Fledglings go on summer mode, Welcome to July.

[YesEinsteinsMumDid]

Ok, so as there is no thread, and I can't remember or find a volunter for this month I declare summer mode operational.

This means:

1. You are still welcome to join and post

1. If you want there to be links and no one has posted them, feel free to post them.
2. As technical thread leader I shall be hanging out in the naughty corner bar
3. We'll still answer questions for anyone wanting information on the fly lady system and support each other. It's just a little more relaxed.

And with that, bring on July and crazy pants school holiday stuff...

Oh Grey I'm so sorry to hear that about your buyers You really have been/are going through the mill with this house sale. It must be so stressful. Have all fingers and toes crossed for you here. And for not letting all the stress prevent you from producing mega impressive ta da list!

Stillliving good to hear you got a well deserved nap. That is so for your ds and his friend and their family. Such a huge change for everyone

Celeste ffor not only doing your own Flying but your gran's too! Agree about eating proper meals. Suffice to say I had a better day today than yesterday but sadly succumbed to seconds myself.

Buenas noches to Cag

Feeling slightly apprehensive here on the eve of National Day. Just praying that all will pass peacefully.

G'night all!

Sorry, had a strike out fail there Celeste meant to say I stuffed myself!!

Oh Grey how frustrating. Everything crossed for another buyer ASAP. (I'm intrigued about the science experiments in your fridge...)

SC hope tomorrow is ok.

Zoo sorry about the friend moving :( it's hard when DCs lose friends too.

Cheery (but sleepy) flaps to all. Didn't get much done today. Must put another wash on in the morning. It's rock climbing and St John tomorrow, I think that's the last of any clubs until September apart from some regular home ed classes. Some HE families stick to term times, we don't really but it changes style a bit.

DD's lip is fine thanks, phew! She's still playing basketball lots outside, so thankfully it hasn't put her off. One of our home ed friends may join a group for children with SEN (he has ASD) which sounds much more suitable (DD could wear ear defenders etc), but DD doesn't have a diagnosis yet so not sure if that'd be ok or not. However the DCs have a ridiculous amount of clubs already so it would be no bad thing if it doesn't happen! I just find it hard to say no to these things when they want to try them. It makes me very happy, and dare I say relieved, that DD especially is so willing to try new things. So it's a difficult balancing act. :)

Can't sleep,my backs so itchywoke up scratching it now even worse!!!
grey legs,fingers,toes and eyes crossed someone will love your house quickly

Today's jobs.

Another load of washing.
Food shop.
Change bedding.

Morning all,

Zoo It sounds like ds friend has a tough time. I'm sure ds will find new friends soon though.

Grey How annoying about the house chain falling through. I hate house chains or just relying on other people in general

Sling Thanks for the star lol i don't mind doing my Gran's cleaning. She used to look after all us when we were younger and parents were at work, etc, so its sort of full circle that i get to look after her a bit. What is National Day?

Caglio All your dc activities and club makes me feel tired just reading about them.

I woke up today before 6 by some noisy seagulls outside our window and I just lied there for half an hour before giving in and getting up. he weather definitely cooled down here yesterday and feels cooler again today. Still a beautiful sunny morning here though Today is bathrooms cleaning day here for me. I love it when the bathrooms smell of bleach

It's not so hot here today, but the promised storm yesterday evening didn't materialise sufficiently to properly clear the air.

Ta da!
Cleared up broken glass after flapping curtains knocked tons of stuff down!
Cleared up bathroom spills, ditto
Cleared up after cat
Cleared up after breakfast
Laundry
Grocery shop
Sorted the mountains of artwork the boys brought home
Made DS2 put his clothes away (would think this was torture!)

Have also received parcel of shoes bought on line - lovely and big sale reduction, but heels higher than I realised!

To do
Practice walking in heels!
Make lunch

Meeting friends for a picnic in the park for first day of hols. :)

Grey - sorry to hear about your buyers pulling out. Fingers crossed for new ones quickly.

