Dear Congress,
Today, you broke the heart of a 10 year old boy. Today I watched my son break down and cry because you chose to not work together for the benefit of the people of the United States. He wept because people are going to have to go home tomorrow and tell their families a paycheck isn't coming. Because bills might not get paid. Because food might not get put on the table. Because kids get hungry quick, he said, and parents will cry because they cannot pay for more. All because YOU let us down.
Today, my son offered his most sacred possession up, so that he could raise money. He wants to give that money to the people, the 800,000 people who won't get paid. Why is it a 10 year old boy understands that kind of sacrifice, but you don't?
Today, my son asked me why is Congress still getting paid when it is their fault the government shut down. Why, he asked, should they be able to spend money when those other people, those people who work hard beside his dad cannot. I could not give him an answer.
I wept today, not only because my son was heartbroken, but because a 10 year old has more common sense, heart and passion for the people of this country, than the members of our Congress. Why is it, my 10 year old understands the American freedom of choice and Congress does not? Why is it a 10 year old boy loves people enough, people he has never even met, to give up and sacrifice and scrimp and save...but you, Congress, you do not.
I am raising my son in an America I don't know any more. I am raising him in a country that has a government who cares more about personal image than about getting their jobs done. I am raising him to be a good, honest, hard working man...and when he looks up and see the government of the country his father serves do things like this, it makes it really hard to explain to him why our country is supposed to be great.
Shame on you, Congress for having less morals, heart and character than a 10 year old boy. Shame on you for making him cry. Shame on you for making a mother have to tell her son that she doesn't know why our government does the things it does, when those things are so contrary to the history and standards of this once great country. Just shame on you!
Sincerely,
April E Honaker
Mother of a brokenhearted little boy
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Homeschool Lessons
I have homeschooled now for over a year. I have learned much myself, it's amazing really. Here's what I have discovered about homeschooling:
1. You will have no life. Those coffees with the ladies, spur of the moment shopping trips, lunch out with the hubby...totally gone. Somehow your life becomes about teaching those kids, cleaning up the house (which since they are home ALL the time somehow just never stays clean!). Most days you'll be ok with this...and then some days you'll want to go screaming for the hills.
2. Your children will never fail to amaze you. There will be that time when you just can't believe what your kid just did - good or bad!
3. Your kids will always drag out that one subject they hate...in the hopes that you will let them not do it. Sometimes they will win.
4. You will freak out over your teaching abilities. There will be that day when little Johnny who goes to school knows or can do something totally amazing and you'll think your kid is behind because of your teaching. Don't worry...one day you'll see little Johnny do something not so smart and you'll feel totally awesome about yourself.
5. Homeschool groups are great, as long as your realize they are there for support. They are not there to teach your kids everything...that's kinda supposed to be your job. Take what support you can get, trade classes with other parents, but in the end know that your kids are your responsibility.
6. Aches and pains and sometimes sickness vanish if you cancel school for the day.
7. Never underestimate the benefits of pajama day! Mostly for you.
8. Everything (and I mean everything) can be turned into a lesson. Take your kid to the store and you make them read the signs. It's raining and you question them about how it happens. Static in your hair...let's talk about electrons! No joke, it's like a bad habit you just can't shake.
9. You will talk about your kids...a lot. After all, that's your job and people tend to talk about their work. If people can't hack listening to you talk about the work you do, then they really don't need to be around you.
10. You will still have a sex life. I promise! (with effort sometimes, but hey, it's still there)
11. You will still have friends. Maybe not as many, maybe not as often...but the ones that stick around and put up with your crazy schedule, your need for caffeine, and you constantly smelling like glue or an experiment gone bad are totally worth the effort!
12. You might go crazy. It wasn't a far drive for me, maybe you'll take a little longer to get there, but it will happen. When it does, embrace it! Sounds weird, but being crazy will keep you sane.
13. Your kids will want to leave your side. So many people think homeschooled kids are homebodies who never leave the house and never make friends and are social weirdos. Not true...would you want to be in the house all day with the same person that taught you math, washed your underwear, yelled at you to be nice to your sister, and licked her fingers to wash your face? No, me either...and apparently homeschool kids don't either. I promise they won't turn into cave people.
