I recently got an offer to receive a free eBook entitled "Homeschool to Grad School". I totally agreed with the book's opinion that homeschool children shouldn't take the GED. That spurs this blog post.
I have known some very wonderful people who studied hard and obtained their GED. That is THEIR decision and their choice, which is not my business. I just believe that in the case of MY home educated children, it is not necessary. I will NOT ask them to take it and I will discourage them from it. However, if THEY feel it is necessary once they are adults, then of course that will be their decision. It is my hope that they will see the value in their home education and not need validation from a state entity in that way.
Some people wonder if my children will be taking the GED in order to "graduate". They are stunned when my answer is NO WAY. Greg and I feel that we are absolutely not only qualified but are directed and "accredited" by Yahweh to be the authority that says they are "done" with their home education. A GED implies "drop out" to the world and I don't want them to have that label. Home educated children aren't drop outs, but are intelligent, free thinking, unique individuals. Greg and I are doing our very best, directed by our Heavenly Father, to facilitate the best learning environment possible for our children.
Some might say well, how will they get a job or how will they get into college without an "official" diploma? Official is in the eyes of the beholder. It's worldly thinking and I won't submit to that. I believe that just as the Lord told me very clearly one day to "TAKE THOSE KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL", HE will provide everything they need and will direct their steps for whatever path HE leads them to. The world is not their guiding authority, our ABBA Father is.
That's my soap box moment for today. Thank you very much for your time!
Showing posts with label Unschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unschooling. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I CHOOSE To Be Different
Disclaimer: If you're easily offended, just click that little red X right now, because you might not wanna read this. This is MY blog and MY thoughts.
I'm tired of being the same as everyone else, or at least being expected to be the same. .
Here's a list of things that I think make me different:
I call "God" by the name Yahweh, Abba, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, etc. Those are the 4 names I call him most. Oh, by the way, I've had it with calling him "God" just because the majority of people don't know who Yahweh or Abba are. Yeah, I'm not gonna do that anymore.
I call "Jesus" by the name Yeshua most of the time. In church, when singing songs that say Jesus, I sing Yeshua instead.
My family and I don't celebrate the world's or even the church's "easter" and "christmas" anymore. We don't think that those holidays have anything to do with Yeshua. They've been adopted from worldly ideals and they don't fit our view of who He is to us. Oh and we don't typically go to church on those days either, simply so we can avoid those things we don't agree with. Since many of my church family might read this, let me add another disclaimer: It has nothing to do with the church we've joined our lives with, it has everything to do with our personal convictions on the matter. We believe each person must follow their own convictions and I swear, we have no ill thoughts towards our church or church family for observing these holidays. We LOVE our church family just as they are.
We try, at all costs, to eat organically, which seems to offend some people and I have no idea why. We drink raw milk that comes straight from a cow and goes directly into a jug and I pay $6 a gallon for it. Our meat costs more too. Some people feel the need to tell me they won't pay those prices. Ok, that's great. 3 years ago, I would have choked if you had told me I'd be paying $6 for a gallon of milk or that I wouldn't even dream of buying chicken from a grocery store. How do MY food choices affect you in any way, shape or form?
Here's probably the biggest one that most don't like......we dropped our health insurance and we don't use any kinds of medications. What I'm about to say probably WILL offend you if you're not of this mindset, but I'm actually gonna say something here that I've heard my own Pastor say recently (or similar, anyway). We, as a society, are depending far too much on modern medicine and doctors than we are on Yahweh. We look to and worship the M.D. that writes our prescriptions and cuts us open. We feel hopeless and doomed if he/she doesn't have an answer for us. We REJECT the fact that the proper foods and readjusting our thinking can heal us far better than ANY medicine ever will. I've had my share of health concerns. I have some issues that I've had for over 2 years right now and I haven't seen a doctor even once for this issue. I have another issue that I, at one time, trusted a doctor for and he couldn't fix it, so I am STILL believing in God. I'm not going to put some man made "medicine" into my body. If someone doesn't like that, I'm not sure what to tell you. Like my grandma likes to say "I think that's a personal problem".
Ah, how could I forget this one.......we are homeschoolers. No, we are unschoolers. Ack, I hate the word "school" in reference to what we do because we most certainly do NOT do "school". How about this? We live our lives and we learn while we're doing it. I'm not the "norm" among those who have removed their children from school to educate them at home. I go against the grain. This works for us. My children are learning. They probably aren't learning at the rate YOU think they should be. They aren't on "grade level". I personally think they're BEYOND grade level by MY standards. I don't compare them to anyone else anymore. I refuse to do that. Oh and they aren't in a grade, period. We've tried over the years to assign a grade to my children just so that when asked, people would be satisfied with the answer. Yeah, I'm not doing that anymore either. Ask them how old they are. What does it matter what "grade" they would have been in. It's irrelevant.
