In my life this week...
Very busy week, but aren't they all! My husband is still working crazy hours so we never know when he will be home. When he does get home I am trying my best to keep the house as stress free as possible and have fewer "honey do" requests. I am also trying to keep the 5-6 pm children's melt downs to a absolute minimum, hence the return of the TV baby sitter. What is it about this time that make the children go wild and out of control just when quiet is needed:(
In our homeschool this week...
Wrapping up our Solar system study. Really worked hard to complete all our art work for this study. This is the longest we have ever done a unit nearly 10 weeks and the kids have really amazed me with their ability to retain information and I think if they had their way would still continue but I need to move on to something else.
Places we're going and people we're seeing...
Went on a play date with a new arrival to the UK and fellow home schooler. They just moved here from Texas and our daughters got along well. I am hoping this friendship will work out but they are living in a rental and are looking to buy so they may move away depending on where they find a house.
My favorite thing this week was...
Meeting with another homeschool mom and talking. I don't get this opportunity often so it was so nice to just chat with someone.
What's working/not working for us...
Things are going well at the moment. We are hoping that my husband job lightens up soon so we can take a mini spring break and have some family time soon. I think we can all use it. Slowly gearing up for spring planting, would be further along if I could find the shed key as it houses all my gardening tools:( I have no idea where that key is!
Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...
We are planning a trip to Normandy this summer to visit the WWII sites. My husband and I are trying to decide the best way to explain this part of history to a 1st and 3rd grader. I want to gently explain the war (is there such a thing). However my husband thinks I am being too cautious and that I should be more open about it. So I want to know at what age should you no longer spare children from the bad aspects of humanity. I was thinking going more into the heros of the war, we have already read a children's version of Anne Franks diary. But my husband thinks we should go more into the human cost of war and when we walk on the beaches of Normandy or Omaha we should talk about the cost of taking the beaches. So what do you think? Any suggestions appreciated:)
A photo, video, link, or quote to share...
Exploring the night sky with our new telescope. The kids can identify several constellations. We plan to continue this when ever the weather cooperates:)
It is so nice to meet up with other homeschool Moms:) I completely understand having a husband with a hectic schedule and trying to keep the house as chaotic-free as possible when he's home. Inevitably, that's when a meltdown will happen.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you met another homeschool family and chatted with a homeschool mom :) I hope it works out that the family can stay close by to build your friendships easier! I don't know how to answer your war question, but your trip sounds like a wonderful opportunity and experience. I hope you have a great weekend! Clicked a vote for ya!
ReplyDeleteMy 2 older kids read the Diary of Anne Franks around the age of 10. They were very interested in learning about WWII, so I went with it. We talked openly about how bad things were and they seemed to have understood it at the time. Of course, it just depends on the child and how you think they will handle the info. I think planning a trip like you are will definitely help them understand the good and the bad. I look forward to hearing how your trip goes!
ReplyDeleteI would love a visit to Normandy. I don't know about the war questions. We usually read whatever's at the museums, textbooks, etc. & then only do more if the kids want to find out more about a specific part. My son is definitely more interested than my daughter. I've been hearing 'War Stories' from from my WWII father since I was tiny, but only started learning about some of the more unpleasant stories in the past year or two.(I'll be 48 yo next month!) I don't know if he was protecting me or just started thinking about them again himself. Good luck with the crazy work hours. My dh has wacky hours sometimes too, but it really does get easier as the kids get older.
ReplyDeleteJanet W
Hi Anna-Marie! What a fun week. I have not had an issue with the 5-6pm crazy hour since my son stopped drinking pop and eating so much candy. That may not be your children's problem. The other thing you can try is to have them play outside from 3-5pm. It wears my son out so he is very quiet in the evenings, easier to get him to bed on time too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the war question, I think that we encourage patriotism and honor for our country if we are honest with our children. We don't have to share all the gore and details, but they need to know about that part of our history. It explains a lot of other things too, like the depression right before the war, which caused a unity we just don't see anymore.
My son has seen the movies Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan with me. I don't recommend it for all children, but my son was ready for it. I hope your visit to Normandy helps give you some more ideas.
Your husband is right about one thing, your children need to know some of the harshness of life. My mom protected me too much, and life hit me in the face like a 2X4 when I was 18.
Have a wonderful Sunday! I voted for you yesterday and today.
Hey! I just wanted to let you know that you weekend wonder feature went up on my blog today. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I taught modern history to my young kids, I also struggled with the question of the brutality of mankind. We watched the video "The Hiding Place," which was actually quite tame, about the Holocaust. It showed black smoke coming out of a chimney but didn't say that it was human bodies that were being burned. One of my sons, who was 8 at the time, started crying during the movie. It was because the sister died, and the sister was the only good thing in the main character's life. "And why do the soldiers keep kicking the people?" I explained about the unfairness of life, and that some people are truly evil.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
ReplyDeleteThe worst time of the day in our house is 5-6. But I am told this is not uncommon in most home:)
Hi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping this friendship will last too. Right now they are looking at a house in our direction so i am praying that it works out for them and maybe us. I hope God doesn't think I am being selfish here:)
Hi Joy,
ReplyDeleteWe took the kids to Amsterdam last year and visited Ann Franks house. There was only one room that we didn't really explore due to the film footage and pictures of the camps. It is just so hard to figure out how much to tell them
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeleteHistory is big in our home. My husband and I love history. I am trying to find the right balance
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I shouldn't shelter my kids to much and I am know as a helicopter parent to some friends because I hover so much. I am working on that, but I still have a ways to go. I just want to protect them but if I do it too much they won't be ready for the real world. This mothering thing is hard!!!
Hi Aubrie Anne,
ReplyDeleteOOH I am so excited thanks for telling me.:)
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie recommendation as I looked it up on Amazon. I had never heard of it. Interesting story. I will be looking for it and previewing it.
What a great week. Exploring the solar system sounds like fun - there are so many cookl things about outer space :)
ReplyDeleteFriendly and quick. For a person who hated going to the dentist I am not dreading my next cleaning!
ReplyDeleteBest Cosmetic Dental Clinic In Chennai