How Do You Inspire Learning?

One of my new friends Janet B. recently sought for our homeschool group's advice:

"I was wondering if any of you had some fun ideas to help me inspire my children toward learning. We are still stuck in the traditional school mode and now my daughter is talking more about wanting to go back to public school. I am at a loss to know what to do for her and my son whom I will be homeschooling this next coming year."

I had some ideas I will share but I also wanted to find out what you think! Please email me at inspireyourkids@gmail.com with ideas of how you inspire learning.

Love Languages

A good friend shared The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman with me. Wow! Basically Chapman explains that there are five basic ways we communicate love to others: Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Receiving Gifts, Physical Touch and Quality Time. Each one of us feels most loved by at least one of these ways; Chapman calls it our primary love language. For example, my primary love language is Words of Affirmation. I feel most loved when showered with compliments and praises (feel free to leave any in the comments section ; )

We tend to (but not always) express love to others in our primary love language. This is great if everyone around us shares the same love language but if not we need to learn to speak a new language!

I am amazed at the difference knowing and speaking my husband's love language has made in a matter of days. We already have a pretty healthy, happy marriage but it has only gotten better!

Naturally I began thinking about my other loved ones, especially my children. I remember growing up often feeling like my "love tank" was on empty. I realize now that I'm older that my parents love me very much but they spoke their own love language, not mine. I explained the five love languages to my big kids separately and we discussed what their primary love language might be. I was enlightened by their comments and insights. (I haven't read it yet but there is a book specifically about children called The Five Love Languages of Children by the same author.)

I have the opportunity to identify, learn and speak my children's primary love languages. Hopefully I can help to fill their tanks to overflowing!

Eat Your Vegetables!

I haven't met a kid who doesn't like ranch dressing. My kids love it on their salads or to dip veggies in. I always have slight misgivings since by eating the dressing I'm wondering if it cancels out the benefits of eating vegetables! Wonder no longer. Tammie has this yummy recipe for

Ranch Dressing

that tastes great (even better than regular I think!) and my kids loved it! I put the "healthy" ranch and the other ranch on the table and all but one said they wanted the "healthy" ranch.

Thanks Tammie!

What We've Learned from the Classics, Part I

Last spring I accompanied my sister-in-law to the UHEA (Utah Home Education Association) Convention without any serious intentions to home school again. (I had home schooled my oldest for first grade only to crash and burn rather miserably.) I attended an inspiring workshop given by Angela Baker entitled "The Power of Classics" that was transformational for me. Here is a quote she shared:

"Great literature helps us, as we are growing...to widen our world from ourselves so that we can better choose what kind of person we are going to be. It helps us to choose ourselves out of the many selves there have been. By losing ourselves in great art and literature, we can find what we ought to be, we can find our highest selves" (Arm the Children, Arthur Henry King: p. 128).

Sitting in her workshop I realized this is what I wanted for my children! I wanted them to choose their highest selves. Last spring this was only wishful thinking...now I have seen it taking place in my home! I would like to share some of the treasures we've discovered through reading classics together.

For a child who is sure she cannot do math or learn to read, Heidi by Johanna Spyri is the perfect book. Heidi thinks because Peter, her friend, told her it was impossible to learn how to read that she will not be able to do it. Heidi overcoming this obstacle is a great inspiration to children who feel the same way.

We just finished reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett and it was extremely helpful in solving a teasing epidemic that let loose in our home. Sara, the heroine, is mocked and scolded frequently but decides to react as a princess would. Her courage and self-control is contagious!

Almanzo in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder works hard and never complains. It is a great book to read while spring cleaning!

Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry was wonderful for my shy son. He saw how Mafatu overcomes his fears by facing them.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery is delightful in many ways but Anne is particularly influencial with my daughter in her manner of conduct as she grows and matures, especially how hard she works at her least favorite subject, geometry, and at learning to clean, cook, and care for a home.

These are just a few examples of the wonderful and lasting impact classics have had on my children. In the future I hope to share more as we continue to uncover these hidden gems!

Please feel free to share classics that have impacted you and your family for good.

