REDIRECTING YOUR HOMESCHOOLER WHEN NEEDED

THIS YEAR DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED

So we redirected the path

Freedom in homeschooling allowed us to be flexible during a time that we thought we had everything planned perfectly for our son.

This May he was supposed to walk across the stage of the online college he had been attending and get his BS in Information Systems Management. He'd already started taking classes to also start his two-year program in Airplane Mechanics. The summer IT internship he was supposed to start got cancelled. He broke his collarbone and had to be laid off from his part-time job that he enjoyed.

Then things drastically changed when his graduation got cancelled, the Aircraft Mechanics program put him back on the waiting list to accommodate students that were displaced with the circumstances of the pandemic and new laws about social distancing.

REDIRECTING AND FLEXIBILITY

Know that you have time and there is no rush when homeschooling. Since my son was only 16 years old, he voiced his desire to have an actual college graduation. He was willing to work on other interest for a year so he would have the chance to walk the stage next year.

He added a minor onto his degree in Marketing since he said he was interested in that subject. He was only required to take three more classes.

In order to redirect and allow our child to explore a new path we:

• Did a Mind Map and Brainstorm of other interest
• Pointed out what was important to him
• Identified areas he needed more help (like networking skills, desire to learn music, need to practice public speaking more)
• Pointed out experiences he wanted
• Gave himself permission to put a direction at rest (for now or maybe forever)
• Pointed out what was most important to him

Speed Racer wanted a graduation. He also decided to table the Aircraft Mechanic program since it was something he'd decided to pursue in support of his dream of becoming a pilot. He did waver on becoming a pilot since the travel industry took a big hit - but we encouraged him to see the benefits of gaining a private pilot license for no reason but for personal and life growth. He agreed he'd still like to pursue the private pilot license and see what happens. 

PLAN FOR THE EXTENDED HOMESCHOOLING COLLEGE YEAR

He has changed his plans to include learning music, improving his breakdancing (hoping to be able to pursue the next Olympics in Break dancing), do a year of canoe racing since he missed the opportunity. For school work, he is minoring in Marketing, graduating in May 2021 with his sister who is graduating with her MS (at age 20 years), taking more computer programming classes, some homeschool classes in speech and debate so he can be around other teens.

HELP THEM TO SEE LIFE AS A GREAT ADVENTURE

In all the redirection, help them to see life as the great path of possibilities. Change is normal and can be fun as well as exciting. Closed paths aren't about the closing but about the learning and growing as a person.

by LM Preston, Author of Homeschooling and Working While Raising Amazing Learners

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My Homeschooling Adventure in Maryland

Homeschooling in Maryland

As a Maryland homeschooling parent, I was rather intimidated by the rules of the state. I’d first stumbled upon Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and researched the legal requirements for homeschooling in Maryland. I was concerned that it was one of the most restrictive states for homeschooling.

THE RULES

The state has the overarching rules:

·       Contact the superintendent of schools for your county to notify them that you are planning to homeschool your child. (See list of Superintendent here: http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/pages/school-systems/superintendents.aspx )

o   Do 15 days before planning to withdraw student from school

o   Use form for your county listed here: MD Homeschool Notification Forms by District (https://homeschoolstatelaws.com/2017/03/20/maryland-homeschool-notification-forms/ )

·       There is a law regarding attendance and instruction that has to be followed and is verified by a local school system or supervisor.

o   This is where the student can use what’s called an Umbrella school to serve as that supervisor. Here is a list of Umbrella Schools and Supervising entities: http://nonpublicschoolsdb.marylandpublicschools.org/nonpublic/home_instruction/DisplayLocationsByCounty.asp

o   The parent can have scheduled documentation review with the state employed supervisor that reviews and validates student is getting instruction

·       Check the HSLDA website that outlines various options: https://hslda.org/content/hs101/MD.aspx

OTHER RESOURCES

Maryland has many different counties. Each county supports homeschoolers differently. In Anne Arundel County where we used to live there was a large amount of support from the school board who had one person that managed homeschoolers.

Maryland libraries, museums, gyms and more have homeschooling events.

Unfortunately, as a homeschooling student, kids aren’t allowed to participate in public school sports or extra-curricular activities. However, the superintendent will notify their homeschooling families of certain opportunities that will accommodate homeschooled students.

