" stage, there are still things to be recorded. And I want to be respectful of my older children's feelings. Because they are currently at that "everything is embarrassing" time. Take today for instance. Poor S dropped a bowl of noodles at lunch, breaking the bowl. And Shakespeare got it. Thank you Lord, for that dog. (I don't want to know how it got on the window)
his happen on your watch, dear, or mine??"
Here are some quotes that I am mulling today.
The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care, shall be in state institutions at state expense. – "Principles of Communism" (1847) - draft of what became the Communist Manifesto
Our form of compulsory schooling is an invention of the state of Massachusetts around 1850. It was resisted - sometimes with guns - by an estimated eighty per cent of the Massachusetts population, the last outpost in Barnstable on Cape Cod not surrendering its children until the 1880's when the area was seized by militia and children marched to school under guard. - The Underground History of American Education
Gerald Ford, former president of the United States:
A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have. - in an Address to a Joint Session of Congress, August 12, 1974
School is the first impression children get of organized society. Like most first impressions it is the lasting one. Life is dull and stupid, only Coke provides relief. And other products, too, of course. - The Underground History of American Education
Don't wait for the perfect moment to break free -- there isn't any. Don't let officials, relatives or anyone else intimidate you into sacrificing your children. If you want to help public schools, give them your money, give them your time, give them your house and your car -- but don't give them your kids. There's a world of support out there for home schoolers. If you can't home school, find a decent private school and sacrifice for your kids' education like you would for that fancy car you want or that vacation or entertainment center or big house. Whatever you'd sacrifice for the thing you most want in life, sacrifice ten times as much for your children.
Tammy Drennan, Alliance for the Separation of School and State senior writer
Leaves much to consider...and weigh.
I found them at a thought-provoking site http://www.schoolandstate.org
As a parent, I have found it challenging each year to find a way to celebrate Christmas with my children, and keep the true meaning at the forefront. Not the gifts, the glitz and the rush. A few years ago I found the answer- for us. A trilogy of Advent books written by Arnold Ytreeide. We journeyed with Jotham, a fictitious young boy who lived during the time of Christ's birth. In fact his journey takes him to the event-but not before he encounters exciting adventure and really bad guys!
Here is a description from the author :
http://www.jothamsjourney.com
Palestine,4 B.C. A shepherd boy shivers against the cold of night -- lost, alone, surrounded by jackals. Where could they be, he wonders again ofhis family. Where are you, Father? I'm sorry I got mad...
After running away from his father's tents in a moment of anger, ten-year-old Jotham has lost his way, and his family. As he journeys through Palestine in search of his nomadic home, Jotham is helped by a fool, a priest, a zealot and a wise man. Chased by a gang of thieves, thrown from one "foster parent" to another, Jotham slowly discovers the miracle of the first Christmas, and some miraculous things about his own life and his own family...
Written as a devotional for parents to read to their children during Advent, Jotham's Journey unfolds day by day until the exciting climax on Christmas Day. Each day's installment of the story is followed by a short devotional which will challenge your family to share in Jotham's discoveries.
What is great (and the reason for my post) is that this book is now going to be in print for the 2008 Advent season! We were fortunate enough to purchase all three before they were out of print, and ignorant of the fact that they could actually go out of print I encouraged my friends to borrow mine, (don't buy one!) Now they are available on BAM and Amazon for $100 (no way!-sorry Heather!!) If Jotham does well, the publisher will print the other two (Bartholomew and Tabitha)
So I encourage you to look for it beginning this summer. Buy it. You will not be disappointed. OH, and don't worry about whether you will remember to read it everynight YOUR CHILDREN WILL... GUARANTEED!
