tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post7504637389273677009..comments2024-03-14T16:09:43.889+00:00Comments on Penniless Parenting: Big Changes in the Penniless HomePenniless Parentinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-47336765398285624702014-02-26T06:53:18.933+00:002014-02-26T06:53:18.933+00:00I think the most important thing is to be flexible...I think the most important thing is to be flexible and responsive- as your children get older it gets easier because they know what's best for them! My son's had home-school and private school and state school depending on the circumstances, his needs as we saw them and later his choices. He's in the top 2 % of kids in our state for academic achievement and awarded an automatic Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-38018905402965918852013-09-03T14:57:37.469+00:002013-09-03T14:57:37.469+00:00Baked butternut squash cubes.... *shrugs*Baked butternut squash cubes.... *shrugs*Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-63158396185619506252013-09-02T06:39:26.532+00:002013-09-02T06:39:26.532+00:00I just want to know what the lunch was that was so...I just want to know what the lunch was that was so yucky the teacher threw it out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-19798749780457272212013-08-28T07:36:06.205+00:002013-08-28T07:36:06.205+00:00Bravo! It's so important to be willing to eval...Bravo! It's so important to be willing to evaluate your choices based on the reality of your family's needs at the moment, rather than sticking to certain ideals at the expense of the people you love. You're not only giving your kids the gift of becoming skilled in the language of the country they live in, but also of learning this valuable lesson about how we make considerate choicesJan Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08399683086307277394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-42152714298394066242013-08-21T15:03:43.848+00:002013-08-21T15:03:43.848+00:00I think you made a great decision, and I appreciat...I think you made a great decision, and I appreciate your detailed explanation. I added a link to your article to the list of other families' stories at the end of my article on <a href="http://articles.earthlingshandbook.org/2011/06/15/our-neighborhood-public-school/" rel="nofollow">why we chose public school</a>. The international culture and language issues add some interesting wrinkles Becca @ The Earthlings Handbookhttp://articles.earthlingshandbook.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-34460740688296089912013-08-20T00:30:23.851+00:002013-08-20T00:30:23.851+00:00I am sure your boys will be fine and will thrive a...I am sure your boys will be fine and will thrive at school. No system is perfect but we try to find one that suits our children best. I have to agree with you, South African teaching system brings a different influence. My child has attended a school with predominantly South African teachers and Principal. She has done well under this influence although I must say I have not always agreed Jane Jerebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00675123950152966800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-5551208661919346682013-08-19T20:30:39.513+00:002013-08-19T20:30:39.513+00:00You might have a few teething problems as they get...You might have a few teething problems as they get used to being immersed in the local language, but they will amaze you with their ability to pick it up.<br /><br />My mother is an elementary teacher (teaching 5-6 year olds) here in NZ and has had many children from various countries like Japan and Samoa. She reckons by 6 months most of the international kids are almost fluent in English. <br Angelahttp://www.givingupsugar.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-40985681777190062952013-08-19T20:19:19.921+00:002013-08-19T20:19:19.921+00:00I just wanted to say kudos on being an intelligent...I just wanted to say kudos on being an intelligent, thinking mother. Reevaluating your decisions and listening to input from others demonstrates maturity. I would also dare to say that maybe blogging makes these decisions more difficult - since you have already announced to x thousand people round the world that you will never/ always do xyz, rather than just a few family and friends.<br /><br />Miriamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-45723120358564159672013-08-19T19:20:03.166+00:002013-08-19T19:20:03.166+00:00Had the same dilemma with my first two kids. Fina...Had the same dilemma with my first two kids. Finally sent them to school 3 days/week at age 4 and 2.5, then the regular schedule for kindergarten and preschool. Another factor in that decision was that I started working. I was homeschooled and am not fully pro or against; it's good to understand that there is a time and place for everything. Next week they are starting 4th and 2nd grade, Shaynahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13282197713834009926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-41583114630626788132013-08-19T18:03:35.344+00:002013-08-19T18:03:35.344+00:00I read through all the comments and I'm glad t...I read through all the comments and I'm glad to see that they are all supportive. I also currently homeschool my two youngest. My oldest went to Catholic school her whole life. My next two went to Catholic school, were homeschooled for a time and are both back in Catholic high school. My younger two have always been homeschooled, but will most likely go to the same high school as their Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02999838147173390906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-42808142995711280912013-08-19T17:10:35.634+00:002013-08-19T17:10:35.634+00:00I haven't read the other comments, just wanted...I haven't read the other comments, just wanted to say don't feel like you have to validate your decision to anyone, it's YOUR families choice :) I hope they enjoy school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-85180915104309616522013-08-19T16:38:04.437+00:002013-08-19T16:38:04.437+00:00It sounds like you are doing a great job. The most...It sounds like you are doing a great job. The most important job a mother has is to always be looking out for the best interest of her family. Right now it seems that going to school is what is best for your boys. