And then a light bulb appeared over my head. I may not know about homeschooling or the trials the parents face, but I do know about nurturing a creative person. You see, my mom, now in her eighties, inspired and encouraged me to think outside the box. She nurtured my love of words and drama. Her example inspired me to see past my jobs and bills and aspire to my passions and dreams. One of those dreams included being a published author. Although it took me many more years than I thought it would, I published my first book in 2009.

Make Creativity a Family Affair

I come from a family of doers and dreamers. My grandfather worked his way through medical school to become one of the first African-American doctors in his hometown. My grandmother was an early pioneer of children’s rights in education and was a writer of plays and poems.

And then there’s my mother. She’s amazing. She has over 40 copyrighted songs along with dozens of poems, a play, a forth coming movie/DVD and has performed as a pianist in the local community for over 60 years. My big brother plays in a band and is a saxophonist. With all of these creative people in my life, is it any wonder that I chose to follow their example?

As a kid I would often sit for hours with my mother’s ancient and antique Royal typewriter (remember those?) I had an extremely active imagination and was prone to nightmares when I was eight. Writing allowed me to sculpt the nightmares that plagued me and put them into some kind of context I could handle.

When I wasn’t writing I was always involved in something — I was a cheerleader and mascot for my high school sports teams. I sang in the church choir and was a junior deacon. And through it all, my family were my biggest fans. They always encouraged me and set an example that I could follow.  And most of all, they gave me the space to be myself and explore my talents. And that’s what I encourage you to do also.

One Last Thought

It’s really easy to get caught up on all of the academics — worrying about test scores and college acceptance. And, from what I hear, well-meaning family and friends who wonder if you’re “really” teaching them anything. But you know what? Allowing your children to exercise their gift of creativity will probably serve them better than almost any other skill you teach.

So if your children have a passion for art, music, writing, sculpting, whatever let them go for it. No, they may never get a job or scholarship doing what they love. And they may not become famous for their skills, but the joy and peace they will achieve from exercising their creative muscles will last them a lifetime.

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Daryl T. Sturgis is the author of The Witch Series featuring the meanest witch in town, Solstice Macaffey. He is currently working on his third installment in the series as well as an anthology of short stories.  You can download a free excerpt of his short stories at his website.

****************************************************************************************************

While just in the second grade he learns that his parents are not really his parents. He also learned that his conception was truly an accident. His mother had to sell herself to feed her three children. And during that act she became pregnant with him. His life began at a value of $20. What a blow to a young child’s sense of self.

He was very fortunate to have loving adoptive parents. His adoptive mother is the kind of woman I hope that I’m growing up to be.  She  had been Vera’s (biological mom) teacher. Always kind and willing to help, in Vera’s time of great need she and her husband agreed to take her and her three children in while she was pregnant. And when Reggie was born Vera asked Mrs. Dabbs to adopt her son.

Vera’s back story is heart-wrenching in its own right. Although she made some bad choices along the way she tried very hard to provide the best way she could for her children. As Reggie says in his book, “She is a testament to the hope that can emerge out of hopeless situations.”

So many times people like to excuse their bad choices by going in back in time — if only their [mom, dad, grandma, fill in the blank] had been [kinder, stricter, funnier, etc.] they wouldn’t be so miserable today.

Reading Reggie’s story will help many to remove the scales from their eyes. He encourages us to wake up to the awesome possibilities that God has in store for us if only we’d pay attention. He has taken the pain and disappointments from his life and transformed them into tools to help others.

This is not a preachy book. This is not a book of homilies and “keep a stiff upper lip” attitudes. It’s an open and honest chance for self-evaluation and reflection. Instead of looking at what everyone else has done to affect our lives, Reggie encourages us to look at what we can accomplish with our lives. The choice is always our — good, bad or indifferent.

