Homeschool?

Right now my children are wards of the state.2 of the 3 will be coming home next year and I can't wait. No, child protective services didn't take them away or anything like that :) they go to public school. From 7:30 a.m -3:20 pm each weekday the state tells them when and how long to work on a subject, what to learn, when to eat, when they can use the restroom, ect.
Ok I'm hearing it already gee, isn't that a bit harsh N-sanity?  What about the excellent highly trained teachers? What about preparing for college? Socialization, working together on projects? How about that nifty free breakfast for all and for some kids free lunch? Some kids wouldn't eat if it were not for the free breakfast and lunch at school. Why!?? would you want to home school?

To make it clear, I love love LOVE many of the teachers in our district.I am thankful to have great teachers for my kids while I recovered this year. Most really seem to have a huge heart for our kiddos. They give up their personal time to run booths at carnivals and teach at church functions after school hours. They really want to see the kids succeed but they are limited. They have classes of 20-30 students which makes it impossible to teach one on one. They are forced to teach by the curriculum .As trained as they may be, I know my children best. At home I can slow down if one is not getting a concept or move on when I see they are getting bored. If a certain curriculum dosen't click with my children I can change it.
College? Homeschooled students do better on standardized tests and college entry.  On average homeschooled students scored higher on standardized tests, and are admitted into honors classes at a higher rate.

Socialization and group projects? Ok even those who really object to homeschooling will usually admit that, on average we are out involved in the community and don't lock our kids in a dungeon under the house. In my adult life I cannot think of a time I was put on a project because my last name was in the v-z range or because all people of the same age were assigned to it. No, it was based on whether my ability, interest, education, and personality would contribute to the project in a positive way.

All over the U.S. kids and parents get together in co-ops. They have classes, take field trips together, put on plays and musicals, and preform service projects together. There are people of different ages and talents working together with younger or less experienced ones learning as they go.

The last common subject, school breakfast and lunches. At risk of sounding callous, I must say it is the parent's responsibility to feed their children not the school's. If food is honestly a problem there are many ways to lower other expenses or get assistance that not only feed kids but feed them much healthier meals than served at most public schools.

Why would I want to homeschool? Because I'm selfish :) I like being the first one they come tell the end of their book to , the one the practice reciting their bible versus to, the one that gets to watch the light bulb go off when they finally get how to write 25,000,000 in expanded notation by powers of 10, and the one they snuggle up with in the early morning as the bus drives right on by :)

One smart kid ;)

I have several things I want to write about but just don't have the words right now. I also have a sick little one so instead I leave you with this awesome video.
Sorry I cannot seem to get the actual video in my post so you'll just have to click the linky.


http://www.godvine.com/Boy-Reveals-Jesus-in-Every-Book-of-the-Bible-201.html

Cautiously Optimistic

Tomorrow Nate and I will drive into Dallas to see a new pediatrician. This is a test visit to see if we will transfer all of our children's care to him. Recently our old pedi dismissed us from her practice. If feel its unethical of her to see my children for 3 years then suddenly leave them without care esp my youngest who has asthma and my middle who has seizures.

I can't say I'm looking forward to going to yet another doctor,but not providing my children with medical care would be negligent at best. 

I am hopeful that he dosen't always see the answer in a pill. I'm not against medication :) At times, such as when my little one can't breathe, I thank god that it is available. I just hope that he is willing to help me find ways to Prevent the symptoms from showing up instead of just treating them as they do. I hope that questioning any proposed treatment will not only be allowed but encouraged.

Is that really to much to ask out of a doctor?

I Read a Book.

Having Mr. Hyper into everything as my son, I spend a lot more time disciplining than reading books about discipline. However, here and there during rare moments of quiet I have finally read Shepherding a Child's Heart. If you haven't read it you really should.

I didn't agree with every single thing in the book but I do think it had a great message about a parents duty to disciple and discipline their children.

I'm confused: Enzymes vs. Diet

Ok my blog has about 0 followers right now but I am going to type this out anyway. If someone happens upon this post and has a helpful comment well jump right in :D.

On a gluten,casein,soy free diet my son's agressive behavior greatly decreased but he was constantly hungry and constantly craving non allowed food. We had to padlock our pantry because he was constantly after food in it.

Two weeks ago we started giving him food enzymes with meals and allowed him to have all foods. I continued gfcf snacks at school because I cannot be there to give the enzymes all day.

Ive looked over his school reports carefully along with my own observations at school and at home. His hyperactivity and aggressiveness has increased some and I fear it might get even worse again. 

There are other factors that could be involved. The return from christmas break followed by 2 days off due to snow and ice.

Ive also noticed something unexpected. His ability to choose and do things without being told or physically guided has surfaced over the past week. For example, during center time he went and got a toy and showed his para then sat down and played with it. On the diet he seems to have an obsession with eating . He would choose a snack or drink picture 90% of the time over any other activities. With the enzymes and a greater variety of food this obsession has nearly vanished.


So now I have to wonder...is the increased aggressiveness due to confusion because of the normal break in schedule and nothing to worry about? Or is it a reaction due to non allowed foods and going to get worse as time goes by? If it is due to allergens then is there a nutrient he is missing with the gfcf diet that needs to be supplemented better? Or possibly does the enzyme dosage need to be increased and/or given during snacks also?

Vaccine Madness!

Something has been on my mind lately. Maybe its simply because the conversation has come up more or maybe it truly is increasing, but, Ive noticed an increasing number of people flat refusing to vaccinate at all.

Many people know that my third child is only partially vaccinated. I have concerns with a couple and literature telling me that a particular vaccine is unsafe for her. I do not have proof that my son's autism was caused partially or fully by vaccines. I do however have records of  vaccines that correlates with onset of symptoms.

Anyhow this post isn't really about vaccines causing autism or not causing autism. Its about children's health and well being. Before you refuse to vaccinate your child please PLEASE do your research on each individual vaccine and weigh your decision carefully.

If you choose not to vaccinate against a disease, do you know the symptoms of that disease ? Do you know what the disease will probably do and what in the worst case scenario it could do? Do you know what treatments are available?
Are you a stay at home mom who can easily keep our child home to prevent it from spreading or is your child in daycare, making it more likely he/she will contract something and you will loose pay from work?

Are there ways you can make the vaccines safer such as spreading them out, not giving tylenol before the vaccine, and giving vitamin supplements before and after?

If after all of the above you decide that 1,2 or all of the vaccines are not good for your child ok,  just know that you must be prepared to deal with whatever happens.


To all the doctors out there. Many parents are becoming concerned about the safety of vaccinations. Many of you are dismissing us from your practice because we refuse to fully vaccinate. May I remind you that you are there to be a partner in our children's treatment? Instead of unethical bullying tactics why not hear our concerns and work with us to find the vaccines that are safe for our individual children and give them at times to promote optimal safety, not according to a schedule of convenience?

Do NOT dismiss us as over emotional and throw "research" at us that is done by the very people that are making money off the vaccinations.