Stop Telling Me We Are 'Crisis Schooling'

We enjoyed a 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'
activity after reading the book! Colored paper,
glue, and some old Food Network Magazines
for the win! 

By now, everyone is well aware of the challenges social distancing is posing for families across the country.  We are big advocates for the importance of social distancing during this time, not only to protect ourselves, but to protect the vulnerable people we may come in contact with.  Social distancing is a necessary means in protecting our at-risk population.

With the need for social distancing in our state, came the mandated release of schools state-wide in an attempt to do our best to flatten the curve.  While socially responsible and necessary, the closures have posed some interesting challenges for families. For families like us, it was a little easier! We live a rural life.  We don't run through a drive-thru often or make daily trips to the store.  We are content in our micro-community and are adoring the extra time with our horses and in the sunshine!

With a school-aged child, I felt it was now my responsibility to help my son maintain grade-level education in preparation to enter his next grade in the fall.  So, we set out! Thanks to Pintrest, talks with my homeschool mama friends, lots of great Google searches, free resources for parents like us schooling at home as a result of COVID-19, and a few orders from the 4-H Shop, we were ready to begin our time of home-bound education.  Let me start off by saying- I am NOT a teacher.  A few Sunday School classes somewhat prepared me to find the resources and be able to come up with fun ideas, but I am far from the amazing teacher our son had! His entire school system is truly one of a kind. 

Butcher hog spelling and Lego
building are fun lessons.  Use
what you have, no need to go
out or spend a lot of money.

We have done some fun units! Plant science, George Washington, crafts, color by Sum/Difference math sheets (a HUGE hit in our house), LOTS of reading, gardening, caring for our horses, art, and PE (ok, I call it PE...its extended outdoor playtime lets be honest).  I was really feeling confident in our ability to rock this time.  We play, we learn, we take breaks when someone needs it.  We enjoy our time together.  We enjoy our yard, our horses, and planning our garden.  We enjoy finding treasures outside and having indoor dance parties.  We enjoy making our own snacks, cooking lunch together, building with Legos, and watching documentaries on kid-picked history lessons.  We enjoy using markers, paints, and scissors (ok, scissors still give me anxiety--I'm getting better!).


Then I see it.  The 'you aren't homeschooling, you are crisis schooling' condescending posts.  Well, I can only speak for us an our household, but we are FAR from "crisis schooling."  Just because our world is navigating a new virus full of unique challenges, does not mean that we all must live in a fear-fueled crisis mode.  I can't think of a single one of those activities above that came about because we felt we were in crisis.  We are learning. We are playing. We are thriving.  We are looking at silver linings and finding bright sides while we do our part to protect our community, our friends and family, and ourselves.  But crisis? Now, that is a mindset.  We are not looking at this as a time of extreme crisis.  We are finding the ways to thrive and the ways to control and excel in the areas we can.  We are talking about all of the things we can make to exhibit at the fair! Do we know if there will be a fair? No, we don't.  Should we focus on the "might not be's"? No, we choose not to. 

Stop telling me I'm crisis schooling.  I am not.  I am a mom, teaching her kids the things they want to learn about using the tools and resources I can find.  I am a mom allowing myself to remember my favorite things about grade school.  I am a mom allowing myself to be creative, childish, and fun again.  I am a mom letting my kids wear whatever they want and play outside as long as they want.  I am a mom doing my part to keep our family isolated to protect ourselves and others.  I am not a mom in crisis. 

 

Plant science, George Washington and the Revolutionary War,
daily journaling, reading (always!), a little math, and some handwriting
complete our days.  We break it up. We choose what we want to do first.
We have LOTS of recess. 

Earthing.  The philosophy that the best way to reconnect with the earth and with the self is to walk barefoot, to root your body physically within the soil and the ground below you.  Up until recently, I didn't realize there was a name for being a bare-foot baby.  Mostly because, my cousins and I could have wrote the book on earthing as kids!  That's something my children got from me.  

I can close my eyes, focus in, and remember... remember the river mud between my toes.  Remember the hard, dusty South Dakota ground.  Remember my great-aunt and grandma telling us to "watch out for cactus!" as we set off on another adventure.  Every summer I had a week or so, here and there, with my cousins in central South Dakota. We were wild-haired (ok, ok that was me.. I loathed a hair brush), tanned skinned, freckled, dirty wildlings. We spent hours outside. We spent hours at the river. We spent hours exploring every inch of the place we could. Most of it, we spent exploring barefoot. 

