Compost in a Bottle {Science Experiment}

With Fall  on it's way for my friends in the northern hemisphere and spring down here I thought I would share this easy experiment any one can do any time of the year. Earlier this year Sir N and I spent a delightful day out at Barwon Waste Management Education Centre where we helped in an experiment called Compost in a Bottle.  This is a wonderful experiment you can do at home and watch over the year to see what happens.

You will Need

1. Strips of news paper
2. Blood & Bone (garden fertilizer)
3. Bread
4. Grated Carrot
5. Grated Potato
6. Soil
7. Two or Three 2.25 Lt cold drink bottles (we used Coke bottles)

Method

• Clean the plastic bottles well. Cut the bottle around the top leaving a small part to act as a hinge.

• You will need fruit, vegetables, soil, paper and fertilizer.  In order to make all the bottles identical I chose to grate carrots and vegetables and use a cup measure when placing into the bottles.
• Follow the recipe (a picture recipe)
• Layer soil, vegetables, fertilizer (only a tablespoon per layer) and paper. Each bottle needs to be identical.
• Spray each layer with a little bit of water.  Do NOT soak.  Only a fine mist spray.
• The original experiment required two identical bottles. We made a third bottle without fertilizer because we wanted to know how well compost worms work in comparison to fertilizer in a compost bin.
• When the bottles are full tape them shut.
• Mark the side of the bottle with a permanent pen showing the different layers.
• Place one bottle on the windowsill, and one in a dark cupboard.  We placed the one with the worms in the dark cupboard as well.

Seven Months Later ...

Left - Windowsill bottle
Middle - Dark Cupboard with worms
Right - Dark Cupboard.

What experiments have you done with your families recently ?
Blessings
Chareen

This post is part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew Fall into Nature Blog Cruise. (Goes up on Tuesday 22 October)

Coming Soon! 2014 Crew Applications

For my blogging friends who are considering joining the Crew for the 2014 season there are a few tips on the Schoolhouse Review blog for you.

Blessings
Chareen

Paper Mache Masks {Virtual Fridge}

This Week
A while back we had fun making a paper mache mask.  Sir N did not like the feel of the flour glue mix but he persevered.

I found some great tutorials on YouTube

• How to Make a Papier-Mache Mask this one uses a plastic milk/juice bottle for the base.
• How to Use Balloon Bases in Paper Mache We used this method.  We only covered half the balloon though.
• No Cook Paper Mache Paste this is the recipe we used to make the glue.

Featured This Week

Pop Art Mona Lisa Style! over at Too Many Flower's Travels. Cath has done a great tutorial and show and tell.

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.

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<a href="http://www.everybedofroses.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Virtual%20Fridge" title="Virtual Fridge Link Up"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmwOV8LEHGlyewq4vzijOFKpQAQ5QIsoboACS3NXYb5NkkMDEHopBuLfzKfSaVQtoxfGsnLCZpgIMEh0TUIjur_buc11sMxmpoh7BbjBtaFht9Xz5VVXrIyI8hVM2iJVNWx-58dYsLcs/s900/Link+Up+with+Us!+Art+Linky.jpg"height="125" width="125" alt="Virtual Fridge Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Blessings
Chareen

The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

Your hosts are

The Fourth Kingdom {Free for Kindle}

I'm a long time fan of Frank Peretti books and when I heard about The Fourth Kingdom by Joyce and Alexandra Swann I was intrigued.  Today I found out that it is currently FREE for your Kindle. Guess the housework shall have to wait as I read my newest book ...

Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1452825130
• ISBN-13: 978-1452825137
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.4 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds

 On the back

On a warm September afternoon in the year 2000, Dr. Alexander Sinclair travels to the Doppelganger Genetic Cloning Facility near Santa Fe, New Mexico, to meet with its brilliant but mysterious director, Dr. Karl Helmick. Over the next 21 years, the two scientists collaborate on incredible scientific breakthroughs, as Karl becomes friend, mentor and father-figure to Alexander. But the longer Alexander knows Karl the more aware he becomes of how little he knows about him. As the years go by, Alexander becomes increasingly suspicious that his colleague is not who he appears to be. And as Karl prepares to implement his plans for the future, each of the men discovers just how far he is willing to go to live forever.

