Homeschooling Conference!

 Homeschool teen party decorations

My family spent the last few days attending the Virginia Homschoolers Conference. It's my annual homeschooling booster shot. It always comes around just as I'm running low on steam and filled with doubt. Thankfully, I leave feeling energized and self-assured. The conference makes me confident that our eclectic/unschooling style of homeschooling will not render our kids ignorant and destitute. (Thank goodness!!)

It was also my second year of hosting the teen party. OMG!! 52 homeschool teenagers is a lot of wonderful and crazy energy!! I finished up Friday night by serving about 200 people ice cream and cake, I haven't been that physically tired and mentally fried since Country Living Fair! 

Every year I pick up a few pearls of wisdom to help guide me through another year and this year was no different.

#1: Do what you love and do what your good at!
#2: Our main job as homeschooling teachers is to teach the kids how to learn.
#3: Are you doing what it important or what is URGENT? (Yikes!)
#4: There are no educational emergencies!

I always go to the feel good sessions, sessions like Unschooling Unzipped and a Homeschool Mom Looks back by Jeanne Faulconer. Meanwhile, my hubby went to a few sessions that were more technical. Oh course, it's that ying and yang thing again! He went to sessions on real world math and teaching aps!

After the conference Don and I went out to pick up dinner alone and compared notes. My take away from his sessions are great as well.

#1. Mathalicious
#2. Evernote, I am so excited about this! Man, I hope it finally gets me on top of it all. PLEASE!!

At the end of the day I was part of a panel of working/homeschooling parents. The panel and the room was filled with a working moms and dads that are or are planning to work while homeschooling. I loved it, they are my people, a bunch of fellow crazy people that are willing to conquer it all! I'll be back tomorrow with more.

Hot enough...

 ... to fire an egg! This heatwave has been something, we've had record temperatures and massive thunderstorms for days that has left many of my Junies and Virginian's without power or AC.

Inspired by Imagination Station, I decided that we just had to try to fry an egg. It wasn't 158 degrees outside so it took hour and hours for the eggs to cook and were totally inedible.

Op for Homeschool Teens!!

VaHomeschoolers 2012 

Conference and Resource Fair
Excite, Enliven, Empower!

Give a Little, Get a Lot: Volunteer!

March 23-24, 2012

Cultural Arts Center
at Glen Allen
2880 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, Virginia

I don't know if you know or not, but I'm a Homeschooling Mamma! Now that my kids are older (11 and 14) they don't like to be included on the blog, I think they feel a little exposed (don't tell them about the snow day photos, or I'll be in big trouble). Because of this, I don't really chat too much about family life here anymore and that kind of makes me sad. At least I have twitter and Facebook on which to share the day-to-day bits. 

I've long been a member of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers. It's my go to website to learn about the in's and out's of homeschooling. And every year they host a conference, a conference I would not miss for love nor money. It's my annual homeschool booster shot, without which I would have quit homeschooling a long time ago. No lie.

Before Modern June got off the ground, I used to volunteer as a Key Leader for the conference. I was the Ice Cream Social and Talent Show hostess. It's funny for me to say that I was Key Leader, as throwing a party is not nearly as hard or important as all the other jobs Key Leaders are required to do. I am awe of these ladies and gentlemen that work so hard to put together an informative and successful conference each year.

Well, I'm back in the mix again. I've taken on a little job to help out this year. Maddie and I will be hosting the Teen Luau on Friday, March 23rd. We'll be planning games and making a limbo set up. I think we need to make a Tropical Photo Booth too!! How fun will that be? 

 

Here's the 411!! 

Teens
Teen volunteers must be 13 years or older and come ready to work. As a heartfelt thank-you to all our teen volunteers for your wonderful support and hard work, we offer you food and fun. Volunteer at the conference and get free admission plus access to the Volunteer Hospitality Room (stocked with complimentary snacks, drinks and a yummy lunch) on the day of the conference.

Teen Luau
Aloha Teens! Teen volunteers get free conference admission and entrance to the Teen Volunteer Luau.  Join us Friday night from 4-6 p.m. for a luau with food, music, games and the chance to mingle with other homeschooled teens from throughout the state. Mix with old friends, and make some new ones! This party is separate from the ice cream social luau and is only for teen conference volunteers.

Earn Certification Hours
We’re happy to provide certification of service hours and/or letters of reference for your participation (these look great on college and job applications) for teens that volunteer. You deserve it!

