Right now I am listening to B'z. Its a usual thing. They are a Japanese group, AWESOME. I know most wont get the lyrics (that's what google is for...), but they do sound great. The tempo, the sound of his voice, the guitar. They are the first Asian group to get a spot on Hollywood Rock Walk. Tak Matsumoto, B'z guitarist, is a signature artist for Gibson and has several limited editions made in his honour.
Anyway...
Music is healing or can be. For me it is a way to drown out emotions. Not mine...others. Well, it also helps so that my emotions don't overwhelm others also at times. So I am seldom without music if I know I am going into a crowded place. I'm usually the only one who is wearing headphones in a bar or nightclub. Go figure. The only time I go somewhere without my tunes is if I know I am with someone safe. Someone who can act as a buffer so I am not overwhelmed at times. Or if I am in a place where my music is totally not appropriate.
I went to my mother's memorial and there were so many people. Music totally not appropriate. One of my friends doesn't quite understand what its like for me. But she was my buffer that day. Try as I did, it was overwhelming and while I was trying to keep a straight face and not cry, not let the emotions overwhelm me, she took the run off. I think she was fine for about the first 5 minutes or so.
My music ranges from really soft stuff to Classical to Pop to JPop, Grunge to heavy metal type stuff. I think it depends on the situation I am in that chooses the type of music that helps me.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
What's in a name?
So now Cody, my oldest, is saying he likes the name Hageshii for Rhett. Rhett means enthusiastic, fervour. That is what Hageshii means also along with fiery. However, the Kanji can mean violent so we have to be careful how it is written. Since Cody is the one who gave Rhett his name when he was born, I suppose it would be his right to also give him his Japanese name.
Somewhere in Japan is my mother's brother. After looking for him for a number of years, we still haven't been able to find him. I will continue to look tho. I wonder about him, wonder if I have cousins, wonder if he ever thought about my mother after she left Japan.
His name is Kazuo Araki. Their mother's name was Tome and their father's name was Yashio.
Cody wants to take on the last name of Araki legally. I do not have a problem with this as I would like to hyphenate my last name to include it also.
Somewhere in Japan is my mother's brother. After looking for him for a number of years, we still haven't been able to find him. I will continue to look tho. I wonder about him, wonder if I have cousins, wonder if he ever thought about my mother after she left Japan.
His name is Kazuo Araki. Their mother's name was Tome and their father's name was Yashio.
Cody wants to take on the last name of Araki legally. I do not have a problem with this as I would like to hyphenate my last name to include it also.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Stones
I love stones, crystals, minerals, etc. Each one has different properties and qualities. Crystals are extremely fascinating to me. I love to figure out how many sides each one has. I used to collect geodes with amethyst inside. I even had a garnet crystal at one time. I still have an uncut blue topaz shard that I have had for a very long time. Probably about 25 years now. The other stone I am most fond of is one my father got for me. It's an Apache Tear. I've had that one for about 30 years. I've collected my own over the years and made them mine, but the first is special.
I make necklaces and bracelets with different stones. I usually end up giving them as gifts. I am pretty good at matching people with stones.
Everything has a vibration. We have a vibration, the stones have their own vibration, the food we eat has a vibration. Our vibrations mingle with the vibrations of other things and they either help or hinder. A negative reaction is just a vibration that interferes with our vibration. If we can adjust our frequency to that of the objects, then we are in harmony with it.
Different stones can adjust to our vibrations to help heal, they absorb energy, and can help deflect negative energy from powerlines, computers, digital clocks near beds and people. They can also be used to make an environment rich in negative ions.
My favourite stones to use are amethyst, hemetite, lapis and malachite. When I can get a supply, amber. I love the various colours that it comes in and they have a deep rich resonance.
I make necklaces and bracelets with different stones. I usually end up giving them as gifts. I am pretty good at matching people with stones.
Everything has a vibration. We have a vibration, the stones have their own vibration, the food we eat has a vibration. Our vibrations mingle with the vibrations of other things and they either help or hinder. A negative reaction is just a vibration that interferes with our vibration. If we can adjust our frequency to that of the objects, then we are in harmony with it.
Different stones can adjust to our vibrations to help heal, they absorb energy, and can help deflect negative energy from powerlines, computers, digital clocks near beds and people. They can also be used to make an environment rich in negative ions.
