We had a tough night here. My daughter was needing to talk about her life experiences, and I was coughing up a storm {btw thanks to all of you who left recipes for homemade drinks and remedies – I’ve tried all and they all work!} and then processing all she shared {my children have literally been through hell}. I got up at the same time as normal to help make sure our day was smooth and made porridge for everyone and got a couple of hours of work done {today I worked from home}. No one woke up until after 8 am, in fact my son was up at 8 am but my daughter not until 10:30 am {she tossed and turned all night, poor lass, though when awake she snuggled with me and the cats and boy did that do wonders for her soul}. As she had such a hard night, I was pleased she had that extra time and again made me very happy she is currently being home educated because we were only late for school three times in 15 months of attending school here {and each time was a very valid reason} and she got in quite a bit of trouble each time which made her so very anxious. I do understand schools need to function and that it is important we respect teachers and other classmates time, but three times in 15 months (so no pattern at all) which were all for understandable reasons (like last night), the punishments she received were very very harsh - lectured in front of the class, had to sit out of activities, a note home {as if I didn’t know she was late – and yes, I’d shared the reason why without specific details which are private} and being told the teacher was disappointed in her and that she “caused a problem for her family” {and this point I had to step in – there is no way admitting what you went through and crying at painful memories is causing a problem for your family, in fact that is what a family is for…!}.
As I was working from home, today was a day where we worked on more independent study. Again I was nervous, but it went very well. I made lists for everyone and it was their job to make sure everything was done. And they both accomplished 10 pieces of work each, read to each other (nothing sweeter) and finished the day at 4 with a real high! And I got everything on my list done for work, and let me say my list was huge.
Early thoughts on home educating – the children are becoming much more cooperative with each other and caring towards each other. Having been separated in the toddler/pre-schooler years through to adoption, it is so wonderful to see not only are they now siblings who can grow up together, but they are forming a lovely relationship built on love, trust and respect. As an only child it is especially beautiful to watch.
Tonight I went to the bank, paid bills {oh, bills please don’t return next month!} and spent $15.74 at the local green grocer. I broke one of my own spending rules of not shopping twice in a week (we will need a more major shop at the weekend) because I was in the neighbourhood and didn’t want to make a return journey using petrol and because I like to support this local (very reasonable!) grocer. I used a tactic to help me, leaving all the money in the car except $20 and I went in there for fresh fruit and veg only. I resisted the beautiful flowers on sale because the most important thing right now is to stick to our month of nothing and spend more purposely. Plus I can imagine tulips on my kitchen table, right! 
FYI as I type this my two are working on a puzzle together, my son who arrived not knowing an encouraging word for anyone just said “good job, my sister, I’m proud of you”. Ah, ’tis lovely!
I made a major decision today about the direction of our family life, and I feel a *major* weight has been lifted. I can’t blog about it until the goal is successfully achieved {I could use prayers though!}, but I just wanted to share it. I’m hoping for some major changes by September for our family and just hope I can make this major, important, family goal come together. My children need me, plain and simple. {If you want to know the details, feel free to ask by email, but at this stage it isn’t something I can put on the world wide web}.
Tonight is family games night! Horrah! We have a puzzle, memory, go-fish and x’s and o’s to play, plus a yummy dinner to eat! Oh I love being home, even working from home is glorious with my little ones working by my side! I do love them so! And again and again I find that our favourite memories are the ones that come from fun that is virtually free! And after they are tucked up in bed, I will snuggle with the cats and read.
Prayers coming your way! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Sorry you had a rough night, but what a blessing that your daughter feels free to open her heart to you. I can’t believe how downright mean your sweet DD’s teacher was about tardiness! It’s so sad when people take their own issues out on little children. (Not meaning to say that this is true of teachers in general–many are wonderful and wonderfully dedicated, but it is sadly typical of the human race to dump on people with less power, including children.) So great to hear of your son praising his sister also–what progress they have made with your loving example to show the way! I will be praying for your family situation, that it will work out in a way that will be a blessing to all concerned. I am also sending you a little email, and hope it doesn’t get dumped in with the spam!
So glad to hear that your daughter was able to get more rest and reassurance on a study day at home. It’s horrendous what she has had to go through at school. I’m glad to see you are making great progress on your weekly goals and it sounds like you have some other major changes you’d like to make. Prayers and blessings.
So curious to hear about your big plans!
I too am curious about your plans, you have already made several huge changes in your life in the last year! I hear all the time about the wonderful teachers out there, but all it takes is one bad one to change your perspective on the profession. When a child is young it’s up to the parents to handle the arrival at school. If there is a problem, it is a family problem and NO child should be embarrassed/humiliated like your daughter was. She has had so much on her plate at such a young age, she deserved love and kindness, not berating. Good for you for standing up to the school.
I was telling my son(special ed teacher) about your children tonight and he said he wished some of his parents cared as much about their children as you do. Also he agrees that for some children homeschool is the best thing. No child should ever be treated like that and I am thankful that they have you.
I don’t know if it would help but my son said with some of his students that have been abused he gives them a tape recorder to talk about everything that happened, they listen to it and then he lets them smash the tape. With some of the kids he says this really works well because it gives them control over the memories.
You really are a great person.
Excited to hear your plans! And I am so glad you are able to start homeschooling your kids, I think it will be great for all of you!
My prayers are with you. I find you and your children so inspiring and hope that it works out well for you.
It breaks my heart to hear what happened to your daughter when she was late for school. I am so, SO glad that you are able to home educate your two darlings, as it sounds like even after just a few days, they are progressing by leaps and bounds. You must be such a proud mama, and they should be so proud of themselves as well!
I am so sorry your daughter had a rough night. I am glad she can talk to you about her life experiences though. I am sure it is very therapeutic for her. And as hard as it is for you to hear, I imagine it is reassuring to know she trusts you and can come to you.
I am quite envious of you at the moment. I know I don’t know all the details, but you seem to be doing what I have been feeling a quite tugging at for a while. I don’t know how to say it exactly, but I have been feeling like I really want to take my little family and just sort of throw a bubble around us and be very focused on being at home and being with each other. I don’t know, it just seems like that is what you are doing.
Keep up the good work!
FT, your kids and you are so blessed to have each other!
I feel so sorry for your daughter for having to go through those episodes with her teacher!! please give her an extra hug from all of us…
Sending hugs xxxx Send me an email with your big decision – would love to hear about it. Also, if you send me an email, send me your address details – I found the kids yoga relaxation CD and I could send it to you. It’s not the best CD in the world but they might find it helpful. I do have some other CDs that I could send you the details of though … so whenever you get a chance, mail me!