I sometimes think about what I wish I had known when I very first became a mom. I ponder what I would have done differently. And if I could say one thing to new parents it would be "Don't try to raise the perfect child."
Before you have children, it is easy to see the mistakes of other parents or the misbehavior of their children and think that you have the answers. Then when you have your first child you have the opportunity to put all of these ideas into practice. You have the chance to do it the right way. You think that consistency is the key, that you will not grow weary while doing good. I remember thinking all of these things at one time or another.
But I forgot a few things and so might you...so I'll mention them here. You are a sinner. Your husband is a sinner. And all of your children will be sinners too. You can't do it all right. You will fail your children and they will fail you.
Remembering this will free you up to mess up and then keep right on striving for the goal. It will free you up to parent by faith instead of trying to do it all in your own strength. But more importantly it will free your children up in an amazing way. They won't feel the burden of having to be perfect! They will see you repenting to them and to God and learn to do it too. They will not feel that you want them to be your trophy child or that you want to have the perfect family. Instead they will know that you are here to help them on their journey as a Christian. They will see that you pray for God to bless your efforts, give you wisdom as a parent, and work in the lives of your children. They will see you struggle in many ways and learn how to fight the good fight. And, if you invest in them and love on them, they will seek out your friendship and advice long after they are free to make their own choices. Are you building that kind of relationship now? While they are little?
Sure there will be spankings. There will be no no's. There will be serious training. Afterall, we are all soldiers in the army of the Lord. But it will be for God's glory and your children's good. It won't be so that you (or I) can say that we did it the right way.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Organizing For School
This is a general outline of how I plan and organize school for my boys at the beginning of the year. I used the tips found here and here and then fiddled with it until it worked for us.
I have 4 LARGE binders (one for each quarter). I usually just plan 1/2 year at a time because I tweak things mid year. Each of these large binders has 9 numbered tabs that correspond with the weeks of the school year (36 weeks total).
Behind each tab I put that week's worth of work for everyone in the family. For example, behind tab one I have:
*all of my papers (Sonlight week at a glace, Artisitic Pursuits lesson for the week, Classical Conversations summary for the week)
*then Aiden's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Vocabulary),
*then Alex's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Explode the Code)
*then Riley's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Explode the Code)
*and lastly pages that they all have in common (Story of the World)
Now here is the key: I make ALL of the copies I need for the year, rip the pages out of the workbooks, and three hole punch them all so that they can go in the binder.
Then during the school year I just pull out all the papers for that week and separate them into each kid's weekly binder and my binder.
Their weekly binder has 5 tabs each labeled with the day of the week.
I separate their work out by days and put the papers behind the appropriate tab. Note: If lessons don't have nice page breaks that work with the tabs don't worry. Just do the best you can. You'll know where everything is.
If you take more than a week to do a week's worth of work...no biggie. I usually just try to finish a week before I pull out another week. But I have had to spend two weeks to complete one week's worth of work many times. Things will come up and you will have to move things around. But, having the bulk of the planning and sorting done at that beginning of the year is a HUGE time saver.
My binder has a tab for each child and then a tab for subjects that I need papers for. You'll need to customize this to fit your school.
And finally, after they complete their work I check them right away and then slip them into each child's bin. This is where all of their papers live until I sort through them at the end of the year. At that point, I purge in a major way, keep a sampling of their work in each subject, and label a 3 ring binder with that child's name and grade on it. It's their portfolio for the year!
I have 4 LARGE binders (one for each quarter). I usually just plan 1/2 year at a time because I tweak things mid year. Each of these large binders has 9 numbered tabs that correspond with the weeks of the school year (36 weeks total).
Behind each tab I put that week's worth of work for everyone in the family. For example, behind tab one I have:
*all of my papers (Sonlight week at a glace, Artisitic Pursuits lesson for the week, Classical Conversations summary for the week)
*then Aiden's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Vocabulary),
*then Alex's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Explode the Code)
*then Riley's (Math, First Language Lessons, Spelling, Handwriting/Copywork, Explode the Code)
*and lastly pages that they all have in common (Story of the World)
Now here is the key: I make ALL of the copies I need for the year, rip the pages out of the workbooks, and three hole punch them all so that they can go in the binder.
Then during the school year I just pull out all the papers for that week and separate them into each kid's weekly binder and my binder.
Their weekly binder has 5 tabs each labeled with the day of the week.
