I took A to see three films this week, as part of the Take_One_Action film festival tour - 'bringing together people and movies that want to change the world'.
The first one we saw was HOME (available online), which A described as 'beautiful and horrible at the same time'. The images are truly beautiful - shot from the air in around fifty different coutries. It really brings home how amazing and wonderful our planet is, and how small our particular part of it is. The commentary, in some ways, is the 'horrible' bit, but its an unavoidable and truthful horror. The details of what is happening to our world's ecosystem are given in facts and statistics, some scary and shocking. But it does end with a positive tone, pushing the notion that we can change things.
We then saw Food,Inc which was an expose of the American food industry. It was very hard-hitting, and some of the scenes of slaughter houses and factory farming conditions were too awful for A to watch. I find it really scary how much power these massive corporations have, and the misery they can cause to both humans and animals.
Last night we went to see The_Yes_Men_Fix_The_World which we both absolutely loved. A fantastic film - hilarious, inspiring, anger-inducing, I really admire people who can do this stuff. Their blog gives this description:
"Impersonating big-time criminals in order to publicly humiliate them. Our targets are leaders and big corporations who put profits ahead of everything else."
The stunts they pulled off were incredible, like posing as a Dow Chemical spokesperson on the BBC World news channel and announcing that they take full responsibility for the Bhopal Disaster and will finally clean up and compensate those affected.
One bit that stuck in my mind was when one of the various members of right-wing/business think tanks who were interviewed gave his opinion on global warming. I'm paraphrasing greatly here, as I cant remember his exact words, but it was along the lines of: its good, because warmer is more pleasant.
Wow. The lack of any kind of depth of thinking or intelligent reflection behind his statement was astonishing. And these are the kind of people influencing policy. Explains a lot.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
Still here...
Felt it was time for a blog post.
A has gone off to an all day party today, so I've got a whole day to myself. I've kind of missed blogging, so thought I'd take this opportunity to write a few words.
I dropped A off at the swimming pool at 11 this morning, and am picking her up from her friend's at 8pm. She was really nervous about it, the friend is someone she used to go to ballet with ages ago, and they've kind of kept up with each other through email. She did come over here last week, but before that they hadn't actually seen each other for a couple of years, and A wont really know any of the other girls at the party (she knows a couple of them from her old school, but they weren't in her class and she hasn't seen them for ages either). Anyway, understandably she was quite apprehensive, but also really wanted to go. I felt sick when I left her at the swimming pool - I don't think it matters how old they get, you always feel for them so intensely. And I know she'll be fine - I'm 99.9% sure they'll all get on well and she'll have a great time, but there's still that 0.1% fear that it will all go wrong. Well its 12.40 now and I haven't heard from her, so maybe I should just relax :0)
Things seem to be coming together a bit more with (the dreaded) maths. We have been using this Australian site, I even paid for the year as A seemed to like it so much, and its been a really good way for her to chart her progress. She just does about 20 - 30 minutes most days, and it seems to suit her way of learning. There are lots of games, some very short 'tutorials', and worksheets to print out - enough of a variety of things not to get boring. She struggled a bit with the timed assessments, just the idea of being timed stresses her out, but it doesn't matter how many times you attempt them. And it really proves to her when she completes them that she is not as crap at maths as she thinks. There are also lots of other activities - things you can 'buy' with your points, and each student has their own character they can design.
To be honest its not the sort of site I had imagined using, but it really does seem to work for A, and when it comes to maths I'll use whatever works!
A had a bit of a mini crisis this week, which was very interesting for both of us.
I had dropped her off for choir at her old school, but it turned out choir was cancelled, so she called me to go back for her. On the way home she ended up in tears, saying she wanted to go back to school and that she really missed it. I had to take a deep breath and try not to react too much, as this immediately sent me into a head space I really didn't want to be in - ie I made the wrong decision about HE. So I stayed calm, and fairly quiet, and we considered the options together. As it happens, things are better for us financially now (lack of money was the main reason for taking her out of school), but not enough for me to afford fees for the next five years. We talked about what a shame it is the school isn't open to flexi-schooling, as I could possibly manage to fund that. We talked about the local schools, which neither of us are keen on.
When she was a bit calmer she told me what had prompted the upset - one of her 'friends' up at the school while waiting for me to go back for her had been winding her up and generally playing manipulative mind games along the lines of: why did you leave the school?/don't you want to be here with us?/you will lose all your friends here/people wont like you any more because you left.
This is not unusual or surprising from this particular girl. However, I happen to know that this girl is having an extremely hard time at home just now, and while that doesn't excuse what she did, it did help to discuss that with A, and give her another perspective - ie that sadly the girl's way of dealing with difficulties seems to be to hurt other people.