Sign-up to volunteer today! Click below to send an email to Volunteers@VaHomeschoolers.org.

crafting homeschool style

This is what craft time is looks like when you combine a Zelda obsessed boy that loves to build with a mom that loves to make patterns. (I think that this counts as an introduction to Geometry, don't you?) 

My boy-child has been reading the Legend of Zelda series for about two weeks now and he is totally obsessed with all things Zelda. After days of intense research he's decided to make a Mask of Truth. You know how that turned out right? I made the mask and he art directed. What a cleaver boy!

Someday we'll cover this with paper mache and paint it, but for now, he's making a set of wings to go with the mask. He's on his own for that project. ; )

Math

We've had a fun time getting back in the swing of homeschooling this week. Why? Games and lots of history. Our favorite math game has become Yahtzee. We've played it every day since my husband brought home this fun Oogie Boogie set. Don knew that Yahtzee was a game that my Grr and I played all the time. My DH also knows that we love the "Nightmare Before Christmas," so this made a great gift. And, the custom dice are totally cool.

My kids learn well when we take a multisensory approach, and this game is perfect for that. Leaning while you're having fun is always a plus, isn't it? The game works on skip counting, addition and multiplication. My kids have a hard time with memorizing details, so hopefully this game will help the information sink in. So far, so good!

First Day of School!

Do you want to know the best thing about homeschooling? Flexibility! Yep, one word and one word only! The best thing about homeschooling has got to be the flexibility that is gives our family. When we had major learning issues to sort out we could take the time to do so, with out harsh tests and deadlines. When the spring fever hits we can take off and hang out at Maymont all day. When is snows we can still do school, if we choose too. 

Today with out spending a fortune on brand new school supplies and new closes I begin a new year with my daughter. SEVENTH GRADE! OMG, how is that possible. I remember every single day of 7th grade;  the good, the bad, and the ugly.  The dorky (but cool) white overall's, wearing green on Wednesday (let's not go there) and my first kiss at my locker during my first dance. We are SSOOOOOO not going there are we?

OK, lets get back to flexibility, shall we?  We're starting school early so we can take a nice long family vacation in September and so that I can take off for week and go to the Country Living show. We have the flexibility to do school when it's best for us and not the DOE. Not that that's a bad thing, it's just not our thing!

I can't help but wonder what my kids will think about this non-traditional approach to life when they grow to be adults. Will the do a 180 and be completely conventional?  Will they work for themselves so they can write their own schedule? Will they homeschool their kids?  Who knows? For now most of us are happy to do school our way.

Happy first day of school to us! 

pearls of wisdom

This weekend I was able to sneak away from the studio and enjoy the VA Homeschoolers Conference. This is, hands down the best homeschooling event of the year. we started the weekend off with a family night at art/talent show and ice cream social. This year my Maddie got up and sang for the crowd, it was incredible!  I am stunned at how brave and confident my girl is!  When did she grow up on me?  Both kids had art on display as well, Aidan showed off it knack for the abstract with his 3D drawing.  I don't mean to gloat but I have really cool kids!  (Ok, I totally meant to gloat!)

I thought I would share some of the pearls of wisdom that I picked up this weekend.  Here are just a few quotes, tips, books, blogs and concepts that I had to jot down...

• Life lived in educational freedom
• Parent at the Helm
• Play the grasshopper game for multiplication tables
• Get slant board for my dysgraphic child
• Remember to plug in all those great occupation therapy tricks when the going gets rough.
• To kids love equals time spent
• If it's not working change it! 
• This problem will be replaced with another one! 
• Use full spectrum lights.
• Attention fading? Play Simon Says!
• Independent learning will happen someday.....
• The Way Life Works
• Boy Scout merit badge books--science mini books
• Teaching high school doesn't seem too scary today. 
• The idea of writing a transcript is terrifying! 
• "Don't Know Much About" books
• Always being together isn't a bad thing! 
• The Story of Science by Joy Hakim
• Water and crunchy snacks
• Say yes more!
• Philosophy room
• Learning should light a fire and not just fill the bucket. 
• Rabbit holing--following one aspect of an idea can lead you to discovery and learning.
• School shouldn't be all about Behavior Modification.
• Middle school teachers are just trying to keep the kids alive. 
• If your going to send you kids to high school 9th grade is the right time to start.
• Facilitate learning
• Mastery is the goal.
• Educational shower curtains!  
• How to Unschool, live like school doesn't exist.
• Unschooling doesn't mean dismissive parenting.
• People may fear that "if unschooling is right then school is really wrong". (of course no one's wrong!) See Christie's comment!!! 
• Strewing

another part of me

I was recently asked if my blog was a professional blog, for which my answer was a simple no, I just don't know how to draw those lines. I am Kelly, a homeschooling-stay-at-home-work-at-home-momma! I can't figure out how to separate any one of my jobs from the other. Here is a part of me that I haven't written about in a long time - HOMESCHOOLING!

