School Is In Session

It happened. Our little boy has started school. He's going 2 days/week ALL day and then every other Friday. I hope readers that home school don't flame me. Trust me I don't flame home schoolers. I think there is a time and a place for it. At this point, I don't feel the time is here. I'm confident in our schools here and feel that as a parent I can stay actively involved. I will read books that come home, encourage conversation about what they are learning, and communicate frequently with the teacher. As he gets older I'm sure I'll run in to issues with the public school system, HOWEVER i have to be reminded that laws are put in to place for the kids who's parents don't care, or know better.

I'm sure many of you are probably rolling your eyes thinking how naive I am. But please keep in mind that home schooling is not for everyone just as public schools aren't. If i lived in much more liberal state/area I'm sure I'd feel differently.

Right now I'm more concerned about my child not drinking milk!! You all realize what milk can do to a child! Makes them hyper, the hormones in it, blah blah. BUT while I asked for him to NOT have milk I also know that may not happen. Therefore I will compensate by NOT giving him milk here at home.

The next concern would be if my child is ever required to take the flu vaccine. I feel awful enough for vaccinating what I have, the flu shot WILL NOT HAPPEN. I will fight tooth and nail. But there again, rules, policies, etc are put in to place b/c they have to. But that is one I won't give in. Do you know the flu shot has formaldehyde in it? That's what they put in DEAD people. Or that the H1N1 vaccination is one that we have NO idea what the long term effects could be. 100's of people die every month from complications from the flu. A vaccination will not make a difference.

Again, these are all my opinions.

OK OK without further ado, here are pictures:

Attemtping to do something with his hair while he ate. Of course he could have slept in till 830 today so we were feeling a little rushed. I hope this child learns to eat faster at school. He takes FOREVER!

Daddy having a talk about manners, listening to the teacher and being nice to other kids. C'man listened so intently, seriously.

He said to DH, 'one more kiss' (i didn't get THAT)

When we got to school here he is taking it all in....

Putting his back pack away.

Finding his name, of which i must say he can do:)

Oh for goodness SAKE! Why can't blogger make it easier to arrange pictures. I give up!!! You can put the picture puzzle together:) BUT doesn't anyone know how to make it easier??? GRRRRR

OK enjoy i'm frustrated and need to step away from the computer!

I'm not sure what happened to our 60+degree weather, but its GONE and in place is some snow. It's not bad tho and really not sticking to the ground. Just about 60 miles west, (Nebraska) and North, they are predicting 6 inches of snow. Sorry NE people, but you can HAVE IT! I want to be done with winter. Even tho it doesn't last long, the snow, it'll be April 1st tomorrow, I don't want it!!

Today was a busy AM. I had 2 moms come over that home school. Then a friend of mine who home schooled their 3 children back in the day when it was really unheard of. B/w the 2 moms, and me, we had 12 kids here!! This place was a rockin. It went good tho. The mom with 7 kids, they are all so well behaved and really everyone had a blast. But I think the person who had the most fun was C'man. He was in his glory with so many kids to play with. There actually was only 3 boys out of the group.

I tried to keep everyone at bay so the mom's could talk, listen, etc. I did pop in from time to time and try to listen. I'm so on the fence about this home schooling. My friend Shannan told me yesterday that she heard a radio program where a mom just couldn't do some subjects herself. She found a retired teacher who she traded cleaning her house, for teaching subjects she wasn't comfortable in. Hmmm...how cool. i wonder if anyone would teach for purses???

I know we're NOT going to home school this upcoming school year. We are sending C'man to Pre-School. But we are staying open minded on both sides. Time will tell I guess. The main thing we as parents must do is stay vigilant in what our kids are learning. We need to read the books, study the material and really understand what they are learning AND if it meets our morals and ethics. Shannan told me that 75% of high school students loose there faith in HS. 95% loose it in college. That is absurdly high!!! But it makes sense. The public schools are taking every aspect of God out of there curriculum. They can't say how would God respond to that kind of behavior? Or do you think that was the right thing to do??

These thoughts of mine are NOTHING against the teachers. Let me make myself clear on that. As stated earlier, I have a BIL and SIL that are both teachers, and my other BIL is a College Professor. But what's happening, I feel, are the books are changing and the teachers are just teaching what's in the books. Not realizing what it's really saying, or noticing the direction things are going. The Government is becoming more and more involved and telling them how our children will be taught. It's no secret that many teachers/administration/etc are Democrats. Probably WAY more on both coasts then here. The Liberals are driving 99% of what are children are learning.

So yeah, the thought process in my head continues on. I want my kids to keep there faith and I will need to be more vigilant then EVER that every opportunity to talk about God and faith is discussed. When I subject my kids to 8 hours of 'learning' in a public school and as our country turns more and more away from the belief of that this Country was founded on, I may find it best to educate my kids right here at our kitchen table.

Not to mention that I guess now the big thing is teaching kids how to FEEL vs educating them!

The Call To Dunkirk

OK Homeschooling readers, and non, please tell me what you think of this. I agree with much of what is said just not sure I'm going to be able to home school my kids. I don't think our schools here in NW Iowa are that Liberal.
The video is @ 5 1/2 minute. But I really would be interested in what you think.I know I have at least 2 homeschooling mom's that read this.

There are some valid points: Culture is shaped by how we educate our children.
14,000 hours are spent in school
who ever controls the school (gov't) will control the children

I also thought the bible verses were good.

BUT!!!! I almost think the video was a little much. As I stated above, I don't think our schools HERE are in the liberal control that schools across the country are in. No, I don't like the amount of Government that is involved but I also know that without some Government, there is no telling what could happen. My BIL and SIL are both teachers. They are both great teachers, so I've heard:) I know our school district has great teachers and the idea of keeping my children from being taught by these great teachers and really learning, is something I need to do. I do not have it in me to home school. That being said, if there came a point in time where the teachings got ultra-liberal, I would most definitely pull my children out and figure out how to home school them.

I'm not opposed to those who do home school, my friend Shannan is, and I commend you all for doing it. I ask that if you do respond here, you do it respectfully for those who may be for, or are against, homeschooling. I'd like to hear your response to the video and know why you do, or do not, home school, but respectfully.