tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post850124591367600376..comments2024-02-12T18:02:06.707+11:00Comments on respect. love. learning.: a mum first…Helenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08560926974431305982noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-17914524112493949272011-03-13T15:57:11.394+11:002011-03-13T15:57:11.394+11:00I am wiping tears from my eyes. What a lovely pos...I am wiping tears from my eyes. What a lovely post and how generous of you to share it with us. My DD was crying because she just couldn't understand a science concept, so we snuggled on the couch and talked (and leaked). Loved it!Ingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06396226904711922049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-65135461863469503052011-03-04T23:28:59.214+11:002011-03-04T23:28:59.214+11:00Do you ever think that sometimes we are presented ...Do you ever think that sometimes we are presented with a challenge so great that the only thing we can hang onto is the knowledge that when we get through it we will be so much stronger from it? For you this challenge is math. When you and your daughter get through it she will know undoubtedly that she can count on you for unconditional love and support with any of life's many challenges. As my mom always said, This too shall pass...... Blessings!LJS https://www.blogger.com/profile/00557549680551581746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-19427407784768735522011-03-04T08:52:42.294+11:002011-03-04T08:52:42.294+11:00Thanks, too, Karisma, for your suggestions! They a...Thanks, too, Karisma, for your suggestions! They are lovely. Going gently is exactly what we're aiming for. <br /><br />We tried Mathletics. A bit too many timed activities and math races for us. Same went for Smartkiddies (now Study Ladder). A friend of mine is getting Brainetics—I have heard that's best if you already know your times tables. My boy LOVES LOVES LOVES Life of Fred. Have you tried that? That's maths in real life, and it's super funny. My girl can't wait to try them—but needs to be comfortable adding and multiplying first. <br /><br />Anyway, we have tried an awful lot of things. It gets a bit overwhelming, so my aim now is to use a few things, mostly games, fun books, and hands on learning, like you've all suggested. I hope the day we had a few days ago is the last (cross fingers!) we'll see with maths tears in it :)Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08560926974431305982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-68702120107583898062011-03-04T08:33:24.339+11:002011-03-04T08:33:24.339+11:00Thank you all SO much for your beautiful, kind com...Thank you all SO much for your beautiful, kind comments! They mean so much to me. Really. <br /><br />We're slowly making our way through the muddle and the worry and the fear…slowly, slowly. Facing some things. Leaving others. I am going to look at those books (thanks, Deb!), more games, but at some point, I also need to breathe and let go. Ah…When to let go and when to keep trying…always trying to find that balance… <br /><br />But the last few days have been lovely. Like the tears cleared a path for clarity and understanding. You know, how after a storm everything's all bright and clear and shining? That's how it feels. :)Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08560926974431305982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-17014639653029912522011-03-04T07:09:32.611+11:002011-03-04T07:09:32.611+11:00Big hugs to both of you. I think being a mum in th...Big hugs to both of you. I think being a mum in the first place makes you a natural teacher. There is nothing wrong with that. Your gentle nature shines through all the time so stop stressing and judging yourself. Like us, kids have meltdowns all the time and you are doing exactly the right thing by listening to your girls thoughts and fears. Many people would not you know? <br /><br />As for the math. I would just go gently. If something is not working, take a break then try something else. I found with Zak that I automatically went with a hands on approach. Lots of visual and touchy type activities. Looking at a book while it worked for his brother was not his cup of tea when he was younger. Even now he gets frustrated at times. <br /><br />A lot of people I know swear by Mathletics and I did consider buying it but then realised I was doing much of the same with stuff around the house. It is good in the theory though, that a child should master one subject before moving onto the next. No grade levels at all. DVD turorials, Cute songs and hands on blocks etc. <br /><br />I am currently leaning towards buying either right brain math or Brainetics. Mainly out of curiousity as they swear ALL kids get it easily. It is also only $20 which is affordable. LOL AND it is supposed to be fun. <br /><br />Keep smiling lovely! YOU are doing a fantastic job! Hugs and smoochies xoxoxoxkarismahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02529919522651147308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-43562325422317575862011-03-04T06:47:30.695+11:002011-03-04T06:47:30.695+11:00Now I'm crying, Helena. Not fair.
I'm sor...Now I'm crying, Helena. Not fair.<br /><br />I'm sorry I don't remember the exact age of your girl, but do you think some silly math books might help? Like maybe -<br /><br />Times Tales (Trigger Memory System)<br /><br />Books by Marylin Burns, Theoni Pappas, Kjartan Poskitt (The Murderous Maths of Everything - what a great title!), Greg Tang, Cindy Neuschwander, Luetta Reimer (Mathemeticians Are People Too), Pam Calvert. <br /><br />I would link, but you have that whole Lives In Exotic Other Country thing going on, and my links are all to Amazon in the US.<br /><br />XO to you and your girl.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09766716788178729762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-91170673928623682472011-03-04T03:55:18.073+11:002011-03-04T03:55:18.073+11:00Helena, I love the way you write? Have I mentioned...Helena, I love the way you write? Have I mentioned that about 2zilliontimes??? Beautiful, lovely, teary eyes, post.<br /><br />You are such a wonderful Mom. It oozes from you...your love, your wanting all the best for your 2 beauties.<br /><br />Love this post.Karenhttp://homeschoolgirls.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-51959395712017366522011-03-03T13:43:52.300+11:002011-03-03T13:43:52.300+11:00Sending well wishes to both of you!Sending well wishes to both of you!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06646398396834008698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-760384943386215722.post-6250731066835027612011-03-03T09:25:34.902+11:002011-03-03T09:25:34.902+11:00Lovely post, Helena. I sometimes worry that I'...Lovely post, Helena. I sometimes worry that I'm not teacherly enough, but I'm with you, providing the opprtunity to learn in a cooperative environment has a totally different feel than "teaching" your kids what you feel they should know. It also has a way different feel from the "here you go, kid, you're on your own" that some people think of when they hear about unschooling :)cfgyexy6464https://www.blogger.com/profile/16263874166682332540noreply@blogger.com