PARENTING TWINS

WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY- MATTHEW 19:14

Parenting Twins and More — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:24:15 GMT

I really believe God enjoys kids and babies.

They believe without a lot of baggage…

They trust…

They know how to have FUN and laugh…

They are definitely passionate…LOL

The don’t mind chatting with God and spending lots of time with HIM because they are FREE

WFW – Thanks for letting me join in. The Paint Program is tricky for me….any tips are welcome. My teenager made it look so easy and did it 3 minutes tops but oh boy. Not so for mommy. Whew =)

For more WFW

Blessings,

Lois

PART 2 - HOMESCHOOL vs. CYBERSCHOOL: A PERSONAL JOURNEY

Parenting Twins and More — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:11:11 GMT

My older kids currently cyber school and we are now nearing what I like to call “DECISION SEASON”. We have to look at next school year and start to pray and feel our way around the maze of choices to discern the “best” plan for our family next year….

OUR ROAD TO TRANSITION FROM HOMESCHOOL TO CYBERSCHOOL… FOR NOW

OUR decision to Public Charter Cyber school for Spring 2009 & 2009-10 school year was actually almost like a forced hand played to us.

PREGNANCY

First, we moved from Maine in summer 2008…unbeknownst to me I WAS PREGNANT…

We started the homeschool year as usual but unfortunately I get VEEEERRRYYY SLEEPPYY during much of my pregnancies so keeping up with the 4 kids was a juggling act.

My oldest son DIDN’T mind my fatigue of course… He CONSTANTLY encouraged me to “rest mom, go take a nap…everything is under control”. I wasn’t sure is he was helpful or PLAYIN’ me (as they used to say where I grew up! ) LOL

BUT that situation wasn’t the kicker....

THE KICKER

We started off the 2008 school year with an excellent curriculum “Tapestry of Grace” that I LOVE teaching. It is classically based with less textbook style teaching. The kids read tons of classics, write papers, posters, presentations, hands-on stuff and the works.

The first problem that pushed us toward Cyberschooling was the lack of access to books. In Maine, we had a wonderful setup with the local library. They allowed us to special order all the obscure books we needed with no fees, no fines, no sweat.

Here the libraries worked TOTALLY differently and I could not get my books!!! uuggghhhh

There were fees, fines, 3 week waiting times and frustration. They were very nice people but I realized we were spoiled by Maine’s awesome local library…..

Cyberschool I figured would at least provide most of the books, computers and supplies we need.

PREGNANCY + THE KICKER + THE TWINS ULTRASOUND

The final blow to my transition from being an independent homeschooler to a Cyberschooler was that “day” of my first ultrasound. It was all routine to me since we had 4 other kids…this surprise pregnancy was to be routine as far as we were concerned. And THEN the ultrasound tech ANNOUNCED TWINS…I must say I was in shock and heard nothing else she said…

PLUS being a pregnant mom over 40 means high risk treatment. Not that you feel like a risk but they treat you like one.

Soooo, our homeschool life was plagued by a sleepy, large, nauseous, irritable “teacher” who visits an ob/gyn and a neonatal specialist seemingly all the time.

THE DECISION

We prayed, evaluated, researched schools and enrolled the kids in Cyberschool mid-school year just a few months before the babies were due.

We saw benefits:

The kids are held accountable while mommy could focus more on the baby twins and preschooler. Another benefit is the kids opportunity to dialog online with other cyber school kids of many differing viewpoints.

The free tutoring is also helpful at times…especially for my kids that need extra math help. They still usually come to my husband and I but at least it is available.

The teachers support is mixed as with traditional schools…some VERY helpful some not. Overall a prayed in decision so the kids cannot balk at me. When they get mad I tell them to talk to God about their complaints about school this year. LOL

We saw problems:

The kids are constantly conflicted as the busy work piles up as we still attend co-op for music and art lessons and socialization. The kids have community involvement and sports/dance that take up our time as well. Plus as a parent I feel like cannot pull on them as much to work on character issues and chores due to our time crunch.

Also, the busywork doesn’t seem to engage the children much. They mostly seem to want to “just get it done” as opposed to discussing and learning. Some of my kids have disliked it from day 1 and continue to just “deal” with the school. Since I LOVE LEARNING this grieves me greatly as I continue to swim in twin diapers, mush and preschool ABCs.

NEXT YEAR?

Now, a year and a half later we are deciding if we want to embark on our own as a family again. Can we handle homeschooling in a family of 6 with twin toddlers romping around and a house move planned?