At the time, we had no idea it was beneficial.  We had no idea we were recentering, filling our bodies with the earth's nutrients, or finding our balance in this place.  As an adult looking back, we did all of those things.  We recentered through play. Through make-believe.  Through hours in the tree house my "uncle" Joe built. Through hours in the river, and playing at her shore. We noticed all of her creatures. We loved all of her creatures. Fish, toads, frogs (yes, even the one put on my back!), tadpoles, salamanders, water bugs.  They all had a place in the grand scheme. They all had a purpose, not unlike us. We had a place.  We were meant to be there--barefoot in old play clothes by the water.  We were meant to be free. We were made to be wild. We were meant to be children of the earth under an endless sky.  

When I look at my children running barefoot across our yard (after yelling "EEEKKK!! Watch out for dog poop!!") I am taken back. I miss you, cousins. My first best friends. The boys who dared me to be as wild and free as them.  I let my children be barefoot. Be daring. Be societal rule breakers. Be muddy. Be dirty. Be one with the earth under and endless sky. Be blown by the wind. Be imaginative and adventurous. Be barrier breakers. Be lovers of earth and art and play. Because in watching them play, I am taken back; like an outsider looking in watching us play. Just like me, my daughter begs her brother to hold her hand, just like I did to my cousins so many years ago; and, begrudgingly, he holds her had and pulls her along, just like my cousins did so many years ago.

  Someday, our children will run barefoot through those same open spaces in South Dakota, and I know they will be just fine. We were.  They will feel the ultimate sense of freedom. The ultimate sense of oneness with the earth. With the ground. With the river. And, as children, they will learn and see the intricate and beautiful connection between all of them.  They may be small, but they will be fearless albeit a bit dirtied from hours in river water.    

"Oh! I can help you!" are words eagerly spoken in our house by our six and three-year-old kids multiple times a day.  Sometimes, I dread hearing it and often catch myself sighing and quietly thinking "ugh! I just want to get this DONE!"  I have to take a deep breath and remind myself to let them help.  Let them happily assist in ways they can while they are so eager to do so. 

I know its hard.  It takes almost every fiber of patience I have in me to watch their tiny fingers clumsily fold washcloths and match socks or haphazardly place clean silverware into the correct spots in the drawer.  It's even harder not to "fix" the help immediately afterwards! But, in the lives of children, it is so important to let them help you. Please, mama, let them help you! Teach them how to help others as best as they can. 

You see, you, mama, are the first teacher those little ones have.  Teach them certain skills while they are so eager to be helpful.  In learning to help, kids are gaining much more than a basic understanding of the task at hand.  They're building self-confidence in the satisfaction of completing a task.  They're learning empathy by exerting their willingness to be helpful when noticing a task that is being completed or that needs done.  They're learning responsibility in helping care for the communal home they share with you!  They're learning that helping and caring for the home, pets, and their items is being a positive and productive part of a community.  A home, for small ones, is a community, after all!  They're learning the value of teamwork and building the family routine dynamic.

Willingness to be helpful and age-appropriate chores shape happy, well-rounded, loving and responsible little ones who grow to develop a help-oriented mind set.  When helping and chores are embraced and a part of the daily norm for the whole family, clean-up time becomes less of a fight and much more second nature. 

Do my kids always clean their rooms or agree to it happily? Heck no!  But they fight it much less after being allowed to help with other things around the house.  The sense of accomplishment when they finally fold a washcloth correctly, match a pair of socks, or successfully measure an ingredient for baking and cooking is the best thing to witness as their mom!  They're learning. They're building fine motor skills.  They're problem-solving and using practical moments to expand on deeper learning concepts. 

So, dear mama, take that breath.  Roll your eyes to the side a few times, Lord knows I do.... then make another cup of coffee and let them help with whatever they're asking to in the best way that they can.  Relish the moments that your children see you-- see you working hard, and want to help in any way they feel they can. 

Full disclosure- I really don't like food blogs. I love the recipes, but I really don't want to read 9 paragraphs about how someone was inspired by a summer abroad in Italy, or an extensive 15-generation genealogy report about grandma's famous dumplings. Just give me the food! I do, however, love to cook and *finds horn* and *toots horn* most of the time I am not too shabby. Here is one of my favorite budget-friendly dinners. 

Okay, one more and then I will get on with it I promise.  As a military spouse, budget-friendly meals are important to me. I want to share recipes with others that are budget-friendly, picky kid approved,fun and easy to make, and *obviously* taste good! Budget meals do not have to be unflavorful! I love to use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, and I always try my very best to shop locally.  All of the ingredients for this dinner were purchased from our small, farmtown stores! The bacon and chicken were raised by local farmers and believe me when I say you can taste the difference! 

