Gardening

Peaceful

What's Around the Bend?

Hiding from Spring

My Buddy Bob, the Brave Bird

Meet my breakfast buddy! I named him "Bob Marley"
He came and sat on the chair that I was resting my feet on
during breakfast this morning. I think he had a message for
me which is why I named him Bob Marley.

My Flowers

The Path Ahead of You

Working Hard

Along the Way

Tiny Imperfection

A beautiful daisy in a field of thousands.

Favorite Spot

I miss my dog

I'm sitting here. It's raining. I realize that I am missing my dog immensly right now. She would have been on my lap napping during this day of rainstorms. She was really "someone" who always was happy to see me and was willing to snuggle.

I know that is was the best thing to give her to Alex's grandma. It was best for her. Not so much for me. She wasn't getting the attention during the day that she should get and she definitely was not getting the amount of exercise that a beagle needs, and so I gave her away. And I miss her (did I already say that?). She now, however, is getting lots of exercise and has people to keep her company all day long. She has the freedom to chase birds and squirrels and has a wide open field to run and dig holes in. I had to come to terms with the fact that a dog needs more than love. Love is something very important to give them, but they need more.

And that leads me to kids.

Alot of people that I work with (not co-workers. Parents of students and clients) think that because they "love" their kid, they are giving them what they need. What they are not thinking of is that just like my beagle, children need stimulation and guidance, and boundaries, and expressed interest, and a whole list of other things to make them happy and adjusted. I wish that I could figure out a way to let them know this in a non-judgemental way; a caring way.

Here is my Ruby. Like my son, she has taught me alot about life and about myself. I love her and miss her.

Ok, so it's been a week or two. I've fallen behind. Sue me.
I'm so tired of fighting about homework. So the question arises, does homework really help my child (or any child for that matter) learn the material better? Or is it merely a way to teach responsibility. And if the latter is true, can't we as parents/teachers find a different way to teach this virtue? Quite frankly, I KNOW my child is not getting ANY academic value from his homework. It really boils down to one or two things.
1) Responsibility (as mentioned already)
2) A teacher's round about way of keeping parents (including the apathetic ones) abreast of what is going on and what children are learning about in class.

I have to say, if it #2, I'd rather have a newsletter thanks.
And if it is about #1, I'd rather teach responsibility in a different way thanks.

This realization has prompted me to re-think my classroom homework policies.

As a parent, homework makes me want to lock myself in my room with a bottle of wine and let my child figure it out, but being the caring parent that I am, I try to help and we only end up arguing about it.

UGH

Mossy Stump

Mossy Stump
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Flickr

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