This book was selected as one of four finalists in the Christianity Today 2011 Book Awards, Fiction Category.

Blessings
Chareen

Seeking to Learn a New Language

This weeks topic has me a little at a loss for words.  Personally I speak two languages (English and Afrikaans) and understand three more (Flemish easily, Dutch and German (if spoken slowly)). How I came to reading, writing and speaking a second language fluently was through immersion.  When I was five years old we moved across the country from beautiful Cape Town to Pretoria and our neighbours were Afrikaans families.  Through friendships I learned to speak and understand Afrikaans fluently.  Due to this I feel that immersion at a young age is the easiest and fastest way to learn a second language.

Having said all this however, it is not that easy when you live in a country that is English. I have searched for an online programm for young students in vain.  This is the ONE home school product sorely lacking world wide.  All the programs I have looked at need a student to be at a grade three to four level before commencing second language studies.

Personally I really really like Rosetta Stone products and this is the program we will be using to learn French as soon as Sir N is reading a little more fluently.   

Choosing a second Language
There were a number of factors I took into consideration when choosing French as our second (my third) language.  In Australia Chinese (Mandarin) is often the language of choice as we are really close the Asian market geographically.  I chose not to study this as you can not use it world wide.  The two languages that I looked at were French and Spanish. In the end we settled on French as it is spoken in more countries in the world than Spanish and if we do ever travel internationally it would serve us well. I chose not to teach my children Afrikaans as this language is only spoken in South Africa and can only be understood in Finland and some parts of Holland.

When looking at second language options be sure to ask yourself why that particular language and when your child will ever use it ?

Is Latin a second Language ?
That depends on how you view it.  In one sense it is and in another no because it is not actively spoken in any one country in the world today.  Having said this it is a root language to English and will help your student to understand and perform in the language arts arena far more easily with a basic knowledge of it.  In the science fields it is well and truly alive and will serve your student well to have a working knowledge of it for the high school years.

Resources

• Rosetta Stone
• Pinterest Homeschool - Foreign Languages
• Pinterest Homeschool - Latin
• Learn A Foreign Language For FREE!
• Learning Latin and Other Languages the Old Fashioned Way
• Foreign Language Resources by The Tech Homeschooler - Andy Harris
• Dad and Foreign Languages - Marlin Detweiler

Can you recommend a French program for young students ?

Blessings
Chareen
This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of home school Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.

This week

• Bernadette   Parlez Vous Francais?
• Julie  Our Foreign Language Philosophy
• Savannah shares In Regard to Teaching a Foreign Language
• Lucinda  5 Ways to Homeschool Foreign Languages 
• Nicole  Fun with Foreign Language

 ---ooOoo---

Crisis image courtesy of Free Digital Photo's -  Sheelamohan

Your Future ... What if Money Were No Object?

Alan Watts - What if Money Were No Object?

HSMJ - The highlight of this week is ...

In my life this week…
I found out that one of Paul's photographs has been selected to be printed and put on display at Michaels Camera Store in Melbourne.
I have also enjoyed collecting cards to make up packs of cards from the Woolworths Aussie Animals.  If you are in need of a card join the Facebook Group Woolworths Aussie Animal Card Swop There are a wonderful bunch of ladies on there willing to post out cards to people who need them. If you want an album you can now print the pages from the Woolworths site.
Please pray for a baby boy called Benjamin.  He is a few months old and had open heart surgery today to repair his heart. 
The highlight of this week is having my friend come to stay for two nights.  She was my first neighbor in New Zealand and we've been friends for 15 years.  It's going to be so good to catch up :)