Without further adieu, here is my chicken-bacon-ranch casserole steps.  This recipe feeds 4 people using just two chicken breasts! The recipe below serves four and can be adjusted accordingly.  The price for a four person serving--just $3.00 for the entire dish! 

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F, unless otherwise stated on your bag of tater tots. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Cube chicken breasts and bacon into bite-size pieces. Add to pan and cook through. If you are using a fatty bacon, cook this first then drain, set aside, and cook chicken. 

 Season while cooking with either ranch dressing dry seasoning packet to your taste or create your own.  I create my own because I need a gluten-free option, and I appreciate lower sodium. To create your own:
Add dried dill seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt to taste or until fragrant. 

Add a layer of frozen tater tots to the bottom of a 9x9 pan. Top with the seasoned chicken and bacon and 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Repeat layering once more and end by topping with remaining sharp cheddar cheese. 

Bake at 450 degrees F. for 10-13 minutes; until cheese is melted and tater tots have crisped. Remove and serve! 

This one earned the approval of both of our picky-eaters! Kid tested, budget approved. 

Note: This recipe is of my own conception and was not derived from another author, cookbook, or online site.  I am not compensated for the use use of any suggested ingredients and do not endorse any specific brands; this is something I created and wanted to share for other budget-limited cooks and parents. 

Welcome! 
I am so glad you're here.  
Don't worry..it's still me, the same real, mediocre, parent surviving on coffee, enjoying some wine from time to time, and sharing our crazy, fun military family life! But, a lot has changed for us! 

We have moved! We no longer live in Missouri. The army decided it was time to move on, so we now call Kansas home--and we couldn't be happier with this location!  We are returning to our rural, homegrown roots, albeit in a different state.  We purchased a home in a small farming community equipped with an area for our horses.  Our house is the quintessential farmhouse, and turns 100 years old in 2020! Our small, modest, homestead will be the base of our roots and memories for the next few years. 

Country living has always suited me. It suits our entire family. The room to roam and grow is something we have missed and craved. I am excited to share our day-to-day raising organic, free-range, and quite frankly, feral children in a high-and-tight world. There can be balance in the military life and the rural one. Rurally raised, homegrown, dandelion babies live here with their caffeine-fueled, horse-loving, kinda crunchy, country lovin' mama, and their strong,loving,hardworking military dad.   

Welcome to our homestead. 

Study like a Motha! 5 Tips to Maximize Learning for Moms

Gone are the days of pulling an all-nighter cram sesh fueled by energy drinks and mediocre cafeteria pizza.  I have said it before, and I will say it again; college is hard.  It's harder when small people are counting on you for basic survival needs.  With increased online learning opportunities in more and more career fields, the possibility for mothers to continue their education or complete a new degree program are greater than ever!  If you are thinking of returning to school, or already have, check out my tried and true study tips to help maximize learning for busy moms like me!

1) Make it Part of the Routine
This one might be a little challenging at first, but once everyone gets used to it, it really is a God send!  Plan in your study and/or class time throughout the week.  This way everyone can anticipate when its coming, and plan accordingly.  Work it into your existing routine to make life less stressful on everyone.  Whether this means planning some reading during naps, designating homework time for kids and mom, or taking some time out of the house to work independently while the kids stay with a spouse, family member, or sitter find the times that work best for you.  Try to avoid working "after the kids are in bed" as much as possible.  Believe me, I have spent many late nights doing this because life happens, but it definitely added some stress.

2) Don't Overload on Classes
I know its hard.  Its hard not to max out at every possible credit hour each semester in order to accomplish goals earlier.  For parents, this isn't always the best approach.  While we focus on our education, our little people still want to do fun things and still want us to be present in those times!  Make sure you aren't taking so many classes that you forget to live in the moment with those sweet babies. 

3) Find a Note-Taking System 
Moms are already experts at multitasking.  Chances are, you might be attending class, reading, or taking notes when someone in your life needs a snack, poops, throws up, wants the TV changed, starts fighting, wants to play outside...the list is endless.  Finding a system for notes that works for you is key to college success!  For me, the old fashioned pen and paper is the best.  For others, typing on a document on the computer works best.  Others find recording a class to play again later works best.  Try many options until you find your perfect fit.  Use many if you need to!  I have often recorded classes and taken notes.  Don't be afraid to highlight your purchased textbooks (don't do it in rentals, folks!) and print off lecture slides and notes to make marginalia and highlight as well.