I learned many things reading this book. For example, the marginalization of a father’s role in a child’s life. The message has been loud (and unfortunately received by many), “Father’s who need them?” The statistics that Reggie shares in his book answers that question loud and clear.  ”We Do!!!” When you get the book check out the chapter entitled, “Big Daddy, Know Your Father.” The statistics will bring tears to your eyes.

One of the many things I enjoyed about this book is the tone.  Although Reggie’s message is to introduce youths to Christ, he’s always fun and engaging. I really enjoyed the way he told stories that incorporated scripture in such a way it is not readily apparent that he’s talking about the Bible at all.

This is a very engaging and instructional book. This book is appropriate for all ages and is a great boon for families. At the end of each chapter there are a series of discussion questions that children as young as eight can relate to (I put this to the test with my own kids).

I wish Mr. Dabbs continued success on his mission to help our youth find a purpose and appreciate their worth.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tonight, August 31st, Rhea is hosting a webinar that will discuss why your kids don’t need a lemonade stand.  Below is the invitation that I got in my email last night. Since it’s Rhea’s event I figured I’d let her explain it to you, so here it is:

If you’ve ever encouraged your children to set up a lemonade stand on the sidewalk out in front of the house… and thought that was entrepreneurial… consider this.

• You may be preparing them for future bondage.
• You may be training them to swap their hours for dollars.
• You may be setting them up in what could be the beginning of a business that runs them ragged, stresses them beyond belief and doesn’t accomplish their goals.

There are secrets to implementing the mind of Christ in business which waaaay too many of us haven’t discovered. So how can you train your children to develop a godly entrepreneurial mindset when you haven’t been trained to have one yourself?

Well tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 31st, my team and I will be hosting a webcast to discuss just that.

We’ll be talking about:

How to Develop a Godly Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Children

Did you notice I said, “my team and I”?

(Doing your work with a team is just one key.)

This is just part of what we’ll be immersing ourselves in at the only 3-day live event of its kind for parents and teens on Oct. 1-3.

My team and I are hosting the Ultimate Field Trip where parents and teens can learn together 3 important things.

How to:

*Get vision for your life’s calling
*Start and build a home biz
*Invest

If you want more out of life than just a job… even in a turbulent economy… join me tomorrow night on a webcast that could change education in your house forever.

Grab your seat here:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/517159633

Then forward this invitation to everyone you know who is sick of having just a job and who wants to make an impact in life instead of just a living.

Oh, and if you’ve heard that my husband is in the hospital, yes he is. He’s been battling prostate cancer for years. We’d appreciate your
prayers for his healing.

Never in a million years did I think that I would have to take over the responsibility for my family with four children still at home. But you never
know what the future will hold so you have to do what you have to do to survive.

I’m just thankful that because I have an internet business, I can keep working while my husband is sleeping soundly in a hospital bed beside me. We’re taking him home tomorrow where Hospice will help us take care of him.

You never know how long you have your loved ones with you so don’t let stupid mind games and silly pride ruin your relationships. Live in forgiveness and learn to develop the mind of Christ. Love your family members no matter what. God is for you and wants you to do exceedingly well in whatever you choose to do with your life. So make the most of it and GO FOR IT!

So many books, so little time…

Rhea!
who would love for you to join us at this life-changing event on Oct. 1-3

Learn more about it tomorrow night, Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 9 PM ET! Grab your seat here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/517159633

Technorati Tags: entrepreneur, retreat, Rhea Perry, webinar

This Labor Day holiday, The Old Schoolhouse is having a  “Labor of Love” subscription sale —  a celebration of our commitment to homeschooling. They are offering a one-year print subscription for just $7.95 or a one-year plus current issue print subscription for only $12.95!

My year of reviewing products and seeing how dedicated the staff at  The Old Schoolhouse impressed me so much that I decided to take the subscription for their magazine. And that was one of the best things that I did for myself last year! Reading about other parent’s challenges (and unexpected triumphs) while homeschooling really helped me to understand that life happens to all of us, so stop stressing and start adapting to fit the new situations.