PART 1- HOMESCHOOLING vs. CHARTER CYBERSCHOOLING: 7 DIFFERENCES

Parenting Twins and More — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:10:59 GMT

State run public CHARTER CYBER SCHOOLS have been quite controversial in recent years.

Many HOMESCHOOLERS HAVE CONSIDERED have considered using the services cyber charter schools offer at a cost of freedom.

There is definitely a trade-off between the help homeschoolers may need financially or educationally vs. their ability to teach their children the curriculum, values,faith and learning pace they choose.

THE DIFFERENCES: HOMESCHOOLING vs. CHARTER CYBER SCHOOLING

1. Structure : The biggest difference is the highly structured learning for the kids the cyberschool offers. This can be a blessing and a curse. While the kids can be better kept on track by the cyber school's pace and external pressure, this sometimes is detrimental and potentially very devastating to students who do not learn @ the school’s pace. This is not to say cyber schooled kids are physically more structured however, they still may school in PJs around the house, sit on the floor, read in bed or whatever. Usually older cyberschooled students MAY spend more time online to complete their studies than homeschooled students. Parents of cyberschooled students definitely must spend more time online for reporting and monitoring.

2. Curriculum: There are a variety of curriculum choices in the different cyber schools. These choices however are dependant upon the state’s education laws. So if you are in a highly regulated state ALL the schools within the state are going to end up requiring kids to jump through hoops so they can perform well according to the state standards. Again, this can be a blessing and a curse. Also, if you have differing faith based views than the standard curriculum you have to do more monitoring and re-teaching. This may end up requiring more work in the end than just homeschooling.

3. Freedom: This one goes without saying. Teachable moments arrive in every family. While cyberschools go on to the NEXT lesson as usual, homeschooling allows the family to stop for a while and pursue interesting lessons and concepts or character issues. Homeschooling also lends itself well to family travel and responsibilities. Cyberschools tend to be very controlling and time consuming.

4. Supplies: Public cyberschools are usually free with little financial impact on the family. Homeschooling can cost quite a bit as the students get older. These paid materials however are usually more tailored to the students’ learning modality. They may also better reflect the faith and values of the family.

5. Support: One of the biggest potential benefits of cyber schooling is the help that the home facilitator receives from teachers and administration outside the home.This same benefit can be had to some extent with a curriculum based homeschool co-op (group of families working together & usually meeting on a weekly basis). The truth is that cyberschools vary in the support the students ACTUALLY get. Some cyberschools give mostly pressure to perform and not much tutoring help while others are extremely supportive and nurturing.

6. Busy-work: Cyberschools tend to require students to complete more busywork to create an effective paper-trail that proves learning. Homeschoolers are also required in most states to prove learning has taken place. Overall however, homeschooling tends to require less time on the student’s part doing busywork. Busywork time then can be used to pursue the students personal electives.

7. School Identity: Many homeschoolers grow up outside of the traditional “school pride” and identity that is had by attending a brick-and-mortar school. This doesn’t seem to effect them later in life…especially if they go on to graduate from traditional college. SOME cyberschool students engage in their online “community” within their schools and attend their scheduled events and activities in person. This lends itself to more socialization of the child. Homeschoolers can also get a sense of school community if they grow up attending a homeschool co-op that is useful and has a lot of families.

There are tons of resources on this subject, here are a few:

Homeschooling vs. Cyberschooling

Cyberschooling Information

Homeschooling vs. Public or Private Schooling

Arguments for Both Homeschooling and Charter Cyberschooling

LOVE IT! : SENSING GOD'S PRESENCE by Christine Y Jones

Parenting Twins and More — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:35:00 GMT

I have finally gotten around to commenting on a blog post that really impacted me!!!

I was ssoooooo thankful to read Christine Y Jones' post about her daughter's school. Her daughter told her SHE SENSED THE PRESENCE OF GOD THERE! To hear that from a kid really rocks my boat!

My favorite quotes from her blog post:

"God is up to something at my kids' school. It's very cool!"

"That my daughter was celebrating the nearness of God was so amazing to me!"

TWO REASONS WHY I LOVED CHRISTINE Y JONES' POST

1- I love when kids can discern and RECOGNIZE their loving God's presence. When parents and teachers encourage children and youth to KNOW God enough to tell that He is in a place is an awesome thing.

2- I am thankful to God that He is visiting her daughter's school. There are so many schools that no long welcome God. We see the problematic effects of this in many schools today. Praise God for your daughter and her school.

