Spank out Day

I'm a little late because I wasn't aware of today. Everyday should be spank out day.

No child should ever be hit, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop beating your kids, get help if you need it.


No Spank
Stop hitting
The hitting stops here

Homework woes?

Jared draws several pictures a day, I have them all. He is very talented and I love all of his drawings. He showed me this one and wanted me to figure out what was wrong with this guy's face.



This is a kid exhausted and weary with bloodshot eyes from doing homework.

Caterpillars

Cassie has been collecting caterpillars, she has 15 and she named them all. She feeds them and checks on them daily. We looked them up and found out they are Eastern Tent Caterpillars

She plans on keeping them until they start spinning their cocoons. These guys turn into moths not butterflies.

The big picture

I hope that I can convey my thoughts in a manner that makes sense.

It makes sense in my head :)

When we talk about unschooling and extending the philosophy into our lives not just in academics some people miss the big picture.

I was recently talking with a homeschool mom with two young children. She always picks my brain and looks to me as her radical unschooling go to girl.

She was among some homeschoolers who were talking about SAT's and getting into college and all of the preparations they had to make. She felt very overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

She realized that she doesn't even have to think about that stuff for several years and she told me that when things like this come up she asks herself *what would Stephanie say*

It's kind of cool but sometimes it makes me feel like I have to really watch what I say.

Luckily she is perceptive and open to my suggestions and then chews on it and makes up her own mind. I like people who think for themselves, those are my kind of people.

She was telling me about a friend of hers that mostly unschools but she has bedtimes and tv limits and eating rules etc. She said you know stuff that doesn't have to do with schooling.

We talked a bit about *bedtimes* and I offered her my perspective and my experience. I have 4 kids, I do know what I'm talking about, I'm not making this up.

We talked about finding our natural rhythms and listening to our body not what time is on the clock. Sure her kids are young and go to bed when told but I talked to her about being open to change as they grow and may express their desire to stay up later.

Just be open to change, discuss everything, don't set anything in stone.

Be your child's partner not their adversary, build a solid foundation of trust and respect while they are young, it will flourish as they grow.

Kids need to have choices, they need to know how to think and make decisions. They won't learn that if someone is constantly telling them what to do, when to do it and how to do it.

In one sense unschooling is just not schooling and if you choose to separate life you are missing the boat.

There are many buzz words, whole life unschooling, radical unschooling, extending the philosophy into all areas of life etc.

It boils down to trust and respect no matter what.

When you get that at a philosophical level then things like bedtime and video games are not an issue.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Lease :: contract


2. Dead :: Wanted dead or alive


3. Removed :: taken off


4. Broke :: no money


5. Lips :: my lips move when I think


6. Flight :: of the Conchords


7. Three hours :: can seem like an eternity sometimes


8. Give :: give and take


9. Technical :: difficulties


10. Hurry :: up and get out of my way

Luna Nina

Sandra Dodd Interview

Mean kids

What makes little kids treat others so bad?

I really believe that public school is the root.

There is a little boy that lives down the street, he moved here over a year ago.

He has been nothing but trouble.

He is 7 or just turned 8.

He came over today wanting to play with Jared.

Jared went down to his house and less then 10 minutes later came home.

We have had several incidents so I told Jared if he is mean just come home.

Today it was over something stupid, it always is, and it doesn't even make sense.

It's just ridiculous, this kid can't get along with other kids.

Awhile back my kids were playing with some other kids and this boy and his friend came by and started calling them names.

I feel bad for this kid because he isn't going to get very far in life by being a mean bully.

He just needs to stay away from my kids.

Is it all rosy?

A recent exchange on Facebook got me thinking about this.

Some people seem so happy and joyful and never let on that they are having a bad day, a rough time, a struggle in life.

Are there people who are 100% joyous, 100% of the time?

I think many of us want to portray that everything is great and wonderful and we don't have a care in the world. That just isn't reality, even if you are the most positive person, stuff happens to all of us.

