One of the sites I write for is looking for great parenting content. As a Category Editor for the main section that includes parenting as a subsection, one of my responsibilities includes seeking out great writers, videographers, and more. The site accepts submissions of articles, videos, audio, and slideshows.

So, what's the benefit to you? You could possibly be paid for articles that are unique, well-written, informative, and entertaining. Once you join, you are given the opportunity to choose from topics or to submit work on your own topics. If they choose to publish the content, you will get an offer. Whether you accept is up to you. Offers are on average from $3-$15, but can be more or less, depending on the article. You also have the option of submitting for non-payment, which speeds the process after the first few submissions.

Videos, audio, and slideshows do not currently receive upfront offers. However, there still is earning potential with them. Sometimes there are requests for them, which offer payment.

Also, all published submissions (text, video, audio, and slideshows) receive a page view bonus, which starts at $1.50 per 1,000 views and grows with success on the site. 1,000 views may sound high, but in my experience, it does not take very long to get there and it can be done easily over and over.

If you know SEO, it will help a great deal. If you don't, I can help you with some tips on that, topics, and any questions regarding writing for them.

Joining is free. This is not a scam, nor is it a get-rich-quick scheme. Earning money is possible here, but it does take some effort, as with any content production. I have been writing for this site over 2 years. You will be a freelancer, will not be committed to a certain number of submissions, and you will never be asked to pay them anything for being a member of the site. Being a member simply allows you to submit content and interact in various areas of the site.

If you are interested, click here to join. Once you are signed up and signed in, click here to follow me on the site and then contact me there to let me know. If you have any questions at that time, or through any of the processes (article submissions, audio submissions, coming up with ideas, etc...) I can help you. Just contact me on the site.

I look forward to working with some talented parents.

~Momie Tullottes~

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To hire me for your writing project or to find writer's resources, visit my website:Article Writer For Hire.
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Tired of battling with the kids to get those rooms clean? C'mon, I know a ton of you have been there. For some reason, room cleaning is just one of those chores that kids tend to put up a fight for.

In 3 Fail-Proof Steps to Get Your Kids to Clean Their Room (a Yodle.com article), I explain how I get my kids to clean their rooms and how you can, too.

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To hire me for your writing project or to find writer's resources, visit my website:Article Writer For Hire.
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Free Groundhog Day Printables, Coloring Pages, and Activities for Kids
Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog, but not just any groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil is the groundhog we celebrate on Groundhog Day every year. Phil comes out of hibernation and if he sees his shadow, that means six more weeks of winter.

>>View More>>>

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To hire me for your writing project or to find writer's resources, visit my website:Article Writer For Hire.
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Whether your child is homeschooling or in traditional school, there comes a point when he or she needs to learn about the isosceles triangle. The isosceles triangle often is confusing. Students sometimes mix it up with other types of triangles, such as the scalene triangle. No matter if you are searching for free homeschool lessons to teach about the isosceles triangle, resources and games to re-enforce lessons, printable worksheets, or free homework help, the collection of links below should have what you need.

Free Homeschool Lesson Plans: Isosceles Triangle
Triangle Classification
Isosceles and Equilateral Triangles
Identify Triangles

Free Printable Worksheets: Isosceles Triangle
Types of Triangle
Triangles
Enchanted Learning: Triangles

Free Homework Help: Isosceles Triangle
Free Math Help: Isosceles Triangle
Area of an Isosceles Triangle
Algebra: Triangles

Free Educational Games: Isosceles Triangle
Interactive Lesson Involving an Isosceles Triangle
Interactive Lesson: Isosceles triangle Investigation

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To hire me for your writing project or to find writer's resources, visit my website:Article Writer For Hire.
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When you homeschool, you must gather you own resources when it comes time to teach. The same holds true when it comes time for a test. Kids who homeschool must still take the ACT or SAT test for college qualification. Free ACT test preparation can help them pass that all important AC test. Here are some places I found around the web where kids can take a free ACT prep test.

ACTStudent.org
ACTStudent.org has some practice questions in each subject to help students with free ACT test prep.

TestPrepReview.com
At TestPrepReview.com, students can assess their own skills with a free ACT prep test. The questions and answers are easy to use for practice and are designed much in the same way as the ACT test.

4Tests.com
4Tests.com is, in my opinion, the best of all of these sites for a free ACT prep test. The reason for this is that the free ACT test prep exam can be taken directly online and the results will be given automatically.By taking a free ACT test prep exam such as this one, it will be much easier to see where the string and weak points are. Needed skills can then be focused on more closely.

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To hire me for your writing project or to find writer's resources, visit my website:Article Writer For Hire.
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Yeah, I know I haven't posted in a while. AC, and just writing in general, has kept me pretty busy, but I thought anyone still reading this blog might be interested in the lesson plan I posted today. I will try and post more often. Thanks for sticking by.

Free Homeschool Science Lesson Plan: Pygmy Tarsiers
Pygmy tarsiers are tiny primates living on a mountaintop in Indonesia. The creatures are said to resemble the fictional gremlins depicted in a movie. They were thought to be extinct, but were recently discovered by scientists.
View more »

Need a fun homeschool lesson for art class on Halloween? How about gathering up some free pumpkin carving stencils and patterns from around the internet?

Here's a few I found today:

Pumpkin Lady
Go to PumpkinLady.com to find a variety of free pumpkin carving patterns and stencils. Also watch how-to videos on carving pumpkins.

Zombie Pumpkins
ZombiePumpkins.com also offers a good variety of free pumpkin carving stencils and patterns. There are also tips pages, contests, and more.

DLTK
DLTK-holidays.com is another awesome place to find free pumpkin carving stencils and patterns.

All of these patterns and stencils are printable, so all you need to do is go visit the websites. Ok, and make sure your printer has paper and ink. ;)

Happy Halloween!

Case Against Homeschooling in California Reversed
On August 8, 2008, homeschoolers everywhere breathed a sigh of relief, as the news spread throughout the digital, print, and electronic media waves. California courts reversed their original ruling against homeschooling without credentials.
>>> View More >>

For some, getting a kid to actually eat their food is no easy task. Here, I have compiled a list of links to some of our family's favorite recipes. These are all recipes I have no problems getting the kids to eat - even the pickiest ones. Some also include tips and suggestions for the meals or for dealing with the kids. Enjoy!

Interested in another recipe? Leave a comment on this post and if it's something I prepare, I will share my family-friendly recipe for it and post the link here. I pretty much cook everything (we don't eat out much and I love to cook), so suggest away. It's pretty likely I have my own version of many recipes.

Note: This is a re-post with the NEWEST link added

As some of you already know, I have been exploring home school myths on Associated Content. For those who don't know, AC (Associated Content) is one of the websites I get paid to write articles for. One of my pursuits on there has been exploring the myths that are often associated with homeschool.

To keep you all up to date, here are all of the homeschool myths I've done so far.

Myth#8 Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Students Are Unprepared for College

Myth #7 Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Teens Can't Get a High School Diploma

You give birth (or frshly adopt) this new bundle of joy. Your heart is full of love. The nursery is in order. You have all the supplies you'll need, including plenty of diapers and have even finally decided on cloth or disposable - and possibly have one brand in mind - or maybe you have a huge stack of 5 different ones. Everything's perfect. Right? Wrong. You get the baby home and you have no clue what to do or where to begin. Let me help.

Best Cloth, Disposable and Green Diapers for Sensitive Skin
" Many babies have sensitive skin. However, when your baby has extra sensitive skin, just any diaper will not work. As a mother and former nanny, I learned this through trial and error. All of my children somehow ended up with overly sensitive skin, due to eczema and allergies. I have also had children in my care with sensitive skin. I tried many different diaper brands over the years, both disposable and cloth. As we quickly found out, "sensitive to baby's skin", stated in some way or another on many diaper labels, does not always ring true."
>>>Click to Read the Rest>>>

Common Causes of Diaper Rash
" When a baby gets a diaper rash, the sooner it goes away the better. The best way to get rid of a diaper rash or help to prevent getting one in the first place is to get to the root of the problem. Knowing the most common causes for diaper rash can help avoid future breakouts. Many parents often wonder if they are at fault for the diaper rash." >>>Click to Read the Rest>>>

Pampers Baby Dry Diapers VS. Huggies Natural Fit Diapers
"Pampers Baby Dry and Huggies Natural Fit diapers are likely the most popular diapers. Let's take a look at how they compare. Being that I have six children and have cared for countless others, I have had many experiences with diapers." >>> Click to Read the Rest>>>

OK, so I know I'm late on this post. We are halfway into Summer already, but forgive me please. We were on vacation. After all, it is Summer, isn't it? Speaking of Summer, don't those kids need something to do. A busy kid is a happy kid, right?

Even if it's learning they're busy with? Sure, when it's fun.

"Just because school is out for the summer, it doesn't mean a child's brain should stop working. In fact, keeping a child's mind fresh with review as well as new ideas can keep those brains in tip-top shape for the following school year, helping to prevent confusion on schoolwork. But, who says learning has to be something your child dreads? It should instead be something the child looks forward to and thrives on. Free math printables from various internet sources can help with that."
>>>>>>Click Here to Keep Reading and Get Access to some FREE Printables>>>>>>

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience that many women want to treasure and enjoy forever. There are many ways to keep track of those special moments. Free printable calendars, online pregnancy calendars, homemade day by day pregnancy calendars, pregnancy calculators, and even pregnancy calendars that contain information about baby and mom-to-be's development throughout each stage and trimester, are just a small fraction of what's available. To find out more about those listed above, follow the two links below.

Homemade Pregnancy Day By Day Calendar: Make and Use This Simple, Affordable Craft to Track Your Pregnancy
"Pregnancy is a significant time in a woman's life. It is one filled with many day-by-day emotions, both physical and mental growths, and events that a mother will want to remember for a lifetime. Well, OK, a woman may not want to remember heartburn or morning sickness, but most pregnancy memories are worth commemorating, and what better way than with a pregnancy day-by-day calendar? They are simple to use, cost-effective, and easy to customize.">>>Click to Read More>>>

Free, Printable Pregnancy Calendar: Track Mom-to-Be's Progress
"Pregnancy is a joyous time that will be treasured and remembered forever by the woman who is lucky enough to experience it. To help keep those memories alive, as well as to track the pregnancy as it progresses, it is helpful to keep a pregnancy calendar. There are many websites that offer a free printable pregnancy calendar for this purpose.">>>Click to Read More>>>

Even though this is a homeschooling blog, a good number of my readers are not even homeschoolers. Those readers, as well as my homeschool readers, may appreciate my focus on all education on this one. I believe education is the foundation for all that is to come in the future. For that reason, I chose to home school my kids.