In our home school this week…

• Paul finished reading The Twenty-One Balloons to Sir N.  I loved listening to the way he giggled in all the fun parts and I have enjoyed the imagination this book has sparked in my son.  They have now embarked on another Spindles journey and are reading the first book in the series: Spindles of the Dusty Range
• We are really enjoying Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle although I was a little taken aback by the mention of witches in the first chapter there is clearly no witch craft in this book and it's just good fun helping children to take ownership of their own behavior and make right choices.
• Sir N is enjoying The Usborne Time Traveler discovering the ways of Ancient Egypt.  So far I'm impressed with A Child's History of the World.
• I've enjoyed listening to Sir N read I Can Read It! Book 2this week.  He has definitely turned a corner and it's becoming easier for him to read out loud.  He is even attempting to read signs and packages by himself with more confidence.  
• As for math we have now reached double digit addition with carrying in Exploring Arithmetic 3.  It's been an interesting week but am really grateful for the manipulative resources I do have to help.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Charlotte's Web Memory Making {Sonlight Core B} over at Delightful Learning
• 5th Grade Math Resources  over at Love 2 Learn 2 Day
• Mesopotamia Unit Study Resources over at Highhill Homeschool.  If you are looking for Ancient History Resources this is a wonderful blog to follow.
• Why Is a Baker's Dozen 13? 
• Notebooking Guest Posts: Cut Out the Busywork: Try Notebooking  over at As we Walk Along the Road
• This is incredible! Giant Ant Colony Excavated, You won’t believe what they build underground!

I am inspired by…

• All the new Mom's who have joined our home school support group.  They are inspiring and encouraging me.
• When It’s Hard to Find Time for God and Prayer 
• The Voice of Winnie the Pooh Calls Sick Kids in Character! 
• 20 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My Kids 
• When Your Partner Parents Differently  over at Ben and Me

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• Term four has started and this week we were back at Tennis and Kelly Sports.  
• Sir N's cousin came over for a play date on Friday
• It was my friends birthday on Monday and we spent the afternoon with the home school support group exploring Point Cook Coastal Reserve.

My favourite thing this week was…

• Counting down the days till my friend arrived from QLD for a visit :)

What’s working/not working for us…

• Reading the Homeschool Mom's Bible If you are a homeschool Mom take some time to have a look at this devotional.

Things I’m working on…

• Dad's Helping Hand in our Homeschool
• The unit study provided by YWAM to go along side the Christian Hero's Then and Now book Jim Elliot - One Great Purpose.

In Bloggy world I’m reading…

• Embrace Your Post-Baby Shape
• Astronaut’s worst fear: ‘floating off into space’ 
• When Rich Westerners Don’t Know They are Being Rich Westerners 
• Looking for thoughts and insights on the Carnival of Homeschooling  
• Loved Matt's perspective when he wrote “You’re a stay-at-home mom? What do you DO all day?”
• 20 Marriage Tips Everyone Needs to Know written by a divorced gentleman.  Insightful.
• Breaking the Silence ~ Weaning off Effexor love reading the courage of this gentle lady and her honesty is encouraging.
• US government shutdown: our experts predict how it ends . We asked political analysts: how should it end and how will it?
• I don’t wait anymore.  beautifully written insightful post of a twenty something who has removed her purity ring ...
• Teen arrested for trying to help struggling Goodwill shoppers even though his heart was in the right place he still did wrong.  
• The day my son tried to commit suicide beautiful story.  I have embedded his YouTube clip at the end of this post.

I’m cooking…

• What ever I can find in our freezer.  I'm trying to run the stock low so I can spring clean.

I’m grateful for…

• Grandfather's 1982 pro-life poem saves great-grandchild from being aborted

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings

Chareen

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Jim Elliot One Great Purpose {Book & Unit Study Review}

I have a confession to make.  I have a love affair with the Christian Heroes: Then & Now books published by YWAM Publishing.  I was deeply impacted when I read my first book in the series and ever since then one of my personal missions has been to collect the full set. In September YWAM blessed our family with the the biography of Jim Elliot and their new Unit Study Curriculum Guide for the book.

