One Other Observation.....

In the last 2 years, my daughter and I have lost the majority of our personal support group to death, relocation, Alzheimers, and losing touch with homeschool families who have many children. We do so much on our own but sweet people have stepped in at times. We sincerely Thank You for sharing the Love and Spirit!

Spirit Schooling in the Mainstream Private School

A few months have passed and we are still utilizing our homeschool experiences within the mainstream structure of a Classical private school. This was brought home to roost this week as our blizzard conditions had school closed for 3 days. But the up side is that my daughter attends a school which had digital learning days, so no extra days are added to her school's calendar. She switched back into home school habits with an ease I did not expect. And we both enjoyed the process.

The benefits of attending a structured school are many. Dealing with teachers who have trouble engaging students who are not cheerful for no reason or ask too many questions or are wanting face-to-face time is a trial in this digital age. I have found myself walking into school before the school day ends just to find many teachers and engage them in a personal face-to-face conversation about the issues which frankly Do Not translate through an emotionless e-mail. That has helped in some circumstances, and perhaps failed in at least one. These educators seem genuinely shocked and surprised that I want to have a conversation about how I perceive my daughter's experiences with her in the room. (When did education become about only the student-teacher relationship? So many of the fellow parents say they just leave it up to the student to figure it out and do well or fail. How I am supposed to support the classroom and out of school learning if I have no idea what the objectives and goals are? A syllabus is not a clear indication of the environment for information.)

Let me be clear- I hold my daughter to a very high standard of doing, completing, and presenting her Own work. She gets No Help from me. Yet, If I do not understand what is expected of her I can in no way be anything but a paying spectator. I inform her teachers and coaches that I have been her teacher, I hold my own extensive education in the highest regards, and I am most likely harder on her in many ways if she is slacking or disrespectful. Yet, I want her to climb mountains and clear hurdles within the best of her own abilities- not mine.

I am typing quickly and all of my spelling may not be perfect. But my intentions are good.

My daughter is a high school Sophomore and has learned to join in activities which were previously difficult for her. The social trials of unnecessary gossip and lack of continued support from classmates has led her to find a group of friends who understand her lack of enthusiasm for such things. But trials happen weekly. She is a trooper and I continually remind her that high school can be a safe place to navigate difficult authority and peer relationships. So important to know that these lessons are just as critical as the lessons she takes tests for.

She is passing all of these tests- difficult means problem solving and life skills for the tough World of this century.

This Semester I made an informed decision that the lack of a Study Hall for her to work on classwork and homework is something from which she could benefit. The Vice Principal was accommodating as I informed him we had spoken to her school about in October. So she will take on online class to make up a 1/2 PE credit.

Study Hall was an important time in my at prep school as the student realized their own personal needs.

We dropped one honors class so the pressure was reduced and she could enjoy her favorite subject. This as So Difficult because students are pressured to be in AP and Honors classes. I want my student to be in love with learning- Not a slave to pressure. Life is long- and there is plenty of pressure throughout adulthood.

My daughter has been told that all A grades mean she is not being challenged. She has also been told that taking a step for enjoying High School means finding her own path. That means A's and B's and the occasional C or C+. I want her to fall in love with History, Literature, Science, and Theology and Ethics so she will have the tools to discover this huge World and her amazing Spirit.

She still needs to give her teachers (I call them Professors) what they want, but she must also navigate the teachers who do not mesh with her Stoic personality.

So- Here we are. A 2 day week followed by a 3 day weekend. I feel as if she has been given the gift to feel uncomfortable, find her way through it, and then reinvent herself as often as she needs.

My daughter once expressed the desire to go to two Ive League schools as she reentered the mainstream school system. Now she says she doesn't want to live under pressure but love living her life so she can make a difference in her World.

We still squabble over things moms and 16 year old daughters fuss about, but I am proud of the mountains she encounters, the ones she summits, and especially the mountains she leaves for others to climb.

Spirit Schooling continues- with along with learning and competing in Sailing and Crew!

What a journey we are having!

Peace Through Practice!!!

It's been a while but we have been working on being students and scientists in the mainstream. Turns out that Not being in the Mainstream System curtails one's ability to move forward unless we were willing to play along with non-conformists' ideas. So we are back. Older and wiser.

Older by years but wiser by trials.

Homeschool co-ops most often serve the needs of those who direct and developed them.
TRUTH!
Our best and brightest have gone back to traditional schooling in the Private and Boarding Schools.

And they are flourishing!

We were Not open to having our parenting style of traditional courtesy and politeness, along with allowing for the parents' learning curve, to be dissected.

SHAME On YOU! A Family that is traditional and flawed is still a family! Not your picture of Liberalism. We grew as a family with patience and time. Co-op dominatrix are so flawed! You all gave Homeschooling a nasty taste in so many families that 14 families left.

I am glad to have fished our way to the right school after Norfolk's Co-op.

So are my 13 friends;)

Been gone- had stuff to raise and raze! Time to get back to it. LET"S GO!