I felt that this way I could be absolutely sure that they would learn what they need to know and maybe even use what they've learned to someday change the world in whatever field they may choose. However, that said, I realize that isn't the right choice for everyone. Some parents just would not make good homeschool teachers. For that reason, there exists a plethora of options, many of which most parents aren't even aware of.

The thing about education is that it is always changing. What's best one day or for one child may not be the same on the next day or for the next child. This leaves the decision on educational matters up to the parents. The problem with that is that, unfortunately, some parents will not even think about it. They'll just follow what is standard and throw their kids in the public or private school all their peers are attending without even a second thought.

On June 3, 2008 Associated Content held a contest called the Ultimate Call for Content. I'm not sure if I will win the contest, but the topic of my submission meant alot to me. To read my piece, which is directly related to what I've been discussing here, please visit:
Should You Change the Way Your Child is Educated Next Year?
"Education is always changing. That is the beauty of it. There are always new ways to expand upon a child's knowledge and that is a good thing. However, there are also negative changes when it comes to education. Do the good changes outweigh the bad or vice versa? If it is the latter, are there alternative educational options? This is merely a fraction of what today's parents have on their minds when it comes to school and education choices for their children.">>>>Read More>>>

If you read it, please be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section here or there (anonymous comments are allowed at either), even if they are not the same as mine. It is not an article urging everyone to homeschool, but rather somewhat of a help guide for parents letting them know that if the schooling method they have chosen is not working, there are other options.

Right now the kids are learning about space, so I thought I'd share some of what we are learning.

Textbook/Curriculum:
Harcourt Science

More Practice/Learning:
Astronomy.com

Windows to the Universe
(extensive detail, including worksheets and other teacher resources AND it's FREE, even!)

Nasa.gov

Literature Connection:
"Our Solar System" by Seymour Simon

"Biggest Ever Book of Questions & Answers" by Paragon Press

"Space Station Seventh Grade" by Jerry Spinelli

"Rescue In Space" by Elaine Raphael

Free Online Movies:
Space Movies from National Geographic

Space Movies from Discovery Science

Free Activities:
Hubble Academy

American Museum of Natural History's Astronomy Activities

KidsAstronomy.com

Online Solar System Coloring Book

I may add more to this as we find more. It depends on whether I have time to or not. Hey, at least I'm being honest. LOL As you regular readers know, I have been extra busy, so for any of you working on space, the solar system, or astronomy, I hope this helps and maybe makes up for the lack of regular postings. LOL

Hip Mommy at HipMommy's Place is having another contest! I just love her contests.

In her May contest, she will be giving away a brand new infant bodysuit with her most popular selling design, "Peace, Love, Labradors". It is just too cute! The bodysuit is a 12 months size and is pink with cute little icons.

You just have to visit HipMommy's Place and take a look at this. If I had a child young enough, I would enter and if I didn't win, I'd buy one anyway. LOL It's that cute.

Hurry and go to HipMommy's Place to get entered. Enjoy!

Cards and flowers are nice, but sometimes that just isn't enough. Even if your mother is simple to please, you may want to switch things up a little. Try putting a different spin on Mother's Day this year. Give mom a gift that will last much longer than flowers and cards. Here are two DIY (Do-It-Yourself) home improvement gifts you can give mom on Mother's Day, that will not only be helpful, but will forever remind her of your appreciation.

>>>>Click Here to Continue Reading This Article>>>>

When a parent chooses to home school, that decision is generally one of great importance to them. Unfortunately, not everyone will always agree on this issue, leaving most parents who homeschool vulnerable to questions, as well as disapproval by some. This is simply something will occur with many major decision-making situations. Here are some ways to deal with the negative reactions you might face from others when informing them that you are a homeschooling family.

Stay Calm and Positive

The most important thing you can do when someone reacts negatively to your schooling choice is to remain calm. Staying cool and collected will not only represent homeschools in a positive light, but will leave your mind (as well as the other person's) more able to communicate effectively. Explanations will come out better and be better understood from a person who is calm and has a positive outlook.

Listen To Concerns

Even when someone has a differing opinion, it is still important to listen to their concerns. Consider why they might have certain thoughts about homeschool.

>>>>Click Here to Continue Reading This Article>>>>

Okay, so sue me - I HAVE been active on AC - just not here. Again, I'm so sorry.

Need some free activities for teaching early reading skills?
I have you covered with this one. Learn some group reading activities, get some free reading material, learn how to make a reading craft with your child, and more - plenty of reading skills practice to keep those early readers (and early learners) busy for a while. Click Here for the fun.

Plus, because I have been away, here's a bonus: The BEST Parenting Tip Ever!
In order to fully get this one, reading to the end is a must. Please let me know on here or on AC what you thought. Click Here for this must-have parenting tip.

UPDATE: This is now an AC article. The AC version has been edited, added to, etc, so you may want to check that out as well. Click Here for the version I did for AC.

Original article:
Today, Barack Obama made a speech about race, in response to recent attacks on his affiliations with pastor Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ. Watch this video of the speech, posted by BarackObama.com.



My Thoughts:
A church is like a family. Most people have the same one for a great portion of their life. Sometimes, even when a family member says something a person doesn't like, they still stick by them. Why? Because they are family. Many people view church the same way. I believe, based on Barack's words, that he also believes this.

At some point, there is only so much you can take from a family member and even though you love them, you then have to separate yourself from them for a while, which is what Barack is doing right now. When you care about somebody, that is hard to do, no matter what they have done wrong. If you truly care about someone, you always will, even when they aren't doing what you'd like them to do.

While I don't think Jeremiah Wright pursued these issues the correct way at all, I do feel there is a problem with race in America. Yes, many problems have been solved, but many also have not.

However, calling names is not going to solve that and Barack Obama obviously knows that, judging by his own behavior. Barack has always spoken about bringing everyone together. He does not speak against any race, religion, or denomination.

Here are some of Barack's quotes on people being equal:

"We can be one people, reaching for what's possible, building that more perfect union"

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America - there's the United States of America."

"The true test of the American ideal is whether we’re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life’s big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams."

There are many more where those came from. However, I will move on to the rest of my thought. I think those quotes speak loud and clear about how Barack feels.

When Barack Obama discusses freedom in America, he is talking about all of America. When Barack Obama speaks about fixing healthcare, he is talking about all of America. When Barack Obama talks about solving problems in education and making this world a better place for all to learn and grow in, he is talking about ALL of America.

Listen to Barack's speeches on YouTube. Research where he stands on the issues. Research some of the causes he has supported, such as educational programs for children. He was a part of making the Earned Income Tax Credit happen, which helps millions of families each year around tax time.

Barack is not the bad man that some of the media is making him out to be. Barack has worked as a community activist, helping all kinds of people. He is currently fighting to get war veterans the kind of health care they need after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are so many good things Barack Obama has done and continues to do, yet the media focuses on the one bad thing - the thing that isn't even his own doing. Yes, perhaps he could have left the church before, but as I stated above, sometimes people stick by the people they they consider family, even when they shouldn't. It's called compassion. Caring for other people unconditionally is a quality many people don't have, but should. Perhaps if more people had such a caring mentality, many things would be different.

I, for one, will continue my support of Barack Obama. In my eyes, Barack Obama is a great example of the values I want my kids to have. I don't want my kids to turn their backs on people, unless it is absolutely necessary. I want them to love everyone, no matter who they are. That is what the Bible teaches. As Christians, we are to love everyone. God is to be the only judge.

I think Barack did make the correct choice in leaving Trinity United Church of Christ, but I also believe it was a hard decision - one that took great strength and courage. Why? Imagine how you would feel if you left your church. There's your answer.

~Momie Tullottes~ a.k.a. ~Mommy2Lots~

To read more of my articles, visit me at AC.

Some "Link Love" to others who show the positive side:

Yuwanda Black on this issue

Shirlene Alusa-Brown on this issue

Grae Wolffe on this issue

Emeigh Bruce on this issue

(If you support Barack and have written your thoughts, please leave me the link in the comments section.)

Photo is used courtesy of Wikipedia and is in the public domain.

As some of you already know, I have been exploring home school myths on Associated Content. For those who don't know, AC (Associated Content) is one of the websites I get paid to write articles for. One of my pursuits on there has been exploring the myths that are often associated with homeschool.

To keep you all up to date, here are all of the homeschool myths I've done so far.

Myth #7 Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Teens Can't Get a High School Diploma

Many homeschoolers in California have been concerned about a court ruling that occurred on February 28, which made the decision on one family's case that home school was not a valid option for schooling. While this decision was only for one case, homeschooling parents are concerned because, according to the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association), and as I expressed concern over in my original report on this matter, this one case can set a legal precedent for future cases.

Click Here for the full report, which includes perspective on Jack O'Connell's statements and the courts decision, HSLDA's action plan, as well as what homeschoolers should do and what can be done to help.

~Momie Tullottes~ a.k.a. ~Mommy2Lots~

There have been so many product recalls this year and last, it's enough to make your head spin. However, as parents, it is still our duty to keep up with this information. I've made it a bit easier and have been compiling updates on them at AC.

Here are the ones from 2008 so far:

Children's Product Recalls: Feb 18 - Feb 24, 2008

Children's Product Recalls Feb 9 - Feb 17, 2008

Children's Product Recalls: Feb 2 - Feb 8, 2008

Children's Product Recalls January 27 - February 1, 2008

Children's Product Recall Updates: Jan 18 - Jan 26, 2008

Would you like to design a custom math curriculum for home school, but are unsure of exactly how to go about that? Perhaps I can help.

As a homeschooling parent, I have studied and researched many methods for teaching my children, as well as a variety of different curriculum programs. After all of my studies, I eventually decided that teaching my children with a mixed-age perspective was the best choice for our family.

This would be aided by a custom-designed homeschool curriculum that I would assemble myself from materials I write and make, as well as many other teaching and learning materials and books.

Here you will learn about how I teach my children in their homeschool mathematics class. It is a long process, but one which I feel is necessary and am currently seeing excellent results from. This article is Part 1 on a series involving each homeschool subject from my own personal customized mixed-age curriculum plan for my homeschooled children.

It is my hope that by reading our math plan, and those that follow, other homeschoolers who want to do this as well can get an idea as to how to form their own plan. Click Here to continue reading this article.

Image courtesy of: http://www.imageafter.com

Read Across America Day is today (Monday March 3, 2008).

