November 07, 2011
I just checked google analytics and I'm surprised I still have many followers. To those that check in weekly, I'm sorry I haven't been posting. As you know from my previous posts, I've moved from NC to Va and started working full time. It's been a busy transition and things are very slowly winding down.
My concern has been for my children because they are used to mommy being available 24/7 and now I am juggling work and home. I thought my kids would suffer my absence but they are still thriving. I cannot volunteer at their school as often as I used to but they are making tons of friends and loving school. I don't get to drive them to school and even leave for work an hour before they leave for school. Still, they responsibly finish getting ready for school and always look forward to riding the bus.
There was value in being home with them during the preschool years but there is also value in being a working mom now that they are a bit older and more self sufficient. As we get ready in the morning, my daughters are learning lessons in time management and promptness. They realize the importance of being on time for work by the attention I give it. The night before we pick out, iron, and lay out our clothes for the next day. Lunches are planned, bags are packed, shoes and coats are hanging in the closet. Being a working mom gives me the opportunity to show the importance of these things that I would otherwise fail to show as a stay-at-home mom.
I still think there is so much value to being home with your children and I miss it. My children do not get as much one-on-one time with me. I definately don't get to teach as much as I'd like. For those of you who want to give your children enrichment but don't have time, you can have them go to http://www.starfall.com to learn how to read. I also have a long list of technology sites to help children advance in several areas such as math, language, history, and problem solving. For a complete list go to http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology there Thttp://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology
Upon reflection, I've come to realize the time I spent home with my daughters strengthened our bond and my time with them as a working mom enables me to teach more operational lesson on life and how to thrive in the real world. My thought is that if you have support and help from family you trust, your children will thrive in each situation.
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October 10, 2011
I get to spend Columbus Day with my husband and two daughters. It's always great to have an extra day off for the weekend. I remind the girls that it is Columbus day and they sing a song they learned in school.
"Sail, sail, sail three ships slowly through the sea.
Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, count them one two three
Land, land, land they saw after many days
Hurray hurray for Columbus
Columbus found the way
I think it is great that my children learn important facts about Columbus day while in school but other learning oppportunities are overlooked. Columbus set his mind to explore new lands and he did it despite hardship and opposition. He persisted to find funding for his travels and never let opposition stop him from accomplishing his goals. His character demonstrated a strong sense of perseverence and hard work. These qualities need to be pointed out as learning tools for our children.
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October 03, 2011
Sometimes we set our children up for failure without even realizing it. Let’s face it, we are our children’s lifelong teachers and it takes patience to teach and train them to be successful productive members of our world. Here are ten tips for helping your children accomplish any task.
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Make sure your children have the equipment and tools to accomplish the goal at hand. If you want your children to do chores, then let them have a cubby hole of supplies they can get to when it’s time to pick up or clean. If you have older children who do homework then make them a homework survival kit with pencils, markers, rulers…etc.
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Set up an area that is well-lit, quiet and off limits to others during the task time.
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Schedule the activity at the same time every week or every day depending on what it is you want your children to do. If you want your children to make their bed then have them do it at the same time every day.
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Encourage your children to do the task on their own. When children are empowered to take responsibility for a task, it gives them ownership over it and they are more likely to continue doing the task.
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Motivate your children with praise, rewards, and special privileges.
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Break down big tasks into several smaller ones with due dates for each part.
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Clearly define expectations for your children.
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Be available to your child for questions and help.
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Explain to your children why the activity or task is so important. Tell them how it affects them and others. Understanding the relevance of the activity will help motivate your children to participate.
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Stay positive even when your children fail. Remind children that failure is part of learning and practicing. Coach them to use failure as a stepping stone to the next success.
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September 28, 2011
I recently moved out-of-state and started a new job. It has been a busy transition and I'd like to apologize to any of my regular readers for my inconsistency in posting. My plan is to start my regular postings on Mondays and Thursdays.
This is my first time teaching full time since my kids were born. My worry is that my parenting will suffer now that I am working. The other day my daughters didn't want to eat their broccoli. I was so tired I almost just let it go. Will one day without veggies hurt them? Maybe not but it will throw off my consistency in making them eat a balanced meal. Instead of forcing them to eat broccoli, I told them to imagine the broccoli as trees. My sister chimed in that the kids could pretend they are giraffes eating leaves off a tree. My children, niece and nephew all begged us to hold the broccoli up in the air while they stretched their necks to reach the leaves. I'm sure you can imagine the children wanted to continue eating broccoli and they each ate three full servings of broccoli. Amazing that such a simple activity could motivate children to do what you want them to do.