It's Been Over a Year- I am still here

It's been over a year- but I am stll here:

Interesting:

I have made Amazing friends!
The "Teachers" at co-ops say "You don't fit in"
 My kiddo has learned that unless there is a diagnosis, behavior is judged
If a "young person" is intellegent, they are not allowed to act like a child-(what is the cut-off age?)
My husband wants to know how Girl Scouts became a "Class" and Not an inclusive Club! (He is a Marine who believes "No One Gets Left BEHIND!" He is right!
Despite thi constant criticism, and the fact my kiddo has develpoed a club which incldes any kiddo who wants to join- regardless if they have the elctronics to do so ( she brings extra each time so no kid is left out) we are told we are a disturbing element!
    Does anyone else listen to Dr. Wayne Dyer?
My young teen and I are Scurvy Elephants!
   Please- Remember Who Co-ops are for- Not the Mainstream- The Scurvy Elephants!

Solstice Sluicing

The Solstice for Winter has passed with an incredible Eclipse

Our Spirit School has also passed an Eclipse:

Student and Teacher reached Mutual Understandings:

We are here at this moment in time to Immerse ourselves in the Creation of our Present Lives and lay stones to step upon as we Create our Futures

An amazing mother is teaching this mother how to create an incredible pallet of the next generation of mother.....

This means:

A Classical Education

Memorizing the Multiplication Tables and other non-changing facts

Cultural Immersion in the Heritage of Ourselves

Open Minds in Appreciation towards Change

Celebrating Blessings

Count Imperfect Attempts as Invaluable Learning Opportunities

Follow Yoga Sutra #33 in The Second Book:

By Cultivating Attitudes of Friendliness toward the Happy,

Compassion for the Unhappy,

Delight in the Virtuous,

And Disregard toward the Wicked,

The Mind-stuff retains it's Undisturbed Calmness.

Namaste

New Moon- New Year- New Changes

It's Been Quite Some Time Since We've Written-

We have been SO BUSY making Life Changes!

Growing together, Growing Up, Growing Independent- Finding and Refining Our Voice together!

Learning to stop and let the other person find out how to learn;

Screaming and Learning How to Reverse the frustrations- Eliminating the Obstacles on our Path;

Learning About Ourselves as we teach each other.

And Most Especially-

The Joy We've Been Experiencing

As we travel this Path Together!!

Lessons We've Been Living:

• It is easier to downsize when you watch others experience the joy of discovering your old treasures
• We can come through anything together
• Don't stop acknowleging the experiences that got us to the here and now- otherwise we may be forced to repeat them
• There are many ways to learn math- find new tools and voices- understaning the concept is everything!
• There is No Wrong way to be human
• Stop Being Critical and Judgmental- Especially to Oneself and those in the Immediate Family
• Praying together for Us is Fundamental to feeling Grounded
• Take time off and Don't Feel it needs to Be Justified to Anyone
• Jump in Puddles with your shoes off- And Often
• Washing the Car on a Saturday Night while listening to a good Audiobook is the Best Night Out EVER!!!
• We are made for each other- What a Gift from God!
• Love is All!

In The Good Ol' Summertime.....

The Last Friday of July...

Awesome Summer Storms and Lightening Created an Adventure out of a Homeschool Event Last Evening ****

Getting to the Venue- Glad We Left an Extra Hour

Once We Got to the Venue- Delayed Start, Fifteen Minutes into Program the Fire Alarms Activated and We Were Evacuated

The Streets were flooded, The lightening was striking, We were In a College Building foyer with a hundred others waiting to find out all was safe...

Benefit: A Wonderful Life Lesson on How Not to Panic and Watch Out For Yourself and those With You

The Payout- Incredible Mediteranian Seafood to Celebrate and Much Laughter

Life is Flowing...

We have started cursive writing-
Our decision to school our child in the often lost art of proper handwriting has been met with enthusiasm and some frustrating times- but overcome by my daughter's revelation:

"This is like Art- I mean my letters are beautiful!"

After that we decided to look at the pages of lowercase letters and find artistic value in each "portrait."

One of the "a's" looked like a face- so she filled in the features
One of the "p's" was so large that we decided it could be in the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The "i's" look like a rollercoaster ride

The joy is in the FLOW-

Of the letters and her perception

We flow with her learning style: Art is everywhere!

The Spirit Of Change

Change Has Permeated All Portions of Our Life- And For The Better and The Blessings

The Season Has Changed

Some of My Child's Closest Friends Have Moved Away

New Friends Have Been Discovered Through Childhood Friends of Mommy's

Friends From Past Schools Have Been Reunited!

Blessings- Each and Every One!!

Her World Has Grown Exponentially Larger!

Daddy Finally Has Secured the Prize Position he has worked toward for 4 1/2 Years:

A lesson in Perseverance Which has NOT Been Lost on Any of Us!

We have Homeschooled in The Big Apple with three generations of women

We Discovered a Wonderful World Happy and Thrilled to be Partners in this Spirit School

Our Spirit's were Awakened Even Farther by the In Depth Exploration of Liberty Island, Lady Liberty Presenting Freedom to The Rest of the World

The Incredible Park Rangers, The Information They Disseminated, The Excitement- Pure Joy!!!

