Children are Dogs, Teenagers are Cats

   I won't say much about this post.  If you have or have had a teen, you will "get it".  If you don't get it yet, you will. : )

   So, for all those moms who are grieving the loss of their "dog", start enjoying your "cat".



Children are Dogs, Teenagers are Cats
  By Unknown

“I just realized that while children are dogs—loyal and affectionate—teenagers are cats.

 

It’s so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, boss it around.  It puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.

 

Then, around age 13, your adoring puppy turns into a big old cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.

 

Instead of dogging your footsteps, it disappears. You won’t see it again until it gets hungry…then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn up its nose at whatever you’re serving, swishing its tail and giving you an aggrieved look until you break out the tuna again.

 

When you reach out to ruffle its head in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare as if it is trying to remember where it has seen you before.

 

You, not realizing your dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong with it. It seems so antisocial, so distant, sort of depressed. It won’t go on family outings. Since you’re the one who raised it, taught it to fetch, stay and sit on command, you assume you did something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.

 

Only now you’re dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now has the opposite result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, wringing your hands, the more it moves away.

 

Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you must learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door and let it come to you. But remember that a cat needs your help and affection too. Sit still and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it.

 

One day your grown up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say,

“You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you.” Then, you’ll realize your cat is a dog again.”

DOES THE NEA SUPPORT HOMESCHOOLING?

~ Below is an article I’ve written, as a response to inquiries I’ve received regarding the government’s support of home schooling. I hope it is informative and helpful as families make final decisions about their educational options for the fall. This article is not a judgment or criticism of families’ choices for their children’s education. It is intended to pass on information that parent’s may not be aware of, in order to help equip parents to make informed decisions.  : )
~ DOES THE NEA SUPPORT HOMESCHOOLING?


As a support group leader, I am often asked about education options and am asked to explain the difference between home schooling and the parent partnership programs. I appreciate parents who are seeking to understand their options and I respect parents’ ultimate decisions, and I do my best to help families make informed choices. On a similar topic, recently I was asked about the government schools attitude towards and support of home schooling, since that is how most of the parent partnership programs are advertised… as a support to homeschoolers. Now, I can’t speak for the public school programs, and I’m certain there are many wonderful, possibly supportive folks working at public school parent partnership programs. But this person wanted some “data” about what the government schools in general think of home schooling. Her children have been enrolled in a PPP for several years, but recently she was disappointed by a string of decisions that affected her family and the way her opinion and concerns were disregarded. This situation caused her to question the attitude behind the program she was “partnered” with.

In the past, I have read some rather disturbing quotes from leaders in the NEA (National Education Association), regarding home schooling and parents in general. But I hadn’t looked at those sources in quite awhile, so I began to hunt for current information. When I look up that sort of information, I don’t always look to a local source. I look to the NEA, which is basically the head of all public schools and public school programs. And when I look at that organization, I am saddened and a bit offended by their opinion of parent led, home based instruction.

Below, I have included a quote from their own NEA Resolutions that specifically addresses what they think of home schooling and I believe is
very revealing as to how “supportive” they are of the home school option. The reason I have decided to include it here, is not to scold or criticize any parents who have opted to participate in a public school program. My friends know that I respect parents’ educational choices for their families, be it public, private or home schooling. But rather, I thought it was important that families be aware of the underlying attitude of the organization they are partnering with. I hope this information helps families be a little guarded, knowing that at the root, the NEA does not respect or approve of a parent’s role in directing our children’s education, and desires to impose much regulation and restriction on what we can teach our children. I think that is an agenda worth being informed of. So since I had to find the information for the mom who asked, I decided to share it here as a resource for all parents, regardless of the educational option we choose for our children. Being informed is always a good thing. : )

NEA’s resolutions on home schooling - Does this sound like an organization that supports and respects homeschoolers or the home school option?
Below is article B-83, which is copied (bold emphasis, mine) directly from page 38 of the NEA Resolutions document found here: http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/nea-resolutions-2013-14.pdf 

B-83. Home Schooling
The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.

The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.

The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting. (1988, 2006)     

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 Two beautiful poems by Edgar Guest to honor motherhood this weekend.  Both make me thankful for the sweet mother God blessed my life with.  And both inspire me to be that kind of mother to my children. 