YWAM publishing is a ministry of Youth With A Mission {YWAM} and is a non profit organization. They started in 1972 publishing tracts for the Olympics. YWAM Publishing currently publishes well over 2000 titles, videos and CD's.  Christian Hero's is one division that is committed to sharing international inspiring stories of real people who have and continue to impact the world for Christ today.  They work with Emerald Books to provide quality resources for home school families.

We Received

CHRISTIAN HEROES: THEN & NOW
 Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose 

• Author: Janet & Geoff Benge
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 192
• Ages: 10+
• Publisher YWAM Publishing
• ISBN: 1576581462
• SKU: 81462
• Formats Paperback Nook Kindle 
• Available in:  Spanish
• Cost: US $6.99

This book has met my every expectation of Geoff and Janet. It is a twaddle free LIVING book that will take you into the jungles of South America. It is written on a ten year old reading level but is a perfect read aloud for the whole family. Sir N is eight and he is thoroughly enjoying me read this book to him.  He begs me for one more chapter every time we sit down to read it.
 
It is a story of humility and grace.  It shows how the grace of God goes before us and how He works out all things for the good of those who love Him.  From the beginning you are given a sense of Jim Elliot's deep sense of purpose. You gain an appreciation for the difficulty in learning a new language and how frustrating it can be for new missionaries to gain trust and relationship.  You follow the lives of Jim and Betty from courtship to marriage.  A marriage with the single focused vision of missions. A love so deep for each other and the people to whom they minister.

Janet and Geoff take us deep into the jungle and reveal to us the reality of missionary living. The describe in detail the jungle, the people, the physical, emotional and spiritual reality for both the missionary and the unreached people groups living there.

As you read the book you can His hand in bringing together the families that were impacted that fateful day on the beach for one great purpose: His.

In the epilog we read about how that moment in history changed the world for His glory and opened a door to hearts of a new tribe.

CHRISTIAN HEROES: THEN & NOW
Unit Study Curriculum Guide Jim Elliot

• Author: Janet & Geoff Benge
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 62
• Publisher YWAM Publishing
• ISBN: 1576582043
• SKU: 82043 
• Target: Group and Individual study.
• Ages: Year 1 to Adult.
• Cost: US $7.49

A large amount of thought and careful planning has gone into this outstanding unit study. It is comprehensive and covers all the learning areas, taking into consideration learning styles, personality and the ages of the children for whom this study has been compiled. The activities have not been graded or assigned a particular grade level  but they do however progress from simple to more complex in the layout. This guide covers several curriculum areas and some of the topics are

• Student Explorations - essay writing, creative writing, hands-on projects, audio/visual projects, arts/crafts 
• Social Studies - reproducible maps, geography, terms/vocabulary, journey tracking, critical thinking 
• Bible Study - scripture memorization, devotional application, spiritual concepts 
• Community Links - meaningful field trips, guest speakers, service projects 
• Related Themes to Explore - missions, current events, life skills, math, government, science 
• Bibliography or Related Resources - books, movies, documentaries, magazine articles, websites 
• Culminating Event - project displays, cultural food, music, and activities, oral presentations 

This unit study has been compiled to accompany the book Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose. It contains far too much information to possibly cover.  I like the way it offers multiple ideas so that I may pick and choose what to do that suits my student, and my learning outcome desire for our family. All the work was done for me in this unit study even the notebook pages were supplied. We had a world map, country map and country fact sheet to print off and fill in. The only thing I would change would be the flag for Ecuador as the one in the unit study is not complete.

What we did

We are still in the process of enjoying the read aloud together and are looking forward to enjoying many more of the suggestions provided, such as the meals and recommended documentaries. I have printed off the notebook pages and maps and Sir N has been colouring those in. In the weeks to come we will be doing more in depth country studies on Ecuador and completing the country profile provided in the note book pages.

We have had a look at animals of the jungles in South America in our Usborne World Of Animals book.  I found a great photo essay of a 26 Foot Anaconda and I have also manged to find some of the documentaries that are recommended and some others on YouTube which we are working our way through.  When researching Jim on YouTube I also discovered a channel dedicated to clips about him: Jim Elliot.

