tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post8093146127197668843..comments2024-03-08T13:52:22.224-07:00Comments on LAJOY FAMILY: Dropping it Down a NotchCindy LaJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486626867331586704noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-47961644811891349302010-05-26T21:52:04.849-06:002010-05-26T21:52:04.849-06:00As one of the friends who has offered to help with...As one of the friends who has offered to help with home school, I find this a unique opportunity to explore my own "gifts" to see what I might be able to share. As anyone who has ever been in a teaching situation, the teacher who seizes the opportunity learns far more than the student. <br /><br />And if anyone doubts, these great kids are far more motivated, and therefore challenging, than any I have had in previous classrooms! I can hardly wait! And Mr Steve feels the same way!<br /><br />Ms JaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-23269003978378359942010-05-25T21:51:08.245-06:002010-05-25T21:51:08.245-06:00So is it wrong to be the "General Contractor&...So is it wrong to be the "General Contractor" of your children's education? A good "GC" knows their strong and weak points and can "sub out" the the things they are weak on. Keep on directing what needs to be learned in the education of your children, good job Cindy!<br />DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-17627408998242604102010-05-25T21:20:47.247-06:002010-05-25T21:20:47.247-06:00You've got it backwards Cindy - you have been ...You've got it backwards Cindy - you have been giving, giving and giving for so long - now you are getting back some of what you have already given out. <br /><br />I too went through a phase after Zachary got home where I on overload the whole time (and I only had one although that first one's a doosie!!) Your world will expand again. For now, just enjoy your tunnel vision - it will broaden again before you know it.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06021169041622431205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-4176545331606427312010-05-25T09:04:02.600-06:002010-05-25T09:04:02.600-06:00The offers of help are very generous but ending up...The offers of help are very generous but ending up as the general contractor of your childrens' education may not be the best use of home education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-68120838333751213122010-05-25T07:43:23.115-06:002010-05-25T07:43:23.115-06:00Yes, by all means, sit back and relax! You have l...Yes, by all means, sit back and relax! You have literally been on the go since you came back with the girls, and months before that I would assume. <br /><br />And don't forget that "school" is always in session, as your girls are learning language daily, as well as all the other new cultural experiences they are discovering. <br /><br />I would agree that you need to accept the help being offered, as you sift and sort through which things will best help your kids. It's an incredible gift God is offering you and your family through your many talented and caring friends. I know it's not easy to accept help, especially when you know that right now, you don't have the time or energy to give much back in return. But as someone else suggested, you are giving others the blessing of giving to you. You know how good it feels to give, so enjoy the opportunity to let others have that wonderful feeling....if that all makes sense.<br /><br />And there's always a writing/drawing/gratitude/social grace lesson to be had in all of this, as your kids write or draw thank you notes to those people who are giving to them in those ways. It's also more wonderful people whom you choose to have in your kids' lives.<br /><br />But for now...take a breather!<br /><br />Nancy in the Midwest, wishing there was something I could offer from this distance. Remember that attic bedroom, if you're ever passing through. By then, the bathroom should also be finished up there!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-71723601342103265412010-05-25T07:17:44.512-06:002010-05-25T07:17:44.512-06:00I laughed to read: "I am hopeful that a week...I laughed to read: "I am hopeful that a week or two of no school, no soccer, no running, no stress, no school planning will give me the chance to recenter." Knowing a bit of your "non-schedule" for the next few weeks, I can only hope that the change in where you go and what you do will provide some decompression from the school days because I know that you will be on the road again, swapping summer activities for school session activities.<br /> <br />As for your volunteers let them bring over brownies and diet Coke and chat over what they would and can offer and perhaps one of those teachers can even help you integrate talents into curriculum. Besides, at the very least, you'll get good company, pastries, and diet Coke.<br /><br />Think of your "disappearance" as having poured yourself out like a fountain. The "water" is still there only now it is flowing in a brook, gathering in a pool, trickling into an underground reservoir. Eventually it will come back to the surface to begin cascading down again. The brook and pool and reservoir, the drops and rills are Dominick, Matthew, Kenny, Josh, Angela, Olesya, your friends around the world. Right now there's a hiccup in the fountain's flow. The pump needs recharging. It will happen. Meantime, you are reflected in all of us. In time...<br /><br />Love you,<br />Have a great time in Utah,<br />LaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-71600536988266326662010-05-25T02:25:11.536-06:002010-05-25T02:25:11.536-06:00Grrrr. nothing like writing a long comment and hav...Grrrr. nothing like writing a long comment and have it disappear. We'll have to talk sometime soon. You've been in high gear. Try to slow down and take a break from plannng and stressing and just let life move on-sit back and watch a moment (condensed version)p.s. You give constantly. People want to help. Some aren't called to adopt, but they are called to help the orphans, and this is where God has led them-helping you help orphans :o)Carrie DeLillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07130418114627916690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-34892696849722200572010-05-24T12:54:49.732-06:002010-05-24T12:54:49.732-06:00I hope you have a wonderful summer and some well d...I hope you have a wonderful summer and some well deserved down-time - though how much downtime you can get with 5 children I can't imagine! <br /><br />I can't begin to imagine how stressful it must feel to take on the education of all of your children especially with them all being at so many different stages; within themselves and between each other too. Having so many people offer to help is a wonderful gift, but it can be stressful too, trying to figure out how to make it all work. And speaking as a 'veteran' teacher - there are very few perfect lessons, and even fewer perfect days! Some of the best things that ever happen in education happen spontaneously; there may be a big plan but there doesn't always need to be minute planning. I often think our education system is backward: we do all the telling and ask our children to regurgitate it too us by asking them a lot of questions to prove they learned 'stuff'. Let their questions lead you - I bet they will take you to some wonderful places. And yes, it can be hard to accept help and not be left feeling that it is "taking, taking, taking and giving absolutely nothing back right now", but remember that giving isn't always about paying it back, but paying it forward. And by accepting all the different help and experiences that your friends can offer you are giving to your children and their futures.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711583593777948158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-8740845281209590492010-05-24T00:17:11.556-06:002010-05-24T00:17:11.556-06:00Hi Cindy
your first part resonated with my so much...Hi Cindy<br />your first part resonated with my so much and probably still does. When my laddie came home for good (over 2 years ago) I felt quite useless, sadly I felt unsuccessful as a mother as well as loosing all contact with the outside world. Shame kept me home along with his eagerness to touch everything and anything in sight. I was quite active within our church organisation and friends, ready to give a helping hand with families and babies and whatever. And suddenly the world was shut out and we were shut in. Throw in a huge dose of grief (over loosing a number of children close to me) and not wanting people to see how badly I was coping (or not coping) meant that life really changed. I know your circumstances are different, but I think our brains have a limited capacity - oh its a huge capacity but still limited. And so we are so filled up with thoughts, needs, processing, parenting, helping, emotionalism.. that we cant really converse with the outside world as much. <br />But one day that will slowly change - your season for being mum and teacher to various grades/abilities will end or tapper off and you will feel the ability to connect with the world again... ok maybe not but I am counting on that happening!!!!<br /><br />Love to you all <br />JoyceJoycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11103468879639388287noreply@blogger.com