Paper Making

I am a FUN homeschool mom!

This is my new positive affirmation. Today we made paper and everyone had a hand in the process. We followed the directions found here.

We decided not to blend the paper pulp too much so that there are colorful flakes left in the paper. We used a lot of color so our paper actually came out sort of purplish.

We just let it dry in the sun instead of squeezing the water out with cookies sheets and hanging it on the clothes line. Simplify!

To tell you the truth it made me feel sort of powerful. While we made our paper we chatted about this and my daughter decided to write a story about how she and her siblings saved the country by covertly making paper and sending a crucial message to the White House while we were at war. Can't wait to read it!

How Do You SPELL Inspire?

My oldest finished her spelling book awhile back and since then I've been letting her choose her own spelling words from whatever book she has been reading. She is really good at spelling so I was questioning if she was challenging herself with her choices. Last week at park day, my friend Jenn G. reminded me that in A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion Diann Jeppson suggests looking up the National Spelling Bee word list online. So today, my daughter and I went searching and found a great little (free, downloadable) booklet about spelling here.

At http://www.spellingbee.com/ we also found these fun suggestions for parents and students who want to prepare for the National Spelling Bee (they sound inspiring whether or not your child wants to compete):

• For inspiration, watch the documentary Spellbound on family movie night.

• Designate a spelling wall in your home. Post new words to the wall each day.

• Keep a "great words" journal for every new and interesting word that you find.

• For family game night, conduct an impromptu themed spelling bee. Use a newspaper for a current events bee or a cookbook for a cuisine bee.

• Do like Akeelah did. Spell and jump rope!

• Ask friends and neighbors to challenge you with great spelling words.

• Find a good luck charm—perhaps shoelaces with a bumblebee design or a special coin.

• Read great books. You'll be entertained while you effortlessly improve your spelling and increase your vocabulary.

• Scour the dictionary in search of words to stump your parents and teachers.

• In September, check with your school principal: Ensure that you and your school are officially on track for participation in the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee program.

Happy Spelling!

Cleaning Can Be FUN!

We just returned from a much too short vacation. I'm back at the spring cleaning (in case you haven't guessed that's what we're working on)! If you don't already have a perfect system to keep your kitchen floor clean, here's one that my super tidy friend Linda M. shared with me when I followed her around her immaculate house. She uses the Cordless Swivel Sweeper - As Seen on TV and you could EAT off of her floor...only she wouldn't let you ; )

The Swivel Sweeper is a replacement for a broom (not for a vacuum). It is fun and easy to use! Linda uses it as soon as she sees a mess on her floor. Remember think "It's a snap!" After her demonstration, I went the Bed, Bath and Beyond and bought it for $32 using their 20% coupon. I have debated whether or not to post this since I was just reading the negative reviews on Amazon.com. However, when my children voluntarily clean the floor without even dropping a hint that it needs to be done...I whole-heartily endorse the product! All I have to do is inconspicuously leave the Swivel Sweeper out and guaranteed at least one of my five (yes even the one-year old uses it!) will turn it on and start sweeping without a word from Mom. Good-bye nagging, hello clean floor!

A Toilet Cleaning to Remember

While we're on the subject of cleaning, my good friend Marci shared this hilarious idea about teaching her kids how to clean the bathroom. She dressed up as a wicked witch and instructed her children how to scrub a toilet! Her kids talked about it for weeks and cracked up about how their mom dressed up. The best part is they remember how to clean the bathroom! I don't have a wicked witch outfit around the house but I have some scrubs...I might go for the mad scientist?!

Thanks Marci, you'll be missed!!

"It's a SNAP!"

Once upon a time I was a messy cooker. You know the kind that in 10 seconds flat can make a beautiful kitchen look like a tornado hit. I would sit eating my dinner with my back to the kitchen dreading and moaning and complaining (and did I say dreading?) to turn around and face the monster mess I created. I think I expended so much energy thinking about cleaning the kitchen that by the time I actually started cleaning I was exhausted!

Never fear! I've turned over a new leaf...