MOTHER'S DAY

Let every day be Mother's Day!
Make roses grow along her way
And beauty everywhere.
Oh, never let her eyes be wet
With tears of sorrow or regret,
And never cease to care!
Come, grown up children, and rejoice
That you can hear your mother's voice!


A day for her! For you she gave
Long years of love and service brave;
For you her youth was spent.
There was no weight of hurt or care
Too heavy for her strength to bear;
She followed where you went;
Her courage and her love sublime
You could depend on all the time.

No day or night she set apart
On which to open wide her heart
And welcome you within;
There was no hour you would not be
First in her thought and memory,
Though you were black as sin!
Though skies were gray or skies were blue
Not once has she forgotten you.

Let every day be Mother's Day!
With love and roses strew her way,
And smiles of joy and pride!
Come, grown up children, to the knee
Where long ago you used to be
And never turn aside;
Oh, never let her eyes grow wet
With tears, because her babes forget.

  By Edgar Guest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE MOTHER WATCH

She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were all in bed;
On party nights till we came home she often sat and read.
We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,
How much the mother worried when we children were away.
We only knew she never slept when we were out at night,
And that she waited just to know that we'd come home all right.

Why, sometimes when we'd stayed away till one or two or three,
It seemed to us that mother heard the turning of the key;
For always when we stepped inside she'd call and we'd reply,
But we were all too young back then to understand just why.
Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,
For mother couldn't sleep until she'd kissed us all good night.

She had to know that we were safe before she went to rest;
She seemed to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.
And once she said: "When you are grown to women and to men,
Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through; I may be different then."
And so it seemed that night and day we knew a mother's care--
That always when we got back home we'd find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were called to gather round her bed:
"The children all are with you now," the kindly doctor said.
And in her eyes there gleamed again the old-time tender light
That told she had been waiting just to know we were all right.
She smiled the old-familiar smile, and prayed to God to keep
Us safe from harm throughout the years, and then she went to sleep.

By Edgar Guest

READ ALOUD BIBLE STORIES - TREASURED BOOKS!

Looking for something that will write on the heart of your preschool - early elem. children or grandchildren?   These books do an amazing job of that!  Each over-sized volume has several stories in it, so you are really purchasing a small library of Bible stories (there are approx. 160 pages per volume!)  I know we all have Bible stories on our shelf, but these are really special.  At first glance, they are not the type of illustrations that I am normally drawn to.  I love beautiful, realistic illustrations.  These are large, and somewhat abstract... but kids are drawn them to them!   And the simple story style of the author, Ella K. Lindvall, is rich, informative and engaging.  My children asked for them literally, over and over and over...   I have read these books to my children for 20 years, and I was so glad to see them still available.  Since my children have finally outgrown them, mine have gone safely into my "Grandma Box", to bless the heart of the next generation.  I highly recommend you get a set while you still can.  You can read more about them or purchase them at at CBD (Christian Book Distributors) .

FOR THIS CHILD WE PRAYED

 

Sweet poem about how fast our children grow up and the importance of allowing yourself to relish the moments you have with them. Those of us who have grown children, know this is just way too true. So those of you in the thick of the early years… trust us. J
 



For This Child We Prayed…  

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dust pan, poison the moth
Hang out the washing and butter the bread
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo)
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo)
The shopping is not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo)

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

By Ruth Hulburt Hamilton 

This Privilege Called Homeschooling...

Well, it’s here… the beginning of another school year. Welcome back to the trenches ladies. Glad to have the company.  After 17 years, I can say that I never feel "ready". I am always scrambling to get organized, trying to prepare in ways that will make the year a bit smoother… copies made, a rough idea of lesson plans, reading lists done, etc. In the end, I’m never totally prepared, and I just take the plunge. I tend to start our school late August or early September, taking it slowly. This gives me a couple of weeks to add in new subjects or activities over a little stretch of time, and is not quite so overwhelming for us. But I know others that start right up with a full subject schedule and that works great for them. Gotta love the flexibility and individuality of home schooling!

