Learning how to learn

My goal is to learn how to learn. Interesting huh? Well, in my homeschool journey with my daughter that's what i am learning. Learning how to teach a child how to learn. Some are hard, but there are days when I can see the brain working and that "click" happens!

Where an idea, becomes a concept then the concept because a reality, then BOOM! learning happens :)

Ohh soo satisfying. Feel so accomplished, although in reality it is my daughter that did the great accomplishment. But, like any good mommy we celebrate our kids' victories.

Summer time, for us at the Montenegro Household is not so summery. We still have class in the morning at home, with devotionals at times. Of course, when we get a chance to go somewhere we go.

But I have found that this maintains what they learned, and it keeps them usual to the routine. Especially for my oldest (my siZZler), it keeps her in a routine, so it's not so hard to get her back on it when we are in "real" school as she says.

Here a few website I use, for great worksheets for most K-12 (for FREE):

HomeSchool Math

TLS Books

and other websites that just helped all around:

Bible Stories for Kids

Time4Learning

Myths & Misunderstandings of AD/HD

What people say about me or mines has rarely affected me. I've always been one to be able to march at the beat of my own drum and live happily doing so.

One of the many things I did was respect every one's opinion on anything, trying to not criticize or judge on the way.  BUT! when someone decides to have a strong opinion on something, that sometimes they don't know much about.

I believe to have such a strong opinion on a certain topic then you must educate yourself to be able to rebuttal and defend your point of view with credibility, and at the same time having an open mind to explore the other side (& become educated on it as well).

For the many that say "I don't believe in AD/HD", "AD/HD is just an excuse" ... ETC!

Here is a great article by Phillis Anne Teeter Ellison, Ph.D. called

Myths & Misunderstandings of AD/HD

from CHADD's Attention! Magazine

A blurb from the article: 

"Public perceptions of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are replete with myths, misconceptions and misinformation about the nature, course and treatment of the disorder. Popular misconceptions assert that ADHD is not a disorder or at minimum, is a benign one that is over-diagnosed. Critics often claim that children are needlessly medicated by parents who have not properly managed their unruly, unmotivated or underachieving children, or who are looking for an academic advantage (e.g., testing or classroom accommodations) in competitive, high-stakes educational environments. Some suggest that "a growing intolerance of childhood playfulness may in fact be leading to more and more children being labeled with ADHD" (Panksepp, 1998, p. 91). Critics rarely present evidence-based arguments and frequently allege that professionals are harming otherwise normal children by diagnosing and treating ADHD."

 I am a Christian mother of two (soon to be 3 in September), and I will admit that at first I was led by the news and little snip-its I read here and there about it. Never did I take the time, as I've had to do to now, to be able to really understand what it really is. 

That there are people in this world that misuse the name? I'm sure of it. They misuse the name of God as well!! I'm not surprised at it. But before you make up your mind as to how you feel about it please click on the link above and read on, so you may start to open up your mind.

If you are a Christian (saved, accepted your savior, etc.), than at one time you looked at christianity and had your opinions on it. Until, someone came to you and brought the Word to you in such a way that the truth was revealed and you were convicted in such a way that you gave your life to Jesus.

I'm not asking for people to give their lives to the research of what AD/HD really is, just want for once when I try to explain how my daughter's brain works, I don't get the "I don't think that's a real thing", or "I think we all have a little bit of that". 

It's not only inattention, it is so much more. I'm not asking for pity (far from it). Just understanding.

Knowledge is power, take advantage of it while you have the opportunity to get it.

Need more info, please visit:

https://www.help4adhd.org

Help for Homeschooling Mommas!! (& Daddies!)

When I find something good, I MUST SHARE!! I found a website with awesome curriculums!

This week they have Customized College Funding Program for Pre K- 7th grade.

This is recommended by Dave Ramsey. It's a great all around information on Scholarships that your child can start applying as young as a Pre-K!

Click here and see all of their deals for a educational things!

Sharing :: Homeschool Story

This is a great motivative blog piece. I thought I should share, because it has great advice! From Heidi St. John's Blog

The Real Homeschool Story

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Heidi 

If only I knew how this story was going to end….

Then I think I could do this, I agonized while snuggling into my husband one night.

And it’s not even that I minded the hard work, the sacrifice, and the challenge of homeschooling so much. It’s more the thought of doing all this…for nothing…that got to me. What if it didn’t amount to anything? Or, worse, what if I wasn’t doing it right?

Yes, it was the possibility of this turning out to be more of a fantasy than a Real Life story that discouraged and made me want to give up. I was really counting on a happy ending for this one.

I know. Kinda silly. But that’s how my mind works sometimes (especially when I’m overtired). I want to rush ahead and find out where we’re going with all this….

I want to know the end of the story. 