4) Don't Procrastinate! 
Ok, college 101 right?  I think this was probably on every single syllabus I read since 2010.  Prior to kids, it kind of went in one ear and out the other.  I worked well under pressure in those days.  Some of my best essays and best work was done the day (let's be real, 4 hours) before it was due. That doesn't work when others dictate your time.  Life with kids is always a toss up.  It's better to have that assignment done ahead of time and ready to submit, or submitted before hand.  Murphy's Law will dictate that if you wait, someone will vomit and your whole plan is now tossed to the wind.  Don't expect all of your professors to be understanding if a child is sick and you miss a deadline--it is not really their issue that your carpet is now covered in nasty and you are tired; just get that paper done!  Stay on top of reviewing your notes to help you be successful on quizzes and tests as well. 

5) Be Flexible
Be ready for things to change in your routine.  Kids get sick.  Kids want to do things.  On that one sunny day after a long winter of indoors, kids want to go to the park--go!  Sometimes, kids just need you.  They want to cuddle and you might be reading textbooks to a teething baby at 1 a.m.  You might be typing a paper while kids play in the backyard in the sprinkler.  You might be taking a quiz while in labor because baby number two decides to come early.  Know that you CAN do it, mama.  You absolutely CAN do it.  There are times when you will just feel done and ready to quit. Believe me, its not easy; but finishing it is the absolute best feeling!  Remember you are doing it not only for you, but for those sweet (and sometimes sour!) kiddos too.  Give yourself some grace and be flexible. 

Now, stop reading this and go study like a motha!  Remember, when all else fails, pour a glass of wine and hit the books, mama. 

The Perfect Educational Fit for the Busy Milspo Mom

Picture this: it's 2010.  Side bangs were definitely a thing.  Everyone wore Etnies and DC shoes even if they couldn't skate (me), Rihanna wanted to be the only girl in the world, and we were first introduced to the yellow, annoying oblong being known as a "minion" (I didn't realize how big of a deal these guys would become in my life a few years later), and it was time to begin my freshman year in college.

Foundry College gives me the ability to further my education
from the comfort of my own home--even surrounded by the
tasks of motherhood; unfolded laundry for example.

I like to think I was a fairly typical college kid; loved my major, spent tons of energy drink-fueled late nights studying, participated in clubs on campus, and survived on copious amounts of pizza and lattes.  That is, until I fell in love.  Sure, lots of people find their soul mate in college, but I didn't find mine in college, I just happened to be a student when I married this hunk in a schmedium who caught my eye the first time I saw him (because he scared my horse and I needed to drop a very well placed F bomb). My true love was a soldier in the US Army, which changed my course of education from the time we said our "I do's."  

I spent more time than normal completing a bachelor's degree from my alma mater, just to find it really wasn't as useful as a transitioning military spouse as I thought it would be.  For three years, I felt lost.  I felt like all the sleepless nights cramming in studying between feeding a new born, reading babies the theories of Freud, Skinner, and Pavlov, caffeine-frenzied writing sessions at Panera Bread, and even reading textbooks in my children's first few hours of life just weren't adding up.  The stress of looking into other programs, costs, knowing the demands of a mother of a 2 and 5 year old, and the ever lingering possibility of a PCS (thanks, army) made returning to school seem impossible. I was on the verge of giving up returning to school when I read about Foundry College.

Visit Foundry College on Facebook!
Graphic credit: Foundry College  

Foundry College was the exact thing I needed!  This start-up college was offering a different type of post-secondary education.  While researching the college, I learned that all of their classes are completed in real-time, interactive lecture format and did not require any outside reading, outside homework, or the purchase of textbooks.  No way! Was it too good to be true?  I decided I might as well apply and decide for myself.  After interviewing with Foundry, I knew their new approach to learning was the perfect fit for me.  

The program takes a different approach to post-secondary education.  They believe that the focus should be on providing students with real-world knowledge and skills that employers are seeking right now.  Their associate's level programs ensure that students are prepared to enter the workforce with an applicable and relevant education that fits smoothly into the current employment atmosphere.  The courses are refreshing, educational, and perfect for those with transient lifestyles; especially military spouses like me.  Each student is provided with an educational coach to help guide student's on their collegiate path, tutors, and a very competitive cost without any excess like textbooks, access codes, or meal cards.  Students have the ability to attend class from anywhere there is a WiFi connection--from a Starbucks before household goods arrive....from the motel during PCS...from the Starbucks parking lot because the power is down...

For those who may be searching for the right college fit, check out Foundry.  As a means to better the educational experience they offer, those who apply for the Foundry College second class will receive free tuition!  This is an exciting and limited offer, so if this sounds like something that would be a good fit, make sure to visit them at Foundry College to learn more and apply before the March 31st deadline for the limited-time, tuition-free program.  

Photo Credit: Foundry College