About an hour after we got home I had to take A off to drama, and as she got out of the car she said 'don't worry about earlier - I was just having a 'moment', I don't really want to go back to school at all, I love home ed'. It was such a relief to hear that! Apart from anything else I don't think I could face going back and dealing with all those people - I would do it for A's sake, but I would hate it.
The whole episode brought up a couple of things. Firstly, there is still the issue of 'friends' and the fact that A doesn't feel she sees enough of them. Her going to a few group activities now has definitely helped, and with drama in particular she really enjoys being part of a team, but she still seems to need more. She's really keen on joining guides now, but we're still waiting for a place to come up :0( I'm also looking into sending her to art lessons at another local independent school, who are open to that kind of flexi-schooling, as I think she needs more guidance than I can give in this subject, so thats a possible opportunity for more socialising. Its a real shame there's not a more cohesive, close-knit HE group in our area, but thats mainly down to the fact that we are in the Highlands and eveyone is so spread out. I don't know of any other HEors in our town.
A more positive upshot of the whole incident was the way we both handled it, and what that says about our relationship. I can imagine, if I was feeling hassled or rushed, reacting very differently. I hate to admit it, but I think I could have quite easily gone on the defensive, thinking 'oh god, don't tell me that!' and come out with all the reasons she couldn't go back to school. Instead I listened, and seriously considered what she was saying, and she felt heard. This is one time where I actually feel I can say I got it right :0)
A has requested a project about pregnancy and childbirth, as she feels she doesn't know enough about them, so after a trip to the library and finding very little appropriate material, I bought this and this for us to use. So will be starting that very soon.
We had a lovely little exercise this week, suggested by A - we visited a new vegan deli/coffee shop in our town (so excited about that!!!) and both wrote reviews about the place. They were glowing :0))
A has gone off to an all day party today, so I've got a whole day to myself. I've kind of missed blogging, so thought I'd take this opportunity to write a few words.
I dropped A off at the swimming pool at 11 this morning, and am picking her up from her friend's at 8pm. She was really nervous about it, the friend is someone she used to go to ballet with ages ago, and they've kind of kept up with each other through email. She did come over here last week, but before that they hadn't actually seen each other for a couple of years, and A wont really know any of the other girls at the party (she knows a couple of them from her old school, but they weren't in her class and she hasn't seen them for ages either). Anyway, understandably she was quite apprehensive, but also really wanted to go. I felt sick when I left her at the swimming pool - I don't think it matters how old they get, you always feel for them so intensely. And I know she'll be fine - I'm 99.9% sure they'll all get on well and she'll have a great time, but there's still that 0.1% fear that it will all go wrong. Well its 12.40 now and I haven't heard from her, so maybe I should just relax :0)
Things seem to be coming together a bit more with (the dreaded) maths. We have been using this Australian site, I even paid for the year as A seemed to like it so much, and its been a really good way for her to chart her progress. She just does about 20 - 30 minutes most days, and it seems to suit her way of learning. There are lots of games, some very short 'tutorials', and worksheets to print out - enough of a variety of things not to get boring. She struggled a bit with the timed assessments, just the idea of being timed stresses her out, but it doesn't matter how many times you attempt them. And it really proves to her when she completes them that she is not as crap at maths as she thinks. There are also lots of other activities - things you can 'buy' with your points, and each student has their own character they can design.
To be honest its not the sort of site I had imagined using, but it really does seem to work for A, and when it comes to maths I'll use whatever works!
A had a bit of a mini crisis this week, which was very interesting for both of us.
I had dropped her off for choir at her old school, but it turned out choir was cancelled, so she called me to go back for her. On the way home she ended up in tears, saying she wanted to go back to school and that she really missed it. I had to take a deep breath and try not to react too much, as this immediately sent me into a head space I really didn't want to be in - ie I made the wrong decision about HE. So I stayed calm, and fairly quiet, and we considered the options together. As it happens, things are better for us financially now (lack of money was the main reason for taking her out of school), but not enough for me to afford fees for the next five years. We talked about what a shame it is the school isn't open to flexi-schooling, as I could possibly manage to fund that. We talked about the local schools, which neither of us are keen on.
When she was a bit calmer she told me what had prompted the upset - one of her 'friends' up at the school while waiting for me to go back for her had been winding her up and generally playing manipulative mind games along the lines of: why did you leave the school?/don't you want to be here with us?/you will lose all your friends here/people wont like you any more because you left.
This is not unusual or surprising from this particular girl. However, I happen to know that this girl is having an extremely hard time at home just now, and while that doesn't excuse what she did, it did help to discuss that with A, and give her another perspective - ie that sadly the girl's way of dealing with difficulties seems to be to hurt other people.