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-53520497668405914002013-08-19T16:31:59.328+00:002013-08-19T16:31:59.328+00:00I'm sure your boys will quickly learn the loca...I'm sure your boys will quickly learn the local language. When I moved abroad when I was a child I was speaking in three months! If you can ask the teacher what they are going to study the next day that way you can talk it through with your kids before they go. My mom would translate the math exercises and such so I would not have a hard time in subjects other then language strictly speaking.alwayshungryhttp://www.scrumptious.canalblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-43267562475649419272013-08-19T16:07:22.940+00:002013-08-19T16:07:22.940+00:00It is wise not to get locked into one educational ...It is wise not to get locked into one educational approach, in my view. Do what is best for your family and each child, year by year. No need to apologize for your loving choices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-33099955842313729822013-08-19T13:58:57.709+00:002013-08-19T13:58:57.709+00:00One kid at a time, one year at a time is our way. ...One kid at a time, one year at a time is our way. we have had 1 in school and 2 at home (who could he at school) at times! Carleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15275690940710839637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-64864566333202767232013-08-19T13:43:17.009+00:002013-08-19T13:43:17.009+00:00True! I am amazed how many (people I consider at l...True! I am amazed how many (people I consider at least) wealthy folks have all these extra services they can afford but get the gov't to pay for. It really messed it up for those in true need :/.Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09136450128529016482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-10706378248125309312013-08-19T13:32:04.166+00:002013-08-19T13:32:04.166+00:00Do what works! I've shifted my kids between &q...Do what works! I've shifted my kids between "regular" public school and public cyber charter schools (free computer loan, teaching assistance, books and materials paid for by the state). Wherever they learn best now, that's where they should be.Kelly Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432393340521991953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-70009361755292765952013-08-19T12:56:28.044+00:002013-08-19T12:56:28.044+00:00I was homeschooled, public schooled, private schoo...I was homeschooled, public schooled, private schooled, and even went to boarding school! I liked homeschooling the best, but clearly a mix didn't ruin me for life. ;) Hope things continue working out great!Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-9436471231504576652013-08-19T12:16:42.701+00:002013-08-19T12:16:42.701+00:00I think it's obvious you are doing what you th...I think it's obvious you are doing what you think is best for your children, and I commend you for considering their needs, not just your personal preference. Of course, this is coming from someone with three children, one who went to public school all but 1 year, one who only has homeschooled 8 out of 10 years, and one who homeschools and then goes back to public school for a year once everyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-28202024938186906982013-08-19T11:57:49.936+00:002013-08-19T11:57:49.936+00:00I think you are doing the right thing. I always wo...I think you are doing the right thing. I always wondered how you would get them the language acquisition without sending them to school. Please let us know how the first day goes!Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07317013879817151239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-481916737591786152013-08-19T11:55:17.920+00:002013-08-19T11:55:17.920+00:00Thanks! Yea, tax dollars at work. But that doesn&#...Thanks! Yea, tax dollars at work. But that doesn't mean that you should benefit from whatever taxes you can, if using that service doesn't actually help you out...Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-7262005259340841762013-08-19T11:52:42.539+00:002013-08-19T11:52:42.539+00:00KerryAnn, I definitely had you and your current ch...KerryAnn, I definitely had you and your current choices in mind when I was writing this post. Good for you for doing what you felt was best for your family!Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-3975232667182121542013-08-19T10:56:08.957+00:002013-08-19T10:56:08.957+00:00Don't let people get you down. No one knows y...Don't let people get you down. No one knows your situation better than you and no one can fully judge your situation because they only know a small part of the picture from reading your blog. We also decided to enroll our children in school this year and I took some flack for it, but I just let it roll off my back because people who are acquaintances but aren't truly a part of your KerryAnn @ Intentionally Domestichttp://www.intentionallydomestic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-1779640450765311232013-08-19T10:40:04.443+00:002013-08-19T10:40:04.443+00:00You do what's best for your family, and the gr...You do what's best for your family, and the growth of your children, mentally and physically. You're a wonderful family. Emma Lounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-88527488397184616712013-08-19T10:25:27.878+00:002013-08-19T10:25:27.878+00:00Nothing wrong with using public school! If it wasn...Nothing wrong with using public school! If it wasn't for that I'd be even more of an introvert than I am today!<br /><br />Plus your tax dollars in whatever country you're is paying for it! <br /><br />I wish I had learned more languages as a kid. I can't speak Finnish but at least I can read a bit of it. 10 years plus and I'm illiterate in my husband's language :/Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09136450128529016482noreply@blogger.com