Sir N has also enjoyed doing leaf and bark rubbings and trying to make clay pots (out of play dough).  We are really enjoying our journey through this book and unit study.

On a side note we received the unit study as a PDF document.  It is currently only available as a book purchase from YWAM publishing.  I really do hope they bring these studies out in a digital format in the future as they would make an excellent addition to the Christian Hero's Then and Now books I already own. Many of my Australian homeschool friends who own the books would like to purchase them too.
Connect

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I will certainly use this unit study again in the future when Sir N is a teen and we work our way through our Christian Missionary biography books again.

Blessings
Chareen

A Wool Puppy {Virtual Fridge}

This Week
Sir N enjoyed making this kit set puppy.  It was an easy enjoyable project.

Featured This Week
Angels of Heart - Creation Wheels

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.everybedofroses.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Virtual%20Fridge" title="Virtual Fridge Link Up"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmwOV8LEHGlyewq4vzijOFKpQAQ5QIsoboACS3NXYb5NkkMDEHopBuLfzKfSaVQtoxfGsnLCZpgIMEh0TUIjur_buc11sMxmpoh7BbjBtaFht9Xz5VVXrIyI8hVM2iJVNWx-58dYsLcs/s900/Link+Up+with+Us!+Art+Linky.jpg"height="125" width="125" alt="Virtual Fridge Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Blessings
Chareen

The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

Your hosts are

Homeschool Mom's Bible {Review}

Years ago for my 21st birthday I was given an NIV Student Study Bible which I absolutely loved.  Sadly it was stolen in 1997. When I saw that Zondervan publishing were offering to bless us with a Homeschool Mothers Devotional Bible {NIV} I honestly couldn't wait for September to roll around. Needless to say once I knew this product was in the mail winging it's way to me I stalked my post box daily till it arrived. I was over whelmed with gratitude when it arrived.

The first thing that I noticed are the beautiful covers that Zondervan have made for these bibles. This bible has been made available in two translations: New International Version and The King James Version.  They are available in hardcover with jackets, Italian duo-tone and ePub.

Product Details

• NIV Homeschool Mom's Bible.
• Pages: 1536 pages.
• Cover: Hardcover, Jacketed
• ISBN 13: 9780310421054 
• Author of the Devotions: Janet Tatman
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Cost: Hardcover US $34.99
           Itailian DuoTone (Hot Pink) US $49.99
           Italian DuoTone (Turquoise) US $47.99
• Size: 8.75″ x 5.75″ x 1.75″ 
• Price: US $34.99 

A portion of the purchase of this bible is donated to Biblica to support and enable them in their mission of  Transforming lives through God's Word.

This bible contains 

• Table of Contents - one lists all contents and one is the alphabetical order of books in the bible.
• Foreword by Vickie Farris encourages us to spend time in the word no matter how busy our day.  "As we reorder our priorities by carving out time to enter into his holy presence, we'll find strength for what matters most. Trust me, the laundry can wait 15 min more ..." 
• About section.  In this section there is a write up on Alpha Omega Publications who have co-published this devotional bible. Janet Tatman the author of the devotional readings. She home educated her four children for over 25 years.  The devotionals contained in the bible were borne out of her experience writing the Daily Focus encouragement devotionals while working for Alpha Omega Publications.
• Preface. I was particularly interested in this part of the introductions. I enjoyed the insight and explanation on how this version of the WORD has been translated and updated over the years. Did you know the first NIV version was published in 1978?
• Entire updated NIV bible text, including footnotes.
• 365 daily devotions interspersed at regular intervals throughout the bible (there is no devotional page for leap year)
• Table of Weights and Measures containing biblical units, approximate American and Metric equivalents.
• Topical Index covering main biblical characters, teachings and devotional topics arranged in alphabetical order.
• 7 blank pages for your own notes
• Dust Jacket This is a standard paper dust jacket.  One of the crew suggested laminating to increase it's life but I am going to cover it with clear plastic film (Duraseal self adhesive covering).