What are your students doing today? We have a whole slew of activities planned. Some include reading Dr. Seuss books, making and wearing "The Cat In The Hat" hats, making our own books and much more.

Click Here to find out more about this holiday, as well as what you can do to celebrate. Included in the article are ideas, Houston events, and links to free reading resources for parents and teachers everywhere. Enjoy!

Happy Reading!

More Ideas:
1. Have the children read and perform a Dr. Seuss book.

2. Have the children read a Dr. Seuss book and then create their own to give to a friend to spread reading.

3. Take the children to the library for storytime.

4. Take the children to the bookstore for new books and then come home and make bookmarks and read.

5. Play or do reading games or activities.
Reading Games/Activities 1, Reading Games/Activities 2, Reading Games/Activities 3, Reading Games/Activities 4, Reading Games/Activities 5, Reading Games/Activities 6, Reading Games/Activities 7

~Momie Tullottes~ a.k.a. ~Mommy2Lots~

Image used is in the public domain and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Homeschool Myth series is going well.

Here is the next in the series:
Homeschool Myths: Homeschool Kids Are Too Lazy For Real School

Check out this latest, as well as the others.

The first two:
Homeschool Myths: Homeschool Parents Are Just Lazy
Home School Myths: Homeschooled Kids Are Truant

Read any or all of these and let me know what you think. There is a comments section at each of these articles, so feel free to leave your thoughts there. You don't have to be a registered user. anonymous comments are welcome.
Have any weird questions or homeschooling myths that YOU have faced? Feel free to share your experiences here or at any of the articles. Enjoy!

To be sure you don't miss any homeschool myths or any of my other articles, you can always subscribe to receive them in your email. Just click here. I do get published more than once per day occasionally. Every publish email has a subscription removal link and the only emails you will get are those announcing each article as publishes. AC (the site I write for) does not send spam and you can unsubscribe at any time. If the above subscription link doesn't work, simply email positiveone_333@msn.com with the subject line "add me to AC" and I'll add the email you message me with.

~Mommy2Lots~ aka ~Momie Tullottes~

I've started a new series on Associated Content (AC) that will explore different myths homeschoolers often face. I have many ideas already. However, I would also like some input from my readers.

What are some common things you face once people know you home school?
What are some encounters you've had with people about homeschooling?

My first two published homeschool myths:

Have you had your eye on a certain toy for your child, but aren't sure if it will live up to its claims or not?

With so many toys likely in your child's toy box already (or scattered across the house), new toys may need to hold a special purpose or at least be worth their cost. Maybe you are just a consumer who wants to be sure their money is well-spent.

Whatever your reason for wanting to check out toys, Kidazy.com will be helpful. From small to large, Kidazy reviews toys with an open mind. In my opinion, this website is the best I've seen, as far as well-written and honest toy reviews.

Right now, there's even a contest going on to win a $100 gift card for Toys "R" Us. Check out Kidazy today!

There have been so many product recalls this year and last, it's enough to make your head spin. However, as parents, it is still our duty to keep up with this information. I've made it a bit easier and have been compiling updates on them at AC.

Here are the ones from 2008 so far:
Children's Product Recalls: Feb 18 - Feb 24, 2008

Children's Product Recalls Feb 9 - Feb 17, 2008

Children's Product Recalls: Feb 2 - Feb 8, 2008

Children's Product Recalls January 27 - February 1, 2008

Children's Product Recall Updates: Jan 18 - Jan 26, 2008

Amanda Day has created some wonderful Science games for home, school, or otherwise. Not only are these games educational, but they are fun aswell and will keep children interested in learning while at play.

Here is a small excerpt from her article:

"Discovering science concepts through games is an adventure for children. Suggestions can be found by looking through your local newspaper, online and in library and school newsletters. Many communities also have children's museums filled with games appropriate for varied age groups. Learning from play is fun. So, try out some of these games with your youngsters."

Click Here to read the rest. Be sure to thank her or leave some feedback in her comments section.

Image Courtesy of: http://www.imageafter.com

The event is over, but here are videos from the Barack/Hillary debate:






For more, you can visit that user's page on YouTube: Click Here

Original post:
Click Here (link removed - the event is now over) for the live video feed of the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama debate in Austin, TX on February 21, 2008. The link will only work during the time the debate is active.

Who do you think will get the democratic nomination? Why?

Note: After the event, I will post any YouTube video clips I find on the debate.

Hipmommy's hosting a coupon contest for a few good coupons.

Click Here to check out her coupon giveaway contest.

While you're there, don't forget to check out the rest of her blog. If you like to read, hipmommy won't let you down. She can be found blogging most every day.

Since so many are itching to see a video of Barack and the event is now over, here's a clip of Barack speaking last night (Feb. 19, 2008):



The original post:
Watch Barack Obama Houston Rally at the Toyota Center Live Online through a video feed:

February 19, 2008
(link removed - the event is now over)

Since the last contest didn't work out so well, I'm hosting a new contest. Since no one must have wanted to win an RSS spot in my sidebar, maybe someone wants to win my book in e-book (pdf) form.

The contest ends Friday, February 22, 2008 at 11:59 pm.


Rules & Instructions

To enter the contest, simply do one of the following and comment here with the link to proof:
1. Link to this blog
2. Write a blog post about this blog (negative or positive - just write what you feel).

Once you have done one of the two above, leave a comment here linking to it.

The names/screen names will be placed in a hat and one lucky winner will be drawn by my 4 year old daughter on Saturday morning. If you are the winner, I will contact you through your blog or website to let you know. The e-book will be sent by email as a pdf attachment.

Teaching your child the letters of the alphabet can be a real joy for you as well as your child. It will be the foundation for your child's education. A child must know the letters in order to read. In order to do most other lessons, a child must be able to read properly. When students struggle in school, many times it will be traced back to their reading skills. If a child has never learned appropriate reading skills, failure is inevitable. Click here to read the entire method.

Use the videos below to enhance the teaching process:

An associate of mine named Lisa, who is a contributing editor at HoustonSahm.com has offered a special discount rate for those who join HoustonSahm.com as members.

HoustonSahm.com is "Houston's Premier Web Resource for Moms".

Find lesson plans, support groups, a mom's forum, and much much more, all geared especially toward moms in Houston. Those who join and use Lisa's Code, "FF10", will receive $8.00 off the membership price. But, hurry! This is a special promotion rate.

Visit Lisa's Guide today!

You don't have to join to visit, but once visiting, you'll likely want to be a member and take advantage of the special features only available to members.

In need of some free, but educational lesson plans and ideas for teaching Black History?

Click Here

I've compiled a great collection of lesson plans, stories, activities, history, resources, color pages, and much more. Learn about many different aspects of Black History, and not just the Civil Rights Movement. That's in there too, but there's much more to Black History than the Civil Rights Movement.

Enjoy! Let me know there or here what you think and if you know of any other resources, please feel free to share.

~Mommmy2Lots~ aka ~Momie Tullottes~

*For information on permission to post the linked resource at your website in its entirety, please contact me by visiting my website and going to to the contact page. Please be specific in your request.

Does Barack Obama Support Homeschooling?
How much does that matter to you?

In my original post about Barack and homeschool, I examined the possibility that Mr. Obama might support homeschool. It turned into a good discussion and research session in the comments section, which led to more research and my writing and publishing of this article on Associated Content:

Does Barack Obama Support Homeschool? Should Those Who School At Home Only Vote For A Pro-Homeschool Candidate?

In the article, I examine what I have found that may show that Barack supports the choice to school at home, as well as discuss whether a homeschooling family should always vote for a pro-homeschool candidate.

Please read the article and let me know how you feel, either in the comments section of the article or the comments section of this post. Feel free to state exactly how you feel. No comments will be deleted, unless they are vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. All feedback is welcome and appreciated either here or on the article.

Teaching kids multiplication facts is just one of those things that can be frustrating as a parent. Let's face it.They have to know them and it's up to you to teach them. So, what are you going to do? Of course you'll likely be giving them the worksheets and textbook work, as well as practicing with flashcards and manipulatives. But, what if none of those things are working? Well, here's a fun (yes, I said "fun" AND "math" in the same sentence) way to motivate those kids to get those times tables down.

The video collection below contains times tables and skip counting for the numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The 0's, 1's, and 2's are usually a cinch, but your child could also be reciting those 3's, 4's, 5's, 6's, 7's, 8's, 9's, and 10's with simplicity real soon. Try them out with them today. Hey, it can't hurt, only help, right?

Ever thought of the possibility of what children can learn from a power outage?

Well, tonight we had a big thunderstorm and the lights went out. I thought to myself, what could I do to make this fun and worthwhile.

After all, you've got to keep the kids calm, right?

So, we played some fun learning games I made up on the spot (ok, and some I'd made up before), talked about what to do in emergencies, and had a bit of fun, too.

Uh-oh, I smell an article for AC coming from this. I better go write. LOL

If you are reading this, this message must be for you. If you do not celebrate Christmas, please read on anyway. I believe that people experience everything for a reason. Because you found this, you must be meant to read this special Christmas challenge.

UPDATE: NO ONE HAS ENTERED THE CONTEST, SO THE ENTRY DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 16, 2008 (11:59 PM). SAME RULES APPLY

I am looking for a family-friendly blog to feature in RSS in the sidebar of this blog. Does your blog have what it takes?

To enter this contest, simply reply to this post with a link to your blog, along with a short description of it. This contest will end at 12:00 am CT on Friday, December 21st, so hurry and get your blog in the runnings.

I will visit each blog entered to be sure it is family-friendly. While we are a home schooling blog, do not feel limited to just homeschooling blogs. Even if you're blog is about public school or other family issues, you are still welcome to enter. Each entrant may enter up to 3 blogs for consideration.

The winning blog will chosen at random. I will place strips of paper with each eligible blog's name on it inside a paper bag and shake it up. My 3 year old son will pick the winning strip.

Only blogs with a G-rating and a family theme (e.g. school, family vacations, family life, family events, educational, parenting, etc...) will be eligible for the contest.

The winning blog will be featured in my sidebar for at least 6 months (possibly longer), starting from the date the contest ends. If your blog does not have an RSS feed, but you'd still like to enter, I can alternatively place a button or banner in the sidebar. However, you must provide the code.

If you enter, remember to subscribe to this blog by RSS to keep up-to-date with the contest. Click Here to subscribe.

~Mommy2Lots~ aka ~Momie Tullottes~

For many, Christmas is a time for baking and sharing traditions with family and friends. Even those who don't usually bake love to try their hand at Christmas baking. With these simple recipes I use for my family, just about anyone can try their hand at baking. I've also tossed in the traditions that we do with them for an extra treat.

