.5) is doing Year 1.  Delta did notice that his lists say Year 2 - but I talked to him about that not being a grade level... and that many of the books are at a grade 6 or so level.  This has not been a difficulty with him.

One thing I did to make things easier to be independent is to download audiobooks from librivox.  I created a webpage (just on our computer) for each student with the links to each chapter in their books so they can easily get to their readings.  So they can go to their computer (thanks Computers 4 Schools!) and listen to their books, reading along with their book or the Kindle.  They come to narrate to me when done.

Each child has their schedule with a planner page, and the list of readings (taken off of the AO website and modified with the Canadian changes).   They follow the schedule - picking the readings.  they cross them off the list.

So, what is their schedule like? Well, it is pretty much the same each day, and is pretty basic....   Scriptures, Copywork, Pick a reading from the list, Rotation (ASL/German/Drawing), Reading from the list / free read, , Math, Reading from list or free read, rotation (picture study, mapping, music study, map drills, timelines) and that is it for now.   I do want to add in the Hymn Study and Folk music - at the moment it is just random listening to it.  I also want to get them back to practicing violin and/or learning the organ (violin has been not happening since we lost our teacher)...  but this is working at the moment.

A few of the readings are not independent, Math (RightStart) is not independent, and Foxtrot is doing a little math and reading with me - and that takes my time - as well as Golf running around...   But if I'm sick - I can just get them started on their stuff, and I can have them play one of the math games for math.

So - motivation for them.  This probably isn't CM - but I created a little race-track for them to compete against an opponent (not each other!).  I used a printout from when we did workboxes, which had 2 rows of 6 boxes - perfect for a 6 week "race".   This was laminated (with map-tak) and velcro added.  I created little character boxes that velcro onto the places.  Every 5 days, the opponent moves 1 spot.  When a student has completed a week of their readings (assuming they are doing the other things), their character moves.   If they win the race against the opponent, they get a light day (a day off, except for family subjects.)

This is working well.... except I have noticed recently that Echo is starting to not want to do the free reads (she'd rather do the scheduled readings and be done the week early...) - I may have to specify a minimum number of free read chapters must be done as well.......

Oh, and was also had a birthday recently!  It is so hard to believe that Delta is 9.  I made him a birthday cake... I think it turned out good. (See picture at the top)

Hospital stay and More

Hey everyone!  No, I have not abandoned this blog... just been an interesting summer.  I've been busy figuring out the changes to Canadianize our AO for next year (and the next few years...) - which has me busy reading a new (well, old) Canadian History book.

But - just to make the summer more interesting - I ended up in the hospital for over a week because of a very bad infection in my leg.  I'm better now, and back home.

It seems like there are a million little details I'm trying to work out - because I'm someone that just works better if everything is worked out in advance.  The kids have been spending a lot of time outdoors - but also way too much time in front of screens.  It will make an interesting transition.

All of this means that we have not already started (like I had originally planned) - and will probably not start until September, although I'd like to take some time to run through a couple of days worth of school (probably taking about 4 days to do 2 days of school) to find details I don't have prepared, help the kids find out how things are working so they can be more independent, and to just work out a few kinks.

I'm also planning on going to the "Teacher Appreciation Days" at Staples - probably later today, or maybe next week.  They give some free gifts to teachers, plus we get a % off on that day (I think 25%?)  I'm just not sure what supplies I need.  I love going to these supply stores, hoping, I guess, to find something.... not sure what.... that will be just perfect.  Of course, whatever that "something" is - I want it to be inexpensive too!  I really can't think of many supplies we need right now....  some paper maybe (but I think we have a bunch) - a couple of binders?  We could use more crayons and pencil crayons while they are on sale... but not much else!

You Don't Say?

Zulu, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Yankee, Golf - after swimming

I was thinking the other day, that I should share a few of the cute things my children have said in the past...  of course, once I thought that.... it was hard to think of them!    But here are a few....

Foxtrot:

Driving in the car near a forest, I said "Forest!"
Most of the kids agreed, "Forest!".
Foxtrot (age 3 at the time) said, "I don't see it!"
I point it out - "over there...."
Foxtrot says "All the trees are in the way!"
I had to laugh, as I said.... "So.... You can't see the forest for the trees?"

Echo:

For a long time, Echo (age 2-3ish) called a telephone a "talkaphone".  hey - makes sense to me!  Some of Charlie's friends still call it that because of her....

Echo (about age 2) - would put a backpack on backwards, and call it a "paint smock"

Foxtrot (originally and still), and Golf (and now all the kids)

7-11 is called a "Slurpee-House".....

