SAHMs are back in style!

from my ongoing Facebook discussion...

Being a stay at home mom (SAHM) [or Domestic Engineer - hehe] isn't as rare as you may think. It seems to be coming "back into style" from my experience. I'm amazed the criticism SAHMs and Homeschoolers get. I DARE them to spend 1 day in my shoes without bailing. It's a crazy, self-giving life and I wouldn't trade it for a million $ paycheck. We learn to live with less to have a better quality of life. I dare you to try it!

Those who work outside of the home have their own challenges and needs, but I personally wouldn't leave my young children in someone else's care unless we were stricken with poverty.

I've seen the village, and I don't want it raising my children!

I recommend reading "The Domestic Church: Room by Room." Chapter 4 discusses this exact thing. Who ever says that it is not a job, has never been a SAHM! A mothers work is worth more than a paycheck. Besides I get paid... in God's Graces, smiles, drawings, and some day grandchildren....for all my efforts!


From the book:

"A mother is the heart of her home when she is lovingly dedicating herself to her family... Any time that a mother deserts her children's care, she is opening wide the door to possible chaos and instability, and again - other people's values and morals - or lack there of - are thrust upon the innocent and impressionable children."

"Motherhood is filled with sacrifice, as we know, and one particular sacrifice is in putting one's own desires on hold for the betterment of the family."


This book is incredible as I read it along with my Catholic Women's Book Club, and I suggest it to you. It reiterates what I've been taught about motherhood, gives me confidence to continue my vocation, and gives me tips to make it a little easier.

The Ten Commandments

I grew up in a very Catholic home, centered on faith, went to Catholic private school, etc. But for some reason, I feel like I am learning the 10 Commandments for the first time along with my 1st grader. Seton Home Study does such an excellent job of explaining how we could possibly fail at keeping these laws of God. I knew I would never "kill" someone, or commit adultery, so where does my life fit into these rules? God's insight on his commands is much deeper than our own. So here's how I've helped my daughter simplify these laws for her age.

1. There is only one God. Nothing and no one is more important than God.

2. Don't say "God or "Jesus" disrespectfully.

3. Go to church on Sunday and Holy Days, make it a family day, not distracted by work/chores.

4. Respect, love and obey your parents.

5. Don't kill or hurt yourself or others.

6. Be pure and modest.

7. Don't take what isn't yours.

8. Don't lie or keep serious secrets. Always tell the truth.

9. Be friendly and be sure to include everyone in the fun.

10. Appreciate all that you have.

We worked really hard on these, and I found some other tricks to help in memorization. Since God wrote the 10 Commandments with His own hands, let's use our hands to remember.

*1-3 is all about God, because he comes first. And 3 is like the Trinity.

*4 is about our family, because they come next.

*5 - when you hold your 5 fingers up, it's your choice to not make a fist and hurt someone.

*6 - hold up one hand of 5, then your thumb for 6. Focus on the thumbs up for being pure.

*7 - hold one palm open for 5, and your thumb and pointer for 6-7. It looks like you're holding a gun and holding out your hand to take something. This is a sign of stealing.

*8- you can take the 3 fingers on one hand of 8 and pinch your lips closed.

*9 and 10 are about our neighbors. Wiggle your fingers for all your neighbors, then spread your arms out to bring attention to all the wonderful things around you.

 

Image from here

Remembering Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

This here is a beautiful video of Mother Teresa of Calcutta speaking about what we are doing to ourselves as people of the world, and what we need to become God's people. Please watch it in a quiet moment, and have your family watch it with you.

Feast Day September 5th

Today I will have the kids color Bl Teresa of Calcutta and we will talk about her mission to help the poor. A mission which I believe is our family's also. She was also a big part of our pro-life movement. It's a great time to discuss with our children about babies, adoption and sponsoring a child.
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H/T: Catholic Fire (another great Catholic Blog! Check it out)

Our School Plans 2008-09

Everyone is enjoying sharing their school plans, I thought I'd share mine too!

This is a sample day. I added subject magnets to my weekly chart to help me keep track of time and to help the kids learn about the concept of time and sticking to a schedule.