The Devotionals
These are written by a veteran home school Mum Janet Tatum. She has over 25 years of home school experience and has been writing daily devotionals for home school Mom's for more than six years.  Janet writes from the heart, you can see in her devotions she has been there, felt what we as

home school Mom's feel: our frustrations, our fears, our struggles and our desperate hopes. She speaks to the very heart of our day to day struggles. I loved reading the daily devotion at morning tea time.

God's timing never fails to astound me.  I had been stalking my mailbox waiting for the devotional to arrive. I had been struggling with a self focused woe is me attitude.  Why doesn't anyone care for me! I am so tired of all of T*H*I*S ! Midday arrived and so did the Postie with my special delivery.  I excitedly opened my new devotional to the days reading.

September 6th
Homeschooling's Price ... Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me... 

I start reading ... yes that's me that's how I am feeling. Yes today I want to have all the wonderful benefits without any of the responsibilities. Yes I am feeling trapped ...  Yes please I want a break from this constant house work ...   

Janet challenged me: "Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. If you want your children to achieve both academic and spiritual success, you have to give 100 percent and commit to homeschooling... Yes, God knows  when you need to rest and will show you how to catch your breath, but He also asks His disciples to carry their cross. So who will you follow today, yourself or the Lord? Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 " Then she led me in a small prayer. 

It was as though a home school Mum had sat there with me and spoken directly into my personal circumstance and feelings. She didn't lecture or shame me. She shared her struggle with me.  Challenged me to my calling. Encouraged me to look to the one from Whom all life flows. Pointed me to the plum line of His word and then prayed with me. Blessed and Refreshed is how I felt. 

Each and every devotion is this way. I would love to spend hours studying and researching the word.  The reality is that during this season of homeschooling my young one I do not have the time available to do this. Janet has done the work for me. She daily lays out a minimum of two to three scriptures pertaining to an aspect directly associated with my home school journey. Shares her experience and encourages me to look to Him. Model my life on Him and pray. At the end of each devotional page there is a little note telling me where to find the next day's devotional.

Some days the need is different to what is being spoken about and on those days all I need to do is open up the topical index and search through an alphabetical listing of the devotional topics to find something to encourage me or point me in the direction I need to take.

Each day at morning tea time I am learning to turn back to His Word and refocus.  I am so grateful to have this devotional and will continue reading it for years to come.  

Final thoughts
I am really happy with this bible.  If you are looking for a study bible this is not the bible for you.  It is as it's name says a Devotional bible. 

If there was one thing I would add it would be a presentation page. A group of us purchased an Italian Duo-Tone™, Hot Pink leather copy for a friends special birthday and it would have been lovely to have been able to write her name and a note about the occasion along with our names and the special date/occasion before giving it to her. 

If you have a special wish list somewhere I would encourage you to add this one to the top of the list you will not be disappointed.

Blessings
Chareen

Dad's Helping Hand in our Homeschool

Years ago when I first started home educating there was a move within the home school community that Dad is the head of the house and therefore should be in charge of your home school. There was also a silent expectation that he aught to be doing A to Z within your home school.  I lived with such guilt, condemnation and confusion during this time. Paul didn't do even 5% of what was on the prescribed list. How could he ? He was up and out the home by 7am to be at work. Due to the physical demands of his job came home utterly exhausted.  I was so relieved when the mentor of our home school group broached this topic and said enough is enough.  Your husband works all day providing for you and your family.  He has entrusted the education of your children to you, stop with this craziness. There is no way under the sun that he can hold down full time employment and home educate your children.