Cookie Decorating Party
Once your cookies are made, you'll need to get them decorated. What better way than to have a cookie decorating party? Invite friends and family to bring or make their cookies for decorating. While everyone decorates cookies, Christmas music should be playing. Be sure to have a variety of Christmas music, so everyone can enjoy it. Singing along should be encouraged. Sipping on hot cocoa with candy canes on the side for dipping and stirring is a must.

Homemade Hot Cocoa
Heat 6 cups milk to simmering in a saucepan. Pour in...click here to read the rest.

Christmas time is a special time that should bring closeness between family, friends, and even strangers. Holidays are filled with joy as well as angst. In this special Christmas series of Positive Parenting Tips, learn how to deal with many parenting issues that come up during the holidays. These tips will apply to other holidays celebrated around this time of year as well. So, if you celebrate something other than Christmas, don't feel left out. These thoughts and tips are for everyone with children from conception to grown-up.

Christmas Edition Tip #1:

Be sure to involve the children in the holiday decorating process.

Even younger children can help in some way.

In this age of pre-lit trees, specialty decorations, and contractors who will happily do your decorations for you, don't forget the wonder and excitement of the children.

Even if you hire someone to do most of the decorating, leave something for the children to do, like making paper snowflakes and hanging them in the window or trimming the tree.

Unborn babies in the womb will get delight from hearing the family sing carols and talk and laugh during decorating.

Babies and toddlers can hang (or help hang) ornaments on the bottom portion of the tree or put the tape pieces on window decorations.

Elementary-aged children can do most anything when it comes to decorating, as can older children.

Older children can make hot cocoa for sipping during the decorating process.

It doesn't matter what the children do. Just be sure they are allowed to participate.

Also, remember that even grown adult children that have since moved out would love to come home and help decorate. It means more to them than some might think.

**Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below**
This tip was originally published by Momie Tullottes (Mommy2Lots) here.

Teaching and Learning

When teaching children, they also teach you.
Teachers learn from their students often.

We must also learn in order to teach.
Without all the facts, we cannot teach properly.

Teaching and learning should go hand in hand.
Without one, the other cannot exist.

However, sometimes they do.

~

*Note from the author:
This was written as a reflection of what is sometimes seen in the world of education. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this matter in the comments section.

Mommy2Lots aka Momie Tullottes originally published this at the following link
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/465919/teaching_and_learning.html

Well, Happy Cyber Monday!

Since it's so hard to hunt down those bargains sometimes, I've hunted down some good deals for you.
Enjoy!

Click here for Baby Clothes and More! (Baby Stuff at Cyber Monday Prices)

Todays Tot Mission Deacons Bench - CherryWas: $149.99 - Now: $79.99

Last Chance Clearance! Up to 75% Off at dELiA*s! Limited Quantities.

Positive Parenting Tips Book - Only $3.96 for E-Book Version (click for print as well)

Click here for Gift Baskets & More!

Stuff For Everybody at Rock-Bottom Prices, plus a Rebate Plan

10% off Tennis Bracelets!

Gifts under $25

Tips:
Corporate Gift Basket Selection Tips

Added on Tues. Nov 27:
These websites still have great prices.
Happy shopping!

Hip Mommy, a fellow mom blogger friend of mine has an excellent blog that I think is worth pointing out.

Hip Mommy's Place is the place where, well, all hip mommies should visit (and even those who aren't). Hip Mommy at HipMommy'sPlace has contests, shares real life experiences, and even tells you about all the latest deals.

She also has a Hip Online Store and a Hip Gift Shop.

True to her name, she is one Hip Mommy, that's for sure.




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For those of you who have been waiting, my book is ready.

It's now available for sale in the Lulu marketplace.

http://stores.lulu.com/mommy2lots

Learn how to apply simple parenting strategies one week at a time on that special journey called parenthood.

Just because I'm so excited, here's a tip for you. This one isn't in the book, but it is published here.

Be Clear and Consistent (Tip #61):

Be clear and consistent.

Be clear about everything you say and do around a child.

Even if you may not remember saying no to something you normally say yes to just because you're tired, distracted, or frustrated, your child will remember it.

If you don't want your child to do a certain activity or behavior, but excuse or permit it sometimes, this teaches a child that rules are made to bend and break, not follow.

If you say you will go to a certain place every week, do it.

If you say you will do an activity every day, do it.

Flip-flopping and changing your mind about rules and promises too often can cause confusion and misbehavior in a child.

Children need structure and consistency. They need to trust you.

Be clear and consistent on what you expect from them.

Doing so will cause less stress for everyone involved.

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This year I think am going to try something different and let the kids have the entire week off, following suit of the area schools.

I'm not sure they really need an entire week, but I'm sure they'll enjoy it. I'll make it fun, of course.

I was just wondering what everyone else is doing and whether their vacations are as long as ours and whatever other thoughts you have to add.

Keep in mind that my gift son will be off from traditional school all week as well, which is the main reason I want to keep with the schedule of the area schools.

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UPDATE: Updated posting on Barack and homeschool: Click Here

Original post:
While browsing the net today, I found out something very interesting. Barack Obama seems to support the choice of home schooling.

Pardon me, if some of you have already discovered this, but I thought it was definitely worthy of sharing.

Here's where I found the info:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/NewHampshireEducatorsforObama/CJxd

Obama has always been my first choice. Now he has given me yet another reason to vote for him come the 2008 election.

If any of you know of any other links related to this, please share.

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For today, the kids did their language/reading block normal, but the rest of the day will be like this.

Our lesson plan is to do some Veteran's Day Crafts, take a walk to the local creek and talk about what the vets have done for the country while enjoying the beautiful scenery, then come home and say a prayer for all the vets who have died or served and for all those fighting in the current war.

What kind of plans does everyone else have?

Wow!
I am really disappointed in the toy industry, to say the least, and I can hardly keep up with all the recalls.

Here's a run-down of some of the items that have been recalled lately.

Children's Sunglasses from Dollar General
Curious George Plush Dolls
Aqua Dots (for containing the Date Rape Drug! Scary!)

and the latest:
Halloween Baskets from Hobby Lobby
of all places. I LOVE Hobby Lobby and before this, they have only had 2 recalls (Christmas lights in 2006 and Christmas lights in 1997)

I am so sad that people don't care about children enough to test these products better before they are made available for purchase by retailers and the public.

Try this on for size:
Afraid to Buy Toys For Christmas
(written in reflection of recalls from China and elsewhere)

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Wow!

This new stroller has everything the baby and mother need!



The Mutsy stroller (http://www.mutsy.com) is stylish, but still comfortable.
It can convert from a bassinet to a comfy upright seat that can also tilt back for comfort.
Not only does it do that, but it will fit the Graco Snugride Carseat for those times when baby dozes off in the car and you can't bear to wake the dear child from such a sound sleep.

As if that isn't enough, there is also a Funseat attachment with the Mutsy stroller that allows a baby or toddler to "steer".

There are 4 styles of the Mutsy strollers with those particular features and if you look at this stroller, it has such a futuristic urban design, who could resist?

Besides, this stylish buggy comes in a variety of colors and designs so that every mom should be able to find something she likes.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that this stroller can also quickly convert into into a rocker.
It also comes with 2 sets of wheels, one for trails and one for streets.

This is definitely a stroller for the savvy mom on the go.

If you need something a bit lighter, try the Mutsy Spider instead, which resembles the other 4 Mutsy models (the Urban Rider, the Urban Rider "Next", the 4Rider, and the 4Rider Light) when they are in the seat position. The seat still reclines, but this stroller only has three wheels and has an extremely compact fold.

There is also a new model that will be introduced this Fall.

My kids (and yours) would absolutely fall in love with this stroller.
I highly encourage you to visit the nearest retailer and take a "test drive" of one or more of the Mutsy models.





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A mother's job is never done, but there are some simple things that other household members (mainly spouses/partners and kids) can do to make it go much smoother. My husband and kids are great at helping out, but I realize that isn't the case for many families. So, here's a run-down of some simple ways everyone can make super-mom's job a bit easier. They're even categorized to make it easier to help someone out quickly.

Some households do not have traditional roles in which the wife or mother performs these duties or may have other household situations. In those cases, just replace "mom" or "mother" with the appropriate person.

Read the rest of this by clicking here...

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Oh my goodness! You have got to see this shop run by a WAHM and blogger.

From little pigs, to ducks, to bears, rocket ships, skateboards and more, you can find something cute for your little girl or boy.

She also offers men's, women's, junior's and even maternity sizes.
Of couse, these are more geared to the specific ages.

I especially love a maternity t-shirt that reads "Ready To Pop" with a cute graphic/logo that is right on the center of the belly. If I was pregnant, that would be a must-have!

I just might have to buy some of her stuff as stocking stuffers for the kids this Christmas.

Check out this WAHM's cute store:
http://www.cafepress.com/0525designs

Never underestimate the power of conversation.

Having conversations daily with your children is essential.
Not only is it important for bonding, but it builds trust and lets you know what your child is going through.

From inside the womb, all the way up to adults, your children need you to talk to them.

With newborn babies and embryos, simply speak and let them listen.
With babies who can babble, speak and listen to them babble back.
Once children are old enough to talk, talk with them several times per day.

Even small conversation is better than none.
Ask about their day at school, how their friends are doing, and what their favorite part of their day is.

Even make it fun by talking about what they'd do if deserted on an island or if they won a million dollars.

There are many more ways to initiate a conversation with kids.
Converse at the dinner table, during television commercials, during car rides, during walks, and more.

There are many opportunities to talk to your child throughout the day.
Take them all.

Your child will enjoy talking to you and this paves the way for those difficult talks you will need to have as your child grows.

Have you talked to your child today?

*To read more positive parenting tips and related content, simply click here. For the RSS feed, click here.

**I also welcome feedback, insight, and discussion in the comments section below.

This content was also published here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/428079/positive_parenting_tips_thought_57.html


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Be careful not to cast your own doubts onto your children.

When you are in doubt about something in your life, try not to involve the children.

If the children see you doubting that certain things will come to pass, they will begin to do the same with things that concern them.

Instead, instill hope in them.
Have faith and hope that things will happen.
Let the children model after that faith and hope.
Let them see it in you.

Never let your children see doubt or fear in your eyes.
Better yet, cast your doubts to the wind and let them fly away.
You don't need them, either.

*To read more parenting tips and related content from this author, simply click here.