And I was surprised to see how interested in the magazine my own children were. I literally have to sneak the magazine in if I want to read it in peace! My eldest likes the stories about other homeschooling families and their children. My middle girl likes to look at the advertisements and see how she can spend my money. And little man just likes us to chase him around the house as we try to get the magazine back from him!

So from August 31 through midnight PDT on September 15 you and your homeschool group can take advantage of  TOS’ crazy prices and join the fun of “steal the bacon” with your family! The sale starts August 30 at midnight  and it will end on September 15 at midnight. Here are your subscription choices:

• Receive a one-year print subscription for just $7.95. One-year subscriptions start with the winter issue

OR

• A one-year plus current issue subscription for $12.95.  The one-year plus current issue starts with the fall issue.

There are only 5,000 of these subscriptions available— once they’’re gone, they’’re gone. The sale could end before midnight on September 15th if they  reach 5,000. So spread the word and grab your own — the encouragement alone more than covers the subscription price.

Technorati Tags: sales, subscription, The Old School House, TOS

Contest – Dell 15 Inch Laptop Computer

This contest is open to all homeschooling families subscribed to this newsletter – if you have homeschooling friends who would like to subscribe and participate in this contest, please forward this message to them. They can subscribe here:

http://www.HomeschoolScienceAcademy.com

One person will win this laptop. Here’s how to enter: (Hint: be careful

1. Go to this page http://www.homeschoolscienceacademy.com/OnlineClasses.htm Find the first word (key word #1) after the “creek photo” that ends with the same letter as the first letter of the name for the first section of the small intestine.
2. The third letter of the fourth word after key word #1 is the first letter of a bone (bone #1) whose fifth and sixth letters are “ib”.
3. Bone #1 is superior to a bone (bone #2) whose second and third letters are “ib” and this bone (bone #2) is anterior to a muscle whose second letter is “a”.
4. The first letter of bone #2 is the first letter in the name of a muscle (muscle #1) that is proximal to the Brachioradialis.
5. What is the name of muscle #1? (once you determine what this muscle name is, please keep it to yourself)
6. At exactly 9:37 pm eastern time on Tuesday, August 31, send email to:

• Email: Greg@LandryScience.com
• Subject line should be: “Laptop Contest”
• In the body of the message:

=> your name, age, state, and telephone number
=> what’s the name of muscle #1 from above?
=> state that you are in a homeschooling family

• Please email us ONE time only
• Students, please get your parents permission before emailing us.
• The person whose email we receive closest to exactly 9:37 pm eastern time on Tuesday, August 31, who has included the correct “muscle #1 name”, will win the laptop.

We’ll notify the winner via email or phone. Have fun!

Technorati Tags: biology, contest, homeschool, muscles

Registration is open for the online Schoolhouse Expo, October 4-8. It’s five days of top homeschool speakers, fellowship, and fun door prizes. You can save $5 per ticket if you register between August 16 and midnight August 22, and you’ll pay only $19.99. Plus you’ll receive over $200 in free E-Books.

You’ll be inspired by speakers including: Zan Tyler, Dr. Jay Wile, Jeannie Fulbright,Carol Barnier, Diana Waring, Todd Wilson, Davis Carman, Kim Kautzer, Lee Binz, and many more!

A special teen track is planned–the entire family will definitely want to listen to these special sessions. We’ve also planned a special focus on a topic that touches every homeschool–writing. Plus, an array of other topics that will inform and inspire you throughout your homeschooling years.

And better yet, if you miss a session because you’re car-schooling you can always listen later because we get MP3 copies of each session comes with your LIVE event ticket. Two special pre-conference shows on August 24 and September 21 with Dr. Jay Wile, Jeannie Fulbright, and Kim Kautzer!

The theme this fall is “Celebrate Homeschooling!” It’s  going to be a celebration of the unique blessings of homeschooling, the beginning of another school year, our families, and the freedom to tailor our children’s education to best meet their needs.