HERE IS THE LINK TO READ CHRISTINE'S ENCOURAGING BLOG POST:

Sensing God's Presence

A freedom for the presence of God in any school would make a difference for the better! He brings healing, peace and lots of joy with HIM.

CHOSEN TO DO SOMETHING by Amber Nightingale

Parenting Twins and More — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:04:16 GMT

INSPIRING BLOG – CHOSEN TO DO SOMETHING

I really enjoyed this blog post from Grow In Grace and Knowledge. It was inspiring and interesting to note how this young writer captured in words how I too often seek for and reach for purpose in life as a stay at home mom raising 6 kids….

Aren’t we called to do something with the lives given to us…

I find that the people whom I know that seem HAPPIEST HAVE A CAUSE OUTSIDE of THEMSELVES THAT MOTIVATES and DRIVES them into action...

It is funny how we can all be at different ages and different stations in life and yet still there is a bond among women (and men) that are timeless….

I enjoyed how Amber Nightingale shares with us as she reflects on how to REALLY LIVE…

I have some of the highlights of her article but please visit her blog to read the post in its entirety..

Enjoy

“I’m having a hard time finding any purpose in my schooling right now. My dad says it’s preparing me for life (like how to manage when you have to get a million things done in a day). I suppose he’s right, but I still feel useless as a person right now. All I do is work, sit in a classroom, and do homework. I mean, I’m really involved in youth group and stuff, but there’s only so much I can do through that one avenue.

I want to do something at college. I don’t want to go and coast by like I’ve always done. I want every step, every breath, every conversation, every hand raised, every question answered to be done with a sense of a purpose beyond just getting by. I want my life to mean something. I want to accomplish things for God’s glory. I want to witness miracles, see people saved, lives made better, hearts reawakened, freedom embraced…

It’s just that the love has been stirring in me; the yearning to spread the compassion that’s overwhelming me. Like when I suddenly had an urge to adopt a family of African brothers. Honestly, I don’t care who I adopt or where they come from… There are so many children that need love. But it is ridiculous regarding some of the reasons there are so many kids needing adoption. In Africa, millions of people die every day from preventable diseases like diarrhea and malnutrition. Parents are dropping like flies and leaving whole groups of children to provide for themselves, who in turn end up dying as well...

My heart… my heart is so broken over the hurt and pain that so many people endure. I just wish I could hold every crying child, every hurting mother, every dying elder…”

....What am I going to do about it? I’m going to listen. I’m going to wait. I’m going to follow the call. I’m not going to be afraid to talk to people about Him. I’m not going to allow myself to be held by insecurity and lack of confidence. I’m going to act. And I’ve already started…

To read this article in its entirety go to:

Grow in Grace and Knowledge

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WARNING: PARENTS BE CAREFUL FOR YOUR KIDS EYES IF THEY USE IGOOGLE

Parenting Twins and More — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:22:36 GMT

I was using iGoogle today with my 4yo @ the computer with me and I realized their HOMEPAGE THEMES page OPENS by default with soft porn there…in your face….it is a “HOTTEST” item. Since I don’t change homepage themes on iGoogle I didn’t know how to quickly navigate away from the immodest naked lady. UUUGH! I had to just quickly shut down the page…

TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS WITH GOOGLE

The FIRST disappointing point is that GOOGLE EVER offered soft porn as an option on iGoogle for it to BECOME a hottest item. It is SCARY to think that maybe KIDS and YOUNG PEOPLE ARE having soft porn as their homepage theme.

The SECOND disappointment is that GOGGLE doesn’t filter PORN from their easy to access pages. I looked it up online to see if there were other complaints. There are some others who DO NOT LIKE “mature” themes on iGoogle BUT obviously there has NOT BEEN ENOUGH NOISE to CAUSE THEM to change.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

HERE is a link to the discussion…please take a minute to let GOOGLE know HOW YOU FEEL IF YOU DISAPPROVE:

http://www.google.pl/support/forum/p/Web+Search/thread?tid=4024c06b805c76c5&hl=en

OR YOU CAN CALL THEM:

(650) 253-0000

HERE ARE THEIR CORP OFFICES

http://www.google.com/corporate/address.html

(**You can also use your social networks to discuss your views on this issue as well)

I know many kids love iGoogle, in fact I loved iGoogle.

BUT now I realize…until there is a way to keep the “HOTTEST” pornography items from popping up first, my kids are BEING SLIMED EVERY TIME THEY CHANGE THEMES. That cannot be.

iGoogle needs to change or parents need to stop or limit their kids using iGoogle.