Celeste - each to her own - can't stand the smell of bleach personally

Glad to hear DD's lip is OK, Cag

Morning all

[proffers strong coffee to the sleep deprived]

Celeste national day is like France's Bastille day ie celebrates the founding of the state. (Belgium is a pretty young country; only founded in 1830/31.) So basically the royal family turns out and there is a huge parade in Bxls, with the mounted calvalry, representatives of the army, police, ambulance and fire services - happily, the bin-men get to file past the royal stand too- fly-over from the air force above. A huge crowd turn out every year (it's a national holiday) and there are obviously mahoosive security concerns this year. Just praying that nothing untoward happens. Lots of armed police on the streets this morning when I went to local bakery with furry one (and we are not close to where everything is happen).

Sounds as though you have a great relationship with your gran

Good luck with the list Ememem!

[hands camomile lotion to Stillliving]

Totally 'get' why your dd finds basketball arenas overwhelming Cag (I hated public swimming pools as a child). All that noise bouncing off the walls and artificial lighting and crowds. V unsettling I think. Much more pleasant to play outside!

I'd never thought about whether home edders stick to terms before now! You always learn something new on this thread!

Loads to do today and steadily working through list. Weather much more pleasant (sunny but not too oppressive) so going to take this afternoon to do something fun!

Have a good day everyone!

x post Blue that's a lot of clearing! (And you have reminded me that I must get dd to put her laundered clothes away too.)

I must confess that I do use bleach although I always use white vinegar whenever I can and find it v effective for shining sinks/tiles etc. Must say I love the smell of Dettol though!

Whey-hey to heels!

A summer picnic with friends sounds like just the thing ... ! Have a lovelyt ime!

Have a great National Day Sling Keep safe. I wish England celebrated it's Patron day like other nations and had the day off and everything, or even better a UK day celebration. Just re-name May Day; UK Day instead I reckon.

Have a nice picnic Blue

Ta da

took ds to nursury
washed dishes
made beds
cleaned bath
cleaned shower screen
cleaned bathroom basin
cleaned bathroom loo
cleaned bathroom mirror
emptied bathroom bin
changed towels in bathroom
bleached downstairs loo ready for cleaning

Just chilling outside for a bit munching on a apple. Glad the muggy humid air has gone.

:o Celeste it makes me tired too TBH! They only do so many because they don't go to school, it's their social time really. Most of the friends they've made in home ed were from gym club etc. We are lucky locally that there are loads of activities available for home edders :)

Yep SC it's an interesting one really! One friend's DH is a teacher so they really stick to term times, they were 'winding down' for the last few weeks. But for us terms don't particularly come into it (although last summer I was very ill so we ended up not doing much at all), even school 'hours' don't mean much here as DD likes doing research/writing at bedtime etc. But it is definitely different, as most clubs stop over the holidays, and of course the local kids are around more. DD is doing a summer writing challenge as well with another HE mum, and we have a geography club meet so there'll be projects to do for that, and also another mum set up a summer pen pal thing. :)

cagsounds like you are far more organised than I am capable of beingwhich why my kids attend schoolalways fancied idea home ed,but wasn't brave enough have a go and now dd2 at secondary I wouldn't be able to do some of the work and I not technological so some things just not meant to be!!

I never did get back to sleep so here's today's ta da

Washing on
Fed cats
Wash kitchen floor after they went back out again
Hotspot dining table
Walked little ones over local nature reserve to Morrison's for bit shopping and new shorts for little zoo(bout30mins away on foot)
Fed zoolets breakfasts chosen whilst at shops(I love shop when they open at 7am,so quiet and peaceful!!)
Pop other local shop as couldn't get few bits we wanted
Wash on airer
Trip library,replacing lost cards and join 6week reading challenge. This year its celebrating Ronald Dahl and once 6books read we get medal and free entry Ronald dahl museum
Spend 2happy hours enjoying few books whilst kids browse
Pop boots and see pharmacist bout my itchy back-got some cream to try.finger x does trick!!
Bought new ball and some bubbles for zoolets play with on garden
Lunch
Drop little zoo at friends to play
Hour nap,whilst dd2 and D's play/draw
Just woke up!!

Morning all!

Your lists are putting me to shame Stilllivinginazoo particularly impressive given your sleep deprivation too!

Thanks Celeste relieved to report it all went ok in the end - albeit with a slightly lower turn out than usual, and a rather tense atmosphere - security mahoosively bumped up of course - everyone had to queue to have bags searched on long tables before reaching parade area.