If you already have made plans and cannot make the Live event,  then the October Expo To Go is just your ticket! You’ll reserve MP3s from all of the workshops. This week only, pay just $14.95!

You can visit either of these links to get more information:

http://www.SchoolhouseExpo.com

or

http://bit.ly/aWHFiL

See you there!

Technorati Tags: celebration, door prizes, freebies, homeschooling, Schoolhouse Expo

However, for many people reading is a chore that you do because you “have to” while you’re in school. And this chore can be tossed out the window once you’ve graduated. For many, reading is something that you do for practical purposes and never for simple enjoyment. How sad. I personally don’t like “Summer Reading” programs because it sounds like a homework assignment. Yuck! Reading should never be a chore, but a grand adventure to undiscovered destinations.

Do you remember “RIF” back in the days of the Flintstones? It stands for “Reading Is Fundamental” and is something that should be engaged in everyday, not just for homework or something to keep the kids busy during the summer months. Reading is a fundamental skill that only gets better with practice. And anything that contains words can be practice — including comic books!

I believe a key to having good readers in the family is to be a good reader yourself. My kids have always seen us reading — even if it’s just a cereal box at breakfast! We are weekly library patrons and I can’t be trusted with a debit card in bookstores or we’ll end up on Debtors Prison. Every room in my home is full of books — books my parents had from the 1950s to contemporary works. Having books always available and in plain sight makes it easier for children to become addicted.

Reading to your children is another big contributor to having good readers. I like to read to the children on a regular basis. It’s became more challenging now that I have more children and more responsibilities with my business. I don’t want my children to miss the benefits of being read to so they drift off to sleep listening to audiobooks.

And  you don’t have to spend money on professionally done audios if that’s not in your budget. Most libraries rent audiobooks.  My library even offers books online that you can listen to as long as you are their patron. If you have very little ones you can even create your own audiobook for them. Select their favorite books and record them for later use. I found this to be an excellent way to comfort my eldest daughter when I was working outside of the home. Just pop in the tape (or nowadays upload the MP3 to your favorite audio device) and you’re all set.

I know a lot of people don’t like audiobooks because they think that it will stop children from picking up books and reading them for themselves. That has not been my experience. My reluctant reader (there’s always one!) has a very large vocabulary and I have to give some credit to the audiobooks. As the children listen to stories, read by their parents or a professional recording, they are being exposed to adult syntax, phrasing and other elements that help make a complete reader.

And as the three bags of library books show, their interest in physical books has not been hampered in the least. As a matter of fact sometimes listening to the audiobook has caused my kids to go and look for the physical book because they fell asleep and missed something that they wanted to hear!

Although my children listen to audiobooks while they are drifting off to sleep, I also use them in the car as we travel. Audiobooks really should not be considered”standalone” items. Children can only develop strong comprehension skills through discussion. So, the audios get stopped when language becomes more complex, there are underlying motives that need to be examined, the children have questions about what they’ve heard. And of course if we’re listening to a mystery everyone has to chime about who and what the solution to the problem might be and then seeing which one of us is right.

My reluctant reader is reading the Little Bear Library and she’s doing pretty well. The Madsen method is helping her with some of her issues (primarily “why isn’t the word spelled the way it sounds?”) and the rest is just practice.  So we’re supposed to read half of a story each day (sometimes evening). To make  it more interesting for her sometimes we read the words using silly voices or we sing the words of the story. Just the other day we conducted a wonderful “opera” singing the story of Little Bear meeting his new friend Emily.

Another way to encourage a love of books is to be involved. Reading should not be a ho-hum sit down affair. Why not assign parts of a story to different family members and have them act them out? You can do this in two ways. You can either have multiple copies of the book for the family (i.e., the Bible) to read from, or you all sit in a circle and pass the book around as the speakers change from one to another. Or while you’re reading to the kids have them pick out their favorite scene and draw it out. Sometimes my children illustrate their favorite scenes in clay or Play-Dough.