Here is a list of other support for Maryland Homeschoolers:

·       Maryland Homeschool Organizations and Support Groups - https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschooling-in-maryland/homeschool-organizationssupport-groups/ 

·       HomeSchooling in MD – HSLDA - https://www.hslda.org/hs/state/MD/ 

·       Maryland Homeschool Association  - http://www.mdhsa.com/  

·       Maryland Homeschool Resource Network - http://www.mhrn.com/ 

·       Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA) - http://www.mhea.com/ 

·       Hand In Hand Homeschool - http://www.handinhandhomeschool.com/

MY EXPERIENCES

As a Maryland homeschooling family, we decided to homeschool using an Umbrella school. We searched the few offered and found one that was mostly hands off, but had quarterly events for the homeschooled kids and documentation training and review. Many Paths of Natural Learning accepted home educators that taught their kids in many ways. They acted as an advocate for many of us and provided a wealth of support for the small fee they charged. My kids got to participate in a graduation and other events sponsored by the Umbrella school.

Maryland has a large group of homeschooling families of so many variations. My family had two working parents, other families we’ve befriended were single parents, and many more.

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Recipe for Selecting The Best Curriculum For Your Child

There is a recipe for selecting the best possible curriculum for your child, but it may not be what you think it is.

When you first start homeschooling, the task of selecting a curriculum is overwhelming. Take a deep breath and realize that what works for one child may not work for your child - or you as a working parent.

THE RECIPE

Learning Style is a big part of finding a compatible curriculum for your child. However, you can still use curriculum that may not fit perfectly by overlapping exposure to a subject by reinforcing the topic with the child's learning style for presentation.

The child's attention span. This is where traditional school really misses the mark. Take the time to learn your child. Observe how many minutes that they can actually be engaged in focused attention for audio, visual, read, and interactive information. Then keep that number to find realistically how much time your child can focus in spurts.

Gaps in learning can stagger a students progress. Identify the learning gaps in order to find a curriculum that can fill in and reinforce those knowledge gaps.

OTHER GOT TO's

Personality Type plays heavily in learning, ability, interest and ways to communicate. Have fun and learn yours and your family's personality types to understand how best to work with one another, to understand challenges that may arise between siblings or even you and your child. It is a way to identify how best to work and encourage healthy relationships between your child and you.

Love language of your child is important. Learning how your child needs to receive affirmation from you as the parent. This is the extra topping on building a great relationship with your child.

Your availability for one-on-one time. If it is limited, you may have to find curriculum that will do most all the teaching, and you will be the follow up (sort of like helping child with homework). To do that successfully, filling in the gaps and meeting your child's learning style needs makes a big difference.

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Making Your Kid Learn Something They Don't Want To

SOMETIMES - THEY DON'T WANT TO LEARN IT

There are many subjects my kids didn't want to learn. Also, tons of activities and skills they simply refused participate in - until I signed them up and made them do it. Only to find out they loved the topic or the activity.

GROWING UP WE HAVE TO DO THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO DO

Many of us wouldn't want to work if we didn't need food, house, or shelter. The thing is, as an adult, we need to do things we like and DON'T like exceptionally well. It's part of owning up to responsibility and expanding ourselves in intangible ways. Learning perseverance, ingenuity, exploring new things, expanding our ability to find something interesting in a topic that may not seem interesting.

TEACHING CHILDREN TO THRIVE IN SUBJECTS THEY DON'T LIKE HELPS THEM IN LIFE

Teaching your child to exceed under less than favorable circumstances actually enhances their ability to figure out better ways to get things done. 

Challenge them by teaching:

-If you don't like the topic, tell me how you would make it better?

-How can you learn this, but in a way that works for you?

-Teach me the topic

-How can you just get the job done?

HOW TO TEACH BORING TOPICS

Some strategies are: 

Get to know just the facts: Teach them to define six questions WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHO and WHERE then ask the HOW. 

Ask them the (1) Why you don't like it? (2) State the problem and then the solution to the reason why you don't like it (3) Keep your materials neat and make you want to touch it (4) How can you stop procrastination? Do the subject before your favorites or be someone inspiring. (5) Draw the notes by mind mapping it 

Getting a positive start (1) Make the topic into a game. (2) Take small bites of the information and reward yourself with positive affirmations or music (3) Introduce it in light and comedic ways using videos or cartoons (4) Exercise for fun, jumping rope, jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups 

Expose your child by (1) Visual Stimulation a movie, video something light (2) Read it to get deeper (3) Write notes and/or draw notes for mind mapping (3) recite it (4) teach it (5) play a memory game with it (6) know the what, when, why, who, where and HOW

Somebody is almost finished Summer School

CYBERCAMP

Just part of his jam packed summer!