I'm a proud homeschooling momma.  For those of you that don't know, I started this 5 years ago (WOW) when my DD was beginning first grade. I did so because both of the kids have some issues that would make traditional school very difficult for everyone involved, but I came to believe and cherish it. Especially when it rains cats and dogs on the first day of school, just as it is today.

Traditionally, we don't start school on the same day of  Richmond Public Schools--why would we? After all, I'm a rebel at heart. So, here I sit here peacefully, instead of worrying about the days lessons. Typically on this Tuesday we go to our coffee shop, Stir Crazy, where all the other mothers are lounging without kids. I must say that some years this has left me disappointed! Maybe a trip to the movies would make a bigger and better point?

Then, on the Wednesday after Labor Day, we go the Richmond Area Homeschoolers (RAH) "NOT Back to School Picnic."  This is the day where we find all our friends both old and new--we catch up with those that we shared classes with in the past. It never disappoints.

While I'm not an unschooler, our approach to teaching our kids leaves some naysayers at a loss. Last year I gave their voices way too much credence. Last year was the worst homeschooling year ever. It just didn't work for us to do "school" at home. Doing things the way others said we should was our ruin. Last week I had to remind my anxious daughter that this year would not be a repeat of last year, and I noticed her relax right away. I won't have my kids hate learning, in school or at home. Well, Dear Son says he hates everything, and I have no delusions that I can change the mind of a 9 year old who says that. He can say what he likes, I know better.

Hmm, what to do on this oh so rainy day? Shall we start a new tradition of a day at the movies? Sounds delightful to me! Happy Not Back to School Day part one!

Renaissance Faire

Renaissance Faire, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

What fun!

Croquet

I love these people!  

What a weekend!

I am so exhausted from my wonderful weekend! Three and a half days of learning, mayhem and fun.

It all started out with me shutting down the studio early Friday afternoon, no internet was to thank for that! (totally my fault) Dear Husband arrived home early too so it was all "yeah, it's the weekend!!!" So Dear Daughter and I headed off to Target for some shopping! We really needed to reconnect with some good old fashion girl time, we have been having tween-temper issues. Three outfits later we headed for a yummy dinner for two.

This weekend was the VaHomeschoolers Association's big conference and to kick it off we attended the ice cream party and talent show. It was really nice to just participate and not organize the event like I had done the two previous conferences. All I can say is HS kids are so very talented. It was a great chance to hang out with old friends. It is always amazing to see just how much a child or teen can grow in a years time.

The next day I headed off to the conference alone, the family would arrive later in the afternoon to enjoy a Barefoot Puppet show, the story tellers story and the Science Museum of Virginia itself!

Let me be honest here, I didn't want to go, I have been trying to ditch my role as teacher for months now. Every night I would lay awake in bed searching for a better solution for my children's education. This all started last fall when we had our kids tested for learning differences, we found out that we were dealing with dyslexia and dysgraphia. This was very upsetting to say the least. As a parent we want to do what is best for our children, so all of a sudden I was in agreement with the professionals, I was told that I need to do things totally different and to do it fast before it was too late. Now you must now by now that I don't often do what I am told, I never have and shouldn't even try!

Well that was the biggest mistake, I buried all my intuition and my beliefs while I struggled to adapt a new way of teaching. Let me tell you, it was an uphill battle to no where! We all hated it, it was a horrible year for all of us. Basically, I just couldn't do it, I just could not do it their way so I was left feeling worthless and ready to call it quits on homeschooling all together. Basically if I had an extra $40,000 laying around they would currently be enrolled and a very fancy private school!

I have said for years that the VaHomeschoolers Conference is my annual HS booster shot, but this year it was that and so much more. This weekend I found my voice again. After this weekend I am ready to go back to my old ways with my improved set of tools and get to work. It is time for us to learn to love learning again and follow the path that is right for myself and my children.