6:30am Mommy Time (prayer, exercise, primping and pruning, you know)
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Prayer Time, Pledge of Allegiance, Circle Time, Imagination Exercise
9:30am School Day part 1: Religion, Math, Phonics/Reading, Spelling
12:00pm Lunch Break, Chores, Physical Education
2:00pm School Day part 2: Handwriting, English, Music, Prayer
Tue & Thur adds= History (Odd # Weeks) / Science (Even # Weeks)
5:00pm Supper, Family Time
9:00pm Bedtime

Wednesdays are cut down to basic classes and add an art hour to make time for our Wednesday Walk in the Park and Library Day.

- all times are subject to change without further notice :)

We chose to purchase the curriculum and books provided by Seton Home Study, just as my mother did for my younger siblings (now 13 & 20) and our own trial with PreK and K which went wonderfully. Yet, we added the following books for supplemental material to personalize the program. And because I found a lot of neat stuff at the MN conference and online. I also prefer the CHC materials for preschool rather than Seton's.

First Grade:
Seton Home Study 1st grade complete set of books and lesson plans
CHC Little Stories for Little Folks (phonics/reading supplement)
A Treasure Chest of Catholic Traditions for families for living the liturgical year.
MagnifiKid issues for Sunday religion
A Liturgical Calendar
We will make our own version of a Comprehension Book & Nature Book (link if you want to buy one)Phonics flash cards including: Picture Sorting and Word Sorting

Preschool:
Handwriting Without Tears ®
CHC Little Folks Number Practice
CHC Little Folks Letter Practice
Super-Book Preschool Activities
Usborne Farmyard Books: Things to Make and Do (if I can find it)

Some Other Supplemental Materials:
Homeschool Family Fitness program for K-12
Piano Lessons by me: Alfred's Sacred Course, Catholic Hymns for the Young Pianist
Cortler & Piscitelli's series of books for children (10 Comm, Mass, Mary, Acts of Grace)
Sea Life Art & Activities by Judy Press

Our First Day of School - Tuesday Sept 2, 2008
Will include a ritual height measurement, pictures (labeled w/info), and fingerprinting.
We will just browse all the books for the year, and ask the kids what they want to do.
Then together we bake some cookies from scratch (I'm a toll house fridge pack girl).
And whatever I come up in the next few days!

A PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Spirit of God, fill our hearts with a desire to seek truth and rejoice in beauty. Help us to know what is pleasing to you and to understand what is right and good in your sight. Give us the spirit of learning that we may please you by our thoughts and love you in your creation. Give all teachers your constant encouragement and guide them in their good work. Spirit of God, make us effective witnesses of your truth to all whose lives we touch. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.


Weekly Themes At A Glance
Week 1 Sept 1-5, 2008: Getting Started
Week 2 Sept 8-12: What’s Cooking?
Week 3 Sept 15-19: Triumph over Pain and Sorrow
Week 4 Sept 22-26: Collecting Things
Week 5 Sept 29-Oct 3: Angels & Sacrifices
Week 6 Oct 6-10: The Rosary & 10 Commandments
Week 7 Oct 13-17: Recycling
Week 8 Oct 20-24: The World From My View
Week 9 Oct 27-31: Special Intentions
Week 10 Nov 3-7: Saints started out just like you.
Week 11 Nov 10-14: Our Freedom & Free Will
Week 12 Nov 17-21: Charity & Being Grateful
Week 13 Nov 24-26 (Mon-Wed): Gathering in Thanksgiving
Week 14 Dec 1-5: Waiting/Advent
Week 15 Dec 8-12: Miracles
Week 16 Dec 15-19: Giving & Receiving and Christmas
Week 17 Jan 5-9: Blessings
Week 18 Jan 12-16: Using our hands
Week 19 Jan 19-23: Our Reflection
Week 20 Jan 26-30: I Got Rhythm
Week 21Feb 2-6: Finding our Direction – God’s Will & His Graces
Week 22 Feb 9-13: Divine Love
Week 23 Feb 16-20: Authority of the Catholic Church
Week 24 Feb 23-27: Preparing Ourselves for Heaven
Week 25 Mar 2-6: Sacrifices
Week 26 Mar 9-13: Unity
Week 27 Mar 16-20: Bread of Life
Week 28 Mar 23-27: Decisions
Week 29 Mar 30-Apr 3: Living Life to the Fullest
Week 30 Apr 6-8: Holy Week
Week 31 Apr 13-17: Easter
Week 32 Apr 20-24: This is the Day!
Week 33 Apr 27 – May1: On Fire for the Lord
Week 34 May 4-8: How do we get there?
Week 35 May 11-15: Comprehension
Week 36 May 18-22: LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!