So far, Speed Racer has had a jammed packed summer. One to remember for any high schooler, and one I planned with precision. 

This is the summer is the last in which he can just goof off and have a schedule based on fun. Soon (planned in 2020) he will be a full-time student at the Airplane Mechanics school. The Community College he hopes to finish his pre-req classes this Fall or Spring so he can be qualified to enter the program. So this summer, I have given him lots of leverage and freedoms since I wanted to make it special.

CAMPS

This summer was exceptional with camps, he had no drama, which shows how much he has matured.

Jr Lifeguard Camp - it was totally free and a bit overcrowded

Cyber Camp - it was totally free and awesome for one week

FunDay Camp - he attended for an entire month with activities and included food

Sailing Camp - he loved it, even though it was really expensive

Christian Teen Inspire Camp - this camp was a pleasant surprise for him

EXTRA CURRICULA

He has been on the paddling/canoe team this summer and enduring intense practice 5 days a week. Then also squeezing in some breakdancing. His body is feeling it and has a sore shoulder we will get checked out. He's doing an awesome boat trip between Islands and ending the summer with a breakdance competition. This summer his friend pool has exploded and he's had a few girlfriends too. That meant dad and I spent tons of time driving him all over the place.

SCHOOL STILL HAPPENED

Luckily, he has friends who attended summer school and educational enrichment camps over the summer. That's the reason he didn't have a fit when he had to take classes this summer.

We dropped his second course since starting Dual Enrollment. His teacher was a dud and it was frustrating since the class was an elective in Movies and Theory which my son was actually excited about.

Classes he is taking:

Database Design - 5 weeks of the 8 weeks done with projects, discussion post and papers

Enterprise System Architecture - 5 weeks of 8 weeks done with papers and discussion post

Marketing- 5 weeks of 8 weeks done with online test, papers, and discussion post

CHALLENGES

One major challenge is getting into the local Community College Airplane Mechanic program. Problems we are having will be worked through, but they are still irritating.

-They insist he needs to take the Accuplacer (Math and English) even though he has taken the required courses through Straighterline and they were approved by ACE (which the Community College states it accepts credit from.) The problem is the lack of knowledge on the side of the administrator and we have to be persistent and educate them properly on their own policies. Ugh!

-The CC is in the dark ages with technology. Filling out the application and updating it was a nightmare. Their application software is unsupported and literally only allows one application and no corrections. Everything has to be either emailed, faxed, mailed or taken to them. If my child was planning to attend this CC for Dual Enrollment it would have been even more frustrating.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: Well, the kids have been prepping and complaining about it. However, my work schedule has been a monster and I haven't been that great at cooking when I get home at 6pm.

HOUSE CLEANING: I did get around to washing and folding clothes. My son, through bribery, and the fact he wanted his friends to come over, actually cleaned. Then his friend who wanted to stay over, helped him clean and then cooked me dinner! Needless to say, that child can stay over my house whenever he wants.

LESSON PLANNING: I've been just writing his assignments on the dry erase board and basically holding his planned fun hostage until he finishes his work. It's been a struggle 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Since we have been joining friends for a weekly game night, there has been a war going on. My husband won't let me win one darned game. He is really good at board games, talks lots of smack (which upsets me and makes me lose the game and sometimes threaten to not play anymore with him - only for me to have this horrible competitive streak that makes me want to play just one more time.) After weeks of losing every darn game I threw at him, I finally one a few in a row (that he swears he 'let' me win). So...we are at somewhat of a tug of war. It's fun, ads depth to the relationship and well, gets me riled up.

SELF CARE: After I have ran myself to death preparing for my promo (I still have a course I need to finish in 3 weeks) I finally was so exhausted I took a 3 hour nap and have been napping every day for a week. I really wanted to see the Lion King, but bailed on the hubs and my daughter because, well, I wanted to take a nap instead.