RECOMMENDED WEBSITE: FAITH-BASED TEACHING by Barbara Blalock

Parenting Twins and More — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMT

As a mom and kids pastor I am always on the lookout for fun activities to make children's relationship with God a "Hands-On" experience=)

I LOVE this activity by Barbara Blalock for young children at home or in an organized setting.

Recommended Website:

Faith-Based Teaching

Discussions & Classroom Activity Ideas for Early Childhood Faith-Based Teachers

Barbara Blalock 's article starts:

"Let’s have a party!

I decorated the classroom before the children arrived with balloons, streamers, confetti and posters.

On the posters I put the bible verse “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.

Why have a party for no reason, because the Lord said to “rejoice and be glad in it” and what better reason?"

TO READ on and see a pic of a class participating in the fun:

http://faith-based.discountschoolsupply.com/2010/02/this-is-day-lord-has-made-let-us.html

SILLY TWINS CARTOON

Parenting Twins and More — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:46:00 GMT

TWIN BABY EAR INFECTION...WHAT A NIGHT

Parenting Twins and More — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:39:53 GMT

SSSSCCCRREAMMING!!!

I tell you what, last night was a doosey. I have to admit. It was actually heart-wrenching…Our little baby 9mo twin girl was SCREAMING and CRYING much of last night. It was soooooo awful. We had not experienced such unexplainable behavior with our other kids and were not sure WHAT was going on…

At first she seemed just unsettled like she had been for the last few nights…this fact I didn't’t CATCH until I found out it was an ear infection and did the HINDSIGHT is 20-20 thing! LOL

THE NIGHT BEGINS

I fell asleep by accident while nursing her since we have all been on the mend….I woke up and put her in the crib…

BUT THEN around 1am the CRYING started BUILDING and it continued on and off all night till morning. She would fall asleep and as long as I held her and did not move a muscle she’d sleep for 15-20min stretches wake up and start CRYING AGAIN. She looked at my hubby with pitiful eyes as if to say, “Help me feel better!!” Crawl to him then look at me the same way and crawl back…it was horrible. All I could do was hold her, pray and begin the list….

TRYING TO COMFORT BABY

We went down the list trying to comfort Belly and nothing seemed to stop the crying:

prayer

Tylenol

Baby Anbesol

rocking

joking and smiling

eating cheerios

playing with teething biscuits

drinking milk – she did sip at it as if she was thirsty

drinking juice

pretending to cry with her –loudly

nursing – she didn't’t want to nurse much– this SHOULD have been the big tip off IF we could THINK

diaper change- this calmed her a minute surprisingly since she USUSALLY CRIES when we do…go figure

pretending to be sleep

Finally my hubby suggested a walk around the house. That quieted her down a bit so after a few laps I took her to the rocker in the family room to rock….and rock….and sing…and rock. She kept crying but less so.

At maybe 7am she settled for a whole hour…..WHEW!

Thank God!

DOCTOR’S OFFICE – EAR INFECTION

Lets just say I am again grateful that our doctor doesn't’t act like our twins illnesses should be obvious considering HOW MANY kids we have LOL

I guessed it was an ear infection…It seemed too intense for teething even though she does like to fuss lately…. It was. I am grateful for anti-biotics and MOTRIN!!

I have found a few websites for some EAR INFECTION TIPS:

http://www.the-essential-infant-resource-for-moms.com/Baby-Ear-Infection.html

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/slideshow-anatomy-of-an-ear-infection?ecd=ppc_google_earinfectionsymptomsinbaby_ZContent-ColdandFlu_EarInfection-Overview++Facts++Education+Causes_content&gclid=CKfBpKjph6ACFQ8E5QodxUsRmQ

I hope tonite goes better…

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORYTIME

Parenting Twins and More — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:12:42 GMT

REVIEW: ANNA ROUNTREE’S BOOK A GREAT READ

I am not sure where everyone’s view of heaven is and our access while we are still living on earth BUT I personally like to blow the top off to the limits for children that we as adults have constructed so they can connect to God. A Children’s Ministry Leader I met once named Becky Fisher really inspired me to allow the kids to really get to know God.

GOD AND HEAVEN and the things of His kingdom are QUITE EASY FOR KIDS TO RELATE TO REALLY…I find it is us grown-ups that have so many hang-ups. I don’t like limits unless they are restrictions imposed by God in His WORD. No, we don’t swing from chandeliers in our house….IN FACT we actually we don’t have any in this rental anyway….we just don’t like imaginary limits.