An extremely kind and tidy friend allowed me to follow her around and I got some great cleaning tips and motivation. Also very helpful was a tip a friend shared at church that I LOVE!

My friend said when raising her children she had a friend that always had a clean house, dinner in the oven and seemed on top of everything. She asked her friend, "How do you do it?! Your house is always clean and mine is always a mess!" Her friend replied, "Oh, it's just a snap!"

I realized the trick is in my attitude. If I moan and groan then cleaning will seem like a chore. But when I clean up as I go (another tip from another friend: fill your sink with soapy water right before you start to cook) and then tell myself, "It's a snap!", with literally no extra effort I can keep my kitchen spotless around the clock (insert real life here: during research paper and finals I did NOT have a clean kitchen). And with a toddler that likes to do interesting things with his food...

...and anything else he can get his hands on, it really helps to tell myself "It's a snap!" and clean it up before I get mad ; )

Once you believe it and do it, you can share this great tip with your kids. I asked my son to clean something up for me the other day and I met with moaning and groaning and complaining (where did he learn that?!). I explained the whole deal about how "It's a snap!" He believed me and boy was he a fast cleaner-upper! Any more cleaning tips--especially involving kids? Please share!!

Serving with Smiles

For awhile now I have been looking for ways to involve my children in meaningful service. I finally found the perfect venue!! On Saturday, I took my children and a neighbor friend to a wonderful activity organized by Serving with Smiles.

Talk about INSPIRATION!

Corinne Allen and co-founder Elizabeth Jeffrey have created a great way for children to serve others around the world. The participants make bracelets, coloring books, blankets, baby blocks, picture books, bead toys and more! They also assemble kits with hygiene and school supplies to send throughout the world. You can also bring home instruction sheets that explain how to do these projects at home. My kids really want to make bead geckos and bracelets!

After the activity the kids got popsicles and won fun prizes in a raffle. It was definitely a class act! Anyone can attend so check out their website Serving with Smiles. If you would like to bring this kind of opportunity to your community or would like to donate, contact Corinne or Elizabeth for more information. They are more than happy to help!

Summer is around the corner and I can't wait to be LAZY! What!? You can be lazy with five children, you wonder? Well NO, not really...BUT I have found that if initially you play with your kids, it seems to fill a need and then you can go on and take care of mommy business. At any rate, it pays to have some exciting alternatives in preparation for the inevitable "I'm bored!" exclamation.

My friend Jenny R. is such a fun summer mom (she is for other seasons too : ) Here are some of the activities she does with her kids:

• "The boys each have a four-man tent that they got a few years ago. They love setting them up as forts in the back yard. They each have a pack with a compass, flashlight, water gun, snacks, etc. They play spies, army, camping, etc. for hours. They also love it if it is lightly raining."

• "Water balloons are fun for all four of my kids. I have an attachment that hooks up to the hose so it makes it a lot easier."

• "Taking a picnic to the park along with bikes, scooters, roller blades, etc. is also fun."

• "We have had a swimming pass the last few summers which makes a great incentive to get chores done in the morning. Spending a few hours at the pool is one of their favorite things to do."

• "My girls are really into crafts and projects. I taught them to crochet(Emmy loves it Kylee hates it).

• Paints, beads, weaving, and building things with popsicle sticks are some things they love.

• "For smaller kids one of my favorite things is Water Wow! El Grande Activity Kit- Color with water! It is painting with water so there is no mess. Little kids love it. I just ordered it online."

• "The girls also love the Painting By Number Kits."

THANKS for the fun ideas Jenny!

Another fun idea I haven't actually done YET is a kids projects at Home Depot. All stores on the first Saturday of the month offer a free project for children ages 4-12. Some stores have sign-up lists and some are first come, first serve (check the Home Depot near you). They ask that there is one adult for every two children to help supervise. They have done fun projects such as a birdhouse, a gift for Mother's Day, a hardware sorter for Father's Day, a picnic caddy in July, etc. Try it out and let me know how it goes!

On that note... FYI I had my comments on a restricted setting but now you can leave comments (I hope ;)

Give it a try and share some fun ideas!