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The Power Of Rest

When you are a working and homeschooling parent, it's especially hard to make time for yourself to get rest. It's not about just your rest, but also about your family rest time.

HAVE A STANDARD RESTING HOUR

Plan to take a moment to be quiet, to sit and think, to nap. This is something we did a lot when our kids were all young. We had family nap time. Now, it's easy to forget to do that when kids are involved in activities outside the home. We have made it a point to do this weekly now. Usually, on the weekend, we have a set hour where we just nap or be quiet in our own spaces. It has kept us revitalized.

• Sneak in a power nap while taking kids to activities
• Do a family nap time daily
• Create a quiet space for yourself in the house
• Trade off a nap time with your spouse
• Let the kids know you need a nap too
• Let the kids sleep in
• Put them to bed early

MAKE SURE YOU GET AT LEAST 7 HOURS OF SLEEP

I prided myself on not requiring much sleep. I could keep going on 4 hours sleep each day for at least five days. However, when I started trying to lose weight, I found I only had success the weeks that I had at least 6 to 8 hours of rest. This was eye opening. Then I did research that validated my discovery. Parents need at least 6 to 8 hours, but our kids need more. Kids should have 9 to 10 hours sleep. So if your kid wants to sleep in all the time, let them, make up the work at other times, but for their health, let them rest.

WATCH FOR SIGNS FOR FATIGUE

This isn't just about the parents, we know when we are tired. Usually, we also need to think about the amount of coffee we are consuming. For kids, this is especially important. We need to be watchful of signs that they are tired. Older kids suffer from this just as much as younger ones. Many times my kids would stay up all night playing video games and can't seem to get up to be productive. It's because they needed rest. In those instances, I just let them rest, but locked up the video games the next few days to get them back on schedule.

SELF CARE

Remember, if you are going to be a working homeschooling parent, a wife, a parent, and all the other things we seem to take on, you deserve some self-care time. Schedule it in, make it a priority. It will be part of the reason that you can successfully keep doing it all.

What do you do to get rest?

A Week's Progress - We Just Keep Going

WHEN WILL OUR SEMESTER END
My son asked

He is getting ready for a break. Literally, he starts to complain about doing school work every 8 to 10 weeks. It's been on schedule since he started college classes that run 8 weeks long. I still have him do homeschool focused classes on a 12 week schedule but he starts to get real irritable around 8 weeks.

He has ups and downs these few weeks.
He's at Microsoft Store Coding Event looking Unhappy.

His smile returned after I snapped the photo though. Mainly, he felt it was boring but liked being there with his friend. Lucky for him, next week is the last week of college classes. Heck, I may even take a break from the homeschooling ones since we are going on vacation.

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER has a mildly packed schedule
These few weeks he has had some days where he finished his work on time and before I got home. The motivator is that his friend lives walking distance from the house. Also, paddling season started. There were some weeks where the quality of work was subpar so I just worked with him through it.

I realized that I want his writing to be faster and plan to put him in some writing camps over the summer.

Homeschool Classes 
Bible Study (online) with discussion with mom or dad - He is almost finished the series! Thank goodness. I'd planned for this to be done in just four weeks and it has taken us about 12 weeks.

Pilot Training (online) mom reviews his test and quiz success and helps

Java Programming (online) this is going so slow. Partially, because CompuScholar doesn't auto check the work or have an emulator for the code so I have to review his work against the provided solutions. It's been a bit frustrating but we are getting through it.


College Classes online - All Finished.

C Programming
In week 8 of 8
-Weekly programming projects
-Weekly discussion post and replies
-A final paper and project

Information Technology Ethics
In week 8 of 8
-A group project
-Weekly discussion post and replies
-A detailed report, Ethical Policy Proposal

Foundations in Information Systems
In week 8 of 8
-Weekly group post and discussion
-Strategic Plan, Decision Paper and CIO Memo with Organization documentation

This is his last week of those classes and we are both tired. I spend tons of times reviewing his work before he turned it in. He had to use a tutor for programming class just to help him through the difficult labs, but he survived.


College Classes online - Not Finished. Plan to finish in 2 more weeks

Straighterline Courses that transfer to his online college
It's taken him about 4 weeks to complete these classes. He has is proctored online final in two next week.