Each family dynamic is different, but reading is something that can be shared by all. And best of all, you’re building a strong reader with strong memories of happy times together with their family. What strategies do you use to get your children involved in reading?

photo credit: brewbooks

Technorati Tags: audiobooks, books, children, ebooks, love of books, reading, summer reading

Bing and Bong of Tiny Planets would like to invite Mommy Bloggers to review their fantastic new site for kids aged 6-12. It has a science and space exploration focus along with deep educational roots.  Tiny Planets  has free lesson plans, activities and books for parents to do with their preschool kids.  It has a virtual world, games,science facts and experiments, safe social interactions and lots of family fun for older children as well.

And best of all we’re giving the first 10 reviewers who respond complimentary Bing & Bong key chains for your kids (or yourself — we won’t tell!)

If you are interested in reviewing Tiny Planets (or have any questions) please send an email to aimee@dottedlinecomm.com. Thanks!

Technorati Tags: bing & bong, review, tiny planets

The next day I read the story to my younger children and they adore Melvin. My seven year old ran upstairs immediately after the story ended and gave her Melvin a good scrubbing – no icky greenies for her!

Even my little son, who I would have bet money was paying absolutely no attention to the story will go willingly to the bathroom whenever I tell him “It’s time to clean your Melvins!”

The illustrations are beautiful and make the story even more enjoyable. The author is very talented — the story has a good pace without any dead spots. She also was able to teach children about the importance of their teeth in a humorous way.

I really loved the song that the teeth sing each and every morning. What a cheerful way to brush your teeth. My children loved the idea of teeth eagerly awaiting their first cleaning of the day. And Melvin has inspired them to spend extra time on their back molars to keep the “evil greenies” away.

My kids still believe in the tooth fairy, and if yours do too, you should beware that at the end of the book, the author shares a website that will have someone send a “Tooth Fairy Letter” to your children. It’s for a good cause and helps to provide dental services for children who wouldn’t normally be able to afford dental care, but I it does make keeping the “magic” alive a bit tougher on parents.

I look forward to the further adventures of Melvin (and his friends) you can purchase the book online at the National Center for Youth Issues website. The retail price is $9.95  and well worth the price, especially when you consider how much dental work costs. Imagine raising a cavity-free child — not only healthier for the child, but healthier for wallets as well.

Technorati Tags: dental, molars, toothbrush, toothpaste

Heat has never really bothered me before, but I can see that this year I’ll be spending a lot of time poolside if I am going to workout with any frequency. It’s either that or exercise at 3 in the morning … which just might be an idea because that really cuts down on the possibility of someone saying “Mommy!” while I’m attempting to breathe and maintain a challenging yoga pose!

On the healthy eating front I have been a bit erratic. I’m eating healthy foods and spending a lot of time planning my hanging garden so that we have yummy homegrown veggies to eat this summer. So far we have strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and maybe carrots if I can find the right soil for it. You’d think the thought of all these vegetables would give me lots of ideas for meals. But I just don’t feel like cooking. The good thing is that my 10 year old is really getting into her cooking lessons so maybe she can take over meal planning once a week.

Oh, I almost forgot! I also got my Earthlight membership today! Earthlight is an organic store in my area (I think the only one that’s less than an hour away) and we purchased all of Jade’s chocolate chip breakfast muffins from them.  Okay, chocolate chip muffins aren’t the healthiest things in the world, but our hearts were in the right place. And I must say that Jade did an excellent job making them all by herself, despite the constant attempts of her 3 year old brother to improve on the recipe.

This week I was not motivated to get on the scale, but I think that I may have lost another half pound and I’m positive that I haven’t gained any additional weight. I’ll be good next week and provide an accurate assessment.

Well, that’s my week in a nutshell. Organics in, getting the GMO-laden food out of the pantry. It’s a work in progress, but it’s worth it. Until next time, have a great weekend!

photo credit: jessicafm

Technorati Tags: chocolate chip breakfast muffins, diet, exercise, gardening, non-GMO, organic