Another controversial thing that makes me weird.....I actually believe in, and practice, SUBMISSION as a wife. *gasp* Yeah, I'm not even going to go there. If you wanna know what that means, just ask me.
Seriously this is just a short list of things that make me different. I'm done being a slave to society's ideals. I don't do things like anyone else I know. I'm different because Yahweh made me different and I trust Him enough to believe that's good enough.
I have also had issues with people I care very much about thinking that I'm judging them or looking down on them because things I do are different from them. Please don't think that about me. If you truly knew my heart, you would know that I am not that way at all. On every one of these issues I shared, I have been the total opposite at one point in time. I have walked a different path, one you yourself may now be on. That doesn't mean I think your path sucks, it just means, I don't want to walk that way anymore. Please don't read anything into my choices other than THEY ARE MY CHOICES.
I CHOOSE to be different and I think that's alright. :)
I'm tired of being the same as everyone else, or at least being expected to be the same. .
Here's a list of things that I think make me different:
I call "God" by the name Yahweh, Abba, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, etc. Those are the 4 names I call him most. Oh, by the way, I've had it with calling him "God" just because the majority of people don't know who Yahweh or Abba are. Yeah, I'm not gonna do that anymore.
I call "Jesus" by the name Yeshua most of the time. In church, when singing songs that say Jesus, I sing Yeshua instead.
My family and I don't celebrate the world's or even the church's "easter" and "christmas" anymore. We don't think that those holidays have anything to do with Yeshua. They've been adopted from worldly ideals and they don't fit our view of who He is to us. Oh and we don't typically go to church on those days either, simply so we can avoid those things we don't agree with. Since many of my church family might read this, let me add another disclaimer: It has nothing to do with the church we've joined our lives with, it has everything to do with our personal convictions on the matter. We believe each person must follow their own convictions and I swear, we have no ill thoughts towards our church or church family for observing these holidays. We LOVE our church family just as they are.
We try, at all costs, to eat organically, which seems to offend some people and I have no idea why. We drink raw milk that comes straight from a cow and goes directly into a jug and I pay $6 a gallon for it. Our meat costs more too. Some people feel the need to tell me they won't pay those prices. Ok, that's great. 3 years ago, I would have choked if you had told me I'd be paying $6 for a gallon of milk or that I wouldn't even dream of buying chicken from a grocery store. How do MY food choices affect you in any way, shape or form?
Here's probably the biggest one that most don't like......we dropped our health insurance and we don't use any kinds of medications. What I'm about to say probably WILL offend you if you're not of this mindset, but I'm actually gonna say something here that I've heard my own Pastor say recently (or similar, anyway). We, as a society, are depending far too much on modern medicine and doctors than we are on Yahweh. We look to and worship the M.D. that writes our prescriptions and cuts us open. We feel hopeless and doomed if he/she doesn't have an answer for us. We REJECT the fact that the proper foods and readjusting our thinking can heal us far better than ANY medicine ever will. I've had my share of health concerns. I have some issues that I've had for over 2 years right now and I haven't seen a doctor even once for this issue. I have another issue that I, at one time, trusted a doctor for and he couldn't fix it, so I am STILL believing in God. I'm not going to put some man made "medicine" into my body. If someone doesn't like that, I'm not sure what to tell you. Like my grandma likes to say "I think that's a personal problem".
Ah, how could I forget this one.......we are homeschoolers. No, we are unschoolers. Ack, I hate the word "school" in reference to what we do because we most certainly do NOT do "school". How about this? We live our lives and we learn while we're doing it. I'm not the "norm" among those who have removed their children from school to educate them at home. I go against the grain. This works for us. My children are learning. They probably aren't learning at the rate YOU think they should be. They aren't on "grade level". I personally think they're BEYOND grade level by MY standards. I don't compare them to anyone else anymore. I refuse to do that. Oh and they aren't in a grade, period. We've tried over the years to assign a grade to my children just so that when asked, people would be satisfied with the answer. Yeah, I'm not doing that anymore either. Ask them how old they are. What does it matter what "grade" they would have been in. It's irrelevant.
Another controversial thing that makes me weird.....I actually believe in, and practice, SUBMISSION as a wife. *gasp* Yeah, I'm not even going to go there. If you wanna know what that means, just ask me.