**This author welcomes discussion, advice, and feedback in the comments section below.

To see this Daily Parenting Thought Published at Associated Content, click on the link below:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/426874/positive_parenting_tips_thought_56.html

As some of you may know, my book is due to be published soon, which will contain a collection of my daily parenting tip series that I started on Associated Content. Included will also be tips that are exclusive to the book, as well as a plan that will help to implement these tips into your daily life. Stay tuned for more tips, as well as updates on the book.

*~Mommy2Lots~*

If you're homeschooling in order to give your child positive social skills, you're not alone. Many parents are realizing that the socialization gained in some of the other schooling situations is not always positive. In fact, it can sometimes be detrimental to their mental psyche.

To read more on the positive social benefits of homeschooling, click here.

Oh, and ps, sorry I've been MIA for a bit. My computer isn't serving me well lately, but I'm working on it (sigh) and hope it will up to speed soon.

This may be the worst of all of the China-made recalls yet.

Graco and Simplicity Inc have recalled almost a million cribs due to infant injuries and deaths.

If you have purchased a Graco crib from 1998 up to this year, click here to find out if your child is in danger from these recalls.

I found this super-cute canopy bed for girls while surfing the net. I cannot believe how affordable this is. I'm thinking of getting it for my youngest little girl. Here's the linked pic to the twin size. They also have it in full.

Australia is home to some pretty amazing creatures. The marine life is no exception.

Go on a journey with Kristine Doherty, as she shows us the amazing lives of these 3 sea creatures here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/333921/3_of_australias_deadliest_sea_creatures.html

Hi everyone.

If you've been keeping up with my writing on AC, you'll see I have started a "Parenting Thought Of The Day" series. If not, well, you'll just have to check it out via the links on the right.

What started out as a test to see if this would make good book material (basically, was it something people would even be interested in?) has turned into more than I ever thought it would. Gaining popularity quickly, this series has given me exposure that may not have been found before.

So, for all you freelancers out there who want to draw in an audience, find something you're good at. Then, try making your own daily thought or tip list to keep people interested.

As for the book, well, let's just say it will definitely be coming soon!

Children are very flexible beings, but unfortunately, the same does not ring so true for their toys. While people can bend into the perfect yoga pose, a Barbie, unfortunately cannot. It will likely peel apart.

But, alas, there is hope for the weak toys. Click Here to read more and even find out how to make these toys last much longer.

My 9 year old interviews my 3 year old as an experiment to see if 3 year olds can think like kids his age.

See what he found out: http://www.associatedcontent.com/audio/611/9_year_old_interviews_3_year_old.html

You can tell he is reading from something he wrote, but it is still too cute for words! LOL

The three year old actually answers the questions, too. Listen and see for yourself.

Have a positive day!

If you keep up with my MySpace blog as well, you may have read this posting there. I thought it was a rather useful post, so I decided to post it in as many places as possible to help more parents find free resources on the internet. There are not enough free resources that don't ask for anything in return (like maybe selling you another product).

Reading and writing have always been my passion. Aside from loving to read and write and doing them both for my enjoyment, I also have become a specialist in teaching children how to read. I learned how to read at the wee age of 3 and haven't put the books down since.
My first teaching experience was with my own little sister. I helped my mother teach her how to read. When it became that time, in addition to whatever lessons my mom gave her, I also worked with her in many ways. It became something of a hobby for me. Each day I looked forward to working with her on whatever area I had planned out. My sister is an excellent reader because of the dedication of both my mother and myself.
Now that I have my own children, teaching reading has become a part of my daily life. There is a reading lesson in everything.
That said, here is a collection of my methods on teaching reading. Using these methods has benefited my children as well as others. I recommend bookmarking these to your favorites under a folder called "reading" or whatever other title you will choose. Having them all handy in one place will help make reading time much easier.
Comprehension Lesson Plan
This is a simple reading comprehension lesson for children who have intermediate reading fluency. It is a story with questions.
Using Your Child's Interests To Enhance Learning
This article explains how you can draw on your child's interests interests to help enhance interest in learning.
Incorporating Learning Into Your Child's Daily Life
Here you will find out how to make everyday life a fun learning experience.
Comprehension Practice Grades K-5
In this lesson, your child will learn how to better understand what is being read. This is a lesson that can be repeated at least 3 times per week. It should be done right after your child has read a book.
Study Materials Every Parent Should have Around
This will tell you what materials you should have and how to use them effectively. Plus, you'll get some game ideas as well.
Making Activity Bins For Studying Writing
Writing is an essential part of reading. Here you'll learn how to create a bin of fun activities and games that will enhance these skills.
How To Make Activity Bins For Studying Reading
Reading should be fun. In this article, you'll learn how to make many fun games and activities for reading.
Spelling And Vocabulary
These skills will help your child understand what is being read. Learn how to make some fun games and plan activities for enhancing these skills.
Free Internet Resources For Teaching Reading Skills
This is a compilation of internet sites that have a variety of lessons for reading.
Choosing Children's Books That Create Smart Readers
This is a parenting lesson on choosing books that will help enhance your child's reading skills.
Comprehension-Building In Your Child: Two Beneficial Activities
Here's directions for two activities that help stimulate the mind and ehance comprehension skills.
My 3 Year Old's Starting To Spell! Boy, A I in For Truble!
This is an article about my word-smart 3-year old. This may give parents some ideas on how to make words a part of their child's day.
Cut The Baby Talk Already: Your Child's Intellect Is Suffering
This is article on the effects of using baby talk with your baby or child.
Creating A Library
This article is directed at homeschooling families, but can really apply to any family.
Family-Time How-To: Reading Circle
This is a how-to guide on a great activity for reading.
Skip Has Fun
This is my newest reader for beginning readers. There are also instructions on how to make it into a long-lasting book your child can read over and over again.

Well, with Father's Day being tomorrow and all, some of you may need a quick, last-minute idea.

There are so many things you could get that special man, but if you're looking for something unique, but practical, you'll want to check my list here.

All of those items can be bought at Wal-Mart or another similar retailer near you.

While PG-13 movies have a parental guidance warning, many of them are geared directly towards an audience of mainly children. Some of the more popular ones to date are the Harry Potter series, which involves the epic adventures of a child (now a teen) who is a sought-after magician. While it may sound innocent in context, this series is filled with innuendos that lead our children to believe that violence must be used to solve problems.

In a recent medical study, PG-13 films were proven to be highly unsafe for children because of the type of violence in them. It isn't the violence that is the problem. The problem is that the violence in these films is often undertoned and downplayed, meaning it is second nature and the violence often does not have any recourse. In otherwords, these films are teaching our children that if they are violent, they don't face any consequences and also that violence is the best way to solve a problem.

You can read my report and more on the entire study here.

Could there be better terminology and actions for stepchildren? Does your stepchild deserve better than just being called a stepchild? Click Here to see what you can do about it.

It's the weekend and in may areas the weather is getting warmer. So, what can you do with the kids? Here's a few ideas:

1.Set up the family pool, be it a yard pool or a small baby pool. Either will be fun to the kids. If you don't have a pool, take out the hose and spray everyone or run a sprinkler.

2.Play outdoor games such as vollryball, water balloons, croquet, mini golf, basketball, frisbee, monkey in the middle, 4 square, soccer, and many more.

3.Go to the park, have a picnic, visit the petting zoos, ride a horse...

Just have fun!

Being a mom is both challenging and rewarding. So, I decided to ask mothers what the hardest part about being a mom was as Mother's Day neared. For all their answers, click here.

Find out how talking gibberish to your baby may cause his or her intellect to suffer.

Click Here for the full story.

With the Summer vacation quickly approaching, the kids will want to do some fun outdoor activities.

Click Here for a fun adventure that you can do together. This one could even work in your backyard if you have trees and maybe a pond.

Is your child particulary difficult to reach? Maybe your child is just bored with learning. Click on the link below to find out how to use your child's interests to enhance learning.

Click Here

Do you need a Science lesson on sound waves and/or echoes?
Maybe you just want to do something fun with your child.
This microphone craft project is great for either.
Whether you homeschool or just want something fun to do with your kids, this easy and fun project is sure to do the trick.

Click Here For Microphone Craft

Pose this question to your child:

What would the Earth be like without water? Could we survive? Would there be plants and animals? Discuss it openly and listen to each others questions.

Read the article below together for pre-reference or further reference:

Water: A Simply Amazing Resource

Directions: Simply highlight the text and paste it into your favorite document editor (Word, OpenOffice.org, etc...) and then print it. Save it for future use. Every time you take a nature walk or go to a park for study purposes, print one for each child and bring it along.


What are you observing?


What color is it?


What shape is it?


Are there any special markings and if so what are they?


Can you eat it?


What does it smell like?


Does it make any sounds?


Where did you find it?


If it's a living thing, what kind of home does it have?


If it's a living thing, what does it eat?


If it's a living thing, is the mouth small or large and can you see the mouth?


If it's a living thing, how many legs does it have?


If it's a living thing, does it have antennae?


Draw a picture of what you found. After the picture, list any facts you discovered about what you found. You can use the back of the page if you need to.

Children are naturally creative and imaginitive beings. As parents, we sometimes forget just how important our children's individual expression truly is.

We often get bogged down into our daily routine, forgetting to allow our children to create. A tired mother may overhear her child playing an imaginary game, but instead of just letting the child continue to play, she tells the child to be quiet becauser she has a headache or doesn't want any noise. While doing this one time will probably not make much of a difference, if this is done several times, the child will learn that playing quietly is better, even if that's not true. It will hinder the child from expressing himself because the child will think it is wrong.

Instead, we as parents must give our children all the opportunity we can to express themselves freely. The only time we should intervene is if the expression is harming or endangering the child or someone else or if the expression is being done in a negative way such as a tantrum in the middle of the store. Another reason for interruption could be inappropriate timing, such as homework time.

Save for the exceptions mentioned above, freedom of expression should be allowed at all times. This is how children learn who they are and discover their talents and capabilities.

An experienced homeschooling mother of 6, who's also a student in early childhood education tells it like it is. Click Here to find out her thoughts on the matter.

Homeschooled kids need gym class, too. Exercise is a very important part of every day. If it's not in your house, it should be. Click Here to find some great activities to do with your kids for physical movement. You'll even learn how to make tetherball and volleyball from scratch.

This changes every day.
From time to time, I'll repost it to keep it closer to the top.