Yet that’s not how it works with homeschooling. You only get to go through one chapter at a time. One child at a time. And on some days? One word at a time.

But take heart, you might not get to peek at the ending, but I’m confident it’s going to be a very good story and certainly one worth writing. And one worth reading someday too.

Hoping to Write a Real Homeschool Story?

1.  Don’t be discouraged by a day. It’s only one day. And such days do not determine the entire tale. Just turn that page and keep going.  As Anne of Green Gables says, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” Lovely thought. Tomorrow is a fresh piece of paper on which to write something totally new.

2.  It’s a story about a relationship – not a method. Truly. It doesn’t matter what curriculum you use or what subjects you cover. While it might not be how it’s presented out there, that’s the inside scoop. What matters is their hearts. That terrific (or lousy) math curriculum will never have the significant impact on their lives that a loving, learning, teaching parent will. You are what they really need.

3.  Don’t read over someone else’s shoulder. Their story is not your story. That family over there might look accomplished and successful. And that’s great for them.  But you are on your own unique adventure. Look to the Lord what for what He intends for your family. He’s got something in mind specially suited to you.

4.  Review Your Main Theme. Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). So if you feel like you’re “perishing”? Go back to the beginning. Why you started this story in the first place. It might be just what you need to tackle that next chapter.

5. The Lord wants to reveal Himself through your story. Above all. We sometimes forget that this isn’t actually all about us. Or even our children. It’s about the Author and what He’s doing in us and through us.

You only have to let Him shine. Yep. Let Him shine through your weaknesses, your set-backs, and even your mistakes. And isn’t it reassuring to realize that this whole thing doesn’t depend on us, but on Him who is more than able?

So I guess we know how this story is going to end after all.

Because we know Him.

And He’s the Real Story. 

Author:: Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson, literary agent and author, and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children. She’s also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order).  She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. You can find her sharing her passion for husband, home, and family over at Club31Women and on Facebook.

Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God

"Moses and John the Baptist are just two of the many people God has used for His purposes whose abilities, behavior or thought processes run against the grain of what is considered 'normal'. It seems obvious from God's Word that He has no problem working with people who are different... in fact, He seems to prefer it!"
-Of Different Minds (Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God) by Maren Angelotti, M.A.T.

This is a quote from my new favorite book. This particular quote opened up my mind to see that not everyone has to think a like to be able to used by God. Not that I doubted my daughter was going to be used by Him. I pray every night that He uses me to help her along the way. More accurately said that He gives me the wisdom to guide her.

Many want to KNOW the reason for everything that happens to them in their lives. The truth is that if you knew you wouldn't learn from each particular situation.

In this book I am reading now, along with the CHADD Parent to Parent Program, I have come to understand that just because there may be a certain 'disorder' doesn't mean it has to stop there; that you let something like that hinder you, your gift, or your purpose. Things will be difficult but not impossible.

We've all heard: we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Do we really understand what that entails? That all things can be done through Him, not some or a few, or if we have some type of hinderance then it really doesn't count; but ALL.

This is something my daughters and I are not only learning but experiencing. How awesome and great is that!?!

I hope you can take this and catch a breath and say, "it's okay, we can go through this and learn from it, and we will come out of it so much better for it."

Christian AD/HD ??

I do not embrace the disorder, 

I embrace my daughter

what the world may call  a disorder,

I call it God's perfect plan for her.

Maybe she has to be this "out-of-the-box" thinker

To be able to give the Good News to the world in a way they never thought of.

I have no doubt that she was fearfully and wonderfully made.

When I am told to stop looking so much into it, 

I stop and think, why not? 

Wouldn't you want to get into your child's mind and know 

What they are thinking? How they are thinking?

Sure I can never know exactly how, or what she might be thinking.

But I can help her...

This world wasn't made for thinkers like her.

When you see a side of the box, she's already thinking what's inside it.

When you wonder whether you should take the risk God has impulsed you to do,

she already did it!

Will she fall and scrape herself at times? YES!

Will I be there to tell her it's ok, just learn from this one? YES!

I wish I had that impulsivity when God tells me to do something.

We as "normal" people hesitate many times, 

and miss out on God's blessing because of it.

So I decided to learn more about how the brain works.

Not because I embrace this disorder,

but because I embrace the way my daughter thinks & learn.

And I want to be her #1 FAN that understands her 

and is there to help her when she needs it.

When in doubt...get EDUCATED!

I'm about to embark in a 7 week course to go through a "Family Training on AD/HD". It's sponsored by CHADD :

It's part of the Parent to Parent program they have. 

I'm actually very excited to be getting some more in depth look at how it works, how to handle it, and just how to learn to navigate the challenges. If anyone is interested please click on link and get oriented.

Remember: when in doubt, get EDUCATED. It's the only way we will be able to get through out any life challenges. To also, be more equipped to help our children.