I separate their work out by days and put the papers behind the appropriate tab. Note: If lessons don't have nice page breaks that work with the tabs don't worry. Just do the best you can. You'll know where everything is.
If you take more than a week to do a week's worth of work...no biggie. I usually just try to finish a week before I pull out another week. But I have had to spend two weeks to complete one week's worth of work many times. Things will come up and you will have to move things around. But, having the bulk of the planning and sorting done at that beginning of the year is a HUGE time saver.
My binder has a tab for each child and then a tab for subjects that I need papers for. You'll need to customize this to fit your school.
And finally, after they complete their work I check them right away and then slip them into each child's bin. This is where all of their papers live until I sort through them at the end of the year. At that point, I purge in a major way, keep a sampling of their work in each subject, and label a 3 ring binder with that child's name and grade on it. It's their portfolio for the year!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Introducing Oliver!
Oliver Frame Sexton was born on June 14, 2012 at 8:29 p.m. He weighed 9 pounds 6 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long. He is loved by all!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
It's been a while...
I just realized that my last post was in February! Well, here is a little article that my husband sent my way. It is good for moms and dads. The best part is the "21 Words For Fathers" at the end. Good stuff!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Less Time Online
I have a handy tip to pass along. First, a little intro.
I think many of us want to spend less time on the computer. These days so much of our life is on there. We pay bills online, send gifts, store everyone's contact info, stay in touch with family, get coupons, send pictures to grandparents...
How much do our kids to see the back of our heads and hear us say, "Just a minute I'm almost done." There is a level that is acceptable and just has to be done. But, and we all know what I am talking about here, there is another level. There comes a time that we have to just decide to be fully present with our families. Remember life in the 80's? No cell phones and no internet. And we did ok without them.
The tip? Unsubscribe from every e-mail you can. Be brutal. I know there are good deals and current events to stay on top of. There are sale fliers to view. There are motivational things to read. But when they are in your e-mail inbox they demand your attention. If they are really worth looking at you could go to the site and check them out later if you have time. I have found that since I've unsubscribed from everything that is not personal I don't care to go searching for those other things. And I don't check my e-mail nearly as often. I barely have any! It has greatly reduced that "pull" to see if I have any communication from the outside world :0).
I think many of us want to spend less time on the computer. These days so much of our life is on there. We pay bills online, send gifts, store everyone's contact info, stay in touch with family, get coupons, send pictures to grandparents...
How much do our kids to see the back of our heads and hear us say, "Just a minute I'm almost done." There is a level that is acceptable and just has to be done. But, and we all know what I am talking about here, there is another level. There comes a time that we have to just decide to be fully present with our families. Remember life in the 80's? No cell phones and no internet. And we did ok without them.
The tip? Unsubscribe from every e-mail you can. Be brutal. I know there are good deals and current events to stay on top of. There are sale fliers to view. There are motivational things to read. But when they are in your e-mail inbox they demand your attention. If they are really worth looking at you could go to the site and check them out later if you have time. I have found that since I've unsubscribed from everything that is not personal I don't care to go searching for those other things. And I don't check my e-mail nearly as often. I barely have any! It has greatly reduced that "pull" to see if I have any communication from the outside world :0).
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Free Kindle Options
One more thing...
Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can use one of the apps here to read the book free on your computer, phone, or iPad.
Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can use one of the apps here to read the book free on your computer, phone, or iPad.
Terrific Free Kindle Book
I just read Organized Simplicity by Tsh over at www.SimpleMom.net. It was really terrific, practical, and motivating. My wonderful friend Sharon just pointed out that the Kindle version is FREE right now! I don't know how long this will last, but if you have a Kindle, follow this link and pick it up.
One more quick thing about this book. It is not about the simple living that you see on magazine covers. It is not about a simple life that could not possibly mesh with your current life. It IS about everything in your life pointing in the direction that you want it to go. Your money, house, time and other resources being spent in such a way that you accomplish what is most important to you. Simple living means something different for each family and Tsh is great at helping you figure out what it looks like for yours.
One more quick thing about this book. It is not about the simple living that you see on magazine covers. It is not about a simple life that could not possibly mesh with your current life. It IS about everything in your life pointing in the direction that you want it to go. Your money, house, time and other resources being spent in such a way that you accomplish what is most important to you. Simple living means something different for each family and Tsh is great at helping you figure out what it looks like for yours.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
New Years Resolutions
If you need a little help getting your year started off right, take a look at this 12 word post. Sounds like a great resolution to me.
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