A New School Year, A New Adventure Part 2

This year we joined another homeschool group - Alternative Homeschool Educators (AHE).  They post tons of activities on their Yahoo Group and Facebook page.  Some of which are activities just to let parents know of things in the area and some are activities to do as a group.  Our first outing after joining the AHE was to go to the Museum of Science and Discovery.

Can we say dinner?

Aren't they cute?  Glad they are contained.

There were about 5 of these little guys.  When one of the workers put out this fresh bowl of food, it was a turtle stampede!  This little guy actually pushed another away.  

While waiting in line for the Everglades airboat ride, Kira met up with two other little girls.  They hit it off, names and numbers were exchanged and we can't wait to get together!

These guys were so much fun...

This "robot" was fun to play with.  You had to add these "gears" and each one made him do something different.  When we were done, he looked like he was dancing.

The only thing I didn't get pictures of was the activities upstairs.  It was the first weekend of Black Holes exhibit.  The exhibit had many computer simulators, unfortunately many of them didn't work or had a terribly long line.  No matter what, we had a great time and stayed until they were kicking people out!

A New School Year, A New Adventure Part 1

When we first started homeschooling we joined a homeschool group that was highly recommended from various sources online.  We left shortly after joining because we felt each visit was a sermon. To supplement her social interaction with kids her own age I signed her up for Girl Scouts.  She loved it.  Her troop leader Ms. Carol was amazing.  Kira learned and accomplished a lot in the couple of areas that troop was active.

Two years ago Kira joined another troop.  This troop was not as active and the girls primarily played in the gymnasium.  They did some crafts but the troop leader really didn't show the enthusiasm her first troop leader shared.  After two years it disbanded.  We have debated about putting her in another troop but to be honest I really didn't see that she was gaining anything.  Actually no.  She did gain something.  She gained a good friend as did I.

Homeschooling Questionnaire - Parent

The beginning of the school year is always the most fun but also the most hectic (at least for me) and I find I tend to blog about it.  This is my 7th year homeschooling and you'd think that I'd be ready or at least have a clue what I was doing. I should be ready.  Prepared.  But I'm not.  I'm getting there.  I'm finding new resources daily and we are already having fun!  Since I am having my "student" answer a quick questionnaire, I decided to do one myself.  Her's will be posted soon.   

1. What state you are in? Florida

2. Your current teaching position- 6th Grade (Eek!  I have a tween!!)

3. Your teaching experience- This is my 7th year homeschooling. In high school, I did student teaching and in college I got my Associates Degree in Early Childhood and did some student teaching.  I love kids and planned to go into the public school system.  Instead, I had a child of my own and am using my education experience with my own child.

4. When you started blogging- I started in August 2010 and the intent was keep our family and friends up to date on our homeschool adventures.  Things seemed to be going good and then all of a sudden I fell off the bandwagon.  My daughter asked about blogging and if she could have a blog (answer was no) but I did tell her she could be a guest blogger on my page.  Exactly what I am going to let her write I don't know...    

5. Share a blogging tip / blogging resource- Blog in the AM or right before bed.  That seems to be the time I get the most done.  Now it is time to take my own advice.

How To Talk To Your Daughter

My daughter is growing up; to fast for my liking.  Changes are beginning to happen before my very eyes and I know deep down inside that my little girl is growing up.  Today on Facebook a friend posted a link called "How to talk to your daughter about her body."  It's too good not to repost so I am not just for you, but for me.  This is like my little archive of things.

How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.

If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead:

“You look so healthy!” is a great one.

Or how about, “you’re looking so strong.”

“I can see how happy you are – you’re glowing.”

Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.

Don’t comment on other women’s bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.

Don’t you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don’t go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don’t say “I’m not eating carbs right now.” Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you’ll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn’t absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don’t need men to move their furniture.

Teach your daughter how to cook kale. 

Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.

Pass on your own mom’s recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It’s easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don’t. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul.