Reading, Writing and Survival

[Grizzy]

I'm curious. My babies have grown up and things are different now than when they were little. For those of you who have little ones, in these increasingly difficult financial times, how do you help your children ease into this quickly changing world with confidence and without apprehension? I realize we do not all define our status in the US in one opinion. Some folks think things will even out, at some point, and are just trying to make ends meet. Some folks are very concerned that things will get much worse. Our babies are in the middle of all of this. It troubles me that perhaps they are feeling the pressures more than we realize and possibly are not going to be prepared if things get worse.

This is the Education forum and so I wonder, Are you incorporating anything into your children's education that can help to prepare them for these difficult times, and perhaps much worse times, that may be on the horizen? Are you teaching them the same self reliant skills we, as adults, are seeking to learn for ourselves here on BHM?

I remember my momma once told me "You talk to your children too much and tell them everything" and I was amazed at those words. It was a courtesy to the little ones to explain where we were and why, so they could grasp the decisions made and could gauge when, and if, things would improve. It seemed, to me, they could sleep better at night if they just understood. That way, good news or bad, they could know we were all on the same page and dealing with it. Make sense? I do believe if I was doing this all over again in these times now, we would be going back in the History books to understand civilizations and why some prospered and why some fell. And the Bible would be part of our curiculum, without a doubt. But that's me. What are you doing?


Be Strong
~Grizzy~

[Mom5farmboys]

Grizzy,

I have 5 boys ages 13, 11, 8, 6, and 2 1/2. The older 4 help with our garden and canning the harvest. They pretty much know how to do most of it just by being around during the process. Usually they all get a specific job during each canning session.

My 13 year old and 8 year old love to hunt and fish. They both know how to clean fish, and the 13 year old will gut and skin what he shoots.

We live on a farm and they know how to handle cattle, and how to care for orphaned calves. They have never tried to train one though and I have been thinking of attempting this next summer, just as an experament if we happen to bottle feed one that the mama cow rejects.

We don't have video games. For the most part sons #1, #3, & #4 are outside until I make them come in. No matter the weather. They are usually doing something with the cows, chores, hunting/fishing (we live near a small lake), or making up thier own games or building forts or go carts etc from scrounged materials they find in the various barns. Son #2 would prefer to be left alone with a good book and has an extensive library of his own.

We got chickens this summer and we ate the rooster, it was an education. We learned how to kill, scald, pluck, and prepare it.

We don't have many electronic gadgets. Only in the last month have the husband and I gotten a cell phone to carry with us in the van. We shop garage sales for lots of what we need, they see nothing wrong with used stuff.

I guess I am lucky I have boys they are happy with jeans, tee-shirts, and sweatshirts for school clothes.

We don't make a big deal out of the kids birthday parties. Ice Cream and Cake (homemade) and family over, maybe a friend or two. We always specify -no gifts please- from the friends. I want them to learn to enjoy the company of people they like and not get the gimmes.

Christmas is also celebrated modestly. Worship, enough gifts to make the day special, lots of good food, and family.

My oldest boy wants to try wrestling at school this year, and son #3 is going to start basketball this winter. But it is because THEY want to do it. We don't push the sports at all.

Really I think that if times get hard for most people, we'll be ahead of the curve. I have a feeling that pretty soon, home canned food, simple living, and used stuff is going to be more of the norm than it is now. So my kids won't have much of an adjustment to make. I hope not anyway. I guess you can't miss what you never had.

[Grizzy]

Thank you for painting that picture for me... That is some GOOD STUPH ! I was thinking before I posted this thread that the ones who are dedicated to the homestead life will echo many things you said here. But I just wonder if the kids know whas out in the big world thas in trubble and if it causes them to worry. But if you have things at home in order and manageable... what would a kid really have to be apprehensive about?

Thank you for your words..

Be Strong
~Grizzy~

[Mom5farmboys]

Grizzy,

My kids don't seem to be very apprehensive about the world in general. My oldest boy is in the 8th grade and is just now starting to want smelly cologne, and certain clothes (although its nothing ridiculous-he won't wear certain t-shirts and previously wore camo often to school and now opts not to) not bad for a 13 year old.

We have conservative news on often and we frequently talk about where the world is headed. We don't have tons of money now, but God has always provided what we need/want. I tell them that God is not limited by the economy or the government. If He provides for us now, He will provide for us tomorrow too.

We try to instill dependence on God, then self, and lots of hard work. Children are perceptive. I think that if as parents we act fearful then our children will pick up on it.

[Pokeberry Mary]

I guess I told my kids what I thought back when they were little and I was homeschooling them.

At the time I used to read the Bible to them. I taught them right and wrong and let them know the various future prophecies that I figured might well come to pass in their life times.

At this time they are all in the early 20s and for the most part just trying to get a start--and I'm sure they are aware by now that its not going to be easy.

I think eventually too they'll remember the lessons they had when they were young and find them useful.

The prinicples in the proverbs don't get old--I know they'll use those if they want to succeed in life.

The warnings and scenarios in prophecy-I guess they may end up more familiar with those than I am--cuz I think they will see things I could only have imagined when I was younger.

As for the rest--I'm still here to guide if they are willing to listen--which I figure they won't for a while--I wouldn't have at their age..
Eventually thought I think the things they were raised on will out.

[Laura]

Are you incorporating anything into your children's education that can help to prepare them for these difficult times, and perhaps much worse times, that may be on the horizen?

Yes. More so now that they are all in high school.
First and foremost for them to rely exclusively on God, but, like many many examples that were written down for us in The Word, to be prepared. What an amazing witness to those who do not believe......what an amazing opportunity to share His Love, His Plan, and His Power!!

Are you teaching them the same self reliant skills we, as adults, are seeking to learn for ourselves here on BHM?

You bettcha!! This is a great site, a wealth of information. Through example and structured lesson plans, I have taught the children to be "informational" readers.....I have one that is a 'pleasure reader' BUT she only like to read "true stories". The other two will read IF it serves a purposes, teaches them something.......this is a blessing!!

I do believe if I was doing this all over again in these times now, we would be going back in the History books to understand civilizations and why some prospered and why some fell. And the Bible would be part of our curiculum, without a doubt. But that's me. What are you doing?

The Word of God is THE most important part of our lives.
We would be lost without it.
We do look at history (more the history of people and patterns and behaviors) but from a very different way. We do not really read 'history books' as much as we read about historical events......and from 'reliable' sources, which I might add is VERY VERY hard to find!!

We are learning more first aid then I had planned......
We are learning more about 'the land, how to use it, how to get the most out of it, how to live with less...."
I have found that the worse times get, the less panicked we are.....
Total reliance on the Lord.

If I had it to do all over again????
I would have never sent them to PS not for one day.
I would have had NO LESS than 7 kids.
I would have been less like the world, and more like Jesus a WHOLE lot sooner!!!

Great thread!!

Laura