English - still has to finish 4 papers (he's been working on this class for awhile, took a break, and starting again)
Western Civilization 2 - has to finish mid-term, two test and proctored final
Introduction to Business Management - has to finish mid-term, three test and proctored final


GAUGING HIS FOCUS PERIODS

He has moments of high focus and motivation, then he wants breaks so we do an ebb and flow schedule. When he is in a highly motivated mood, I can add more courses, then he relaxes and takes a break of a few months, then he is motivated again.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: We've been doing a decent job of this, but have fallen off the wagon a few times. It hurts our schedule when that happens. We also eat badly and spend way too much money on fast food.

HOUSE CLEANING: The house has been wrecked the last few weeks. I haven't had the energy to keep them on schedule since I've been working extra hours. I also let them slid on a few chores so they could play with their friends.

LESSON PLANNING: It's been better, although, I have started putting lessons on a dry erase board now. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: We have had a few date nights to comedy shows and it's been wonderful. There's nothing like laughing together.

SELF CARE: I went for a facial! My daughter and I did facials and it was wonderful. They were offering free ones at the mall. After that week, I did my own at home.

Homeschool and Working Parent's Schedule

THESE ARE THE SCHEDULES WE'VE HAD

for each phase of our homeschool

Working and homeschooling means being flexible, fluid and patient with your schedule. Here are some examples of the schedule we had.

Our Elementary School Schedule

This is one of our many schedules. As working and homeschooling parents, the schedule is every changing, but this is the typical one.

This is the schedule that is focused just on the kids and who they are interacting with at the time of day.

Tools: Workbox Method, Online Curriculum with Teachers or Interactive, use of a NANNY or TUTOR

9am-10am - Kids Do one Subject with Dad

10am-11am - Kids work with Tutor/Nanny

11am-12pm - Kids take break for lunch games, Talk to mom on phone

12pm - 1pm - Kids Do one/two Subject independent

1pm-1:30pm - Break for snack

1:30-2:30pm - Kids work with Tutor/Nanny

2:30pm-3pm - Kids clean up

3pm-4pm - Mom reviews work from the day

5-pm-6pm - Kids get ready for sport/recreation activity and eat

6pm-7:30pm - sport/recreation activity [OR] continue working through subjects

7:30pm-8pm - Dinner with Dad and Mom

DAYS of INSTRUCTION was Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday

Our Middle School Schedule

Middle school the kids had a more vigorous schedule and used DVD based learning, online learning and in some cases a private tutor for topics like Writing, Technology, and Math.

Tools: Workbox Method, Online Curriculum with Teachers or Interactive, BLOCK SCHEDULE

8am-9am - Kids Do WorkBook Drills Independent with Dad Available

9am-10am - Kids Do one Subject Independent with Dad Available

10am-11am - Kids work with Tutor/Nanny

11am-12pm - Kids take break for lunch games, Talk to mom on phone

12pm - 1pm - Kids Do one/two Subject Independently

1pm-1:30pm - Break for snack

1:30-2:30pm - Kids work with Tutor/Nanny 

2:30pm-3pm - Kids clean up

3pm-4pm - Mom reviews work from the day

5-pm-6pm - Kids get ready for sport/recreation activity and eat

6pm-7:30pm - sport/recreation activity [OR] continue working through subjects

7:30pm-8pm - Dinner with Dad and Mom

9pm-10pm - Kids Finish Up work planned with Mom's help

DAYS of INSTRUCTION was Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

High School Schedule

High school the kids had have a very vigorous schedule and do most all work independently and only get tutoring on topics and areas they can't teach and reinforce with internet searches, reading, research or parents can't help with.

Tools: Online Curriculum with Teachers or Interactive, BLOCK SCHEDULE

10am-11am - Kids finish playing video games, or just wake up

11am-12pm - Kids get video call from mom check-in

12pm - 2:30pm - Kids Do one/two Subject Independently

2:30pm-3pm - Mom calls-Kids clean up

3pm-4pm - Mom reviews work from the day

5-pm-6pm - Kids get ready for sport/recreation activity and eat

6pm-7:30pm - sport/recreation activity [OR] continue working through subjects

7:30pm-8pm - Dinner with Dad and Mom

9pm-11pm - Kids Finish Up work planned Mom Reviews Task and Work Finished

DAYS of INSTRUCTION was Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Other days kids did their work completely independently with the deadline Friday

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Accountability For Kids In School

EVERYONE NEEDS ACCOUNTABILITY

For Something - Even Adults - So Why Wouldn't Kids?