My favourite stones to use are amethyst, hemetite, lapis and malachite. When I can get a supply, amber. I love the various colours that it comes in and they have a deep rich resonance.
What are we up to today...
Or should I say, "What we should be up to today..."
I was researching Japanese names.
My mom was supposed to give Rhett a name in Japanese. We had kind of settled on Yugure, which means Darkness or the time between light and dark, twilight. Dusty thinks Tatsumaki is a better one because it means Tornado and that is exactly what Rhett is. Our family name is Araki. Dusty's name is Senshi which means Warrior. Cody's is Shin'ichi which means Faithful first son or One truth.
I'm supposed to be looking for a job, but its depressing. I'm supposed to be cleaning the house, but there is only so much time that I can spend doing that. It seems that I am constantly cleaning.
Dusty is supposed to be taking his CAT-9 test. But he's been playing with his little brother. They've been having fun so I am not worried about the test. Although I kind of listed our beginning school year as January 1st and I have to take in our NOI 2 weeks before then...hmmm. I have seemed to pass the due date. Oh well.
Rhett, of course has the run of the house. We don't do any real type of schooling with any of the boys, but him especially unless he asks for it. Although he's been wanting to learn how to knit and sew. He has been spending his day flittering here and there. Playing with magnets and my sewing pins. He discovered that a magnet will pick them all up. He and Dusty have been making little figures with a roll of magnets and pretending they are different things. He has also been playing with a flashlight.
O.k. So now Dusty is doing his test and grumbling. He's not liking it this year. Last time he thought it was great. Next time we will probably have the assessment done instead.
I cleaned the kitchen and am going to update my resume for preschool teacher instead of massage therapy.
And Rhett is happily watching the Backyardigans on a dvd we got from the library.
Our day is not over yet. We shall see what mischief we can conjure up by the days end.
I was researching Japanese names.
My mom was supposed to give Rhett a name in Japanese. We had kind of settled on Yugure, which means Darkness or the time between light and dark, twilight. Dusty thinks Tatsumaki is a better one because it means Tornado and that is exactly what Rhett is. Our family name is Araki. Dusty's name is Senshi which means Warrior. Cody's is Shin'ichi which means Faithful first son or One truth.
I'm supposed to be looking for a job, but its depressing. I'm supposed to be cleaning the house, but there is only so much time that I can spend doing that. It seems that I am constantly cleaning.
Dusty is supposed to be taking his CAT-9 test. But he's been playing with his little brother. They've been having fun so I am not worried about the test. Although I kind of listed our beginning school year as January 1st and I have to take in our NOI 2 weeks before then...hmmm. I have seemed to pass the due date. Oh well.
Rhett, of course has the run of the house. We don't do any real type of schooling with any of the boys, but him especially unless he asks for it. Although he's been wanting to learn how to knit and sew. He has been spending his day flittering here and there. Playing with magnets and my sewing pins. He discovered that a magnet will pick them all up. He and Dusty have been making little figures with a roll of magnets and pretending they are different things. He has also been playing with a flashlight.
O.k. So now Dusty is doing his test and grumbling. He's not liking it this year. Last time he thought it was great. Next time we will probably have the assessment done instead.
I cleaned the kitchen and am going to update my resume for preschool teacher instead of massage therapy.
And Rhett is happily watching the Backyardigans on a dvd we got from the library.
Our day is not over yet. We shall see what mischief we can conjure up by the days end.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Just Breathe
I figured out that I've been walking around holding my breath. Things kept going wrong and it seems that I was holding my breath waiting for the next thing to happen. I was getting tired, health problems were starting to flare and I kept wondering why. Then I noticed that I wasn't really breathing.
Breathing right enables the body to get enough oxygen, massages internal organs and stimulates organ function. It also helps with the central nervous system, stress, removes waste from the blood. It also makes our lungs strong. If our lungs are weak, it gives way to disease. It also can really mess up the back and shoulder muscles.
So what I had to start doing is just breathe.
Breathing right enables the body to get enough oxygen, massages internal organs and stimulates organ function. It also helps with the central nervous system, stress, removes waste from the blood. It also makes our lungs strong. If our lungs are weak, it gives way to disease. It also can really mess up the back and shoulder muscles.
