I have the most amazing opportunities to be with wonderful moms and dads, talking about families, magical learning spaces and how to just plain enjoy your children more. I love it.
The child created talent shows were the best!
As I reported, the Forum in Salt Lake City, UT was wonderful this year with the experimental Love of Learning Center going on.
In the next few months I have a couple more unique opportunities to speak and learn, along with many other wonderful families.
I will be traveling to Queen Creek, AZ. in April to speak at the HIP
Hosted at the Martineau Home-a Spark Station family
Mom’s Retreat (Homeschooling with Intention and Purpose). The dates are April 15-16. This is going to be an amazing event – how many opportunities do you get to spend the WHOLE evening with a home full of TJed moms, who are trying to do the same thing you are trying to do(TJEd blog)?! The line up of speakers is amazing – Jodie Palmer, Diann Jeppson, Keri Tibbets, Olivia Votaw and of course, me. Check it out! http://hipmomretreat.blogspot.com/
Amy Jones and Becca Price, Founders LDS Holistic Living Conference
Also, I am exited to be speaking at the LDS Holistic Conference in So. Jordan, UT on June 25th. The class schedule is up and can be viewed at www.LDSholisticliving.com.The Holistic LDS Living Conference’s mission is to help all people draw closer to Christ by discovering His hidden treasures of knowledge for the health and healing of the mind, body and spirit. I have looked over the line up of speakers and subjects and it really is amazing! If you are able to attend, this is a “do not miss event”.
By the way, I have a free ticket to give away for the Holistic conference. If you are in this area and would like to attend then listen up. Just share an experience you have had with your children this year. Yup that’s all. I will have a drawing of those who submit. Just use the comment box right here and share what has touched you the most, brought the most joy or tears to you during the last 12 months in your home, with your children.
Just post a story by May 1 to be entered into the drawing. The winner will be announced here the Monday following May 1. Good luck to all who want to go to this great conference free!!!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I just had an amazing experience I wanted to share. I have been working on being present this past year and making slow progress. Last night I had a mentor meeting with one of my children. I was really trying to focus on what he was feeling and not give any advice or lectures. I was able to just listen and tell him what I was hearing him say. He really opened up to me and talked about some of the things that were weighing on his mind and causing him a lot of emotional pain. I just heard and felt his pain, we shared it together. It was the kind of connection I am seeking to build with each of my children.
Dionne, So glad to have you on board with the class. I really enjoyed your comments. Being present is just the greatest gift we give and you “done good!”
I have been a homeschooling mom for 5 years but just discovered TJED at the most recent SLC conference. I realized that although I have restrictions on my kids with media time–I also realized that it is still too much of a distraction. I have since taken a step back and we are selling our Wii and Xbox. We are going to use the money to go toward a family trip in the future. There have been many tears shed over this from my kids, but it is helpful to me as a mom to see that they are adjusting and starting to think outside the box. I know they will be happier in the future.
Really get them involved in planning the trip and they will adjust with more grace. Use your Closet to inspire them about where you are going, what they will see, and what a wonderful time they are going to have. Maybe add a project or two to help raise money for the trip. Then have a great time as a family.
We had an experience this morning that got me thinking. I have a son, 12 years old, who tends to want exact fairness. Time after time I tell him that things can never be perfectly fair. Today we were having an issue over what math expectations are fair for both he and his sister (10 years old.) We then went on a 30 minute tangent about how education is not fair. I asked him if it would be fair for me to expect the same amount of reading from him as I do from my 16 year old son; would it be fair to expect my daughter to do as much computer design as I expect of him? Of course these answers are “no!” Then I remembered this wonderful article (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/dogs-an-unusual-guide-to-schoo.html ) that I read last fall, comparing children to breeds of dogs and the failure of “one-size-fits-all education.” By the end of the 30 minutes we were laughing about how the educational needs of one are sometimes ludicrous for someone else (i.e. how a St. Bernard would fare in a weasel hunting class, and how a Dachshund would fare in a save the skier class.)
Normally when confronted by his need for absolute fairness, I would just say something like “Sorry, that is just how it is,” and the result would not have been good. But today, I was trying to be more present, and I think it really paid off! Thank you!
I really love it!!!! Mom’s can be so amazing and being present increases the probability of our being amazing more often. Thank you for sharing.
There is no one experience that comes to mind right now, there are a hundred! This year has been insanely crazy for our family! We’ve been through 3 months of mommy being very ill and on bed-rest, daddy commuting about 3 hours each day for work, and moving out of our home and living with Grandma for a few weeks until the new home (closer to dad’s work) is ready. We hope to finally move this weekend! Those are just the highlights. LOL. Yet through it all, we’ve been blessed to have each other. I love that my 5 children are with me all day long. I love that we can cuddle up on my bed, even when I’m sick and still have a learning adventure together! I love that my 3 oldest help with the 1 and 3 year old. That they sit down and read stories and play together. I love that school goes with us, wherever we go, and that my children have the freedom to pursue their passions and missions. We are FAR from perfect, and we have our fair share of ups and downs, but I love that together we are a whole. We are just beginning to learn about essential oils and natural living and I’d love a ticket to go to this conference and learn more! Thank you for all you do to support us as homeschooling mamas. :0)
I love that despite everything you are committed to sharing your love of learning with them and then giving them your time. Not always easy to do during upheaval and illness. Hurray for you Sarah!
This year we decided as a family to read the classics out loud together right after scripture time each night. Sometimes you wonder if you’re teenager is listening while you’re reading…well, I can tell you they are. I love it when I hear laughing or gasps when they fit with the situation in the story. But even better are the comments and questions that come. We’ve been reading to our son since before he was born. I would say this little effort has paid great dividends. Well worth the google eyes and grumpiness in the beginning. And the conversations and discussions we have are priceless!
Great Karen. Knowing you I know that you are truly dedicated to home and family. Thank you for sharing and for letting us get a glimpse of the joy that having teens can be if we prepare ahead, are consistent and give them our time. Thanks!