To say the least is was a very long and emotional day for me and I was looking forward to a dinner alone, I needed to look over my notes so I could reflect and plan. I had just told my family that I would be home later, I told my BFF I need to have a good cry before getting home. But what do you know, instead of dinner alone with my handy notebook, I spent the next couple of hours in the ER! Dear Son broke his nose just outside the museum.

While playing on and around the giant granit Kugel of the earth he "smushed his face" right in to it and broke his pretty little nose. OMG, I have never seen that much blood in my life. Thank goodness there was a medic in the crowd and she helped up stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding had stopped we were able to see his nose and it was VERY clear that we needed medical attention. He was such a trooper, he really manned up! For such a traumatic and painful event he was actually very calm, despite the trembling, the trembling really freaked me out!

Mamma drama never stops does it? He is doing really well, with his big blue nose. The fracture seems to be best case scenario so I am not worried about it needing any more attention beyond a second set of x rays.

As for Sunday, I really don't remember Sunday! I attended the last session of the conference, a casual brunch with the key speakers. I was able to chat with my favorite speaker, Cindy Gladdis about where to go with my Right Brained Dyslexic child. Now that was advise I could follow!

Basically the rest of Sunday was filled with naps, ice packs, gaming and note reviewing. I have a plan, watch out! Oh, how can I forget the science supply catalogue? Dear Husband brought home a catalog from one of the vendors, and Dear Son has not put the thing down. He has been looking at all kinds of stuff. I didn't know I had a science guy, sweet!

super cool rubber stamp image

Yesterday, I needed to attend to some work, man, emails and convos sure do build up fast don't they? I also got started on another round of chalk cloth banners and then I did my trip to the two local Hancocks for their 50% off notions, with an extra 10% off entire sale! You just gotta stock up on days like that... trim, needles and buttons!

We topped of the weekend off with a cookout at our neighborhood pool! I grilled while the rest of the gang frolicked in the frigid pool! I couldn't bare it, that was a cold that hurt! It was fun to catch up with old friends and relax pool-side! I could really get used to that! I decree that Wednesday supper is pool cookout night! I just might need to trick out another vintage picnic basket for myself!

I hope you all had great weekends too, but without broken noses and trips to the ER!

I am still with out a camera so I have shamelessly stolen these fun photos from here, there and everywhere!

Field Trip---VFAM

Lately the kids and I have been studying Renaissance and we are doing a hugh unit study. Today I just had to get these kids out of this house, so we headed out to the Grand Gallery at the Virginia Fine Arts Museum for a little art history. We had such a nice time, they really get it. I was so impressed at how insightful they were about so many things. They rock!

not back to school-part two

Man this easy-going homeschool life is hard work! Let me answer the FAQ asked question first...no we don't stick to the typical PS year, not really we start about the same time and end about the same time but really that is it. It is a rebellious personal rule that do not do school on the "first" day of public school.

The Tuesday after Labor day is traditionally a day of sleeping late, staying in our p.j.s and watching a movie first thing in the morning. If we go anywhere it is the our local coffee shop Stir Crazy for chocolate chip muffins. But yesterday that tradition was broken due to an early morning Occupational Therapy Evaluation. The appointment went well, we all loved the woman and I was happy to finally get there. I feel like it has taken months for it to actually happen. But dang it did it really have to ruin my "first day" tradition? As we passed the local elementary school I lamented not being in my jammies. It was just too much like real school. Where are the fringe benefits?

We could not pick up the tradition today because of our other tradition, the Richmond Area Homeschoolers annual NOT back to school picnic was today. You would not believe the large number of people that were there today. I would have to guess that we had 40-50 families. We filled up the parking lot with mini vans that is for sure! We saw old friends and made new ones. We swapped books and toys. We networked and made play dates.

We even had a little crafty give-a-way. A friend of mine that is moving to Atalanta today, so last night we loaded up my van with fabric and other crafty goodies. I was able to give it ALL way to the crafty homeschool mommas. Jennie, I am not lying absolutely every single piece of fabric, every pattern, every book and every piece of clothing was snagged up. Now girls we are talking about a large amount of crafty goods. There was hardly room for my kids in the van it was that full!!! AMAZING!

Basically I am pooped out. But no worries tomorrow you will find me and mine on the couch in our jammies watching movies until we get hungry enough to walk down and get out yummy muffins!