When you make the decision to homeschool, the very first question you will likely get asked by friends and family members is "What about socialization?" or "How will he/she make friends?" The simplest way to help them uderstand is to point to resources on the internet that explain how socialization can work in a homeschool setting. Since I have been asked this many times, I decided to summarize key factors of socialization all into one article and talk about the common misconceptions of socialization in conjunction with homeschool. Click Here to read it and pass it on to family and friends. If you don't want to directly tell them, try attaching a link to this (or another) article about it in your email signature. Every time you send out an email, that link will be at the bottom of it. Curiosity will get the best of them and they'll click on it and read it. Hopefully, it will help them to better understand the benefits of homeschooling.

Let's face it. When you have kids, and especially when you homeschool them, their projects begin to take up space all over the house. So, what do you do to preserve the memory as well as free up clutter? In an article I wrote, linked below, you can discover ways to solve the clutter and memory problem.

Click here to view and read the original article on the web.

Have you ever wondered how to teach music class to the kids? Maybe you just need to know how to organize it or what to use. Well, either way, this is for you.

Click Here to read about how to do this.

Children with asthma have been found to be prone to ADD, ADHD, and a host of other learning disorders. To find out more, read the original article here.

I know, I know, so many people write about this, but I thought I'd put a different spin on it. This is an article I had published with AC.

So, check out the link below to see what I said:

The Most common Misconception
About Homeschool:Socialization

Well, quite frankly, I've been up to quite alot lately. On top of coming up with new ideas for the kids as always, I've taken up getting paid for my writing. No, I'm not talking about the little bit I make from adsense writing here. LOL

Now I actually get paid for writing articles on whatever I want to write about. And, yeah, you guessed it. I usually write about homeschool, education, and kids, so although I haven't been writing much here, I'm still active elsewhere. I'll try and be better about it, but the temptation of getting money for my articles that I can spend without asking hubby is most of the time greater than the temptation to blog for a few pennies here and there. LOL

If you're curious about my other writing, look to the right under the heading that says "Mommy2Lots Associated Content".
So, if I don't have anything here, you'll have luck finding something there.

Oh yeah, and I've gone and created another homeschooling group online, since Parent/ChildFunShare got overloaded.

The new one is http://groups.msn.com/PositiveOnesHomeschool

Be forewarned...this is a true story. LOL (or am I...)

There once was a perfect mom. She kept her house just so. She kept her kids just so. All of the children were well behaved and ahead in school. Supermommy homeschooled the kids because public school couldn't keep up with them. She baked them healthy treats (sometimes not so healthy to see those sweet smiles on their faces). She prepared every meal from scratch. She loved to cook and clean and loved to teach her kids. Even though her husband was a bit stubborn and demanding, she granted his every wish. She changed all the diapers, healed the boo-boos, and made sure the household ran smooth. Noone ever helped her because she was Supermommy. Her job was "easy" for her because after all, she was Supermommy. One day Supermommy grew tired and needed to rest. She sat down on her son's bed and realized she couldn't move. She was exhausted. Sure enough, along came her son asking her to do something. Her husband was right there so she figured she'd ask him to do it. He said it was her job and he knew she could handle her job well. She quietly told her son to retrieve his toy himself. Supermommy was too beat to get it for him. Before you know it, her husband asked her to do something for him and gave his sweet smile saying "Mommy can do it, can't she son". In reply the Supermommy simply answered, "Supermommy has lost her powers".

Ever had one of those days? Yeah, me too. That was my story. I told that to my husband yesterday. LOL. You would not believe the look on his face. LOL
But, guess what? He did realize how much I do and he did give me some quiet time later that day. You should try it, too. It worked for me.

Don't we all get irritated when this season comes around? For me, the allergies act up first. Then, I get a cold (or 2 or 3) on top of it and it seems to never go away. Well, I found something simple that helps alot. I found that when the air is alot cleaner and more moist, it's much better. Ok, now you're probably thinking I'm crazy. You might be wondering how on Earth I am making my air cleaner and moister. Well, it's with a Humidifier silly. I'm not magic, just resourceful. LOL. I reccomend you visit the following links.
Holmes Humidifier Information.
Different Types Compared
Desirable Features
Whole House or Single Room?
Well, now that I've provided you with the necessary research links, why not make this a mini-homeschooling lesson? I have.

Hi, readers. I just found this new site that has a different approach to studying those SAT Vocabulary words. I even did a bit of studying myself. LOL
I was amazed at the collection of words they had. They also had some interesting resources. All highschoolers should check it out, regardless of what type of schooling you receive.

See it Now:
SAT Vocabulary

You will not believe this cool software I just came across. It actually helps you manage your time more effectively. Maybe you have a hard time keeping track of all those assignments for each kid. Maybe you work at home while you are trying to teach them. Maybe you're not a homeschooler at all, but you just have a busy life. Just put all your goals and schedules into this and you will have a much easier way to get things done. This time management software is the best I've seen yet. Trust me, it's a definite must-have for homeschooling, home businesses, or just plain life.

Get it today:
time management software

Did you educate your kids on Martin Luther King, Jr yesterday?
What types of things did you teach and what methods were used?
Please share.

Some of you may think it's not possible to have a "class" party when homeschooling. But, I say why not? And just where are all those guests coming from? Well, your local homeschooling group for starters. If you haven't joined one or don't prefer to join one, there are alternate ways of finding guests. One method could be to hang pretty invitations or posters on your local church bulletin board.
Two of my favorite sites for invitations:
ChelseaPaper.com

Another way could be to invite friends and family that have children also attending homeschool. Maybe posting an ad on a community website, like craigslist could work. The party should be in a neutral location, such as a park, especially if there will be people you don't know well attending. This is for safety. You don't want to invite unfamiliar people into your home. A party like this, especially near regular monthly holidays can make homeschooled children feel like they can do everything a child attending public school can do. It's simple things like this that help children (especially those who've attended regular school before) adjust to and accept homeschool.

This policy is valid from 28 December 2006

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact PositiveOne_333@msn.com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received does not influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog tries it hardest not to contain any content which might present a conflict of interest to parents and homeschoolers.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Who takes a break in winter when homeschooling? How long is your break and which holidays/days is it near? Feel free to be descriptive.

We usually check to see when the local public schools take their break and coincide it with that, so I can watch the kids' public school friends during the break and do lots of fun stuff with all the kids. It usually includes Christmas,Kwanzaa,Hannukah and New Year. (We celebrate all those but Hannukah, although the kids learn about a variety of holidays, including Hannukah.)

Is the FAFSA still relevant to homeschooling families? Of course it is. Your kids will still need to attend college won't they? Of course they do. Do you even know what a FAFSA is? It's the form required for obtaining financial aid for college (FAFSA FORM)and , let's face it, homeschool families will need this maybe even more so than others, due to the fact that scholarships are even more scarce for homeschoolers than those attending traditional school. FAFSA online can help you immensely. You wouldn't want your child to miss out on college simply because you don't know about FAFSA or can't pay tuition, would you? I bet not. In fact, if you're like most homeschooling families, you are very dedicated to anything related to education for your family. So, take some time out and learn about the FAFSA and how to use it to your advantage. What are you waiting for? Visit FAFSA on the web right now.


*This posting is strictly for informational purposes. Individual results will vary.

Reviewing the basic math facts is very important whether you are homeschooling or not. The basic facts are the key to your child's success in all other aspects of math.

So, how do you review the facts? Leave your thoughts and methods please, so we all can compare.

Here's what we do:
1.We use flash cards
2.We use Math board games
3.We use Math Computer Games
4.We use physical Math games, which require singing, jumping, dancing, or some other physical activity - some use a ball or jumprope, others do not.
5.Drill Worksheets (usually timed for 1 minute)
6.Memorization Worksheets (Click Here to get multiplication practice sheets for free)
7.We make up fun songs for the lessons and sing them together

For those of you who may be new to our site (or those of you who may not have used our sister sites), I am listing links to all the free assignments.

Main Homeschool Page (links to lots of assignments)

More Lessons

Activity Pages

Fact/Research Pages

Free Worksheets 1

Free Worksheets 2

Writer's Journal

Homeschool Talk (interactive message board plus more assignments)

Unit Projects

Free Books/Stories

If you join Parent/ChildFunShare as a free member, you can also communicate with other parents, as well as add assignments to some of these pages.

Hello. Well, since the Thanksgiving contest did not get any submissions, I am trying a different approach.
For Christmas, I will simply suggest ways to celebrate Christmas in your homeschool.
So, let's get started.
Suggestion 1: Try putting on a simple Christmas play that your whole family (even those outside the home) can come see.

Suggestion 2: Make lots of fun paper crafts/other crafts to display on the walls and/or windows. I have used these books to help me:

Suggestion 3: Make handmade gifts for friends and family

Suggestion 4: Make handmade crafts and sell them at a flea market for extra "school" cash or "gifting" cash.

Suggestion 5: Teach your kids lots of Christmas carols and sing them together while sipping hot cocoa.

Additional Resources for the above-mentioned:

Free list of Christmas Carols (all lyrics listed as well)

Christmas resource page (lots of fun, free kids stuff)

Free Christmas graphics
Have fun! Merry Christmas!

(edit---removed book links---watch future posts for the best books)

Review of The Homeschooling Mommy
"I just saw .
(...)
Seeing The Homeschooling Mommy, I'm simply speechless. What a fantastic page! There are 224,948 characters in the page, which is a fantastic length for Google. The color scheme is influenced by tribal art. The source for this page is very structured. If only my friend's company would have a splendid page like that. The URL has 41 characters. This length scores best in usability studies. Five-star. Yes, I expected the creator to succeed.
The page contains 411 links, a good amount. It must have taken eons to complete the page. Dazzling. This is the page of the millenium."
-- Robert Sutherland, Best of the Web

To get a review for your page, visit Pageboost

Is it hard to find a homeschooling group in your area? Don't stress. Just start one yourself. Sound hard? It's not.

Here's a few pointers:

• Pass out fliers with your first name and number with info on a meeting to open a homeschool group.
• Start a website for people needing a homeschool group in your area and advertise the site on free classified sites.
• Do you attend church or another weekly event where lots of people gather? Try posting a bulletin or socially networking.

Still not convinced?

Just give it a try. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

I have a couple questions for my readers that I would like some input on.
Anyone can answer, whether you're a new or continuing reader.
This is just to see what different people will say and how they feel.
Why do you homeschool?
Is homeschooling the best choice for your family and why do you feel this way?

Be as expressive as you want as long as you keep it g-rated. I'm interested in your thoughts.