Seriously this is just a short list of things that make me different. I'm done being a slave to society's ideals. I don't do things like anyone else I know. I'm different because Yahweh made me different and I trust Him enough to believe that's good enough.
I have also had issues with people I care very much about thinking that I'm judging them or looking down on them because things I do are different from them. Please don't think that about me. If you truly knew my heart, you would know that I am not that way at all. On every one of these issues I shared, I have been the total opposite at one point in time. I have walked a different path, one you yourself may now be on. That doesn't mean I think your path sucks, it just means, I don't want to walk that way anymore. Please don't read anything into my choices other than THEY ARE MY CHOICES.
I CHOOSE to be different and I think that's alright. :)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
I-CU Wednesday
It's that time again! I need some I-CU!
This week we want to… finish up some preparations for sending a care package to my buddy Jon, who is serving our country in the Army, deployed to Afghanistan.
The kids are…well, "Man-Child" wants me to "graduate" him. I don't even really know what that means, to be honest. As life learners, I'm not sure I believe in graduation anymore. He doesn't want a party or a ceremony, but just wants me to say those magic words "you're done". LOL Silly kid, doesn't he know we're never "done"? The Compulsary Attendance age in Oklahoma is 18, so maybe I'll oblige him on his 18th birthday with a Diploma or something. The girls are great. Even our biggest girl, the adult one, is doing well. She just got a promotion and raise at her job. I'm starting to see some real maturity from that girl and I love it!
I am learning…. how to trust in the Lord, my Jehovah Jireh....He is my provider. My husband is quitting his job to work for himself and we are totally living on faith as of October 30, 2011.
I am struggling with…AH....kinda the same response as the question above. I am struggling with the fact that a paycheck won't be direct deposited every Thursday. I'm struggling with the fact that we have to trust 100% in our Abba Father for everything.
This week is the first time…. that our windows have been open 24/7. I absolutely LOVE this weather. It brings so much JOY to my spirit!
I am grateful… and along the lines of the job thing again....I am so grateful that my husband opened his heart to the Lord and he heard what He had to say. Greg is SO certain that the Lord is going to provide for us in this transition. He is SO sure that we're going to be ok and he says he's expecting us to do BETTER. It's all perspective. I am so grateful for my husband.
Our family first started unschooling…..We started homeschooling in September 2006. The Lord took us on a journey for the next few years as we tried to find our place in this new endeavor. Summer 2010 is when I think we really started identifying with the unschooling way of life. I'm so glad that we did. Our children have grown so much. I have grown even more, I think. :)
This week we want to… finish up some preparations for sending a care package to my buddy Jon, who is serving our country in the Army, deployed to Afghanistan.
The kids are…well, "Man-Child" wants me to "graduate" him. I don't even really know what that means, to be honest. As life learners, I'm not sure I believe in graduation anymore. He doesn't want a party or a ceremony, but just wants me to say those magic words "you're done". LOL Silly kid, doesn't he know we're never "done"? The Compulsary Attendance age in Oklahoma is 18, so maybe I'll oblige him on his 18th birthday with a Diploma or something. The girls are great. Even our biggest girl, the adult one, is doing well. She just got a promotion and raise at her job. I'm starting to see some real maturity from that girl and I love it!
I am learning…. how to trust in the Lord, my Jehovah Jireh....He is my provider. My husband is quitting his job to work for himself and we are totally living on faith as of October 30, 2011.
I am struggling with…AH....kinda the same response as the question above. I am struggling with the fact that a paycheck won't be direct deposited every Thursday. I'm struggling with the fact that we have to trust 100% in our Abba Father for everything.
This week is the first time…. that our windows have been open 24/7. I absolutely LOVE this weather. It brings so much JOY to my spirit!
I am grateful… and along the lines of the job thing again....I am so grateful that my husband opened his heart to the Lord and he heard what He had to say. Greg is SO certain that the Lord is going to provide for us in this transition. He is SO sure that we're going to be ok and he says he's expecting us to do BETTER. It's all perspective. I am so grateful for my husband.
Our family first started unschooling…..We started homeschooling in September 2006. The Lord took us on a journey for the next few years as we tried to find our place in this new endeavor. Summer 2010 is when I think we really started identifying with the unschooling way of life. I'm so glad that we did. Our children have grown so much. I have grown even more, I think. :)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
SpellingCity.com Review
Not long ago, I was offered a free one year Premium Membership in exchange for my honest review of a site called SpellingCity.com.
