tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post3562463675193840186..comments2024-03-28T08:30:50.689-07:00Comments on The Unlikely Homeschool: "Gentle Schooling" Summer Plans 2013Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-47295012347859622142013-06-22T21:20:03.697-07:002013-06-22T21:20:03.697-07:00I agree. The age factor plays quite a roll. It s...I agree. The age factor plays quite a roll. It sounds like you are doing a great job appealing to both ages. I'd be happy to schedule this in on FB. I have a few Reader Questions scheduled for the next few days, so I will probably be able to post it sometime Tues. or Wed. Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-71756341633135524672013-06-22T13:56:29.686-07:002013-06-22T13:56:29.686-07:00I would like to hear how other families tackle thi...I would like to hear how other families tackle this. One point to be fair, my kids age range is different than yours. 15, 8, and 5 with one already flown the nest. So we too did not have the electronics when my eldest kids were young, but as they grew...so did the items and our younger kids well, you get the idea. What is age appropriate for a 15 year old and a 5 year old are worlds apart. LOL. So now its more complicated. I am seeking balance, can't turn back the clock, nor would I to go electronic free, as my kids have learned a lot on leapsters, DSi and Wii machines. However, there is more to life than just plugging in... I like your ideas of a ticket or time on coupon etc. I do some of that now with our reading log, and caught yah being good cards for my younger kids. Teenagers you have to be more covert...you'll see. I just randomly leave things in their path that they like, film, candy, a drive thru item they crave, or batteries...and they find the "gifts" without all that embarrassing recognition stuff. I will go back and look again at our day to day and try to adjust, after all its only June. Thanks for allowing me to grumble, as a child of the 70's I remember pre-microwave, rotary dial phones, 3 channels on TV maybe 12 if your Dad put a large antennae on your roof, no remote control and saying to an adult you were bored meant instant chores....LOL. So, it is easy to get down, when my kids are not overly excited about old fashioned fun, but I will carry on anyway.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06619118983561372064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-25299008149314543532013-06-21T19:42:02.867-07:002013-06-21T19:42:02.867-07:00Oh, Adrienne, it sounds like this has been a point...Oh, Adrienne, it sounds like this has been a point of frustration for you. I'm so sorry. While we don't have any game systems...except an old nintendo from when my husband was a little boy and only gets pulled out on rainy days...we obviously have a computer and a TV. <br /><br />My first suggestion would just be to establish clear times that those may be in use. For us, the kids are allowed to watch 2 PBS shows in the morning and 1 in the afternoon while I make dinner. Since they know those are the ONLY times the TV gets to be on, no one ever even asks to watch a show. It's very understood. Regarding things that don't have set time frames like the duration of a TV show, maybe you could make up 15 or 30 min. tickets and give them out each morning. The kids could redeem them when they'd like, but then when they've spent their ticket...that's it. I think by establishing when they CAN play the DS...or whatever...it makes it very clear when they CAN'T and so they don't even need to ask and you don't ever have to say "no." They'd be forced to find something else to occupy their time knowing that electronics aren't even an option again until tomorrow.<br /><br />That being said, I will admit...and I hope this does not at all sound arrogant or prideful because that is NOT AT ALL how I intend for it to sound...that my kids have never really had an affinity towards electronics. Up until the last two years, we've only just had a TV and basic dial-up internet, so they didn't know there were other options. I say all that to say, my advice is not necessarily very "expert" on this subject. <br /><br />If you'd like, I'd be happy to post this question to my Facebook readers and I'm sure you'd get much better ideas than I've been able to give you. (If you are on Facebook, that is.)Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-78819193650461881082013-06-21T19:22:33.623-07:002013-06-21T19:22:33.623-07:00Twins?! How fun and busy your days must be. Glad...Twins?! How fun and busy your days must be. Glad you're here.Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-10910578440049233332013-06-21T17:13:58.598-07:002013-06-21T17:13:58.598-07:00I enjoy your blog, love the posts with practical ...I enjoy your blog, love the posts with practical ideas. Wondering, if/how you handle the gravitational pull of electronics/ TVs during this summer downtime? Everyone in my house seems to be bored unless it is plug-in time....(sigh) not that I did not buy craft materials, a new to us circuit machine, science fun, and try to make a bucket list. Its like there is a real gravitational pull on the DSi or TV that sucks my kids in and everything else is boring. We've started a summer book, we have reading lessons (30 mins. max) each day and the same questions arise each day, how much longer till, when can we turn on the ----, after this can I play my DS???? I am just being honest, I feel like I am defeated before I begin. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06619118983561372064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-48704996008348935732013-06-17T13:10:15.782-07:002013-06-17T13:10:15.782-07:00I second that. I've just discovered your blog...I second that. I've just discovered your blog and am so appreciating your thoughts and ideas. I've casually homeschooled my 5-year-old twins for Kindergarten this year, and will be embarking on gr. 1 in Sept. So far, the journey is fabulous! Thank-you for sharing your knowledge!Leannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-20008804803461030692013-06-17T12:56:22.982-07:002013-06-17T12:56:22.982-07:00So sweet of you to take the time to write that. I...So sweet of you to take the time to write that. I'm so glad you enjoy it!Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-15363684165436478112013-06-17T07:41:22.843-07:002013-06-17T07:41:22.843-07:00I love your blog!!! As a new homeschool mom, I fin...I love your blog!!! As a new homeschool mom, I find it full of encouragement and information. I wake every mor ing excited to read that days posting! Thank you for helping me in starting this new journey:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com