There are times, many times, since homeschooling that my kids worked independently. However, the quality of their work while done independent is debatable.

WHY KIDS NEED ACCOUNTABILITY

• To show off their work
• To make sure they are on task and not confused
• To teach them to share their progress, understanding of a topic, or challenges
• To teach them that no matter what work you do, recalling it is necessary, fun and useful for deepening the learning

HAVE THEM TRY TO FIGURE THE PROBLEMS OUT BY EXPLAINING WHAT THEY UNDERSTAND

Accountability isn't always about having your kid show you what they've learned, or making sure they did the work that they were supposed to. It's about teaching them a method about discussing what they don't understand, don't like to do, or love to do and how to explain that to another person without it being stressful.

CLEARLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Before they start a lesson or assignments, explain what they will be accountable for, what the time frame is, and the consequences of not finishing. This doesn't have to be about punishment but about choices.

For example, "If you don't finish your math this week, that work will go to the weekend and you won't be able to do any extra-curricular activities until it's done. I'm excited to know what you think about this topic."

MAKE IT ABOUT THEM TEACHING YOU

My kids loved giving a weekly presentation on what they learned that week. We'd select a different topic each week and they would summarize it, break down the lesson and teach us. 

ACCOUNTABILITY isn't JUST FOR THE KIDS, but FOR OURSELVES to KEEP THE COMMUNICATION OPEN and teach our kids that learning at home is a partnership.

Planning The Next Semester

LESSON PLANNING IS NO FUN

But Someone's Got to Do it

We do lesson planning for the year, then a weekly plan, and a re-evaluation plan for the 2nd semester. It's usually when we clean out curriculum that isn't working, add curriculum we want to try or pause curriculum in place of adjustments to schedule or the child's progress.

Breaking down the school year into 4 quarters and 2 semesters has helped our family make adjustments as needed. Filling in educational gaps is something the shorter quarters or block times help us focus on. As working and homeschooling parents, it gives clear time frames for us to make adjustments and to deep dive into subjects.

TIME FOR CHANGE

It never fails, we always need to drop a curriculum item, condense something or elongate lessons. We've learned to expect it and not get too upset about it. Math and Writing are always an issue for our current student and we have had to prolong lessons in certain areas in order to strengthen and solidify understanding and skills in these cornerstone subjects.

THE QUICK AND DIRTY WAY

Creating a topic list with the subject, page/reading or videos to watch is a fast way to add a new subject or curriculum into the mix. Setting a weekly review of the student’s accomplishments of the list we do with the student’s weekly presentations to the family.

BREAKING IT DOWN

After taking note on how long it may take to finish a subject for the semester, we review areas that can be combined or removed in order to fit the shorter timeframe. We make sure to focus on the key points of the topic. Also, using visual aids and posters to show the information in a condensed manner. This is a great approach for Science, History, Language Arts, Grammar, Reading and Remediation of subjects.

PLAN IN BREAKS

Never forget to plan in for time off. Realistically planning for a four day week with one day of makeup work is doable for most working and homeschooling parents. However, we planned for a five day week with the kids having the weekend as their ‘homework’ period to finish any work they haven’t completed for the week or to review any work that they had problems with.

DON'T OVERBOOK ~ I MEAN IT ~ DON'T

This is one of the major mistakes we made early on in our homeschool and working adventures. Slowly, we learned what our challenge was and fixed the issue (mostly). Once we 'underbooked' it was easier to have time to focus on topics and skills that the students really needed the most help in.

I'm Writing a Working and Homeschooling Book

Yes, It's True!
Since no one has written the book I desired on Working and Homeschooling, I'm just going to write it myself.

Putting everything and the kitchen sink in ...

This book has been on my heart for a long time. I'm an author as well as an engineer, working mom and wife. I know, that's a lot, but all of those roles I passionately love and give my all to them when I am able.

I've written many books and published in fiction. Those books have made it to various Best Seller lists. That's my other life. This blog was personal, a diary for my kids of the adventure we journeyed together.

They've asked me to write a book on how I accomplished this, walked a road with them that impacted their lives and yet juggled all the other parts of me.

I smiled and said, not until I'm finish raising you all and I know what I did actually worked.