14. Your spouse will totally respect you, if you can get them to watch what you do for just one day. Guaranteed!
15. While there are days you will want to throw in the towel, if you keep at it there will be that day when you see your child's face light up...all because they finally get what it is you are teaching them. The more you teach them, the more you will see that light, the more thankful you will be, because even while you may fear going bald, hair is a small price to pay for opening up the whole world to that little gift God blessed you with!
I'm sure I'll learn and relearn more lessons as I go. They say learning is a life long process...and teachers must be constant learners-good example for the kids and all! :)
1. You will have no life. Those coffees with the ladies, spur of the moment shopping trips, lunch out with the hubby...totally gone. Somehow your life becomes about teaching those kids, cleaning up the house (which since they are home ALL the time somehow just never stays clean!). Most days you'll be ok with this...and then some days you'll want to go screaming for the hills.
2. Your children will never fail to amaze you. There will be that time when you just can't believe what your kid just did - good or bad!
3. Your kids will always drag out that one subject they hate...in the hopes that you will let them not do it. Sometimes they will win.
4. You will freak out over your teaching abilities. There will be that day when little Johnny who goes to school knows or can do something totally amazing and you'll think your kid is behind because of your teaching. Don't worry...one day you'll see little Johnny do something not so smart and you'll feel totally awesome about yourself.
5. Homeschool groups are great, as long as your realize they are there for support. They are not there to teach your kids everything...that's kinda supposed to be your job. Take what support you can get, trade classes with other parents, but in the end know that your kids are your responsibility.
6. Aches and pains and sometimes sickness vanish if you cancel school for the day.
7. Never underestimate the benefits of pajama day! Mostly for you.
8. Everything (and I mean everything) can be turned into a lesson. Take your kid to the store and you make them read the signs. It's raining and you question them about how it happens. Static in your hair...let's talk about electrons! No joke, it's like a bad habit you just can't shake.
9. You will talk about your kids...a lot. After all, that's your job and people tend to talk about their work. If people can't hack listening to you talk about the work you do, then they really don't need to be around you.
10. You will still have a sex life. I promise! (with effort sometimes, but hey, it's still there)
11. You will still have friends. Maybe not as many, maybe not as often...but the ones that stick around and put up with your crazy schedule, your need for caffeine, and you constantly smelling like glue or an experiment gone bad are totally worth the effort!
12. You might go crazy. It wasn't a far drive for me, maybe you'll take a little longer to get there, but it will happen. When it does, embrace it! Sounds weird, but being crazy will keep you sane.
13. Your kids will want to leave your side. So many people think homeschooled kids are homebodies who never leave the house and never make friends and are social weirdos. Not true...would you want to be in the house all day with the same person that taught you math, washed your underwear, yelled at you to be nice to your sister, and licked her fingers to wash your face? No, me either...and apparently homeschool kids don't either. I promise they won't turn into cave people.
14. Your spouse will totally respect you, if you can get them to watch what you do for just one day. Guaranteed!
15. While there are days you will want to throw in the towel, if you keep at it there will be that day when you see your child's face light up...all because they finally get what it is you are teaching them. The more you teach them, the more you will see that light, the more thankful you will be, because even while you may fear going bald, hair is a small price to pay for opening up the whole world to that little gift God blessed you with!
I'm sure I'll learn and relearn more lessons as I go. They say learning is a life long process...and teachers must be constant learners-good example for the kids and all! :)
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Releasing Our Children
Last night, after a bit of a rough day with home school, cooking, cleaning, petting, reassuring, getting kids ready for extra activities and not being able to open my bottle of wine (stupid, cheap wine opener!), I pondered the thought "Do our children really know what we do for them? Do they really understand all that goes into their lives...and all that comes out of ours?"
The answer is "Of course not!". I mean, think about it: when did you appreciate your parents? Probably after you had children of your own and you started working your tail off to ensure their well being. When you started freaking out when they wouldn't burp after feeding. When you didn't sleep for three nights in a row to calm a fussy teether. When you stressed out over setting the correct boundaries for your toddler without damaging their sense of curiosity. The first time your kid told you he or she hated you. When you had to endure the complete and utter meltdown in public over a cookie. The list can and does go on. So why do we as parents get so frustrated when our children show no appreciation for all we do?