As a frugal, life learning family (otherwise known as homeschooling or unschooling, whatever label you wish to give us) with only one parent working, I like to jump on every chance I get to acquire free resources to facilitate learning in a fun way. SpellingCity.com was just what we needed.
It has an easy to use and understand interface for parents and children alike. My 12 year old has enjoyed it most of all, but it would easily work for a younger or older child who has an interest in spelling and vocabulary as it has lists for all ages.
This is not your average school text spelling curriculum. It has fun interactive games and lessons which will engage your children for hours. You can customize your own spelling list or use one of the countless ones that are provided on the site. I actually had to tell the 12 year old that I thought she had spent too much time on SpellingCity and maybe she should head outside to play. It's just that good.
I would highly recommend this program. It is very reasonably priced for the average family at only $24.99 per year. That will cover up to 5 children in a family.
As a frugal, life learning family (otherwise known as homeschooling or unschooling, whatever label you wish to give us) with only one parent working, I like to jump on every chance I get to acquire free resources to facilitate learning in a fun way. SpellingCity.com was just what we needed.
It has an easy to use and understand interface for parents and children alike. My 12 year old has enjoyed it most of all, but it would easily work for a younger or older child who has an interest in spelling and vocabulary as it has lists for all ages.
This is not your average school text spelling curriculum. It has fun interactive games and lessons which will engage your children for hours. You can customize your own spelling list or use one of the countless ones that are provided on the site. I actually had to tell the 12 year old that I thought she had spent too much time on SpellingCity and maybe she should head outside to play. It's just that good.
I would highly recommend this program. It is very reasonably priced for the average family at only $24.99 per year. That will cover up to 5 children in a family.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I-CU
This is a weekly thingamajiggy called I-CU, which means Intensive Care for the Christian Unschooler. Here's my blabbering for the week......
“This week we want to…” Well, I'm not sure about WE, but after the mess my children made while I was gone over the weekend, WE (they) need to get it cleaned up. Still working on that. They have until the end of the week. Or else. LOL
“The kids are…” currently RE-destroying my living room. BLAH!
“I am learning….” what kind of woman I want to be.
“I am struggling with…” feeling adequate.
“This week is the first time….” I have been able to truly let go of some things in the past, such as....my father. For years, I have been wearing his original wedding ring that he wore when he married my mother the FIRST time they got married. (Not as my own wedding ring, just on another finger) Yeah, they married and divorced each other twice. Neat. Anyway, I felt like God said LET IT GO and that I needed to take off that ring and never wear it again. My father and mother have both put me out of their lives, so taking off this ring was just my way to say that I'm finally OK with that. I wasn't created for them anyway. God created me for HIM!
“I am grateful…” for the opportunity to be at home with my children. I love them so much and can't imagine the days when I used to send them off to school every day. Home education is such a GOOD thing for our family.
“I’m looking forward to…..” cooler temperatures!! I think my whole mood has been in the toilet this Summer. I lost most of my garden due to the heat and haven't been able to use the pool either because algae infested us earlier in the Summer, started eating on my pool liner and I just ended up giving up on it. Going to have to get a new liner next Summer to be able to use it. I hate the heat! I WANT COOL temps!
“This week we want to…” Well, I'm not sure about WE, but after the mess my children made while I was gone over the weekend, WE (they) need to get it cleaned up. Still working on that. They have until the end of the week. Or else. LOL
“The kids are…” currently RE-destroying my living room. BLAH!
“I am learning….” what kind of woman I want to be.
“I am struggling with…” feeling adequate.
“This week is the first time….” I have been able to truly let go of some things in the past, such as....my father. For years, I have been wearing his original wedding ring that he wore when he married my mother the FIRST time they got married. (Not as my own wedding ring, just on another finger) Yeah, they married and divorced each other twice. Neat. Anyway, I felt like God said LET IT GO and that I needed to take off that ring and never wear it again. My father and mother have both put me out of their lives, so taking off this ring was just my way to say that I'm finally OK with that. I wasn't created for them anyway. God created me for HIM!
“I am grateful…” for the opportunity to be at home with my children. I love them so much and can't imagine the days when I used to send them off to school every day. Home education is such a GOOD thing for our family.
“I’m looking forward to…..” cooler temperatures!! I think my whole mood has been in the toilet this Summer. I lost most of my garden due to the heat and haven't been able to use the pool either because algae infested us earlier in the Summer, started eating on my pool liner and I just ended up giving up on it. Going to have to get a new liner next Summer to be able to use it. I hate the heat! I WANT COOL temps!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Some powerful thoughts
I have had revelation after revelation this week and it's only Tuesday!! My Abba Father is SO GOOD!! Sunday started with a wonderful message at church that encouraged me to forgive. I realized that I had someone that I needed to forgive that I didn't even realize I was harboring unforgiveness towards! Wow!