I'm almost finished the first draft. Can't believe it.

If you want to peek at my other non-fiction book, hop over to my website www.empoweredsteps.com
but if you are on the adventurous side, and want to read some of my fiction books, visit www.lmpreston.com

Let me know in the comments any questions you'd like answered in my Working and Homeschooling book.

Thanks for visiting my blog, I'll be back to regularly scheduled programming in a few weeks when my son finishes this semester. We are struggling through this one.

A full week with overtime at work ~ Oh My!

Yes, It's been one of those weeks!

You know the kind where you question your sanity?

Why oh why did I choose this week to try to do the following...

Work overtime 12 hours.
Host a Homeschool High School Cup Games and Event Planning Party.
Volunteer to pick up and drop off husband and daughters at the airport.
And too much more...(above is what I looked like after it all)

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER's been bored.Since paddling is winding down and he doesn't have his sister as his homeschool companion much anymore, he complains about boredom.

This is a huge transition for him, learning to entertain himself. He is a bit lonely, so I'm going to have to creatively find activities for him. Thinking of letting him go to aftercare at one of the local boys and girls clubs.

Homeschool Classes:
Investing: We've only watched 1 Youtube video in the series and haven't started the Cashflow game yet.

-After watching the Stock Market Crash and Market Bubbles video we played the Cover Your Assets Game. We needed four players so we gathered his siblings to play.

Recreational Pilot License Training: He wants to get this next summer so we are adding it into his curriculum. We got through 2 videos from the Sporty Pilot License lessons.

-He finished two videos with one quiz. He actually did pretty good.

Black History: This week we watched a documentary on African Jews and The Moors. The highlight was watching the movie The Tuskegee Airmen.

-  We had a discussion on all, but the most interesting was his perspective on The Tuskegee Airmen movie.

Astronomy: Something he wants to explore.

- Didn't get to these. I know, it's been three weeks and we haven't touched these yet.

Bible Review: We are doing this together with videos. The Truth Unveiled Video playlist has been good for him. He asked several deep questions and we did some deep diving on topics.

- Watched two videos from the Bible video series we found on Youtube.

Cooking and Car Repair: The cooking I am letting him build his own recipes and prep dinner. Car Repair, he is helping his father and brother fix our cars. Oil Changes, Brake Pad changes, etc.

- This week he prepped dinner three times.
- Car Repair - he refused to watch more videos until he gets some hands on experience.

PE: Distance Canoe Team, Martial Arts and Breakdancing.

- Martial Arts - practiced two times each week.
- Breakdancing - back to practice on Friday.

JavaScript and Unity 3D Programming: A Saturday small class with a teacher that meets from 8am til 1:30pm. All other kids are public school kids.

- He went to class all day Saturday and wanted to sign up for the Hackathon coming next month.

College Classes
5 Week of 8 -  into Biol 101 and Biol 102 (lab)
2 Week of 8 - Info Sys in Org - Started 1 class this week
1 Week of 8 - Introduction to In-depth Research

Biology with Lab (Aug to Oct)
-Finished class discussions
-Finished Week 5 of 8 class Labs
-Finished Week 5 of 8 quiz

Information Systems in Organizations (Sept to Nov)
-Finished Two discussions
-Finished Assigned Reading
-Reviewed interactive Learning Activity
-Completed Quiz 2
-Case Stud Paper

Introduction to In-depth Research (Sept to Oct)
-Finished discussion
-Quiz 1
-Quiz 2
-Research Log Project
Advanced Business Writing (Oct to Dec)
College Algebra (Oct to Dec)


TIGER LILLY the Homeschool Graduate with a BS Degree, now Working on MS Degree

After many challenges with her new company's lack of communication, she has started her new job. They just didn't know what to do with a 17 year old Software Developer, they'd assumed she was much older due to her maturity.

She starts her GRAD-SCHOOL class in one week. 

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: Speed Racer did most of the cooking of  meals this week and one by Tiger Lilly.

HOUSE CLEANING: We had to clean the house for company on Tuesday. After that it was downhill. 

LESSON PLANNING: I did better this week, even though I wonder how much of it he follows nowadays. He still requests it as though its a contract of what he has to do before he can go out with his friends. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Hubs has lots of patience as I signed him up to take his daughters to San Diego at the last minute.

SELF CARE: Did nothing for myself this week .