Work-at-home Mom and Living: is it possible?
This is supposed to be my year of ACTION. A new year in which I accomplish my goals. I just have not been able to set them yet.
I am having such a hard time figuring out what to do with this blog. I named it “Mom on the Rise” because of the Maya Angelou poem “Still I Rise.” My mom thought that having a child (even after married and in my late 20s) was the end of my life. But I always felt that it was the beginning of a new one. I am a Mom, and still I rise. I completed my Master’s Degree and started a business.
But then I got tired.
I thought about letting it go and then about writing in more of a focused niche. And yet, neither has has sat well with me. I love this blog. The design. Some of the posts that I have written in the past. I’m not sure what the heck is keeping me from writing. Maybe it’s because I have WAY too many blogs. Or maybe it’s the web designing, consulting and running We of Hue….
Obviously, I tend to spread myself too thin. I have a problem saying “no” to people and focusing on what I want to do. In some ways, I think that I prevent myself from focusing because I don’t want to commit 100% and then fail. Or maybe it’s because I keep trying to live out the definition of “mom blogger” as set by others. Truthfully, I have been making decisions based on what I SHOULD be doing (as dictated by others) as opposed to what I want to do for a long time. It’s the result of coming from a very overbearing mom who really did not… Continue reading
Why Do We Homeschool?
Not that I honestly feel like I need to explain why we decided to homeschool, but for my own sanity, I will and then I can direct all those who ask here.
Education is good! Let me say that again; education is good! The problem is that most schools have turned education into a harsh punishment inflicted on children because parents have to work. Schools are now daycare centers and the teachers are awkward teenagers struggling to keep their charges occupied and off the streets. Children are herded into these stuffy, stale, institutions through metal-detectors and bag checks. They wander into class after class for what seems like endless hours of scripted lessons that have no basis in real life because for the children, real life starts and ends in these lifeless buildings. They don’t get to travel and explore the world. They are isolated and devoid of any understanding of how we are all connected and dependent on each other.
Don’t get me wrong – some of the teachers are amazing! They are dedicated and genuinely in it to better the world. Unfortunately, they are overworked, underpaid, and ritually disrespected!
The real question is “why wouldn’t we homeschool?”
Back to School with Staples
August always brings me back to back to school shopping. Even years after graduating from college and grad school, and despite no longer teaching, I still get excited about buying new supplies for the upcoming school year. And I love sharing this with my daughter, 4, who we currently homeschool. Unfortunately, our needs nowadays don’t really require the extensive shopping sprees of my youth, but they are still just as much fun.
I was invited by Mom Select to the Back to School event hosted by Staples in NYC on July 14. Due to a prior engagement, I was unable to attend, however, I received a sampler pack of some of the latest items being offered at Staples just in time to go back to school. And I was as giddy as a school girl as I opened the box to admire my treasure! There are so many new items to choose from. Here are a few of my favs:
The Do Something Product Line: I firmly believe that teaching children early on that they can make a difference is so important in developing strong moral and social character. These DoSomething.org-inspired products consisting of planners, composition notebook, spiral notebooks, pocket folders, and pencil cases, encourage children of all ages to get active in community service. The artistic and inspirational designs coupled with facts about the importance of involvement serve to motivate and educate. ($.99 – $11.99)
Check out DoSomething.org for information about this great organization.
Glam Rocks Product Line: While the previous products were a stylish call-to-action, the Glam Rocks products are simply stylish! The studded calculators, pens, and matching staplers will make your child feel like a star. They are hand-studded and offered in purple floral, pink color fade, royal blue, and crystal clear. And… Continue reading
A Science Kid Experiment: Freezing and Melting
Click here to view these pictures larger
When it comes to Homeschooling it is necessary to admit your strengths and weaknesses. I am not strong in math, and while science is interesting, I am not that great when it comes to that either. However, I am creative and I love to learn- two traits that helps significantly when it comes to creating lessons and activities to do with my 4 year old. It also helps to have resources like Sid the Science Kid, a PBS show focusing on science exploration and research. The lesson/activity that follows was inspired by the Frozen Fruit investigation episode. This is a four day exploratory activity.
What We will Learn: What are the reversible changes of melting and freezing? How do different liquids change when they are frozen and melted?
Materials Needed Day 1:
- 1 ice cube tray
- pitcher or cups of water
- Exploration Notebook (we use a wire bound cork sketch book)
- vocabulary sheet
- crayons and pencils
Materials Day 2:
- Everything from above
- a bowl
- 4-6 different liquids (we used milk, juice, olive oil, olive oil and water, bubbles)
- Hot water
Day One
- Explore the concept of “LIQUID” and examine the water in the containers or cups.
- “ “When something is in liquid form, it takes on the shape of its container. Water is a liquid.”
- Allow child to draw ice trays, water in container, etc. in Exploration notebook.
- Help child pour water into the ice tray. You do not have to fill them. If you want, add fruit to each as done by Sid’s teacher.
- Allow child to draw what he/she observes.
- Put ice tray in the freezer and ask child what he/she predicts will happen.
Day Two
- Pull the ice tray out of the freezer and allow child… Continue reading