My kids just don't get it...they don't understand that I would rather be with other adults drinking my latte than teaching them. They really don't get the fact that I don't want to snuggle at 0645 in the morning...with ANYONE! I want peace and quiet and coffee. They don't realize that putting them to bed, tucking them in and listening to their stories from the day is actual work. They just see it as...well...mom. And more than likely, your kids are the same.
I realized LATE last night, as my daughter had a nightmare and crawled into bed with me, that I was putting a huge responsibility on my kids. I was making them responsible for my approval rating. I was putting on them the responsibility of acknowledging my hard work and sacrifice. I was making them my rater, to use a military term. I was putting them in the position of a boss...and no child should have that power.
My husband told me once that he really hates it that a single comment from one of my kids can ruin my day. He told me that I allow them to get into my head and mess it all up. Why should I give them so much power?? He's right.
In order for me to be able to stop letting my children's moods and demands mess up my day (and my head) I need to release them. I need to stop looking to them as my approving authority. I need to appoint a new boss.
I already have one...my Father! By not looking to Him for approval, by not seeking Him to see if I am doing the right thing, by not focusing on pleasing God and instead focusing on children, I cheat myself and I cheat the Father. It is God who gives me strength, not my children. (they plain ole wear me out!) It is God who guides me down the path of goodness, not my children. And it is God who will, in the end, rate my work that I have done in His name.
I came to that realization while being kneed in the stomach, breathed on with morning breath, and grumbled at by a husband clinging to the edge of his side of the bed. I felt relief. And then I felt a twinge of fear. If I release my children from this responsibility it means I will not have a tangible source here on Earth to seek confirmation from. It means I will have to develop a better spiritual life. It means I will have to trust...in my God and myself.
It will be a challenge...to pray and know that God's got my back. But it will also make life just a little more stress free...after all, who wants to live by the wild mood swings of a child?!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
The answer is "Of course not!". I mean, think about it: when did you appreciate your parents? Probably after you had children of your own and you started working your tail off to ensure their well being. When you started freaking out when they wouldn't burp after feeding. When you didn't sleep for three nights in a row to calm a fussy teether. When you stressed out over setting the correct boundaries for your toddler without damaging their sense of curiosity. The first time your kid told you he or she hated you. When you had to endure the complete and utter meltdown in public over a cookie. The list can and does go on. So why do we as parents get so frustrated when our children show no appreciation for all we do?
My kids just don't get it...they don't understand that I would rather be with other adults drinking my latte than teaching them. They really don't get the fact that I don't want to snuggle at 0645 in the morning...with ANYONE! I want peace and quiet and coffee. They don't realize that putting them to bed, tucking them in and listening to their stories from the day is actual work. They just see it as...well...mom. And more than likely, your kids are the same.
I realized LATE last night, as my daughter had a nightmare and crawled into bed with me, that I was putting a huge responsibility on my kids. I was making them responsible for my approval rating. I was putting on them the responsibility of acknowledging my hard work and sacrifice. I was making them my rater, to use a military term. I was putting them in the position of a boss...and no child should have that power.
My husband told me once that he really hates it that a single comment from one of my kids can ruin my day. He told me that I allow them to get into my head and mess it all up. Why should I give them so much power?? He's right.
In order for me to be able to stop letting my children's moods and demands mess up my day (and my head) I need to release them. I need to stop looking to them as my approving authority. I need to appoint a new boss.
I already have one...my Father! By not looking to Him for approval, by not seeking Him to see if I am doing the right thing, by not focusing on pleasing God and instead focusing on children, I cheat myself and I cheat the Father. It is God who gives me strength, not my children. (they plain ole wear me out!) It is God who guides me down the path of goodness, not my children. And it is God who will, in the end, rate my work that I have done in His name.
I came to that realization while being kneed in the stomach, breathed on with morning breath, and grumbled at by a husband clinging to the edge of his side of the bed. I felt relief. And then I felt a twinge of fear. If I release my children from this responsibility it means I will not have a tangible source here on Earth to seek confirmation from. It means I will have to develop a better spiritual life. It means I will have to trust...in my God and myself.
It will be a challenge...to pray and know that God's got my back. But it will also make life just a little more stress free...after all, who wants to live by the wild mood swings of a child?!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
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