So what I had to start doing is just breathe.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Me
I picked up writing again. I figured it was about time. My main goal is to write small articles to sell. But I also had a story idea a couple of years ago that I wrote down buy never got to finish.
Writing is a great way to creatively get rid of frustrations, anger, sadness, etc. I loved writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pencil. It was my way of relating to a world I didn't quite fit into. A way of releasing frustration of being a child that was not quite understood. I loved it. It was the same way with books. It was a way of escape for me. I had friends in books.
Sad isn't it?
Then I had an English teacher in high school that loved my writings. He actually took the time to read them and made comments on what I wrote. Someone who saw a lonely person with talent. He encouraged me immensely.
Every spare moment I had I would write. I still have most of them too. Stories that I started then gave up. My problem is is if I see the ending of the story, I get bored with it. I know the ending, why finish it? I have to break out to that habit.
The one that I am writing now...I have no clue of the ending. Actually I don't know what direction I want to go with it. I'm still in the early stages. But I will not figure out the ending til I am there. Maybe I will be able to finish it this time.
Writing is a great way to creatively get rid of frustrations, anger, sadness, etc. I loved writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pencil. It was my way of relating to a world I didn't quite fit into. A way of releasing frustration of being a child that was not quite understood. I loved it. It was the same way with books. It was a way of escape for me. I had friends in books.
Sad isn't it?
Then I had an English teacher in high school that loved my writings. He actually took the time to read them and made comments on what I wrote. Someone who saw a lonely person with talent. He encouraged me immensely.
Every spare moment I had I would write. I still have most of them too. Stories that I started then gave up. My problem is is if I see the ending of the story, I get bored with it. I know the ending, why finish it? I have to break out to that habit.
The one that I am writing now...I have no clue of the ending. Actually I don't know what direction I want to go with it. I'm still in the early stages. But I will not figure out the ending til I am there. Maybe I will be able to finish it this time.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
My Boys
I never fully introduced my boys. As with all parents, I can say my boys are wonderful.
My oldest is now 19 years old. He's charming, sarcastic, has dry wit and humour. He can be morbid with the best of them...including me. He's been my sparring partner for years. But now he is afraid he will hurt me so we don't do as much as we used to.
He loves learning about Japanese history, loves to write stories, loves music. He has two bass guitars and a drum set. He has taught himself how to play by trial and error, watching, listening and practice. He collects swords and knives.
Over all he is a wonderful young man who is respectful of others, lets things roll off when someone tries to offend him.
My 11 year old is outgoing, fun and sensitive. He loves helping people and goes out of his way to do so. He also loves taking things apart to find out how they work. He has the entreprenuer spirit and tries to find ways to make money on his own for the things he wants. He loves mysteries. He can spend hours playing a computer games with a whodunit theme. He also loves simulators. He reads a variety of books, his favourite for a while as by Erin Hunter. Now he just kind of reads whatever he finds interesting. He also loves his legos. He spends some time building and coming up with new things.
My youngest at 3, getting ready to turn 4, is...well at the moment, moody. He misses the warmer months where he could run outside catching bugs. He misses the grasshoppers and ants. He misses chasing butterflies. I tell him to chase snowflakes. He loves it when it does snow. He loves building things with blocks. He loves playing with the hammer and screwdriver. He tries to "fix" our steps leading to the deck all the time, even putting new nails in it so it doesn't wobble.
He loves being read to and his favourite book is Inai Inai BA which is Peek a Boo in Japanese. Its a cute board book that he knows by heart. His other favourites are the Berenstain Bears, The Bear Snores On and the other books that belong in that series. He loves playing video games and is amazing at them. He speaks in both Japanese and English.
He loves trying new things and practically shows no fear. That can be scary sometimes especially when he is jumping off something particularly high, yelling "mommy catch me!" before I really ahve a chance to turn around.
So those are my boys. Happy, loving, moody, special and growing up too fast.
My oldest is now 19 years old. He's charming, sarcastic, has dry wit and humour. He can be morbid with the best of them...including me. He's been my sparring partner for years. But now he is afraid he will hurt me so we don't do as much as we used to.
He loves learning about Japanese history, loves to write stories, loves music. He has two bass guitars and a drum set. He has taught himself how to play by trial and error, watching, listening and practice. He collects swords and knives.