When homeschooling, it is thought to be difficult to have a "school program". Well, I'm here to tell you it's not at all. In fact, it may be a whole lot easier than you think. All you have to do is join a homeschooling support group in your area and/or put out fliers in local churches and malls advertising your phone number and a date for an upcoming homeschool music program. Be sure to mention that it's free and that all homeschooled kids are welcome. If you are rehearsing on weekends, even invite kids in traditional school. You will be amazed at how many people respond and join in the fun. Want to do a festival instead? Use the same procedure, but list the admission price and/or what type of food to bring/location/etc. Be creative and be sure to welcome all who wish to participate. Have fun!

We are all in search for that perfect chore chart, you know, the one that makes the kids want to do the chores. That chart that becomes permanent and does not change, the one that we will all love to keep up with seems to be non-existent. I hunted and hunted and brooded and brooded and tried and tried all sorts of charts. None of them stuck until I decided to make my own. The chart would have to be flexible for homeschooling, offer rewards, teach a lesson, keep the kids excited, and be easy enough for the parents to want to continue with it. Well, guess what! I actually did it. To see the chart and use it for your family for free, Click Here. It's fully printable and flexible to meet your family's needs, and best of all, it's free! (unless you count the paper and ink in your printer. LOL)

The daily news is a great resource for assignments. Just think of all the different things you could do with it. Lets start off with ideas for writing. First, your child could write a letter to an out of state friend or family member about what is going on in your neighborhood. Another idea might be to have your child write an essay on a top story. For Social studies/Government/Civics, your child may do a research paper on a certain topic. That works for science as well. Even art could be covered using the news. The news can work for many areas. Even the simplest of daily tasks can provide hours worth of great homeschooling assignments.

Homeschooling around your city or area

Your neighborhood is a great place for education, starting from your own yard. The trees, flowers, and insects can help in learning nature science. The library is a good source for a wealth of information. Post offices, poloice stations, and fire stations sometimes give free educational tours. Visit the mayor's office, courthouse, and mint for learning about the government. Find small museums in your area that offer education about all sorts of different topics for an array of subjects. Some museums even offer tours that allow you to live like a pioneer, native american, or other different types of people. Amusement parks, though fun, can also offer many educational opportunities that are little talked about, but are included in admission. Of course zoos and museums can be great, but did you know about free tours at local factories? Most manufacturers will offer free tours. Even shopping trips to your local grocery store, mass merchandiser or other great places can be educational. Learning is only limited to the limits you set. Anything and everything can be a learning experience. Traditional book, paper, and pencil learning are still important, but remember that those are not the only methods that should be followed. even family outings can pose opportunities to teach and learn. Daily life can show us many opportunities for learning and we must always remember to use every opportunity to learn and teach that we can. Learning is not always dull. It can be fun, too.

Besides, homeschooling does not mean you should be stuck in the house all day with no interaction with the outside world. In fact, it should mean the opposite. Homeschooling should be done only partially at home, mostly outside of the house, interacting with all types of people.

Well, as you will have guessed when you see some activity here, we made it to our destination safely. Moving can be such "fun". So, now that that's out of the way, let's get down to business.

While playing outside with the kids this evening, a cool-looking toad stopped by for a visit. He got me to thinking (yes, I did it again). Nature can provide many opportunities for learning that we sometimes overlook. A simple toad hopping by, a butterfly in motion, or even an evening rain can all turn into great learning adventures that your kids will enjoy. If you're smart, you won't even let them know it's a lesson. Tell them a few fun facts about what you see. Study it and have them tell you what they notice. You can even capture (and later release) small creatures (frogs, insects, lizards, etc...) and observe them for a few hours. Look them up on the internet. Find or make coloring pages that involve them. If they are touchable, let your child feel their skin and describe it. Just remember hand-washing is important before and after. If it's an animal that bites or is poisonous, avoid capturing or touching it. Those animals are best observed from afar. Get creative and keep it fun, interesting, and safe.

Well, it's that time of year again! Yes, already.
The beginning of the school year can sometimes be difficult as far as planning goes. I've got some tips, assignments, and links to help you get started.

Stumped on how to plan your day? View my schedule here to use or to modify however you may need to. Once the schedule's out of the way, you'll need a variety of lessons from here to use in each subject.

Next, you'll need resources from here and from here to help you along the way. Not to mention math games from here, which need to be played according to level and for at least 20 minutes every day. There are free online books here, and a bunch more tips here.

Here's an online Writer's Journal that can be used for each kid. Unit projects will help with activities for a certain area of study.

If you have any questions not covered in those links,
you can always go here.

Last, but not least, if you haven't done so already, add this blog to your favorites list for lots more tips, ideas, fun, and lessons throughout the school years to come.

Grab some stuff today from Free Homeschool Resources. Here's a section of our new store for School Supplies that has everything school, even stuff for homeschoolers and furniture.
Also, for some cute clothes out of our new shop go to Girl's Clothing and Boy's Clothing. Learning isn't the only important part of a child's life,so get the Best Toys to keep your kids busy after school and on the weekends. Don't forget to bookmark those links as with life, the featured products will change often.

School time is such an important time in a child's life, so make it memorable, enjoyable, and special. Your child will appreciate you for it now as well as later in life.

While surfing the blogs I came across an interesting one. It's all about nature.
There are new posts frequently and I believe it would be a great blog to use in the teachings of nature science. From night and day to magnificent creatures, you will find an array of topics. I will definitely be using this blog in the near future. To check it out, please go to:
http://wondersofnature.blogspot.com/

Have you gotten settled back into your schooling habits yet? With homeschooling, you have some flexibility in doing this. So, use it wisely. While you have more freedom to relax into homeschooling, that doesn't mean you should be lazy. Children do need structure.

What we do:
Day one is review in math and reading.
Day two is review in math, reading, and science.
Day three is review in math, reading, science, and social studies
Day four is a full day of review in every subject.
Day five is a test to determine the child's appropriate level in each subject.
The next week will bring the full school day schedule.
The weekend is for gathering any extra materials needed to catch the children up, for projects, or for other materials needed for the following 2 weeks of assignments.

Is your child performing on the correct level?
This is a question that many agonize over, whether homeschooling or not.
Well, now I have found a site that makes it easier to tell.
With a couple clicks, you can see the standards for your state in each subject
by grade level.
To find out yours, go here and just enter your state, child's grade level (Enter last year's to see if your child is ready for the next level this year. Enter this year's to find out what you'll need to teach this year.), and subject. Voila! You've got your results.
If your child does not measure up, practice those key lessons with him/her and your child will be on par in no time.

The beginning of the school year often signifies a time for spending alot of money to parents and homeschoolers alike. For those of you homeschooling, it can mean even more. Added to the normal school supplies will be the curriculum you choose. It doesn't have to be, though. You're saying "And how does she expect me to teach my kids without a curriculum?" Why, the good-old-fashioned-way, of course. Ok, so it's not quite the same as the way our ancestors did it. What am I referring to, then? Why, the internet and a few research books, of course. Actually, the internet can be used instead of the research books, but I just prefer to have them around. We're a book house. But, you can read the same info on the web.

And now you're thinking about how hard it might be to find all your resources. Guess what? It's actually quite simple. Just type in what you need into google search and add "free worksheets" to the end of it. You'd be amazed at what comes up. Or, if you're too lazy to do all that searching, you can go here for my compiled list. I add to it almost every day and am more vigorous at it, with the start of the school year fast-approaching. Don't be surprised if you go to that page and the next day (or even an hour) there is much more info. On top of teaching my own kids, I enjoy providing an easier way for parents to teach theirs. Although it is categorized, the way you use it is up to you, still leaving your schooling methods open to your way and not controlled by anyone. There are worksheets, e-workbooks, e-textbooks, e-books, resources, research pages, message boards, and more. Best of all, it's all free! So again, click here if you want to use it or even if you're just curious. You don't have to be a member to use the resources, but if you have any questions or would like to communicate with other parents and/or homeschoolers, you will need to click on join now. Membership is free.

So, there's my 2 pennies on saving some school supply pennies. Hope I helped some of you.

Gym is a subject many people struggle with during homeschooling. It is often assumed that gym cannot be done without having many students, so some people choose to just let their children play outside for gym. Playing outside is great exercise, but children should learn other active movements as well. Here is a list of good physical activities for homeschool. Families who are homeschooling will benefit from these, but they are also great ideas for playing outside with the kids in general, especially on the weekends.

1. Bike riding - Find a bike trail or large pathed park in your area where everyone in the family can participate.

2. Practicing the rules and techniques of sports can be done without a large group of people. Most sports games can also be changed a bit, in order to play with only a small amount of people.

3. Organize a neighborhood sports day. Pick a flexible day of the week where people in the neighborhood can get together all the time and play the sport of the month together. Find a large park in your area to do this. Hand out and post fliers at local schools, churches, and libraries (wherever permitted). Start going to the location at that time every week. Keep handing out the fliers if not too many people show up the first week. Before you know it, there will be a large amount of kids participating. The people in this group will also become friends, so you have just found a group of people you can organize other fun events with for social activities.

4. Find and join a homeschooling group in your area that has sports activities.

5. Put your kids on a sports league or team of their choice. (dance and gymnastics count too)

6. Join a kid-friendly gym and sign your kids up for classes like kids yoga, swimming, or kids kickboxing. Research the gyms in your area for specific types of classes that your kids will enjoy.

7. If you have access to a pool, take the kids swimming every other day while the weather is nice.

8. Good old-fashioned games like Red Rover, Tag, Simon Says, Mother May I, and other such games can also be fun.

9. You can also draw a square with four squares inside with a piece of chalk to make a four-square game. Unused driveways or garages are good for this. If you have neither, but have a yard, cement a section off for this. The cemented section can also be used for basketball and tetherball.

10. Make your own tetherball game:
Do you have a pole in your backyard that was originally used for something else? If it's wooden, stick a strong hook in it, attach a chain to the hook, then attach a tetherball (check sports stores or chain discount marts like Wal-Mart or K-Mart). If you can't find a tetherball, volleyballs also work great for it. Just make sure you are able to attach a hook to whatever ball you use without deflating it. If your pole is metal and does not have a hook at the top, you will either have to drill a hole for a hook or weld a hook onto it. To make the game from scratch, just insert your own pole into the ground and then follow the same instructions.

11. Exercise dvds

12. Weekly field day events for all the neighborhood kids, Just do the same thing as the neighborhood sports day, but instead, do field day. You can choose one or both.

Make sure that whatever you choose, your children are active every day. Also, don't forget the Health & Nutrition part of physical education.

Like these ideas? Need more? Have another comment?
Please add your comments.