The Choice of our daughter to take a Nighttime Carriage Ride through Central Park to "The Statue of Balto"

Summer School Officially Begins Today:

Roman Numerals, Flag Day, Critical Reading, Writing and Revising, Math Review

Our Spirits are Soaring!!

Peace

Prayers of Thanks For Support

This week has been about solidifying -

Of Our Path Towards the ending of this first year
Of the Resources the Universe has laid on our path
Of Those things and persons we have Gathered into this Spirit School
Of those things and persons we have released to follow this Spiritual Path

Today we solidified our Aims and Goals and Unity!

Prayers of Peace, Fortitude and Inspiration
Peace- Om Shanti!

A New Spirit Dwells Within

A New Month and A New Spirit Dwells Within Our Practice- Yoga and Schooling Are Merging and Becoming a New Entity!

We Now Understand the Meaning of

"And A New Spirit Shall Dwell Within You!"

For it Surely Does.....

Asanas are Unwinding and Releasing Creativity and Connections to the Universe

Special People are Attracted to Our Path and Toxic People Remove Themselves

We Need Do Nothing But Believe!

Thank You For Awaiting Our Growth-

Creativity and Intelligence Are as Natural as Breathing

Thank You- Om Shanti

Laughter is Proving the Spirit Child Can Be Healed

     Our child has recaptured her natural Balance- not all the way but so far in such a short time!
Unimpeded laughter erupts forth as a book come to life and dances around the room!
Giggling is full face and without apology.

The automatic response of "I'm Sorry!" occurs fewer times a day...

She can almost talk to adults without turning away and swallowing her voice!

Her true Voice is returning! And she craves healthy food, pretend play, being in nature and learning as much as possible in each situation!!

Spirit School has reformed our family! No longer are we individuals who are merely related but now cousins, grandmother, parents, and special friends have built a safer world for us all!

Our Spirits Are Learning To Create

Yogic Joy Inspires Balance

• Brushing our teeth while Holding Tree Pose and Half-Moon Mudra
• Taking a seat in the car by coming in through the rear hatch- Upside down and then Righting Herself
• Creating a Small Space perfectly designed to cuddle in
• Finding where Orion has decided to rest in the night sky illuminated by a clear full moom- It cries out for Chandra Namaskar
• Taking practice to a joining with the balance of the Earth's Core and sending down our roots to be nourished
• Sharing Compassion- Especially toward One's self
• Allowing Massage and Words to heal another's journey
• Laughter at a Good Book well read

Dreaming! And Now Wishing You Peace!

The Freedom To Be Silly

Today is SILLY THURSDAY

Perhaps the Little Green Leprachauns made us want to be SILLY!!

EVIDENCE:

Maggie heard a crackling on the stove and footprints of a Little Person

All of the MINI MARSHMALLOWS in the house have disappeared

The Rubik's Cube has been Tampered with

The dog was really hyper last night

The alarm clock didn't ring

The Harry Potter Books have been strewn about....

School Books are opened- But to the wrong Lessons

We have finally awoken, but feel the need to Rollerskate wearing Green Tinted Glasses!

Silliness prevails today- A bit o' the green has been left with us

AWAY WE GO INTO SILLY THURSDAY....we'll let you know what happens next.....

School of Life- Accidents happen.

Glad to Be Alive... took three days for me to say this.

Help the bones and muscles which need to re-connect

Help the Spirit Which Needs to Stay Here

Give Art Your Love

Science, Antiquities, Earth Science and Good Eats

How To Link Learning and Life Lessons?

Cook up a storm while planting for the future!

Taking the basics and making a feast which spans a week teaches us all to be thankful for filling our bodies and nourishing our Creative Spirits!

Rice, pasta, root vegetables

Bisquick, flour, spices

Cereal, Lentils and Beans

Cabbage, Bananas, Apples and Oranges

A Measuring Cup

A Measure of Patience

A Measure of Love

I know our experiment is Working when our 9 year old was home after a rough night but wanted to show the family love by making us lunch,

setting the table,

and serving the plates!

Even offering to clean the table!

Measuring the Science of chemical reactions-

The most notable of which was the JOY given and received by such a Profound Act!

Biology- Plant And Animal... Human, That Is!

Planted the seeds today:

1- For Our Sustainable Vegetable Garden and Container Herbs
2- For a More Confident and Respectful Tween
3- For Understanding in the Household of the Benefits and Blessings and Challenges of Our Family Going Through School Together

Fortunately the Research and Gathering of Finest Raw Materials Has already Been Done and the Results will Definitely Bear Top Quality Fruit!

Time will now be in charge as Spirit and Mother Earth propigate the Germination Period!

The Miracle of Spirit Borne Into Physical... Namaste

Cool Transitions

It is the Time of Transitions
One Month and Season is Sliding into the next and our bodies and minds are grasping to Hold On-
Hold On to the lessons of Winter and Pounding Cold Realities
Hold On to the Excitement and Hopeful Anticipation of New Horizons
Hold On to the Essence of our Very Spirit and Breath

From this Chrysillis We Emerge Fresh, New, Rebirthed and Stronger

Let Go
of Fear, Anticipation and Ego