Over all he is a wonderful young man who is respectful of others, lets things roll off when someone tries to offend him.
My 11 year old is outgoing, fun and sensitive. He loves helping people and goes out of his way to do so. He also loves taking things apart to find out how they work. He has the entreprenuer spirit and tries to find ways to make money on his own for the things he wants. He loves mysteries. He can spend hours playing a computer games with a whodunit theme. He also loves simulators. He reads a variety of books, his favourite for a while as by Erin Hunter. Now he just kind of reads whatever he finds interesting. He also loves his legos. He spends some time building and coming up with new things.
My youngest at 3, getting ready to turn 4, is...well at the moment, moody. He misses the warmer months where he could run outside catching bugs. He misses the grasshoppers and ants. He misses chasing butterflies. I tell him to chase snowflakes. He loves it when it does snow. He loves building things with blocks. He loves playing with the hammer and screwdriver. He tries to "fix" our steps leading to the deck all the time, even putting new nails in it so it doesn't wobble.
He loves being read to and his favourite book is Inai Inai BA which is Peek a Boo in Japanese. Its a cute board book that he knows by heart. His other favourites are the Berenstain Bears, The Bear Snores On and the other books that belong in that series. He loves playing video games and is amazing at them. He speaks in both Japanese and English.
He loves trying new things and practically shows no fear. That can be scary sometimes especially when he is jumping off something particularly high, yelling "mommy catch me!" before I really ahve a chance to turn around.
So those are my boys. Happy, loving, moody, special and growing up too fast.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Winter
I love watching the snowflakes dance as they filter their way down to land on the ground. I love to watch the way the wind blows them around in swirls. I love to watch my boys try to catch them on their tongues as they play all bundled up in the yard. I love to fix hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream.
I love to make wreaths for the birds and squirrels to munch on when food is scarce. I love having the shortest day of the year and the longest night.
Winter is a time of rest and rejuvenation. The Earth sleeps and rests getting ready to be reborn in the spring. Next to Autumn, it is my favourite time of year. I love the cold crisp morning...mostly because I love to stay snuggled under my blankets. I love the cleanness of the snow.
Where I am at, I hear grumble during the hot summer months that they can't wait for winter so it will cool off. Then when winter comes, they complain that it is too cold and can't wait for summer. I think that like all seasons, winter should be embraced and savoured.
With the change of time and technology, it is easy to bypass listening to our bodies and the Earth. We stay busy from dawn til the time we go to bed which I am sure for most is not when the sun goes down. So we get tired, our immune system falters and winter becomes flu season. We push ourselves when we should be resting, we try to eat the same all year round, we do not let our bodies rest and rejuvenate as we should. I keep thinking it would be great if we could hibernate.
Tomorrow it is supposed to be a nice 51+ degrees. Sunday it is supposed to drop to 18 degrees and snow. I will be curled up on the couch with a good book for most of the day. I picked up Kay Hooper's Blood Sins at the library yesterday. That and the FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics it should be some happy reading.
I love to make wreaths for the birds and squirrels to munch on when food is scarce. I love having the shortest day of the year and the longest night.
Winter is a time of rest and rejuvenation. The Earth sleeps and rests getting ready to be reborn in the spring. Next to Autumn, it is my favourite time of year. I love the cold crisp morning...mostly because I love to stay snuggled under my blankets. I love the cleanness of the snow.
Where I am at, I hear grumble during the hot summer months that they can't wait for winter so it will cool off. Then when winter comes, they complain that it is too cold and can't wait for summer. I think that like all seasons, winter should be embraced and savoured.
With the change of time and technology, it is easy to bypass listening to our bodies and the Earth. We stay busy from dawn til the time we go to bed which I am sure for most is not when the sun goes down. So we get tired, our immune system falters and winter becomes flu season. We push ourselves when we should be resting, we try to eat the same all year round, we do not let our bodies rest and rejuvenate as we should. I keep thinking it would be great if we could hibernate.
Tomorrow it is supposed to be a nice 51+ degrees. Sunday it is supposed to drop to 18 degrees and snow. I will be curled up on the couch with a good book for most of the day. I picked up Kay Hooper's Blood Sins at the library yesterday. That and the FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics it should be some happy reading.