I'd never thought about UK day btw - it's a good idea! I guess Trooping the Colour is the rough equivalent? Doesn't that involve Scotch, Irish and Welsh guards too? Not sure!

Cag do you mind me asking (not being snippy - honest - genuine question) and in context of being hugely admiring of anyone who home eds as I wouldn't have the patience or skills and find it hard enough to get dd to do 30 mins hwk of an evening how do you gauge the "amount" of lesson time you do? (Have always wanted to ask a home edder this as it would be the thing I would worry about most.) Do you have a rough idea in your head of how many hrs study a week you do, or per subject over a month say, and how do you arrive at that answer? (If there is a specific answer.) Is it based on school equivalent hrs (presumably not!) or are you advised by local authority as to what is optimum learning time at what age or how is it done? And while I'm at it how do you decide on the curriculum (presuming it is more child led than school curric?)? Are there minimum subjects one has to study (legally I mean)? Sorry to bother you, but just very interested as it is so totally the opposite of the good - but far from ideal - learning systems here!

Sorry - not posting about Flying because, er, I haven't done any today

Ta da
Fed cats
Wipe surfaces
Soak white grey socks in napisan
Feed zoolets
Swish n swipe bathroom
Hour bike ride with zoolets
Snack
Stroll local shops
Washing on

Now head meeting at church bout junk food project (using food at use by in cafe)

Got wrong day for meeting(whoops)so we went park before got too hot!!

Ta das
Lunch
Tidy dining table
Hotspot front room
Play zoolets for a bit in garden (I love bubbles)
Veggies roasting for mine and dd2dinner(to be add cold to salad) little ones want "something cold" so probably be sandwiches with veg sticks and fruit and a yogurt(lazy emoticon)

Ah bless you SC I don't mind at all! Without wishing to sound patronising, it is much better that people ask these things, rather than just assuming (as many do, sadly) that we do sod all/let kids run wild etc. :) :)

In terms of govt intervention - when you deregister the school legally has to inform the LEA, who will then visit you and chat about your plans. It is very low key here though (varies from county to county) - just one visit a year from an 'associate teacher' who asks to see some work, and checks the Caglets are getting enough social time etc. This time DD just told her about various projects we've done, and the many many clubs they go to. That was it really.

In England at least, there is no obligation at all to follow a curriculum. The law is that you must provide an education suitable for their age and ability, so really this could theoretically mean anything! Some people do follow the national curriculum, or there are some you can buy for whole years or particular subjects, but I think that's more common in America. I chose not to go down that route as I am loving the freedom of choosing ourselves what they learn. :)

For us, we do a bit of maths, English and reading pretty much every day, but we don't have a set history lesson time for example. Subjects come up as and when, based on trips we're doing, club topics (for example we have a Geography Club meet up next month on Great Britain, so DD is going to research awesome British women from history, and DS is going to find out about British geology, and they'll present the info at the club in front of their friends).

It can be really child led and I've noticed how much more enthusiastic the Caglets are since they've had more input into their education. That's not to say I don't influence it at all - if I think there's a subject they would like, or that would be a good thing to learn about, I'll introduce it to them. But I'm more following what they are interested in, rather than being guided by the govt (for example in school neither of them would've learned about Ancient Egypt yet as the local school does it in year 5, but they both love it thanks to having a toy pyramid, so we've done plenty on it).

There's also no law about how much time you have to spend on it. As in our case it's only two kids, HE is much more 'efficient' - no time needed for lining up, assembly, handing out work, getting the pupils' attention etc. I don't think I could really quantify how much time we spend on it as we just do little bits throughout the day. Sometimes they'll choose to do things themselves - recently they went to their room and prepared a puppet show about something they'd learned. :o

Sorry I have waffled on rather! I love talking about HE :o

Cag thanks so much for your detailed reply! Much appreciated! We've been out document signing this afternoon and just about to go out for late celebratory meal now, but will be back to read properly tomorrow! Looks fascinating !!

Waves to Stillliving and everyone else! Have a good weekend fledglings!

Good morning all!

[And sorry for the thread hi-jack everyone!]