About an hour after we got home I had to take A off to drama, and as she got out of the car she said 'don't worry about earlier - I was just having a 'moment', I don't really want to go back to school at all, I love home ed'. It was such a relief to hear that! Apart from anything else I don't think I could face going back and dealing with all those people - I would do it for A's sake, but I would hate it.
The whole episode brought up a couple of things. Firstly, there is still the issue of 'friends' and the fact that A doesn't feel she sees enough of them. Her going to a few group activities now has definitely helped, and with drama in particular she really enjoys being part of a team, but she still seems to need more. She's really keen on joining guides now, but we're still waiting for a place to come up :0( I'm also looking into sending her to art lessons at another local independent school, who are open to that kind of flexi-schooling, as I think she needs more guidance than I can give in this subject, so thats a possible opportunity for more socialising. Its a real shame there's not a more cohesive, close-knit HE group in our area, but thats mainly down to the fact that we are in the Highlands and eveyone is so spread out. I don't know of any other HEors in our town.
A more positive upshot of the whole incident was the way we both handled it, and what that says about our relationship. I can imagine, if I was feeling hassled or rushed, reacting very differently. I hate to admit it, but I think I could have quite easily gone on the defensive, thinking 'oh god, don't tell me that!' and come out with all the reasons she couldn't go back to school. Instead I listened, and seriously considered what she was saying, and she felt heard. This is one time where I actually feel I can say I got it right :0)
A has requested a project about pregnancy and childbirth, as she feels she doesn't know enough about them, so after a trip to the library and finding very little appropriate material, I bought this and this for us to use. So will be starting that very soon.
We had a lovely little exercise this week, suggested by A - we visited a new vegan deli/coffee shop in our town (so excited about that!!!) and both wrote reviews about the place. They were glowing :0))
Friday, 22 January 2010
Blog break
I have been thinking about this for the last week or so, and have decided its time for a break from educational escapades.
A few reasons for this - firstly, now I am working part time I seem to have so little time to sit and ponder at the computer, which is a real shame, but thats the way it has to be just now. I have this constant feeling that I'm not doing enough 'work', and there is always stuff to do.
Secondly, a lot of the time I'm struggling to find something to say. Not sure why this is - maybe because I'm using my writing skills in other areas and am exhausting them, or maybe its to do with how I'm approaching it, and related to my first reason - ie I'm rushing and its become a bit of a chore.
Thirdly, part of the reason I started the blog was to keep an overview on what we are doing and achieving, and 18 months in I'm a lot more relaxed about this aspect. I know we are doing 'enough' and I'm much more confident about the education A is getting.
I could go into lots of other reasons that have gone through my head, but I fear it would get quite boring.
Anyway, I'm hoping this wont be permanent - if I get my act together and improve on my time management I may get back into posting regularly, and I may post now and again little bits and pieces, but for now I wont be around much.
Thankyou to the followers and regular readers and commenters, its been great to have some feedback on what we're doing, I really appreciate it. I'll still be popping in to other blogs when I can because I love the HE blogging community, its been so helpful and supportive to me. Its so important when you're seemingly surrounded by people who think you're insane for HEing, to find people out there who understand and are also making it work for their kids.
So, bye for now!! X
A few reasons for this - firstly, now I am working part time I seem to have so little time to sit and ponder at the computer, which is a real shame, but thats the way it has to be just now. I have this constant feeling that I'm not doing enough 'work', and there is always stuff to do.
Secondly, a lot of the time I'm struggling to find something to say. Not sure why this is - maybe because I'm using my writing skills in other areas and am exhausting them, or maybe its to do with how I'm approaching it, and related to my first reason - ie I'm rushing and its become a bit of a chore.
Thirdly, part of the reason I started the blog was to keep an overview on what we are doing and achieving, and 18 months in I'm a lot more relaxed about this aspect. I know we are doing 'enough' and I'm much more confident about the education A is getting.
I could go into lots of other reasons that have gone through my head, but I fear it would get quite boring.
Anyway, I'm hoping this wont be permanent - if I get my act together and improve on my time management I may get back into posting regularly, and I may post now and again little bits and pieces, but for now I wont be around much.
Thankyou to the followers and regular readers and commenters, its been great to have some feedback on what we're doing, I really appreciate it. I'll still be popping in to other blogs when I can because I love the HE blogging community, its been so helpful and supportive to me. Its so important when you're seemingly surrounded by people who think you're insane for HEing, to find people out there who understand and are also making it work for their kids.
So, bye for now!! X
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Happy Birthday A!!!
Today, A is 11.
She's having a few 'birthdays' this year - today with me; Sunday with her friends; next week with Granny (who is away just now); and at the end of the month with Nonna and Nonno when she goes to stay with them. Lucky girl :0)
We had fun today, a leisurely morning, out for lunch, a visit to see some friends, then it was back to drama class for A - something she had really been looking forward to. She's a happy girl and says its been the best birthday so far in her life.