December...
Its hard to believe that it is the middle of December already. This year has flown by and I haven't done all the things I wanted to. But hey, that is OK. Little setbacks. Next year is another year and another chance.
On next years agenda...
take the boys fishing more than once
hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park
cave exploring
visiting some historical sites here in Colorado and maybe some surrounding states
camping
go for my NCBTMB (national cert for bodyworkers)
get my cert in Eastern Holistic Medicine
I would put down write a best selling novel, but its a little far fetched. Think I'll just put down: finish a book and hope it sells.
I always envisioned myself in a cozy cottage somewhere in the country surrounded by my children and pets writing away. I'm a nature girl at heart. I would have flowers and herbs drying on the walls, beautiful flowers growing in window boxes, cooking over a fire in a large hearth fireplace.
The boys would spend most of their time playing outside in the yard. Hopefully there would be a stream for them to explore on the long summer days. I could envision them bringing me a tadpole or lizard as I quietly type or do research. Actually, it wouldn't be quiet...I love music too much for it to stay quiet for long.
Don't know if I can picture a significant other in the picture or not. I always thought I would be happily married, but I guess things weren't meant to work out. So I just envision me and my boys in this life. Maybe the time will come when I will be able to have that special someone.
I can see the boys and I cuddled up in front of the fireplace on cold winter days and nights reading books aloud, maybe making popcorn and listening to the wind and snow blow around the house.
Books play an important role in our home. Each one has their own genre that they like to read. I like thrillers/mysteries, Cody likes sci-fi/historical (especially Japanese)/and the macabre, Dusty likes lots of different fiction, but mostly mysteries. Rhett likes animal stories.
I like reading books on forensic protocol and procedures and forensic psychology I guess that goes along with reading the mystery/thrillers that I like so well. Especially the ones that deal with serial killers such as Catherine Coulter, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, Alex Kava...
I would love to be able to write a story as they do. One that makes you coming back for more, one where you can't wait for the next book to be published.
I got to meet Catherine Coulter a couple of years ago. Classy lady. I enjoyed speaking with her and would love to do it again.
Another authour I would love to meet would be Karen Marie Moning. I love her Highlander series and now the Fever series. Awesome books.
I will be there someday soon. I will be able to pick a book of of the best seller's table, point to it and say, "This one is mine!"
Maybe this upcoming year.
On next years agenda...
take the boys fishing more than once
hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park
cave exploring
visiting some historical sites here in Colorado and maybe some surrounding states
camping
go for my NCBTMB (national cert for bodyworkers)
get my cert in Eastern Holistic Medicine
I would put down write a best selling novel, but its a little far fetched. Think I'll just put down: finish a book and hope it sells.
I always envisioned myself in a cozy cottage somewhere in the country surrounded by my children and pets writing away. I'm a nature girl at heart. I would have flowers and herbs drying on the walls, beautiful flowers growing in window boxes, cooking over a fire in a large hearth fireplace.
The boys would spend most of their time playing outside in the yard. Hopefully there would be a stream for them to explore on the long summer days. I could envision them bringing me a tadpole or lizard as I quietly type or do research. Actually, it wouldn't be quiet...I love music too much for it to stay quiet for long.
Don't know if I can picture a significant other in the picture or not. I always thought I would be happily married, but I guess things weren't meant to work out. So I just envision me and my boys in this life. Maybe the time will come when I will be able to have that special someone.
I can see the boys and I cuddled up in front of the fireplace on cold winter days and nights reading books aloud, maybe making popcorn and listening to the wind and snow blow around the house.
Books play an important role in our home. Each one has their own genre that they like to read. I like thrillers/mysteries, Cody likes sci-fi/historical (especially Japanese)/and the macabre, Dusty likes lots of different fiction, but mostly mysteries. Rhett likes animal stories.
I like reading books on forensic protocol and procedures and forensic psychology I guess that goes along with reading the mystery/thrillers that I like so well. Especially the ones that deal with serial killers such as Catherine Coulter, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, Alex Kava...
I would love to be able to write a story as they do. One that makes you coming back for more, one where you can't wait for the next book to be published.
I got to meet Catherine Coulter a couple of years ago. Classy lady. I enjoyed speaking with her and would love to do it again.