We will start school someday I promise! Do you remember all those used textbooks I order last week, guess what, the math books were all wrong. Not at all what I needed. URG, what a waste!!!! I have enough old stuff to get us started but I am so bummed! Just when I thougth all my ducks were in a row! Bargains are not bargains if they are wrong! New note to self: just buy them new and be done with it!

Not back to school...

It's that time of year again. The time of year when I need to get all of my ducks in a row. Time to declutter ever tiny bit of the main floor (The bedrooms will wait for another time). It's also time to get all of Modern June back down into the studio. It's homeschool time again!

I'm really looking forward to this year, I have confidence like never before. I feel I am on the right path and that I finally know how to teach these little minds that I am to help mold. Now I am not looking forward to the $500.00 reading program bill to arrive. YIKES!

This week I have combed Ebay for textbooks only to get fed up and order them through private booksellers at Amazon. OMG that is so much easier and cheaper! Mental note: shop the used Amazon stores first! While I tidied up the bookshelves, I enjoyed culling tons of books we no longer need. I know have two and a half shopping bags to share with my buddies at the "Not Back To School Picnic. "

The other day I got out all my 500 different types of post-its and made my little (giant) schedule again. Seeing me working on the chart, Maddie simply asked with attitude "AGAIN?" Yes, again. I need my weekly schedule in my face, this way when I don't know what I should be doing on Tuesday at 10 am I have my post-its to guide me! Love the post-it note!

A trip to Target got me a few new bins for my piles. I embrace the bad habit; hey if you know you are going to end up making a pile you can at least make if pretty. Suzanne taught me that!

Today I made myself a new notebook listing my goals and the curriculum's that I plan to use, I also printed out tons of helpful (if you really use them) lists and forms. I added these to my "List Notebook." I found most of my lists at Homeschoolmom.com. I took the time to make my own weekly assignment chart and now we have a schedule that contains a spot for Occupational Therapy and weekly Doctor visits. Love that. Note to self: USE THE DAMN LISTS!!!

Now all I need is for UPS to drop off our textbooks and we are set! YAY! Happy not back to school to you all!

science at home

Yesterday Aidan wanted to make a volcano. I told him that I was working and that we could do it during lunch. He assured me that I would not be needed, that he could do it himself. And that is just what he did. Maddie joined in on the fun and suggested that they play scientist. Aprons and goggles (3D glasses) were adorned and they got busy.



An hour later they had whipped me out of lemon juice and vinegar. A quick trip to the local grocer and they were set for the rest of the day. By dinner time my kitchen (even though I cleaned it 3 times) was a disaster and I was out of all baking soda, food coloring and vinegar yet again!



So for about 6 bucks they had a no Mommy--no TV--giggling good day! And I have a really clean counter top after all that baking soda and vinegar! LOVE THAT!

Year 4

Gallery, originally uploaded by ModernJune.

Another year is done, and the portfolios are on the shelf!

I have to say I'm getting good at making paper trails. I know just what to add to my kid's portfolios, and how to best tag it for Dr. Williams (our adjudicator and buddy) to see the "best of the best." I know exactly what lists she will want to see, so all she has to do is to sit back and enjoy the kids showing off their year. Best of all, I know exactly how to allow time for me to ask Dr. Williams all of my teacher questions. I'm all business!

Putting this year's portfolios together was a breeze, because I kept my homeschool pinky swear! All year long I had the kids put their work into accordion files. So, at the end of the year there were a few books to pull out, of and a pile of papers to sort through. And, I was able to sort through and organize everything in less than 5 hours (for both kids). Half way through I even took time to run away with Dawn for dessert at Double T's -- Peach Cobbler for dinner is a good thing!

And to wrap it all up, I take the children's artwork from the past year and display it for Dr. Williams to see just how talented they are! I thought I would share it with you too.

good bye Debbie Downer

& HELLO Delightful Daisy!

I have such wonderful crafty friends, several people that care about me so very much! Friends that worry about me and our family. I don't think I realized just how much they worry about until our year got really hard with the kids and school and they saw me falling apart at the seams. This year was a hard one, I won't lie! Through their concern and advise I have realized just how much I bitch and complain. I realized today that I never tell them the happy parts of my life.

I don't want to be that person, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer that is always in crisis. Enough drama already. Tonight I am going to start a doing a little weekly gratitude post.