I'm really fascinated by all of that Cag - thanks again for explaining! From a child's point of view, I think it must be a wonderful way of learning. Also, how much easier it must be to learn when one can "get in the zone" and "go with the flow" at home - without all the attendant stresses and distractions of the school classroom. I think stress can be such a huge barrier when it comes to absorbing info.

It's also started to get me thinking (beyond the daily maths, Eng and reading) how arbitrary school curriculums are too ifyswim and how one blindly accepts that dc are broadly taught the right things but is that really the case? And now, looking back as an adult of course, how much went "in" and has been useful, but also, very sadly, how much didn't really register at the time and has never been particularly useful since!! For example, I suppose I am happy that I know the structure of an amoeba, and to put it in context, I know that we studied it because it is a one cell structure and all other living beings build up from that (crude explanation but hope you catch my drift) but other than that, I've never really ever needed that information every again (except when watching University Challenge!).

I suppose the huge advantage of HE is that you don't have to submit your child to a "one size fits all" curriculum and you can start developing their individual interests earlier than normal. Usually, I am in favour of dc receiving as broad an education as possible, but with some children you just know that they are destined for a particular area of study/work from the word go.

I guess my one caveat would be that I do think children benefit from having something they are not remotely interested in foisted upon them every so often [evil cackle]! For example, I wasn't initially particularly interested in Shakespeare, or the novels of Hardy, or plays by Chekhov, or whatever. In fact I remember us all sighing as teenagers when we had to get out our books and read from these tomes (interminably it seemed at the time). And as for the Iliad and the Odyssey etc etc... But now of course I am so appreciative of the fact that I was forced to do it! (I guess that is where your parental influence will come in Cag!!)

We are sticking with state education here for now, largely for linguistic reasons, but the system is so rigid and prescriptive and stress-inducing, that it does make one long for a more flexible alternative.

Anyway, sorry folks, just always wanted to know how HE worked!! That's the great thing about this thread - people bring so many different experiences to it!!

Back to Flying!!

All I've done this morning is wrap eight books for dd's 13th birthday tomorrow! (Had already wrapped other presents previously.)

Have lots to do:
animals
morning routine inc dw, wm, dining room table hot spots, s&s
dog walking (he needs an extra long one today because we were so busy yesterday)
nip to town for last minute birthday shopping and to replace my earrings
decide on cake recipe and buy ingreds
decide on anniversary dinner ingreds for tonight and buy ingreds
put laundred washing away
scrub collars and cuffs of dh's shirts [sigh]
wash dh shirts (there are 29 million of them!)
tidy boudoir
finish important paper work

Stillivinginazoo I love bubbles too I miss 'em!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Hi SC you are most welcome - I enjoy talking about it so it's really no bother!

The idea of 'foisting' is a controversial one in HE. There is a type of HE called autonomous ed, and also unschooling. This kind of approach involves no foisting whatsoever and it is entirely child led. There are variations within this as well, so some parents will provide lots of potential inspiration (it's called 'strewing' and involves leaving enticing things around to spark interest, like books on a particular theme, models of a type of animal etc) whereas others don't do anything until a child asks.

That's a bit too far for me personally, as I find that my two benefit from having a structure of some kind, as it seems to make them feel safe, especially DD who sometimes freaks out when she has too much choice, and in other aspects of her life (such as 'should I go to X or am I too tired and needing a rest') I can visibly see the stress leave her when an adult decides for her. Although that is also the reason I do want her to direct her own learning to some extent, to give her more confidence! But it's a balancing act I think. I do think it's valuable to have to learn things that you wouldn't have wanted to. With DD that is usually maths, I do have to foist that to some extent! And with DS it's more literacy stuff as he struggles with it. But I am definitely thinking about some new topics for them to broaden their horizons, so I'm glad you mentioned it. :)

As for Flying... er, no.

Cag dashing out now but just wanted to say thanks again, that is fascinating (again!) and all makes a lot of sense and I am also loving the "foisting" and "strewing" vocab

I guess it is an extension of what all parents do naturally in a way ie toddler picks up a leaf, parent points out tree from which it fell and names it. Or child starts convo related to news item, parent expands on subject. But in a much more structured and intense way.