Another authour I would love to meet would be Karen Marie Moning. I love her Highlander series and now the Fever series. Awesome books.
I will be there someday soon. I will be able to pick a book of of the best seller's table, point to it and say, "This one is mine!"
Maybe this upcoming year.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Eating for the seasons
Time to put away the cold bearing salads made with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. The cold drinks such as green teas and citrus juices. Time for the warmer root veggies and warmer drinks.
Its the change of the seasons and time to eat with that change.
Root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, etc. and winter squashes like acorn, spaghetti, and butternut are rich in vitamins and minerals that we need during the cold, short days. These are also warming to the body unlike summer vegetables which are cooling. The last thing a person needs is to eat cooling foods on an already cold day, lowering their body temperature and their immune system.
Beverages, too, are either warming or cooling. Citrus juices such as orange juice and lemonades are cooling and are better left to that hot summer day. Green teas are also cooling in nature. It is better to move to the darker teas that are spiced with cinnamon, cloves, etc.
My favourite dishes are spiced winter squash. Its a mixture of butternut and acorn squash seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add a little bit of butter and some honey. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Its even yummy for breakfast.
A root soup made with parsnips, rutabagas, carrots, onion, sweet potato, burdock and taro root. Can be made with veggie stock or meat stock. I like to add a bit of left over pot roast or chicken.
Spiced banana bread loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The recipe I have has stayed in my family for generations.
Cinnamon is not only good for leveling out blood/sugar levels, but it also removes cold/damp from the lungs that cause phlegm. Nutmeg and cloves are too an expectorant and have warming properties.
Its the change of the seasons and time to eat with that change.
Root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, etc. and winter squashes like acorn, spaghetti, and butternut are rich in vitamins and minerals that we need during the cold, short days. These are also warming to the body unlike summer vegetables which are cooling. The last thing a person needs is to eat cooling foods on an already cold day, lowering their body temperature and their immune system.
Beverages, too, are either warming or cooling. Citrus juices such as orange juice and lemonades are cooling and are better left to that hot summer day. Green teas are also cooling in nature. It is better to move to the darker teas that are spiced with cinnamon, cloves, etc.
My favourite dishes are spiced winter squash. Its a mixture of butternut and acorn squash seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add a little bit of butter and some honey. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Its even yummy for breakfast.
A root soup made with parsnips, rutabagas, carrots, onion, sweet potato, burdock and taro root. Can be made with veggie stock or meat stock. I like to add a bit of left over pot roast or chicken.
Spiced banana bread loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The recipe I have has stayed in my family for generations.
Cinnamon is not only good for leveling out blood/sugar levels, but it also removes cold/damp from the lungs that cause phlegm. Nutmeg and cloves are too an expectorant and have warming properties.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Homeschooling
I've been teaching my children at home since they were born. I know many think that you start homeschooling when they come of school age, but I think that I am the one who taught them to walk, vocabulary, etc. They were taught at home to do those things, I just took it to the next level when they became school age. My oldest was already reading when he started "kindergarten".
So its been 19 years since I started on this journey. I have done a public school homeschool program, a charter, literature based, unit based, eclectic and finally unschooling. Not radical unschooling mind you, that may be the next step but we aren't there yet.
Our days usually consist of the boys reading and being read to, helping around the house and exploring. Running around outside and figuring things out.
My littlest one loves taking things apart that has screws. Most of my cabinets now have screws missing on the handles. There are toys that have been taken apart. Anything with screws is not safe.
My 11 year old is an entreprenuer. He goes around the neighbourhood looking for anyone to pay him to rake their lawns. He's been doing pretty good. Now its shoveling walks, but the snow hasn't stayed around long enough for him to get out there.
My oldest is of course out looking for a job. He does spend quite a bit of time still writing. His first passion. He also reads a lot. He still plans on moving in a couple of months.
I get asked, "How do you know your child is going to learn anything if you don't make them learn?"
How does anyone learn anything? It isn't by force. When an adult sees a need to learn something, they go and learn it. Children are the same way. It also helps if there is a desire and an inquisitive mind. How do you foster an inquisitive mind? By allowing your child to explore and do things in a safe enviroment. If they want to take a screwdriver and unscrew the cabinets, let them. (Just make sure you gather up all the screws or you will end up with handles that fall off...)