Monday found me riled up about a variety of things.....unschooling and college came to mind. I shared how proud I am of my grandpa who only went through the 8th grade and made a great life for himself and his family. THAT sparked some interesting but heated discussion. I also attended the online Schoolhouse Expo, which I had been waiting for since February when I purchased my ticket! It's a week long homeschooling conference from the comfort of your home! "Webinars" every day in the afternoons. It's been really fun and I've gleaned some good info along with some GREAT freebies! I hope to win a door prize!
Then today had me reflecting more on our lives. Well, this thought REALLY came into play yesterday. For the last year, I have been trying out the "unschooling" lifestyle. I have several friends who very successfully live this way and it seemed so intriguing to me. The more I learn about home education, the more inclined I am to steer clear of anything that resembles "school". You will not find me saying that we "home school" any longer, because that is NOT what we do. Most won't understand unschooling, so I just say that we "home educate" our children. I can't begin to explain what I'm learning about unschooling as I'm still trying to absorb it myself. What I know is that it feels right for us. A blog I saw today really summed it up: Unschooling is NOT. This is good stuff!!
So my "powerful thoughts"....well, I am so sick and tired of living up to what others think I should be and not following the path I feel led to follow. I'm always on a mission to have a house that looks perfect (it never is), the most perfect children (they are far from it), the perfect body (ha! yeah right...can you say FAIL?) and the perfect level of "spiritualness" (blah!). In searching some new blogs, I came across one that had this quote:
WOW!! I wanna be real...I want to stop worrying about whether or not my house looks nice enough to invite someone in, or whether I look like "you" think I should. Oh and my spiritual side, that's between my God and me. I am so glad I don't feel like I have to report to anyone on THAT issue anymore!!
That being said, I DO want a life that reflects Yeshua in every aspect, home, body and spirit. So I'm working on that. File that under "31 Days to Clean". Great study, btw.
I feel like I had the BIGGEST revelation of all time with that one quote above. It encompasses so much more than just a house!! SO....my goal this week is to continue to explore who I am. I'm really enjoying everything Yahweh is teaching me this week!!
Monday found me riled up about a variety of things.....unschooling and college came to mind. I shared how proud I am of my grandpa who only went through the 8th grade and made a great life for himself and his family. THAT sparked some interesting but heated discussion. I also attended the online Schoolhouse Expo, which I had been waiting for since February when I purchased my ticket! It's a week long homeschooling conference from the comfort of your home! "Webinars" every day in the afternoons. It's been really fun and I've gleaned some good info along with some GREAT freebies! I hope to win a door prize!
Then today had me reflecting more on our lives. Well, this thought REALLY came into play yesterday. For the last year, I have been trying out the "unschooling" lifestyle. I have several friends who very successfully live this way and it seemed so intriguing to me. The more I learn about home education, the more inclined I am to steer clear of anything that resembles "school". You will not find me saying that we "home school" any longer, because that is NOT what we do. Most won't understand unschooling, so I just say that we "home educate" our children. I can't begin to explain what I'm learning about unschooling as I'm still trying to absorb it myself. What I know is that it feels right for us. A blog I saw today really summed it up: Unschooling is NOT. This is good stuff!!
So my "powerful thoughts"....well, I am so sick and tired of living up to what others think I should be and not following the path I feel led to follow. I'm always on a mission to have a house that looks perfect (it never is), the most perfect children (they are far from it), the perfect body (ha! yeah right...can you say FAIL?) and the perfect level of "spiritualness" (blah!). In searching some new blogs, I came across one that had this quote:
That is from this blog: Sparkling Adventures
I keep an open house. Anyone is welcome to drop by — anytime! This means you’ll take us as you find us — neat, messy, well-behaved or not. But we’re real, and this blog is too.
WOW!! I wanna be real...I want to stop worrying about whether or not my house looks nice enough to invite someone in, or whether I look like "you" think I should. Oh and my spiritual side, that's between my God and me. I am so glad I don't feel like I have to report to anyone on THAT issue anymore!!
That being said, I DO want a life that reflects Yeshua in every aspect, home, body and spirit. So I'm working on that. File that under "31 Days to Clean". Great study, btw.
I feel like I had the BIGGEST revelation of all time with that one quote above. It encompasses so much more than just a house!! SO....my goal this week is to continue to explore who I am. I'm really enjoying everything Yahweh is teaching me this week!!
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