Wait . . . Was That A Compliment?

If you have kids, especially if you have more than is considered 'normal', you've heard the comments.  

Wow!  You have your hands full.

Are they ALL yours?

Better you than me.

I bet you're busy.

These are the people who make comments to your face.  I've also heard the whispers as we go by.  For a long time it did bother me, but I've come to realize that these comments are not intended to be hurtful or awkward.  People simply don't know how to respond to a 'large' family.  (I don't consider 5 kids to be a large family, but apparently quite a few people would disagree with me)  Many people just want to say something and don't know what to say.  They may not intend to be unkind, they just can't think of what to say.  

The one that caught me off guard was this past week.  I heard the same comment four times and each time it strikes fear in my heart.  My instant thought was, "This can't be good."  We are walking along, minding our own business (for the most part), doing our regular errands, dentist appointments, etc . . .   Out of nowhere, I hear someone say, "you must be a homeschool family."  What could they mean?  Do I look as exhausted as I feel?  That must be it.  

Of course, this week, the comments were all positive.  Someone mentioned how well the kids were behaving.  Someone else commented on their curiosity about everything and how we discussed the things they were asking about rather than dismissing their questions.  Someone else noted how well mannered they were and how well they were getting along with each other and spoke respectfully to the adults they were addressing.  (Yes, I did a little happy dance inside over that one).

I've heard the awkward comments and I can live with those.  It's those, "Wow, Mama, you're doing a great job" comments that really encourage my heart.  Could I be terribly honest with you for just a moment?  Just for me.  If you read this blog post.  Would you go out of your way this week to encourage a Mama that you know?  She doesn't have to be a perfect mama.  Let's face it - those don't actually exist.  She may not discipline like you would or keep a perfectly clean house (like some of us ;), but she needs an encouraging word and you can give it.  You can encourage a Mama who needs to know her hard work is worth it.  Look for reasons to praise and encourage others!  

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

- Proverbs 3:27

Audible.com

Technology in the classroom . . . . there are excellent arguments both pro and con when it comes to the use of technology in the classroom.  I am a tech nerd at heart which makes me fall well on the side of pro-technology.  We use lots of great new technology on a regular basis.  I've long been a fan of Kindle (and Amazon in general).  With our homeschool providing us with a few iPads a few years ago and my own smart phone and computer, we have multiple ways to access our Kindle books.   For my workouts (which are few and far between) I discovered whisper-sync for Audible and Kindle books.  It's been wonderful.

We have lots of fun Scholastic audiobooks in our classroom.  I enjoy turning on an audiobook while I step away from the classroom to prepare lunch.  It is a wonderful way to infuse literature and provides an easy transition time.  Recently, I decided to give Audible.com a try after I was unable to find an audio cd for a book.  I was looking for the American Girls series on CD because I had seen them on a homeschool Facebook page.  Sure enough, they had American Girls books.  It's not that my girls can't read the books independently.  It's just that audiobooks are so much fun.  There are several studies showing the value of audiobooks for developing reading skills, reading comprehension, and especially expression in oral reading.

I was thrilled to find a few Apologia textbooks on Audibles.  I've also found several readers and biographies that we have on our reading schedule.  The girls are loving the American Girl Books and the boys are enjoying the Hobbit.   I must say there is one audiobook that stands out above the rest.  If you only sign up for the trial period (which includes a free title) and never get another book, I highly recommend that you check out the BBC dramatization of the Chronicles of Narnia series.  It is spectacularly done.  We have thoroughly enjoyed it.