Comments on: Ticking the boxes, and pondering.

By: Merry

Merry — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 16:00:20 +0000

I only get my lot out by doing a boot camp instructor impression. Max is useless at it!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 12:37:20 +0000

You know what, Jax - I can see myself in Big. I’m hopeless at getting out of the house too, and get distracted when trying to get ready for just about everything. Maybe it really isn’t something as easy and obvious as those who can do it would have us believe. I think my most spectacular example was Kessingland least year. We were aiming to leave by 10am and finally crawled out of the house at 5pm.

By: Merry

Merry — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 12:16:48 +0000

Actually - that’s a bloody marvellous idea - Jax, there’s your niche - a HE kids html tutorial site :~)

By: Merry

Merry — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 12:16:19 +0000

I’m sure Fran would like a pink blog :~)

hey - codeplacidykids.co.uk :~D

By: Kath

Kath — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 09:08:43 +0000

I think the web design idea sounds inspired - something you can both get excited over, and you can pass on what you do work wise. It could be a blog or a website with a blog page and she can put up whatever she wants. Though I wonder if there might be temptation to get very frustrated with Big’s speed and have urges to just do it yourself - or maybe that’s just what I would be like! LOL
Mark does the running round in a panic thing getting his stuff together and he’s a fair bit older than Big, she’s not unusual! It’s a slow process but it gets easier. I’m trying a new routine of him having a list on the wall next to where he keeps his coat of what he needs for each activity and he collects one thing at a time and puts it by the door. Then I can just keep reminding him to keep getting stuff til he’s got it all (only 2 or 3 things per activity) - less instructions from me to forget, and less me feeling blimey, why can’t he just get his things together? It would be working even better if I was more consistent in using it, but… I think just learning to get your stuff organised takes a while, and its going to be easier here to make it a very specific routine til he’s completely got the hang of it. Would something along those lines work for Big?
Enjoy the cooking together today!

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 21:27:07 +0000

Ok, so I’m weird - I love reading aloud. What infuriates me though is the apparent total lack of attention being paid. Feet kicked against sofa, humming of toneless tunes, sudden interest in unidentifiable mark on arm of chair etc etc. But if I stop reading, there’s a mini-riot.

And I completely understand the wanting to do autonomous - but I caved in and got a few bits of Sonlight and suddenly we seem to be getting somewhere. D actually asked to do some ‘work’ the other day. Maybe once we’re up to speed on reading and writing and computer-literacy I can relax and let a bit more self-led learning creep in, but for now, I’m rather firmly ‘guiding’. {{{hugs}}}

By: Katy

Katy — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 20:38:26 +0000

(((Jax))))
I have “got over” hating reading out loud. It did take a while though so I know just how you feel. Start with easy books??

By: Merry

Merry — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 14:47:09 +0000

Mmmmmm…. Fran has JUST got to an age where she can get her dancing stuff together and i still have to do “face wash, hair brush, shoes on, coat on” about 10 times! Don’t expect too much. We get next weeks bag ready after class, then its done.

By: Gill

Gill — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:03:58 +0000

I’ve noticed with my 4 (not so much the older ones now but Lyddie’s starting with it) that they’ll sometimes say and do anything just to try to get a reaction. It’s obviously a vital part of growing up, testing their power, or something. I don’t really understand it.
Your ponderings are very interesting. As you know I had to deschool T, A & Z which naturally led onto autonomy, but it’ll be different with Lyddie. I don’t know whether she will always be motivated to do stuff, or whether I’ll be desperate for some structure for her in a few years! I think the thing is to find what makes you all happy (or as close to that as you can get) & do it, isn’t it? Whatever seems appropriate at the time.

By: HelenJ

HelenJ — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 12:03:12 +0000

Sb went through a reasonably long phase of not letting me put her to bed/ hug her when she cried etc, telling me she loved daddy ‘much much more’. Culminated at Melrose [so a bit stressful at times] and now definitely waning. After getting totaly distraught about it, I told her I loved her very much, and it didn’t matter who she loved the most. We also resolutely alternated the bedtimes. When I started gritting teeth and ignoring the love daddy more bit, it started to disappear, and we are back on a much more even keel. [sometimes a bit wobbly though] Think it is just a control thing!

on the reading aloud, I do actually enjoy it, but you must have noticed me fluffing it a fair bit. SB often corrects me on stories we know well, and we just laugh about mouths getting in a tangle.

We did have a great time, and I especially liked the intertwined circles on the crochet - or was it a mobius strip??

Looking forward to seeing piccies.