The “Myth” of Socialization
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Author Archives: Heidi St. John
Socialization. Seriously?
But What About Socialization?
I took another question from a parent today who is afraid that home schooled children are not going to know how to get along in the “real world.”
I gotta say, I’m amazed that the “socialization” question ever comes up anymore when it comes to homeschooling. It’s curious to me that the tables are not turned the other way. I’m wondering why we’re not asking the schools to defend the “socialization” that’s happening on playgrounds, on school busses and in the hallways of our local schools.
That’s what we should be talking about.
Everyday Joys
Overheard at my house today before 10:00 a.m. today:
“What’s for dinner, Mom?”
“Finish that up! It shouldn’t take you all day.”
“How do you spell ‘exhausted’?”
“Mom, we need to hire a maid.”
“Mom, what does >that< say?”
“Mom, I lost my book again!”
“Mom, what does this say? Barfer??” (the word was “before)
“She’s bothering me again!”
“He won’t stop annoying me!”
“But it’s not my day to unload the dishwasher.” (well, NOW it is.)
“This is my favorite book EVER!”
“Moooom! She answered the phone when you told her not to!” (This was heard by the caller)
“Mom! I only have one more page left!” (first time reading a chapter book)… “You’re the BEST MOM EVER!” (I served tea.)
“Mom, what does >that< say?”
“Mom, I lost my book again!”
“Mom, what does this say? Barfer??” (the word was “before)
“She’s bothering me again!”
“He won’t stop annoying me!”
“But it’s not my day to unload the dishwasher.” (well, NOW it is.)
“This is my favorite book EVER!”
“Moooom! She answered the phone when you told her not to!” (This was heard by the caller)
“Mom! I only have one more page left!” (first time reading a chapter book)… “You’re the BEST MOM EVER!” (I served tea.)
Working: It’s all in the family
Got Kids?
Homeschooling?
Got laundry?
Feeling behind? Overwhelmed?
Good news! Â If you have a child who is four or older, you’ve got help! đ
Homeschooling is a lifestyle. Around here, sometimes that means taking the day off and catching up on chores that have been overlooked. We teach our children the importance of working simply because they are part of the family. Â While we reward our children for “extra” things like washing the car or helping with a family project, their primary reward is the reward of working together as a family. Â Of appreciating the food they eat and the clothes they wearâand the warm comfy bed that greets them each night.
As they grow, knowing they have done a good job by helping their parents around the house becomes a reward in and of itself, and an important part of growing up.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to train up your kids! Train them in every way you canâpretty soon they will be running their own homes.
The Importance of Discipline
Your child depends on your loving correction!
Several years ago, a friend of mine pulled me aside and pointed out a character flaw in one of my children. Apparently this child was not only being disrespectful to another adult, but rude as well. It hurt to hear this from my friend. It stung. I was madâand a little embarrassed too. But you know what? She was right. I needed to address the problem, and not allow my child to hide behind me.
That meant apologizing to the adult and asking for forgiveness. It’s amazing the peace that follows conflict when it is addressed and corrected.
Are you disciplining your children? A loving mother will lovingly discipline her children. As parents we must remember that much of the responsibility our children’s behavior rests with us.
There are consequences to refusing to address character issues in the lives of our children. Ask the Lord to give you a discerning heart so that you can see what the real issue is and then follow-through with your child. He’ll thank you later.
Crock Pot Cooking Makes Life Better: Chalupa!
We LOVE Mexican food around here! Â Happily, one of my favorite Mexican recipes is also a slow cooker recipe! Â Chalupa is an awesome mealâit freezes well, is awesome in a bowl with tortilla chips on the bottom and cheese on top with sour cream. Â It can be made ahead and re-heated. What I like to do is make it up and then freeze half of it. Â Great meal after a long day. Â Enjoy!
Put ingredients into the crock pot in this order:
1 pound pinto beans
1 large pork shoulder roast
7 cups water
1 Â onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small can of dice jalapeños  (if you like it spicy)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chili powder or chipotle seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons oregano (mexican oregano if you have it)
pepper to taste
Put all ingredients in slow cooker or dutch oven. Cover and simmer (on low) Â at least 5 hours, or until the roast falls apart and the beans are done. Uncover and cook about 1/2 hour, until it is as thick as you like it.
I serve this over chips, or with rice or quinoa. Â It’s a GREAT recipe that is sure to please your whole family!
And in case you’re curious, (affiliate link ahead) I’m a Rival Crock-Pot
Sample Daily Checklist
I like to make individual checklists of everyday assignments for our kids. I plan six months at a time if I can. It takes me two days to make these checklists for each of our kids. I’ve attached a page from last year.
Notice that I have a special time set aside for each child to go over their assignments. đ The checklist is meant to help them know what is expected of them each week. And no. We don’t always get it all done. But we try. đ
