Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Welcome to my blog. My name is Kristy and I homeschool my son, Keller 6 yrs., my daughter, Ella, 4 yrs., and I have a third child, Mary, who is 5 months. My purpose for writing this blog is to encourage and invite other mothers to join me in homeschooling their own children. There is nothing more fun! Learning is delicious to me. I want to pass that on to my kids.
I can recall so many times in my own education in the public school system being bored with learning. It wasn't until after my school career ended that my real education began! I homeschool because I believe that children are best educated at home by "a loving mother teacher." I borrowed that phrase from Diane Hopkins, the founder of lovetolearn.net in her booklet "I Love Homeschooling!"
Though I am a newbie at homeschooling I want to encourage anyone who has the slightest interest in homeschooling. Do it! You will not be sorry. For those who think they are unqualified, think about this: you have been educating your child since birth! Who taught him to walk? Talk? Feed himself? You are your child's best teacher. Whether you realize it or not, he is looking to you first. He is watching what you say and do. He sees you when you're stressed and frazzled and he watches how you act during such moments. He takes these actions for his own, good or bad. His attitudes, beliefs, and feelings are shaped by the things you do and the emotional climate you set in your home. Homeschooling will strengthen everyone in the family, including you! I've been struck lately with how much more patient I am since we began homeschooling. Since I know I am the main example my children see during the day, I think twice when tempted to lose my cool. When I was young, one of my friends mother's had this written on her kitchen wall: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" How true this is! Mothers, let's stay in control of our own selves!
I feel like I'd better state that I am a member of the LDS church. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. I believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us and that each soul has worth in God's eyes. These beliefs and attitudes will be apparent throughout my blog. It is who I am.
I reach out with love and support to anyone of any faith who desires to begin this great adventure of educating your children at home. I'm excited to begin this blog and hopefully entice someone out there to try it and to also sprinkle a little spice and humor for those who are already on the homeschool path. Until later,

Kristy