How we deal with it varies, some of us choose to find the positive in every situation. I think that is a worthy endeavor, I try to do it. I don't always succeed, sometimes things just plain suck and I feel like venting about it.

My latest incident of spraining my ankle has brought up many negative things in me. I had to feel those before I could move on and see the light so to speak.

I still can't walk without crutches but I'm getting there, I'm finally seeing marked improvement.

It's not fast enough for me, patience is not my thing, I hate waiting, I want it all and I want it now!

Life happens and we have to go with it. As an unschooler I am really good at going with the flow, I just have a hard time when it has to do with me.

Many unschoolers write about how great life is and don't really let on about the struggles.

Life is great but it doesn't mean we don't have issues.

As an observer these past several days, I'm seeing where we have some issues in the family and what we need to work on.

Overall this has been an experience for all of us and some growth and learning has taken place. How we react and deal with problems is an important part in living our lives.

Being home with my family is an honor and I know how blessed I am.

Menopause

Here is a website that goes over the many symptoms of Menopause

I'm not sure how much I'll share on this blog, many things I'll put on my private blog.

It's important to know what is going on with your body.

I figure there are lots of women my age and older who are starting to experience this stuff.

I am actually on the young side and am doing some research but believe it may be because before I had kids I was treated with Lupron.

I had endometriosis and I wanted a baby. I actually went through two rounds of shots which puts you in a pseudo menopause. I had all of the classic symptoms of menopause it was just drug induced.

This time it's for real. Awhile back I posted about my peri-menopausal symptoms and I get a lot of google hits on that so I hope this helps someone else.

I urge you to get your hormone levels tested. I have been using progesterone cream for a year now and it helps but I'm still having intense symptoms.

I just had my hormones checked and I have EXTREMELY low Estrogen, yes I'm only 37, well I'll be 38 soon...

I have just started on Bio-identical hormones. I highly recommend a natural or holistic doctor or at least one open to alternative methods. I believe (you can find lots of research on it)that synthetic hormones are bad for you and cause many more health problems.

What is a Libertarian?

Tax and Spend

Tea Party

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Animal :: Magnetism


2. Temporary :: insanity


3. Moan :: and groan


4. Rapid :: heartbeat


5. That’s for me to say :: and you to hear


6. City :: traffic


7. Bumper :: sticker


8. Eclipse :: total eclipse of my heart


9. Problematic :: I can be


10. If? :: not now, when?

Luna Nina

Easter Elephant

My aunt sent me this adorable elephant, it arrived today. She is so cute and cuddly and even earth friendly :) Her stuffing is 100% recycled material from planet toys.

I named her Liberty.

Here she is with Rebel, now he has a girlfriend.

Jason said oh great now we are going to have little elephants running around.

Some fun pictures

Cassie and Jared


Cassie playing in dough

Jared being a gnome

Brennan being a gnome, I didn't realize it was sideways

Our friends Kendra and Kaitlyn

Kullen, Jared and Brennan playing under Julie's moving truck.

Jared

History of compulsory schooling

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Log :: cabin


2. Plaything :: toy


3. Broom :: sweep


4. Heels :: high heels, I use to torture my feet by wearing those, long time ago
   
5. Smoke in :: the bathroom (highschool)


6. Guests :: company


7. Attraction :: physical


8. Shiny:: hiney


9. Risked :: he risked it all for me


10. Velvet :: red

Luna Nina

Temporarily out of commission

UGH!!!!

I sprained my ankle last night. This has been a reoccuring event since I was 14.

The last time I did it was 4 years ago, it was one of the worst sprains.

I found out about arnica and I healed better then I ever did before.

Last night I was walking around toys and lost my footing and fell.

It is worse today than last night.

My ankle is swollen and I'm in a lot of pain.

My attitude needs adjusting because I was so pissed off.

I just feel so useless when I can't do what I normally do.

I do not like being dependent on others.

I can't walk so I'm pretty damned dependent right now.

I hate sitting, I like doing.

My ass already hurts!