Recently the highlight of our week has been the Wednesday mornings park day, we have been joining a great group of homeschoolers at the park for RECESS. During the "school" year the kids spent an hour participating in organized games. But for the summer we are just letting them run free.

Maddie has a couple of girls that she is growing increasingly fond of! And tadpoles to bring home and watch grow. Aidan has really been handling the outdoor play nicely and is playing with kids of all ages for the first time in a long while. I know these things seem simple and basic but they can be hard for Aidan to do with grace.

But for me it is the MOMMA'S! I have met a bunch of friends that are dealing with the trials and tribulations of homeschool life. It has been great to know that I am not alone in my struggles. It is really nice that there are several Mom's with girls that are going through the crazy Tween stuff too. We sit there and talk about it all! Which math program is working, to which child refuses to do anything with out attitude, to how our husbands drive us crazy. Basic girl talk!

So that is what I am grateful for today. That and the fact that I have friends that will risk really ticking me off by telling me that something has to change. That solutions are there for me to explore. I am grateful that I have something nice to share!

xoxox!

art class Einstein

My two children take art classed from the nicest woman in the world! Here is their last project and here is the article that went along with the class. What a hoot, I never knew what a mess the genius was! In the way home my kids told me later that he needed to be homeschooled since he learned so differently than others. LOL!

Update: Homeschool pinky swear!

I am determined to keep my homeschool pinky swear that I made last June. I have been really at keeping everything in the files. There are times when I get lost in a sea of school work. When this happens I just collect all my piles and file it all away. Each child has a accordion file and a big art portfolio. I made portfolios out of a sheet of poster board and some tape. Easy peasy! I needed to do this today. I needed to prove to myself that we do accomplish a lot over time even if we didn't get much done today.

I tell you those kids are making me insane. Home school has been fight school. This morning they were so snippy with each other that we ended up doing school in two different rooms. That was not fun for me. I spent the day saying no, and be quite and please be nice to your sibling. URG. I know that it is winter and all that but I am dying over here.


Maddie had a great idea at lunch she suggested that we played a game. So after 15 minute of me time on the sunny front porch we all played The Kansas City Monopoly. We actually made it through an hour long game with out tears, even though I won. Don you were wrong the game is not evil : )

I have had this game for years and years and haven't played it until today. I believe that my Mom sent it to me on my first Christmas away from home. It is nearly 17 years. I guess it is about time somebody plays with it. I wonder how many of the businesses are closed or under different names. For example I know the Jones Store Co. is now Macy's.

Funny how even with all the trouble we had a really great day. Who would have figured?

Rant

Let me start off by warning you: this is a rant, a massive homeschool momma diva rant! Last night my husband called someone to wish them a happy birthday. This is someone that we are related to, and someone that we see for about 7 hours every year, even though we live 15 minutes away. This is someone that has children basically the same ages as our own. This is someone that we should be close to.

While chatting, my husband made a passing comment that I would love to have a super cool mid-century home out in the county. Then this person proceeded to tell Don that "we needed to put the kids first for once, move to the county and finally put them into public school."

Who would say such a thing? Not even my own Mother would say that to me.

So let me break this down. According to this sage advice, we are selfish for living in the city, and for home schooling. Any one that knows anything about my life could see that home schooling is not the least bit selfish. And, why is so impossible to believe that we could have actually chosen to do this out of thoughtful concern for our children, or because we want to or because we love it?

What this person doesn't understand, is that our oldest child would not do well in public school. Not in the city, and not in the county. It is not about demographics. We are not trying to keep our children away from people who look different, or think different, or have different religious beliefs. No one has tried harder than me to find a better solution for her.

I see teaching my children at home as being the single most Unselfish thing I have ever done. I could just drop them off on someone else for 7 hours and do my work in peace. Can you imagine how successful I could become then? Martha, watch out. If anyone even thought of it that way they could not call me selfish.

I am all for people having their own opinions on education, politics, child rearing and religion. I understand fully that we will all never agree to all of it. And that is cool -- that is the key to success in this world. Hell, that might just be the answer to world peace... acceptance.

But what is really NOT OK is when some one flat out tells you that you SUCK and you are doing everything WRONG. No one can say that. NO ONE!

I try not to be spiteful person (even if it does come easily), so I won't call him up today and tell him what I think about his parenting. Even if, I thought I would love nothing more than to even the score.