11 seems like such a milestone to me, maybe because of how things changed for me when I was 11. I changed, grew up, an awful lot the year I was 11. I expect it had a lot to do with going up to secondary school, but I remember it being quite a drastic change. I discovered all sorts of new things when I was 11: the clash; smoking; boys; black eyeliner. My relationship with my parents also transformed, not in a good way. I can remember feeling a real shift away from them, and there was a lot of antagonism and resentment during the following few years. I'm pretty sure I wasn't a very nice person to be around.
I suppose this is why I have feelings of trepidation around A turning 11. Even though I know A is not me, and our relationship is very different to mine with my parents, I know that she will over the next few years move away from me and into her own world. Its not really the moving away that worries me, more the possibility of her shutting off from me and losing our connection.
I know I should stop looking for potential problems, always been my way - imagine the worst then at least you wont be disappointed!
I am very proud of A, of who she is and who she is becoming.
She's having a few 'birthdays' this year - today with me; Sunday with her friends; next week with Granny (who is away just now); and at the end of the month with Nonna and Nonno when she goes to stay with them. Lucky girl :0)
We had fun today, a leisurely morning, out for lunch, a visit to see some friends, then it was back to drama class for A - something she had really been looking forward to. She's a happy girl and says its been the best birthday so far in her life.
11 seems like such a milestone to me, maybe because of how things changed for me when I was 11. I changed, grew up, an awful lot the year I was 11. I expect it had a lot to do with going up to secondary school, but I remember it being quite a drastic change. I discovered all sorts of new things when I was 11: the clash; smoking; boys; black eyeliner. My relationship with my parents also transformed, not in a good way. I can remember feeling a real shift away from them, and there was a lot of antagonism and resentment during the following few years. I'm pretty sure I wasn't a very nice person to be around.
I suppose this is why I have feelings of trepidation around A turning 11. Even though I know A is not me, and our relationship is very different to mine with my parents, I know that she will over the next few years move away from me and into her own world. Its not really the moving away that worries me, more the possibility of her shutting off from me and losing our connection.
I know I should stop looking for potential problems, always been my way - imagine the worst then at least you wont be disappointed!
I am very proud of A, of who she is and who she is becoming.
Some of A's presents
Thursday, 7 January 2010
A slice of our day
I'm sitting at the computer, having a look at the badscience website (well worth a look), its about 11.50am.
A has been in her room all morning, took just an apple in there about 2 and a half hours ago for breakfast, informing me she was tidying her room.
She comes downstairs and picks up the stepladder.
Me: Are you going to have a bath now? Its just that we need to get out to the shops at some point, I thought we could go soon...
A looks around distractedly for a minute, then gives a big sigh
A: You know that artist, who locked himself away in a room?
Me: No, who's that then?
A: You know, the one who locked himself in a room so that he could create his masterpiece without interruption
Me: Oh, are you doing some artwork now? I thought you were tidying your room.
A: Well I was, but I finished and now I'm messing it up again
Me: By doing some art?
A: Yes
And off she went with the stepladder.
A has been in her room all morning, took just an apple in there about 2 and a half hours ago for breakfast, informing me she was tidying her room.
She comes downstairs and picks up the stepladder.
Me: Are you going to have a bath now? Its just that we need to get out to the shops at some point, I thought we could go soon...
A looks around distractedly for a minute, then gives a big sigh
A: You know that artist, who locked himself away in a room?
Me: No, who's that then?
A: You know, the one who locked himself in a room so that he could create his masterpiece without interruption
Me: Oh, are you doing some artwork now? I thought you were tidying your room.
A: Well I was, but I finished and now I'm messing it up again
Me: By doing some art?
A: Yes
And off she went with the stepladder.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Thank-you letters
I had reminded A several times yesterday that thank-you notes needed to be written quite soon for all the lovely Christmas presents she'd got, and she eventually took some up with her to write when she went to bed.
When I went in to switch her light off before I went to bed I had a look, and thought I was going to wake her up with my laughter!
She's letting me put a couple here:
When I went in to switch her light off before I went to bed I had a look, and thought I was going to wake her up with my laughter!
She's letting me put a couple here:
Dear _ and _,
Thank-you very much for the green crafts book, paint by numbers, socks and the vouchers. They will all be really fun, complicated, warm and spent!
To _
Thank-you very much for the ten pounds which I'm saving up for something good, and the beautiful top I'm wearing so much its a little bit smelly!
Love that girl :0)
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Art
Just wanted to share some of A's marvellous artwork:
I may be biased, but I think she's rather good :0)
I may be biased, but I think she's rather good :0)
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