As I thought about this weeks topic the following scripture kept coming to mind: Proverbs 31:11

• The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her (KJV)
• The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely  (AMP)
• Her husband has full confidence in her (NIV)
• Her husband trusts her without reserve, (MSG)

Once we had prayed and come into agreement that this is what God wanted for our family Paul trusted me to research.  He trusted that I would equip myself to do the best I could possible do with the resources we have available for our family. He did not and does not micro manage our home school.  He quietly watches from the sidelines and encourages me when I loose sight of the bigger picture. More often than not this is a self esteem issue more than a home educating one. There has been once or twice he has stepped in and said enough you need to rest but other than that he trusts me to do what is best for our family in the homeschool front.  This is not to say we never talk about it, we do. If it's to do with academics he trusts me to choose and decide. If anything extra comes up I bring to the table we discuss, make a decision and it's up to me to follow through. He is not a man of many words but I know he is there if I need him all I need to do is ask.

My Assistant
We each have different strengths and abilities and we are both willing to bring what ever is needed at the time to accomplish the greater good for our family.  For us that means he is the bread winner in our home and I do the educating.  I don't like doing dissections and am not hands on but he is.  When ever we need to dissect something he is happy to do that.  I have had no Latin instruction so he helps with the pronunciations of that and teaches me. There have been times I have come unstuck with a question in a book and he has had the answer. He is my perfect counter balance and he completes me even in our home school. I am not technically minded, he is so he teaches that when the children want to know.  He is a hands on learner and is willing to help our children no matter what. 

Paul's Thoughts
What it means to be a home school Dad
Home-schooling is becoming increasingly popular as for some the pendulum swings away from institutionalised teaching. It appears that there are several reasons to home-school ranging from children being bullied, one on one teaching, instilling one’s moral values into one’s own children etc. Many parents find themselves at loggerheads with other family members who perhaps feel threatened by the unknown aspects of home-schooling or they may feel the resistance to change which is a perfectly normal human emotion. It is necessary to be supportive in this instance.
When a family does decide to embark on a home-school journey it is critically important for the parents to be in total agreement about everything that it encompasses. There will always be Government or State requirements to meet, agreement on what study material to use, it will mean that there is potentially one less income in the home (in a culture where the mother is expected to work). In short it is a tremendous commitment and not to be taken lightly. It is therefore vital that I as the Father encompass all that it entails to be united in our home-schooling journey.
In my role I do not do the actual day to day teaching however I read stories (normally curriculum related) on a daily basis. I will assist in certain scientific aspects of the work. Being involved in animal related work (as a Zookeeper) I have access to many interesting nature related topics.
It is imperative for me to be “on the same page” as my spouse concerning the direction we take in our schooling as well as philosophies and spiritual beliefs and support in the day to day running of things. I need to be a stable and mature personality for her to lean on during difficult times and be a permanent foundation for her and our children.

Paul recently started a blog {Bush Tales by Paul} where he intends to share about creation from a Zoo keepers' perspective.

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Practical ways for Dad to be involved

• Discussion to help clarrify goals, direction and approach for your homeschool
• Encouragement when your wife feels overwhelmed. Acknowledge that your wife is doing a great job.
• Support and understanding.
• Instructing the children in areas the wife has no experience in. For example car maintenance, be a guest teacher in an area that a child is struggling.  Sometimes you have a different perspective that can be the key to unlocking understanding in the student.
• Spiritual accountability especially if a student is having a personal struggle in some area. 
• Be a listening support for your wife
• Take the children out for a while to allow your wife some time on her own.
• Take your wife on a date.

 Support

• HELP! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom - Todd Wilson
• The Family Man
• Top 10 ... by The Family Man
• The Familyman on Facebook "Reminding Dads of What's Most Important"

  Help for Homeschool Dads: I'm Married to a Homeschool Mom!
At the end of it we all need to realise that each and every family is different and what is good for one family is not necessarily a good fit for another family. You need to find your comfortable place and go with that rather than try to be what other people expect of your family.  

Blessings

Chareen

This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.

This week

• Bernadette   He's on My Team
• Julie  How my husband helps us homeschool
• Savannah shares Dad – The Homeschool Bouncer
• Lucinda  Dad's Role in Our Homeschool 
• Nicole  Dad's Role in Our Homeschool: The Silent Philanthropist

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