As I begin another school year, I spend some time renewing my commitment to this calling on my life called "homeschooling", asking the Lord to renew my vision for my family and to equip me to be faithful. And I have a confession. I love the home schooling lifestyle and I enjoy my kiddos. Oh, some days are harder than others and not so much fun, but deep in my heart, I love our days together and the opportunity for discipleship and fellowship and relationship. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I have another confession. Even though I do love home schooling, sometimes I get weary or lazy or distracted from this precious task. I then have to ask the Lord to turn my heart back to my home… to my husband and children and tending to their needs and "keeping" my home. Can anyone relate? Do you sometimes struggle with staying on task too? It’s not that I don’t want to do it. It’s just that there are so many distractions… a To Do List or a phone call or housework or scrap booking (HA!) or my computer is calling my name. So I am praying for focus for this year, and straight priorities, and the skills to manage my time and a "first things first" mindset.

Okay… I have another confession. There have been seasons in life… a crisis of some sort, health or financial issues, difficult relationships, broken hearts, selfish thoughts… when I don’t know if I have enough in me to do a good job. Truthfully, I’ve never considered putting my children into any form of public school. That is the equivalent to the "d" word in my marriage. We just don’t go there. It’s not an option. But I have felt depleted. At those times, I have no choice but to take the next step, do the next thing, in spite of how I feel. And ALWAYS, for 17 years, the Lord is Faithful. He renews my strength. He brings clarity, direction, motivation, and eventually restores my joy and appreciation for this calling. Yes, on our best days, home schooling is a "calling". On our worse days, it is "obedience". But always it is a blessing.

Wherever you find yourself regarding homeschooling this fall… enthusiastic or intimidated, excited or exhausted, raring to go or reluctant, I pray you will join me in committing ourselves to our children and our families as I believe God has asked us to do. Let’s pray that our hearts will be turned towards home and that those things that try to rob us of a good attitude or time with our children will be seen as just that… a thief. Let us appreciate with grateful hearts, this privilege called home schooling.

Little Hands, Little Man

We aren't quite through all of these seasons with our oldest, but we're through enough of them that I can sure relate.

LITTLE HANDS, LITTLE MAN
by Victoria Brake
Proverbs 31 Ministries

Little hands to hold so tight.
Hair to comb, and tears to wipe.
Little feet that grow so fast.
Teeth to brush and bedtime baths.
Little cups that must be filled.
Teething rings that must be chilled.
Clothes that come in green and blue.
Doing things boys love to do.
Time is fleeting, oh so fast.
What was just here, is now the past.

Little hands that needed me.
Now need me less, I start to see.
He ties his shoes and combs his hair.
Picks out his clothes, knows what to wear.
We hunt for bugs and play with cars.
Draw pictures of the moon and stars.
We're at the park, we play pretend.
He tells me I'm his favorite friend.
Who, what, when, where, why and how?
He needs to know these things right now.
So full of life, so full of love.
This gift sent from the Lord above.

He's older now, my little man.
No need for him to hold my hand.
Fishing, camping, baseball games.
Collecting worms after it rains.
Each night I ask the Lord above,
to help me teach him how to love.
There's so much that he needs to know,
and I'm still learning as I go.
Please, Lord... PLEASE help me get this right.
I beg, as I lose sleep at night.
Precious soul, undefiled.
Lord, guide me as I raise this child.

What just happened? Can it be?
My little boy is now a teen.
I stock the fridge to keep him fed.
Make sure he still fits in his bed.
Try not to let my worry show.
This happened fast, where did time go?
Help me to listen patiently.
As I instruct him, Lord guide me.
May my words be gentle and kind.
Loving, sincere, pure and wise.
His time at home, will soon be gone.
It sure did fly, but it was fun.

His bags are packed and by the door.
He's off to face a whole new world.
It seems like only yesterday,
as I would rock him… he would say.
Just one more story, pretty please?
Please would you read one more to me?
Then I would tuck him in his bed,
and kiss him on his precious head.
No more karate, no more ball.
No more measurements on the wall.
Today he'll leave this cozy nest,
and spread his wings, and give his best.

Five years later, this handsome man,
will take a wife and give his hand.
A beautiful bride, for my son.
I've prayed for her since he was one.
Thank you Lord, for hearing me.
For growing now, our family tree.
Two young lives will now be one.
A new love story has begun.

Two years later, waiting room.
A child will be here very soon.
Tiny bundle, wrapped in blue.
My boy, he knows just what to do.
He holds his son so tenderly.
An instant bond that I can see.
I run my hand through baby's hair.
The tears they fall, without a care.
His child held gently on his chest.
The years ahead will be his best.
It's true, he may not know it yet.
But he will soon, that I can bet.
Little hands to hold so tight.
Hair to comb and tears to wipe.