Delta:

Not something he said exactly, but when he was young, Mike and Delta went to use a public restroom at the park.  Mike came out reporting that while Delta was in the stall, he started humming "The Bridge over the River Kwai" song.....

Zulu

"We've been driving around and around for hours and hours and hours and maybe even 7 minutes!"

 This is a video of Echo when she was 2 calling the backpack a paint smock

Baptism

Delta in his baptismal clothes

It is hard to believe how quickly time goes by.  Just a few short years ago, Delta was a babe in arms, and now here he is, 8 years old, accountable for his actions and choices, and already turning into a little man.

His little sisters are really looking up at him.  Foxtrot (age 3) has told me several times that she wants to get baptized.  I'm sure that another 5 years seems like forever for her.

I think that Delta is working hard to live up to his baptismal covenants too.  He is being even more helpful around the house.

Another Birthday!

Space Shuttle Cake

My young man has turned 8!  It is hard to figure out where the time went.  It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny baby in my arms.

This Sunday he will be baptized.

Bunk Room Dream

Well, here is a blog with the Bunk Room of my dreams... (Although we would need a girl version...)

- I'd love to order a 4 bunk girls version for Echo, Foxtrot, Golf (once out of the crib) and Yankee could use the 4th when she visits... And then a 2 bunk boy version for Delta, and Zulu could use the 2nd when he visits.

(Of course, this isn't something your order... you have to build it.)

[somehow the date got changed on this post...]

Golf's Birthday

It is hard to believe that Golf is 1 already!

She has been slow to eat solids, and wouldn't eat anything homemade at all. I resorted to store-bought baby food because she would eat that. So I wasn't sure how she would do with our traditional Birthday Cake.

The tradition is each child gets their own birthday cake to eat by themselves when they turn 1. It is their first taste of chocolate. (I do take the cake away before they eat enough to get sick.

So, as you will see - she did fine, although she was a bit unorthodox in eating style. And since, she is eating more finger foods. Yeay!

Vacation

Just popped in to say that I'm sorry I haven't been posting much. The last couple of weeks have been vacation time for the family. I hope to have something new to post soon!

Foxtrot is 3

So Foxtrot turned 3 recently. Boy does time go by fast. I had to share her birthday cake with you. Of course as we all avoid twaddle (yeah right?) - I'll have to explain. Foxtrot likes "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" - and the cake is on one of the characters... Toodles. I think it turned out really well.

Working Together

An e-friend sent me an email asking about combining the family together to do subjects, as she had looked at the year groupings I had mentioned, and realized that generally she will only have 1 or 2 children together in a group at a time. This is my response to her, to help explain what I am planning.

As for combining subjects... next year Delta will be in Year 3, and Echo will be in Year 1 (and then Foxtrot and Golf follow at approx 2 year intervals.) I don't think I have made things totally clear on my blog yet... it is hard to get what is floating around in my head down in writing in a clear way... but let me try. Although my kids will be roughly put into the 3 year groupings (Forms, hm... I really have to find a good word for this...), subjects will be done together in various ways, depending on the subjects.

History, for example, I plan to have everyone in the same time period no matter what Year they are in. We will use the same spine... either for everyone or for years 1-6, and years 7-12 (haven't totally decided yet.) Then Years 1-3 will have some extra books for that time period... probably just a couple, and probably read together... Years 4-6, etc, will have extra books too - probably ones that they will read on their own then narrate.

Shakespeare would be done Years 1-3 together reading the children's story versions. Everyone Year 4+ will do a Shakespeare play together (reading parts). Years 4+ will do Dickens and Plutarch's Lives together too.

Science will also be together for Years 1-6 doing the rotation I put up. After that point, they would probably do science on their own, or possibly Years 7-12 together (depending on what resources I find or choose at that time.)

Literature (other than the bit mentioned above) I'm still mulling over. I think that I will combine the years 1-3 together because so much of their literature is still read out-loud. I suspect that after that, most of their literature will be read on their own, but I'd still like to have a book that we read outloud together.... like a family read out-loud.....

Subjects like Math, learning to read, handwriting, etc. will be done independently because everyone will likely be at different levels and positions of understanding.

Other subjects, like picture study and nature study have always been planned to be done as a family.

This is very similar to the model provided to me by Milestones Academy and Simply Charlotte Mason. It also is what makes sense to me at this point.

Animation!

A Frame from a later animation - a Band playing...

Delta (and Echo and Foxtrot) has (have) been introduced to the concept of stop-motion animation! By using my old digital camera, and Windows Live Movie Maker, using a lot of patience, he has been busy making animated movies. He has even drawn some story-board drawings for some of them ahead of time.

