September, 2016 | PulseonParenting

Homeschooling Ups and Downs: the First Five Weeks

Sep 27 2016

Many people have asked, “How’s homeschooling going?” And my usual response is, “It’s had its ups and downs.” I’m not one to sugar-coat or complain a lot but I’ll admit my urge is to respond, “Well, we haven’t killed each other yet.” My boys would certainly like to, but instead, they get to write essays about why they trash talk and fight during school. The silver lining? More writing practice. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get frustrated and show it. I’d be lying if I said my daughter didn’t have her moments as well. But…

Sep 21 2016

Shots are a real pain for everyone. Unfortunately some of us have an intense reaction, called a vasovagal response, to receiving vaccinations and pass out at the sight (or the mere thought) of a syringe and needle. Heart rate and blood pressure tank. Blood flow to the brain tanks. And thud, fainting occurs and there’s a call for smelling salts. (But I think those are only used in black-and-white movies…) My son is deathly afraid of his vaccinations. He doesn’t go vasovagal, though. I hate to say it, but I kinda wish he did. Because he is an otherwise 100-pound, very determined and…

Don't overdo it. Consider how AP courseload fits in with an already busy schedule.

Sep 12 2016

Well, the remaining 40 percent of the districts are reporting in. But it’s too early to call it. Even in this tumultuous election year, I actually wish this post were about the drama leading up to November 4th. But instead, this post is about standardized testing. Our school district is one of the 40 percent whose scores from spring testing are not released until the following school year. As expected, the scores were released recently, and they made headlines in the local newspaper (Butler, Ann. “State tests: Math results alarming, 9-R superintendent says” Durango Herald, Friday, September 2, 2016) ….

Archive - September 2016

Homeschooling Ups and Downs: the First Five Weeks

What Do I Do If My Child is Afraid of Shots?

Putting Standardized Testing in Perspective