WANTED: Fun Summer Activities!

What fun summer activities do you do with your children?

Please share by emailing me at inspireyourkids@gmail.com. Thanks!

All those in favor...

One of the best ways to unite your family and help children learn how to govern themselves is by giving them a voice in family council. I participated in a life-changing series of conference calls this year with Tiffany Earl and Aneladee Milne LEMI Parent Mentoring. In one conference call about what it means to be a warrior, Tiffany explained that holding family councils regularly is an excellent way to combat the "fiery darts" (see Ephesian 6:16) that can penetrate the family unit.

In a family council, each member has the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. By keeping the communication lines OPEN and discussing issues as they come up, you strengthen relationships and give children the skills to self-government.

Tiffany shared that when her family goes out together, inevitably someone comments on how close their family is or how much they seem to love each other. She attributes it entirely to her family always holding family councils.

We held our first ever family council two weeks ago about doing chores. My husband led the meeting and we tried REALLY hard to let them talk. It was amazing to watch them decide what works best for them and agree to ideas that they might otherwise have been opposed to. We had a family dinner the following Sunday and didn't get a chance to meet as a family. I learned that follow-up is KEY to success. Good thing we learn from failures as well as successes! All in favor say, "Aye!"

Potty Training

My neighbor and friend Angela A. had a great idea for potty training. Angela said about her daughter, "She got down the pee-pee part pretty quickly but was struggling with going poo. She'd wait until nap time or night time to have a diaper on to go...She loves to get her nails painted. I told her that each time she went poo, I'd let her pick out a color and I'd paint her nails. It started out slowly, every 3 or 4 days she's go on the potty and she would always remind me to paint her nails or toenails.

Eventually she started doing it everyday...and that was too much nail painting. So I made her a nail painting potty chart. I traced both her hands and drew fingernails on them. Each time she went on the potty, she'd get to color a nail and when all nails were colored, we'd paint hers...I like not giving her candy or having to buy toys and since I already had nail polish, this reward cost nothing."

What a fun idea!

I've found that it is so dependent on the little one. Ask yourself:

What does my child LIKE?

What MOTIVATES him?

What does she really WANT?

With my oldest I tried EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING! (I even made "potty pals" (faces fastened with contact paper on the inside of the lids) and told her she had to feed them and give them a drink. I know...I was desperate!) She was 3 1/2-years old and I had people left and right telling me how EASY girls were to potty train. I was feeling like a pretty horrible mommy.

Finally I asked myself what does she like to do? She absolutely LOVES books and stories so I decided to make up a story about a town called Diaperville where everyone sits in their poop and how yucky that place was. Not too far from Diaperville, there was a beautiful place called Panty Land. Beautiful princesses lived in Panty Land and everyone went on the potty there and enjoyed clean, dry panties. So everyday we would travel from Diaperville to Panty Land until before we knew it she decided to be a Panty Land Princess!

Another tip that helped once my children start potty training was to go to different locations in the house or even outside and pretend the child had to go. I would chase them to the potty and have them go through the motions. Remember to be silly and have fun in your drills! This helps them to feel confident that they can make it to the potty even if they are watching a show, playing a fun game, playing outside, etc.

Whatever you end up doing, REMEMBER that your child will probably be potty-trained by college so just RELAX...it'll probably help! : )

Feel free to add any suggestion in a comment. Thanks!

Thumb Sucking

My friend Carrine J. used MAVALA Stop for Nail Biting and Thumb Sucking successfully on 2 daughters ages 3 & 6. It was recommended to her by a dentist. From the reading I just did on the product, it goes on similar to clear nail polish and doesn't wash off. It has a bitter taste that deters thumb sucking. The reviews are mostly positive. Let me know how it works if you try it!

Four out of my five have sucked their thumbs and two have stopped around age 3. I have always connected thumb sucking with a favorite blanket so that when they grow out of needing their blankie, they have stopped sucking their thumbs. This has also helped to make it a bedtime only habit since they don't carry their blankies around with them. I'll let you know if it works with the other two!

If you have any other ideas, please comment on this post.

Good Luck!!