It is great that this method of animation takes a lot less work than animation used to. I helped getting the music to fit. I think it is wonderful work for a 7 year old!

Here is the second movie he made totally on his own.

It has been nice that he has had time during our term break to do things like this.

Echo and Foxtrot would like their movies up here too. Delta did the photography for this movie of Echo's, although she has done her own photography for a couple more. "Dad" did the photography for Foxtrot's movie, and it is a little more "abstract", as it was done by a 2yo.

This one is Echo's

And here is Foxtrot's

Sometimes Overwhelmed

There are days when I feel almost overwhelmed in trying to plan my children's education. It really makes me appreciate the hard work that has been done by the creators of Ambleside Online, Milestones Academy, Simply Charlotte Mason, and for that matter many others. I have benefited greatly, and will continue to do so, by these fine people.

It would seem that what I'm trying to do should be a lot easier. (and it probably is...) All I'm trying to do is Canadian-ize the plans.

I have access to some lists... the cmCanada yahoo group has a list of Canadian History literature books. I've been reading a list of Canadian literature books.

Trying to figure out what is best, the right age/reading level, will fit in with the other books... what should be taken out to make room.

Not sure why I'm sharing this...

btw - I should have updated schedules on the file group for Year 1, and one for Year 2 soon.

Helpful Changes

Well, it has been a busy month. Sorry for the lack of posts!

At the start of our term, I made a few changes to how we are doing things, and I've been very happy with how things have gone so far!

First off, I was given a copy of the Accountable Kids book - and made myself handmade sets. We are still only in Stage 1 of the 4 stage system, but we have been having some fairly good results. Delta earns most of his tickets. Echo sometimes earns some, sometimes doesn't. Foxtrot also earns some... she is technically a bit too young for the program.

Second - Although I had been using the Simply Charlotte Mason Organizer for about a year, I recently made a change that has been helping. I'm now printing off the daily plan for Delta and Echo, and putting them in a planner for them. I highlight each item that I think they should be able to do on their own (not many at this stage, but usually a couple...). They get out their planners, and pick what they are going to do next - based a bit on my availability. I do sometimes have to remind them to mix-it-up so that they don't end up with all the readings at the end.... They get to check things off as they finish things - and it seems to give them a feeling of accomplishment. The general idea of planners and a bit more independant learning was from URtheMom.com

Third - I now plan our weekly schedule to be mostly accomplished between Monday and Thursday. (with a math lesson on Friday...) Yes, this makes a little more work each day, but it has done wonders! Why? Well, if the weeks work has been all done, then we have a "Wild Day". If not, then we get it done on Friday. (if still not done, we can do some on Saturday too...) So, our Wild Day involves getting out of the house and going wild. Many weeks it will include Nature Study, and/or Scouting activities. On other occasions, it may be a field trip, or other fun activity. Today there was a blizzard - so we drove carefully to the conservatory and had a picnic in the tropics! We have also gone swimming, and in the spring I look forward to hikes and other fun outside activities.

Between all these things, homeschool activities have gone a lot easier. The kids are more motivated to get things done, and we have found time again for the fun activities I've been missing (and I'm sure they have too.)

Flowers are Red.....

Harry Chapin has a song, which explains one reason why we homeschool better than I ever could...

Flowers are Red
by Harry Chapin

The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. "What you doin' young man?"
"I'm paintin' flowers," he said
She said, "It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red."

"There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one"

Well the teacher said..

"You're sassy, there's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one "

The teacher put him in a corner
She said, "It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should "

Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen "

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said..."Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one "

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked
him why This is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen. "

Youtube Video

Lest We Forget

In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

--------------------------------------------------

As like every year, we went to a Remembrance Day Ceremony. Delta, at the ripe old age of 7, has been to 8. His first, he was a babe in arms. Likewise, Echo has been to 5 in her 4 years. I have always felt it important for the children to go, so that they will understand in time what freedom costs, and the price that has been paid. Yes, at times I have had to take out a fussy child.... but as I was watching my children behaving quite well and being quiet when they should, and clapping during the March Past (and Delta even marching in his spot), I know it has been worthwhile. What really makes me feel that the message is being heard happened later this evening. We turned on the TV, and the replay of the National Remembrance Day Ceremony was just starting. And instead of playing, Delta sat and watched it.

WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

Parable of the Wolves

A long time ago there were 2 wolf packs. Each wolf pack was very small, each consisting of one Alpha male, a "mother" wolf, and their cubs.

Although the two packs were fairly far away, the 2 alpha dogs would occasionally get together to talk about how things were going.