If they want to bring bugs into the house to look at on the kitchen table, so be it. (Just make sure you gather up the bugs before they scurry across the floor to parts unknown.)
How will they learn to read???
For us it was just a matter of being read to so much that they decided that they wanted to try on their own. My oldest was reading at 3. The older was reading and giving public readings at the age of 8. My youngest is still working on it. I've never thought they wouldn't learn and it was never a matter of when. I always thought that they would learn when they were ready, in the meantime, I would just read to them and enjoy that time.
Math proficiency?
Cooking with your child is an excellent way to teach them math as well as cooking skills. Then when they get older you just build on it. My oldest wanted to take Trig and Calculus when he was 16. Not because I made him, he thought it was something that he should know out in the "real world" when he got older.
I am not saying that all children will flourish under this style. Some do well with structure, but is it their choice and learning style or is it the parents? It can be child led if it is the child wanting to do the work.
So its been 19 years since I started on this journey. I have done a public school homeschool program, a charter, literature based, unit based, eclectic and finally unschooling. Not radical unschooling mind you, that may be the next step but we aren't there yet.
Our days usually consist of the boys reading and being read to, helping around the house and exploring. Running around outside and figuring things out.
My littlest one loves taking things apart that has screws. Most of my cabinets now have screws missing on the handles. There are toys that have been taken apart. Anything with screws is not safe.
My 11 year old is an entreprenuer. He goes around the neighbourhood looking for anyone to pay him to rake their lawns. He's been doing pretty good. Now its shoveling walks, but the snow hasn't stayed around long enough for him to get out there.
My oldest is of course out looking for a job. He does spend quite a bit of time still writing. His first passion. He also reads a lot. He still plans on moving in a couple of months.
I get asked, "How do you know your child is going to learn anything if you don't make them learn?"
How does anyone learn anything? It isn't by force. When an adult sees a need to learn something, they go and learn it. Children are the same way. It also helps if there is a desire and an inquisitive mind. How do you foster an inquisitive mind? By allowing your child to explore and do things in a safe enviroment. If they want to take a screwdriver and unscrew the cabinets, let them. (Just make sure you gather up all the screws or you will end up with handles that fall off...)
If they want to bring bugs into the house to look at on the kitchen table, so be it. (Just make sure you gather up the bugs before they scurry across the floor to parts unknown.)
How will they learn to read???
For us it was just a matter of being read to so much that they decided that they wanted to try on their own. My oldest was reading at 3. The older was reading and giving public readings at the age of 8. My youngest is still working on it. I've never thought they wouldn't learn and it was never a matter of when. I always thought that they would learn when they were ready, in the meantime, I would just read to them and enjoy that time.
Math proficiency?
Cooking with your child is an excellent way to teach them math as well as cooking skills. Then when they get older you just build on it. My oldest wanted to take Trig and Calculus when he was 16. Not because I made him, he thought it was something that he should know out in the "real world" when he got older.
I am not saying that all children will flourish under this style. Some do well with structure, but is it their choice and learning style or is it the parents? It can be child led if it is the child wanting to do the work.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
As I sit here...
Its taking a lot to keep this blog going on a semi happy note. I can't say that I've been depressed because usually I'm doing really well. Its when I hit bottom before I realize it (and I seem to be doing that a lot lately) that it seems I am sitting in front of my computer.
I have discovered I am not strong like everyone says I am. If only they knew.
Then I hear that I am only human. If only they knew.
Everyone sees the part of me that deals well with things because I am good at putting that to the forefront for brief periods of time. If only they knew.
People think that I am mourning only the loss of my mother. If only they knew.
I go out and see happy families. Those with mothers, newborn babies, or pregnant women, those with loving husbands...It shouldn't hurt should it? If only they knew.
I have discovered I am not strong like everyone says I am. If only they knew.
Then I hear that I am only human. If only they knew.
Everyone sees the part of me that deals well with things because I am good at putting that to the forefront for brief periods of time. If only they knew.
People think that I am mourning only the loss of my mother. If only they knew.
I go out and see happy families. Those with mothers, newborn babies, or pregnant women, those with loving husbands...It shouldn't hurt should it? If only they knew.
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