I hate summer.

If you or your child is named Summer, I apologize. I don't hate you.

If the temperature outside is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, I tend to hunker down in my living room and stay there until the big, bad sun goes away.  Lately though, it's still been sweltering well after midnight, so it's been difficult.  And then, the guilt kicks in, because I realize that I should be happy that I have at least one air conditioner to keep me from melting.  Believe me, I am very grateful.  I still like to whine now and then.

I think that a lot of it might be some sort of PTSD from the horribly bad sunburns I've gotten in my life.  I'm more or less a Ginger, with very pale skin, freckles, and reddish hair.  I am incapable of getting a tan.  I burst into flames if I am in direct sunlight for more than an hour or two.  My husband, on the other hand, doesn't burn at all, but turns a nice golden brown.  It's been interesting to see how these traits carried to our children.  Arlo, our oldest, is pale and freckled like me.  He burns like wildfire, much like me.  Donovan is somewhere in the middle. He burns, but not as badly as Arlo.  Iris takes after her dad and my mom.  She doesn't burn, she bakes nicely.

The kids have been swimming at my brother's house for the past couple of days, which is how I've come to these conclusions.  I need to figure out how to turn it into a biology lesson.

Unschooling?

So, how many of you, when you mention to others that your kids are unschooled, are met with derision, silly questions, and maybe even hostility?  It happens.  It can be difficult to convey to those involved in more traditional education that our kids don't just sit around and play video games all day.  Even other homeschoolers don't always understand what it is we do.

My children have never been to school.  My children have never been to church, except to see their cousins perform in holiday programs.  A "normal" classroom is somewhat foreign to them.  They rarely do worksheets, except on occasions when I think an area needs more focus, like math or handwriting.  Yet, they read at levels that surpass many of their public school peers.  They can add up large numbers in their heads.  Their social studies could use some work, but we're getting there.

The trick is finding something they are interested in, and finding ways to incorporate learning with those interests.  For example, all three of my kids are obsessed with Pokemon.  They memorize like no one's business, use math to help level up their particular Pokemon to be the best they can be, and share their pocket monsters amongst themselves and friends.  They use these honed memorization skills in other areas without even noticing.  It's fun to watch!

I'm rambling.  I suppose I should just close right now by reminding everyone to not be discouraged by naysayers.  They are either going to understand, or they won't.  Feel confident that your methods work for you!

Time to get back on the pony.

As another school year approaches, I have decided to return!  It has been an eventful year computer-wise.  Every laptop we touch would rather die than keep working, so we are now down to one desktop.  This creates unbelievable havoc in a house such as ours, with five addicts needing our daily fixes.  I have been letting the kids have it, so that they can work on their animations and other creations.  Wes has been playing old school Unreal Tournament, and I usually get on well after midnight.  Hopefully once our financial situation is better we can pick up another machine.

In the meantime, I spend my days trying not to dry up and blow away in this heat.  Fall cannot come quickly enough.