At this time, the cubs were very young, and were not skilled at hunting. They played at it a lot, and would always be asking to go. As the Alpha wolves were talking, the one said "The cubs can get pretty annoying. They are always wanting to go hunting with me, but they are so young that I know they can't hunt. Besides, they would slow me down and I wouldn't be able to catch anything as they would scare it all away." The other wolf said "Yes, they can be annoying at times. They do tend to scare game away, so sometimes I do hunt on my own.... but most of the time I take them with my anyway. It is harder, and we catch less. It is tiring, but I think it will be worth it. Each time I try to show them something about hunting.

A couple of years went by before the Alpha wolves met again. The cubs were now young wolves. This time, the first one said "Boy, our young adult wolves are sure lazy! They sit around and won't help me hunt but expect me to do everything! I am getting old, and it is getting harder to hunt, but they expect me to do all the work. On top of it, some are getting into trouble. The other wolf said, "Hm, that is strange. Many of our young adult wolves are getting to be very good hunters. They hunt along side me, and when I was injured a month ago, they took care of everything."

-------

This was a story I learned a number of years ago when I took training in being a Scout Leader. It is one that I took to heart while I was a Scout Leader and later a Guide Leader. Generally when I was in charge of a new Troop, it was hard work. For instance, teaching several patrols how to cook over a camp stove was much harder than having a few adults or leaders cook for everyone. But after a couple of years, the troop would be working well, and the older Scouts or Guides would even be teaching the younger ones. I remember how my Guides (9 to 11 yo girls) would be camping - cooking their own food, chopping wood (not all), fetching water, doing dishes, putting up their own tents, etc - while I mainly helped any minor problems.

I have to admit that this concept was easier to implement with Scouts and Guides (ie, other people's kids) than it is with my own kids.... especially since I am teaching them ALL of life skills and not just a select portion of skills in one stage of life like it was in Scouting/Guiding. I hope I succeed, as I really think it is part of the idea of Charlotte Mason's concept of Habit Training. I hope that at some point I will have my "smooth and easy days".

Do Kids grow up too Fast?

I've been doing some pondering the last couple of days, for no apparent reason, on whether kids (in general) grow up too fast. It seems like it is a common comment among adults, yet when I look at history, I'm not sure that they really are. In fact, I think that maybe it is the opposite. Kids are being stopped from growing up. I think that what is being complained about really is that kids are being sexualized too fast.

I'm not claiming to be an expert in history. In fact, it was probably one of my worst subjects in school. (I expect to learn a LOT about history while homeschooling using Charlotte Mason methods!)

That said, I look at what a child 140 years ago, or even 100 years ago would be doing. Again, I'm talking generally, as certainly social class, location, etc would make a difference. Farm children would be working hard taking care of livestock, looking after crops, chopping wood, and otherwise doing important work. Girls would be cooking, baking, watching after little ones, as well as looking after chickens, horses etc. Children in a city might be apprenticed, working in a factory, or being a maid or manservant. And this is young children. 6, 7, 8.

When I look at children, I see that there is really one thing they really want. They want to be adults (or at least older than they are.) Unless the desire is stiffled, that is usually shown by wanting to..... WORK. What happens when you are cooking? The 2 year old is right there wanting to cook too. So is the 4 year old. And the 6 year old. If you are sweeping the floor, they want to too.

Of course, what is frustrating to parents is that they mainly seem to want to do it only while they can't.... once they can, and especially if you now require them too - they aren't as interested.... because they now want to mow the lawn or do some other work that they aren't ready for or at least you aren't ready to let them.

This desire to work seems to go away for a lot of kids..... but I think it mostly goes away when we don't let them do it. If we keep saying "No, you can't do that", then eventually they stop asking.

Delta (6) and Echo (4) washed, dried, and put away the dishes tonight. They felt like it was a real treat as it was the first time they ever did them all. Oh, and Foxtrot (2) was busy cleaning up the booster seat, and holding the dustpan while I swept. Yes, the counter got wet, and so did the floor. But they also knew that they were making a difference.

So, what does this have to do with kids being sexualized too fast? Well, here is my theory. Kids are driven to become adults. When we don't let them become adults by having responsibilities in the household - they are going to find other ways. Add the availability and display of sexual content (be that a Bratz doll for a 4 year old, or Cosmo magazines for a 14 yo), and in some cases peer pressure.... and I think you get the results that are so common in this world. Well, it is a theory anyway.

I am not saying to over-burden your children (especially young ones) and not give them time to play and explore. What I am saying is that children NEED to feel like they contribute to the family, that they are important, and that they are big enough to help. That means responsibilities and chores.

Next posting....... my "parable of the wolves"