So that being said…I found this fascinating book literally “dropped” in my lap by a friend who was donating it to our HisFireKids.com library. I kept it aside to catalog for quite some time when the thought occurred to me…”Hey I have heard of Anna Rountree from somewhere……mmmmm”

WELL…I have started reading it and realized it IS a great read. And “Yes!” it is backed up theologically with notes and scripture references for your older kids if you want to make a study out of it.

STORY TIME FOR OLDER CHILDREN and YOUTH (4yo thru college)

THIS IS A GREAT STORYTIME BOOK FOR CHILDREN and YOUTH…..it reads like a well thought out creative writing book that is so descriptive it holds the kids on the edge of their seats!

I found a link to a reprint of the first few chapters…while it is more exciting to read it aloud BUT if you need it…the site also has an MP3 link of someone reading a longer excerpt…

The Heavens Opened

by Anna Rountree

The Attack

The sound was ancient and terrifying.
Startled, I spun around to see a colossal battering ram relentlessly moving under its own power across a desert basin. Its wooden wheels were at least sixty stories high, and they groaned and yawned under the extreme weight they bore. Blasphemies were carved into its black battering arm, the end of which was the iron head of a goat.
Although it moved slowly, people on the desert floor seemed helpless to avoid its path; they were crushed as it rolled over them. Screams filled the desert valley and ricocheted off distant rock formations, filling the desert basin with terror.
Slowly the battering ram topped a sandy hill and began to pick up speed going down the other side. Breathless from shock, I clawed with my hands and dug with my feet into the deep sand of the hill in order to reach the top and watch its path.
It picked up tremendous speed as it plunged down side of the hill into a deep valley. In its path at the bottom of the hill was a walled city. Both city and wall were the color of the sand and seemed to be half sunk into it, almost reclaimed by the sand from which they had come. In faded Lettering on the side of the wall, I could read: THE CHURCH.
The battering ram was massive, and the adobe wall of the city did not look strong. With brutal impact, the goat's head smashed into the wall and continued through it. It plowed through houses and buildings, losing little of its speed. When it broke through the wall on the opposite side of the city, it slowed to a stop, settling into the sand.
A strange silence fell.
Occasional screams broke this silence. They came from those who had been mutilated or from those who recognized that a loved one had been killed. But stranger than the silence was the fact that few sought to escape across the rubble of the wall---few.
Then slowly, all by itself, the battering ram began to start up the hill again, moving in my direction. The goat's head on the end of the ram was laughing, exhilarated, as if drunk with blood.
I thought it might see me, so I left the top of the hill and began to run in the opposite direction. As I ran, I frantically scanned the desert basin for a hiding place. I could hear the huge wheels laboring as they carried the battering ram toward the top of the hill again.
Suddenly an angel began to fly beside me. "Where can I hide from the battering ram?" I shouted as I ran.
"The battering ram rolls relentlessly over all the earth now. Up high," the angel said, "up higher than it can see is the only safe place. Let me show you."

The Escape

WITH A WAVE of the angel's hand, a stairway appeared, touching the earth and reaching beyond my view into heaven. I moved to the base of the stairs and looked up. I was still heaving from running.
The angel flew beside the stairs, higher than its base on earth, and waved me upward: "Come on!" the angel shouted. "The ram is coming, and we don't want him to see this stairway. Come on!"
There were no hand rails on the narrow stairs. The stairs were clear like glass, which can be slippery. I could hear the battering ram rolling; although I was still panting, I began to run up the stairs.
"Faster!" the angel called.
I kept my eyes on the stairs. In his hands the angel had a scarlet cord fastened to the stairs at the bottom. I could hear the battering ram getting closer, but the angel pulled the cord and brought up the first section of the stairway, like attic stairs that can be lowered and raised.
"Hurry!" the angel urged.
I continued to run up the steps, breathless. The angel pulled the thin rope, and another section of the stairs rose.
"Keep climbing," the angel said, although now his tone of voice was less urgent.
With a mighty effort, I completed the stairs and turned to make sure I had indeed escaped. The battering ram was directly below, rolling beneath us as the third section of the stairs was pulled up.
"You were safe after climbing the second set of stairs; but to be really safe, you needed to pass the third," he said.
As the battering ram rolled past, I tried to catch my breath and settle myself. Only then did I look around.
"Where am I?" I asked.

INTERESTED IN READING MORE?

THIS EXERPT IS IN ITS EXPANDED FORM AT:

http://www.divinerevelations.info/Documents/the_heavens_opened/The_Heavens_opened_by_Anna_Rountree.htm