Scientists have discovered that babies can understand everything we're saying and doing, even the babies who cannot speak to express it. If you're an observant mom, like me, you're thinking "well, it's about time". Yes, they finally have valid proof that babies are as smart as we are. Just because they don't have some of the physical abilities we do, doesn't mean they can't comprehend what's going on. In fact, they know a bit too much. Of course, us moms knew that along, hence the reason we are careful what we say and do in front of them. We learned this from watching them mimick our actions and repeat words they shouldn't know. It's about time research caught up, so I say why not show them those flash cards meant for 2 and 3 year olds. When they are old enough to verbalize it, you just might be surprised at what they can do!

I originally saw the story on CBS news, but could not find an internet story about it, so here's the abc link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2093410&page=1

There's a fun kids contest going on at Parent/ChildFunShare right now. All kids will enjoy it. It's full of creativity and open to imagination. You will find it useful to keep the kids busy today or Saturday (or both). Another idea would be to use it as a supplemental art assignment. Whatever you choose to use it for, your kids will find it fun. But, hurry up and get over there (click on kids contest above), because it ends Saturday night (midnight Sunday morning)!

Do you sell a homeschooling curriculum on your site or blog? Do you sell any essential or unique materials, supplies, or resources for homeschooling? Do you have a unique homeschooling auction or store? If so, please submit the name of the curriculum/material/supply/resource/store/auction, the url where it's listed, your internet name, your email addy, and a brief decription of what the materials or curriculum do to benefit homeschool parents or children.

To make your submission, please reply to this posting.

Contest Winners will be automatically placed on my site ,Stuff Online-I'll Find It, which is my collection of the best of stuff online (some stuff is free, some isn't - all is the best). I will also do an article on each of the winning products/resources, outlining the benefits of each.

Right now, I am thinking I will choose 3 winners, but if more are considered to be the best, I will choose more than 3.

As of right now, there is not a definite end date, but I am thinking about 2 weeks. I will make another post when I decide and if you have made a submission by then, I will contact you to let you know the end date.

This post has been edited out, due to old links.

Ever thought of having a homeschooling back to school night? It can be very fun and can prepare and excite your children for the upcoming school year. Instead of the teacher showing you the child's lessons, desk, and other fun stuff, you will be presenting this info to your child. Make it fun and exciting. If you use a seperate room for homeschooling, make that room off limits and keep it locked until the big night to create suspense. If you don't have a designated room, make a designated area and get someone to watch your kid/s on the day of the party. While your kids are gone, fix up the area and put all the new school supplies in their proper spots. The new textbooks should be placed in their new homes and the folders should all be organized as mentioned at the end of the last post.Everything should be set up the way your child/ren will need it for school. (Make the first day's assignments fun, so as not to overwhelm your child on the first day.)

When your child gets home, you will have everything set up and have friends over, back to school cake, and fun food your kids love. Have some school-themed games to play. Have the party outside if it's nice. Shortly after the party starts (maybe 15-20 minutes to give people a chance to meet and greet), do the "reveal". Your child/ren will love it! Have fun!

At times it can be difficult and downright stressful to try and run a business out of your home while homeschooling. First, you may have the problem of phone calls coming in while you're trying to teach a lesson. If you don't answer the phone, you may lose money, but if you do, you may be interrupting an important lesson. To solve this problem, you need to make a time for work and a time for school. I do 8 hours of homeschooling, but this may not be feasible for those who need more work time.

This is what you do. You need at least 4 hours of homeschooling each day to fully benefit the child. Schedule that time around your work schedule. Let's say you need 8 hours of work time. Your work hours can be from 5 am to 1pm, allowing for breakfast time. Lunch can be made at 1pm if you give a healthy snack in between. At 2pm, you start homeschool and you finish at 6pm.

If your family prefers to eat dinner at 6pm, you can prepare dinner while teaching the kids. To do it this way, you will need to have plenty of things handy to keep the kids busy during your work time and since you will likely be the only parent available, be sure to give your kids love and attention during your work hours and to know where they are and what they are doing at all times. If both parents are present, this can be much easier. One can teach the kids and one can run the business. You can even take turns.

If your children are older (past elementary age), you can also use the method where the child basically instructs him or herself, using your pre-written lesson instructions for each subject. If the child has questions, you are still there, but the questions won't usually take very long to answer. Since most homeschooled kids learn faster, this method may even be possible at a younger age. Use your better judgement.

Another way to solve this is to use a virtual office service during your homeschooling hours, so that you don't miss calls, but your kids still get their education As you can see, there are many ways to solve this. You just have to be creative and use whatever works best for your family. You can use the ideas here, or come up with your own unique way. Just brainstorm and make sure your idea works for all involved.

The most important thing to keep in mind is planning ahead for the homeschooling part. This will relieve alot of stress. You can take a weekend to plan and make all the assignments for 2 weeks or further. Put the assignments in order in the correct folders for ease of use. So, you see, it's not so hard. You just have to figure out what all the needs are and find a way that you can meet them all.

Has your child always had a love for books? Are there alot of homeschoolers in your area (or do you know alot of homeschooling families)? If you can say yes to both of these, then starting a homeschool library would be a good idea for a library lesson, as well as just to create a sharing resource for homeschoolers. First, sort through all the books in your house and find the ones that are not special to anyone. Shelf those together in an area of your house that you will feel comfortable with people walking through. First floor walk-in closets are good for this or you can even just use a designated corner of any room where you feel comfortable placing the bookshelf. Next, you will need to contact everyone you know, asking them if they have any books they are not using that they could donate to the library. Then, while you are waiting for everyone to deliver their collections, visit local church sales and garage sales and buy books with low prices. You can usually find books priced at 10 cents to 50 cents at these events. Sometimes local libraries hold sales as well. Some even sell entire bags full of books for only a couple bucks.Be sure to search for educational materials as well as just regular books to read and be sure you have all ages covered. Once your collection is complete, either make or buy book pockets for checking out books and labels to place on the books that tells people the books belong to your library. Once you have all the books labeled and pocketed, you are ready to start checking out. Let everyone know when your library is ready. You can even have a "grand-opening" check-out party with snacks and book checkout. Have fun with the idea. You don't have to limit it to my ideas. Take the idea wherever you wish to take it.

Have you ever thought of starting a book club to enhance your child's reading mind? It's easier than you think. First, start off by making a list of all the homeschooling families you know. List each person in those families. Put a check next to the ones that are the same age (or on the same reading level) as your children. If you have more than one child, use checks for one, x's for another, stars for another and so on. Once you have this compiled, call all the families that are checked off and see if they are interested. Set up a meeting to discuss book club times and share ideas. During the meeting, ask the parents and children to contact others that they know to invite them as well. Before you know it, alot of people will be attending. Children in traditional school may also want to attend. Do not exclude anyone who wants to join. When the book club meets, have people take turns bringing snacks, drinks, napkins, and other supplies. Encourage the children to use the local library as a means of getting the books. Some libraries even let book clubs meet for free or a small fee. Check with your libraries for their requirements. If this is how you would prefer to do it, have everyone pay a small dues fee that will cover the library expenses and any other expenses.
This can be a great way to interact with peers, as well as enhance imagination, creativity, thinking skills, and reading and literary skills.

Click on the picture above to store your homeschooling resources online for free. If you want, you can also use it to share with others online. You can choose which documents to make public and which to keep private. They actually give you 1GB of storage for free!

It is important for us parents to remember that daily life holds many lessons. We need to be sure to recognize those opportunities when they arise. Every action in daily life is another opportunity for a lesson.When your child asks a question, elaborate is much as you can in words they will understand. When you do things, explain to them why they are being done and how it works, if applicable.

The more information you give your child about things, the easier it will be for your child to learn new things while schooling as well. This action is most often called fostering a learning environment.

If your child is always learning, it becomes natural to learn, therefore your child will be easy to teach and will succeed better in life.
Life is a learning experience in itself, and those better equipped to learn, will do better in life, in general.

Remember that everything you say and do is another learning experience for your child.

Homeschooling can be a challenge for the brain as well as for the body. We, as homeschoolers, need to remember to set aside time to relax every day. The homeschooling life can be a very busy one for the parent in charge of the schooling and housework. Just the housework alone can be a task in itself. Adding homeschool into the mix really makes for a challenge. Daily tasks can be daunting at times.

Here are a few methods that help me get it all done without stressing out.

1. Plan ahead. Take a weekend to plan ahead from 2 weeks up to 2 months (your choice). Make a schedule and all of the assignments and put them in order in the folders for each subject. There needs to be a seperate schedule for each child (unless they are on the same level).

2. Take at least one hour per day (even it's before everyone wakes up or after everyone's asleep) that's time just for you to do whatever you want. This cannot include work of any kind. Do something you enjoy doing.

3. Remember that your kids don't have to rush through an assignment. If one subject takes time from another, that's ok. If you don't catch up by the end of the day, fit it in the next day or add another day onto your school year. It's not a big deal. Besides, when you take time to thoroughly explain something, there's a better chance that your child will understand it next time around.

4. Don't get discouraged if your child doesn't understand something. Perseverance and commitment will end the struggle in no time.

5. Don't get bent out of shape (or let your husband's comments bother you) on nights when you can't make gourmet meals. Just study up on quick recipes and recipes for dessert or meals your kids can help you with during math or art.

6. Most of all, make you sure you have family time each day. Togetherness and laughter go a long way in relieving stress.

People are always asking me "What's your homeschool style?" Well, I don't know what to say. I wouldn't call it anything but teaching. We don't use packaged curriculums because my kids are too far ahead and they would go through it too fast. Grade-specific programs don't work because they do not include children who are ahead. What would I do, give my 2nd grader a 5th grade curriculum? So, I test them using grade-level requirements for each subject, and then I make their curriculum from lots of different sources (including making my own assignments) according to where they are and what they need to know for each subject. Sound hard? It is. Why do I do it? My kids are worth it.

This is how I usually tell people what homeschooling is for us.
Homeschooling can mean something different for different people. For us, it means my kids have a chance to learn at their levels without being held back by lessons that are targeted to a class as a whole. By having the freedom to receive customized lessons, my children have the opportunity to grow their minds and learn a wealth of information.

It sounds lengthy and it is, but there is no other way to express it.
In addition to regular subjects we also have gym, art, crafts, bible study, character development, french, and a special time when kids ask any question they want about any subject and we look it up on the internet and if they want to know more after that, we either implement it into what we're learning (if it applies) or use the special time to learn more.

If anyone has the style as me or knows what to call it, please leave comments.
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