I would absolutely love to research particular subjects in that way with dd but the downside of the schooling here is that it leaves very little room or time for anything else and when dd gets home she is completely cream crackered and uninterested. Get lots more done when Ipod removed though

Enjoy your Saturday!

Well guys,I know have all info I always wish I could ask on HE-it sounds like your kids really benefit from it cag.I still not convinced I'd be organised enough,and I am glad kids have to socialise.I did worry some may opt to HE as control of inappropriate parenting/neglect and these kids would be off radar(absolutely not implying anything bout caglets)you have my respect for be able give caglets such positive experiences in lower stress environment! Loving their choices of projects for the club and doing a puppet show!!

So back to flying.....
Yesterdays ta da
Fed cats
Put sudacrem on cats wound to stop chew it
Clean and clear dining table
Hotspot front room
Wash hall floor
Feed zoolets
Swish n swipe bathroom

We opt a long walk to a forest today-takes 90mins to get from home to garden centre other side of it,10mins of parents,then a dusty track that sided by fields(only traffic comes from a "farm" we pass that sells eggs and hay)and after an hour qw in forest paths for 30mons
We left home at 745 whilst cool,and it can only be described as a stunning walk.Zoolets frothing at sight rabbits,a female pheasant,horses (and a foal)and lots birds
We spent hour in garden centre look plants and browse through the sub lets.I got some proper cream for cat and we picked up some bits and bobs at "the works"-little zoo found a giraffe shaped ruler,D's a solar powered robot dino to build and dd2 got a new Spanish dictionary and some stationary.we then strolled home.took just over 4hour altog,and they were ready for lunch when got in!!(took bottles water,and put some in fridge before left for our return)

Made lunch,them dd1rocked up.was fab to see her we pop matalan and browse the sales,got s swing ball at Argos,then went strawberry/raspberry picking.nice she drives her old ma aroundwas a perfect day!!

I've already fed cats and put washing on as dp off today,and expecting we prob venture out again as weather is permitting galavanting at the moment. I've always said zoolets like dogs-dont exercise them will wreck the place!HAHS(by the way,soon eaten lunch yesterday they were powered up and asking what we were doing nextwhen I could easily have had a nap)

Oops,should've hit preview before post,that's 10 mins pavements,not parents!!

Cheery wing flap to all

Morning all,

Gosh Zoo you are up so early even on a Sunday Sounds like you all had a nice walk yesterday. We regularly go for family walks on the moors to get away from the town. Not this weekend however. Yesterday we went swimming and then into town for lunch. I don't normally do much housework on a weekend just the day to day essentials but today we have some friends poping round for lunch (hopefully in the garden if its nice) they have two children around the same age as ds so i'm sure they will potter around the garden together whilst we share a cheeky bottle of wine. So house needs a quick spruce round although its actually not looking too bad currently Totally ran out of toilet bleach the other day doing the bathrooms though so i need to pop down Tesco in a bit. Will no doubt come back with other bits and bobs too though

Good morning all

SC what a relief your National Day passed without incident.And thanks for asking all those HE questions!

Cag it really does sound like your whole family benefits so much from HE. I remember when you were just starting out on it and if you don't mind me saying, you sound a lot steadier and happier since you made the switch.

Still and Celeste sounds like you had some great family days too in the nice weather. Tomorrow we are planning on a trip to a very old fashioned sea side town (so not an arcade in sight) and we're really looking forward to it.

House stuff is stressing me out beyond belief. We had two viewings in the last 10 days and the people never gave any feedback, which is disappointing, but hey. Then yesterday a family wanted to view but outside of the estate agent's hours so we needed to show them round. Also nerve wracking. But they did all say how much they liked our house and they were very interested, I believe they were genuine about saying that too, not just being polite.

< sigh >

TaDa
Cats and DS fed
Dishwasher on
One wash load done

No big plans for today, just going to take it by the hour.

Fingers crossed for the house sale Grey ad have fun at the seaside tomorrow

ta da

fed ds
washed dishes
wiped kitchen worktop
been Tesco (got toilet duck, strawberries, cream, milk, pringles, apple juice)

Need to strip the beds, do some laundry, clean both loos, general tidy up.