Virtual Vacation

Just For Fun, Parenting

Written by Christine Sutton
Published with Permission
www.TOSMagazine.com

 

Sam’s mom opened the “get well” card he’d made her and smiled. He had cut out pictures of lots of summery things: blue sea, a big yellow sun, a sandy beach, and some pretty shells, and stuck them around a picture of a glass of iced lemonade, with silvery trickles running down the side.

“Oh, it’s lovely, Sammy,” she said. “I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into that; thank you. I’m sorry we won’t be going to see Auntie Laura and Jack tomorrow after all. You must be so disappointed.”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Dad phoned Auntie this morning, and she said we can go at Christmas instead.”

Mom sighed. “It will be cold then, though, won’t it? You won’t be able to go on the beach with Jack—and all because your silly mommy slipped on the stairs and hurt her leg.”

Sam gave her a hug. “It’s okay,” he said. “You just get well soon and come home.”

Mom’s smile was sort of wobbly as she kissed him good-bye.

All the way home, Sam couldn’t help thinking how much he’d been looking forward to going on their summer vacation. (more…)

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How Did You Wind Up Here?

Burn Out, Classroom Help

Written by Carol Barnier
Published with Permission
www.TOSMagazine.com

“Carol,” my friend quizzically began, “what are you and your kids painting on the wall of your garage?”

My children and I were throwing large orange brush strokes over the white drywall. “This is our re-creation of the Aurora Borealis in Alaska!” I gushed.

“Wow. That’s . . . big. Are you guys doing a unit study on Alaska?”

“No. Actually we’re in a study about musicians from the Baroque period.”

“Then, why the wall?”

“Because the sea monkeys aren’t done breeding yet.”

“Come again?” (more…)

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Mercy Every Minute

Burn Out, Informative, Parenting, Special Needs

 

Written by Deborah Wuehler, The Old Schoolhouse Senior Editor
www.TOSMagazine.com

 

We have written an abundance of articles about special learners over the years, through The Homeschool Minute™ email, and through The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. Here is just one article of many titled, “Ten Reasons to Homeschool Your Child With Special Needs.”

Rather than talking about these special, struggling, and different learners, I want to talk about their special, struggling, and different teachers. I have found in teaching my special learners, that I need special grace. Some days I struggle more than they do. Some days I am overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy for the task–to the point that my inadequacies seem even larger than theirs. I struggle with having to meet so many different needs and feel that maybe my needs and theirs are just not being met. I believe that someone else could certainly do a better job teaching these children. I think that perhaps I wasn’t cut out for this special job after all.

What helps me keep these discouraging thoughts at bay and answer these questions is to ask a few more. (more…)

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