Where Is Your Mother?

Can We Make Do with Monopoly?

September 14, 2009

Now that the rest of America is living hand-to-mouth like my family, I’ve noticed a huge change in the mindset endorsed in advertising. Before our nation’s official recession, it was all about what we “deserved,” regardless of whether we “earned” it. Like a way-too-big house, a gas-guzzling V8 or that Fantasy Island dream vacation. Now [...]

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You’ve Gotta Like Your Kids to Educate Them

September 7, 2009

Earlier in the week, another homeschooling Mom posted a link to a blog about education needing to be “turned on its head.” The writer suggested some unschooling/child-directed learning techniques, most starting with phrases like “We need to…” or “We can…” or “We should…” Now, that sounds all very well and good. Unfortunately, the “We” to [...]

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WIYM? A Hole-in-One

August 31, 2009

It was really way too hot for mini-golf. My octogenarian Dad quit at Hole #9. But the rest of us forged on. I had selected this 19-hole outdoor course for its “Windmill” obstacles. I didn’t want the real golf challenge of fake putting greens. I wanted the goofy attempts to get your ball across the [...]

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Okay, Maybe Not Murder

August 25, 2009

Not every homeschooling mom fantasizes about murder. But every single one has plotted her Great Escape, one way or the other. That Wednesday night, sitting at the table with my teen, waiting—watching—waiting for him to compound that fucking interest, I was coming out of my skin. If you’ve never helped with homework: Imagine a friend [...]

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So I’m Staring at This Rock…

August 23, 2009

… And I’m thinking, “I could bash him in the head with this rock. But then I’d have to kill his father, too. Better wait until payday.” Fortunately for my son struggling with Compound Interest and his father sleeping on the sofa, Friday was a few days off. By then, the test would be in [...]

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Brave or Bitter?

March 26, 2008

Something happened this month that I never considered. Another homeschooling Mom who I know told me that she read my blog. Now, you would think that I’d be pleased. I mean, isn’t that why people keep blogs in the first place? Well, sorta. I really started writing a blog as a way to vent via [...]

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I Swear to God: Resurrection Cookies

March 23, 2008

Listen, I love baking cookies with my kid. It’s yummy science. And even as an atheist, I can appreciate the value of using that process with learning Scripture. I remember the Easter Story. It’s got its sad parts, but at least it’s got a happy ending. If you believe in that kinda stuff. Sure, this [...]

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Somebody’s Somebody

February 16, 2008

It’s easier to see Morgan as the teenager he is when we get out into The World. Out there, for better or worse, he’s beyond my minute-by-minute influence. He can project whatever persona he wants. He can be Morgan. Not Susan’s son. I know the feeling. We’re all somebody’s somebody. Yesterday I ventured out to [...]

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Chocolate Children

February 13, 2008

Even this fat, lazy, diabetic isolationist was willing take a shower, strap on a bra and walk across the street for a Chocoholic program at the library tonight. Of course, I used Morgan as my beard. So I couldn’t understand why several of the street urchins from our apartment complex would show up sniffing around [...]

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Life Enrichment

February 10, 2008

What’s that? Well, apparently it’s the new buzzword for any type of activity where you’re not getting paid. You know, fun. Hopefully. And in the context I’m talking, it’s a non-credit class at a community college for Morgan, my 8th grader. Next year. That’s high school. Sweet Jesus. Here’s an example: High School Biology Lab-Part [...]

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