Vintage Homeschool Moms

Prepare For Storms – Episode 498

As parents, we prepare our kids for many things, but do we prepare our kids for storms? In an uncertain world, there is something we as parents can do to alleviate the fears and help our children cope with the unexpected and sometimes dangerous.

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Storms are a thing, no matter where you live. How prepared are you? As a teenager, I moved to southwest Florida after living up north, New York and even a few years in Canada, to be exact. I lived through ice, hail, and snow storms that kept us homebound for days. I watched as cars skidded off the road during ice storms, and my parent prepared our car with essentials in case we were stuck in a storm. This helped me grow up as I didn’t fear the storm as much as I feared being unprepared.

Here in Florida, heavy downpours and lightning storms are the norm in summer. The winters here are mild, with rain storms rare. However, early spring and summer are another story. We had our first near brush with a tornado that barreled down our street and hit a few houses badly but missed ours. We were not as unscathed by previous hurricanes. Most of our previously wooded acreage is now bare, and we had a roof that needed to be replaced after the last hurricane that hit.

Listen to this past episode from Rookie Rescue here.

Prepare Your Kids

One thing I will say is we are always prepared. Not so much for the tornado, since they are very rare, but we know the drill for hurricanes.

Safety is important, and letting our children know that we are preparing goes a long way toward helping them feel assured. They also go off of our stress. If we are upset or worried, they will know it. Of course, there is a need for concern. Being honest with your children and listening to their concerns is one way to alleviate any they may have. There are no guarantees, but when it comes to preparation, we can do that ahead of time. Allowing kids to help makes them feel productive and part of the family.

As a homeschooler, we turned storms into a science lesson; we studied the origination of storms, picked up a hurricane tracking map from our local news station, and listened for advice from the authorities. The children learned so much about upper lows, fronts, and storm surges. This last hurricane to hit Florida had a record storm surge unseen in past years. Sometimes there is a valid excuse to evacuate. The beach areas and intercostal were all advised to evacuate, and they did.

Here is a quick overview to help you prepare:

1. Identify the types of storms that happen in your area.
2. Do you have the necessary supplies to withstand a power outage?
3. What non-perishable foods do you have on hand?
4. Make a list of things you need, such as flashlights, batteries, and backup power chargers.
5. Check over your list of supplies weeks before whatever “season” begins.

Preparation List:

1. Batteries and flashlights, battery backup
2. Boxed goods
3. Canned goods
4. Disposable plates, napkins, etc.
5. Water in tubs.
6. Power source: generator (only run outdoors).
7. Extra propane for grills
8. Fill up cars with gas (extra gas cans)
9. Crank radio (or another source that does not need power)
10. A backpack is packed and ready in case you need to leave.

In addition, all important items, such as papers or valuables, should be in waterproof bags and sturdy fire-proof safes. If you need to retrieve these items quickly, it helps to have them packed in a safe in waterproof bags ready to go.

We evacuated a few times during the hurricane season, especially when our children were younger. We turned this into a mini-vacation, with chest coolers full of perishable meats, and headed to visit our North relatives. These times were short, but at least we felt our family’s safety outweighed anything else. In recent years with grown children, we’ve hurricane proofed our house as best we can and have backup generators and gas grills for the length of time after we lose power. This last storm power was returned before the “normal for us” two weeks, but our internet capabilities did not for a good two months~ my friends are still a mystery.

Some children are afraid of lightning. Listen to their concerns. Are they afraid the storm will come into the home? Identify the problem and again (another time) have a lesson with your child about the science behind lightning. Explain that thunder causes lightning. Light travels faster than sound, so we see the flash before hearing the noise. When we hear thunder, it is too late! We need to get indoors immediately. There are weather apps you can get for your phone that track lightning and let you know when it is a safe distance away so you can go outdoors.

What other storms do you have in your area? If you have tornados, then it is important to have an evacuation plan. Do your children know what to do in case of an emergency? Go over the steps to evacuate or go to a safe area like a basement after a severe storm, talk to your children, and address any needs or concerns they may have about what occurred.

My children treated storms like a big adventure (I did not share their sentiment), but having kids who were excited rather than frightened was helpful. My daughter, now a young adult, weathered the last storm here with us. She had not been through a storm in all the years since she left for college. It turns out her area was not hit as hard as we were, but it was good to be together as a family for peace of mind, and we had food and generators running and were all safe.

When children are smaller, it is good to let them see the real world and not shelter them totally. That does not mean we go and show them the devastation in pictures or by watching startling news stories on air, but it does mean we address and deal with their concerns. In this way, our kids will grow to be resilient and prepared to deal with hardships in the future.

Some kids have an unfounded fear. For example, a fear of the dark. Think back to your childhood. How was this addressed? Sometimes our fears are not addressed, and that can make them worse. Scaring each other by hiding behind doors, under beds, etc., was not allowed in our home. This was a rule in my home growing up as well. I believe this helped my kids feel safe and confident in our homes. (I don’t like scary movies and never watch them for the same reason, this puts unneeded fears and concerns in our hearts for no reason!)

I think talking to your child and letting them stay with you during a storm is important. Being united as a family, being prepared and being aware of the dangers, and addressing them ahead of time is helpful.

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Prepare Your Kids ~ Rookie Rescuer: Episode 497

Are your kids prepared? Join us for the Rookie Rescuer interview with author and creator Firefighter Tommy Neiman and your host, Felice Gerwitz.

The author of Rookie Rescuer shares his thoughts on homeschooling (he was a homeschool dad) as well as his newest project, and interactive workbook for kids. In this podcast we learn that firefighter Neiman wears many hats. Not only as a firefighter and paramedic but in Christian ministry. His life work is serving others, saving lives and sharing the good news. He answers questions such as how he became a firefighter to discussing how Rookie Rescuer is more than just a workbook introducing children to a firefighter’s life (it is) but also how he has incorporated faith into the book.

He grabs the children’s attention with 12 calls he experienced in real life, and additionally there are vocabulary words (relating to rescue) as well as spiritual lessons. The lessons contain an overall theme and a scripture verse that is recommended to the children, with a memory verse as well.

Lt. Neiman discusses several of his firefighter calls and explains that while this is riveting for children it is also a way to gain their spiritual attention as well. He explains that parents are the first responders for their children, not only taking care of their physical needs but also their spiritual needs. He explains that we can be an example to our children and that we should.

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Blessings From Heaven ~ Episode 495

Do you have blessings from heaven? Our children are indeed blessings, but in our busy lives, it is hard to appreciate this fact. This podcast will look at ways to encourage and love our kids as God intended.

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My schoolroom has a plaque that has been there for many years. It reads, “Dear Lord, grant me the patience to endure my blessings!” I began my homeschool journey in 1994 and ended in 2018! It still hangs there as a reminder.

I love the quote by St. Mother Theresa – It is very important that children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another- not in the school, not from the teacher, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of that smile. There will be misunderstandings; every family has its cross, its suffering. Always be the first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.

Mother Theresa said so many things that are still quoted today, and I will share some of these relating to our children throughout this podcast.

However, I know…

IT IS NOT EASY to be cheerful and happy, especially when I was in the midst of school-aged kids. I was too busy keeping up. Of course, I think back fondly on those days – but if you are in the middle of diaper, laundry, and homeschooling older children, I know what you are going through! The saying little kids–little problems, big kids–big problems is real.

At times I struggled to appreciate one of my sons, and I often prayed, Lord, please help me to love him as You love him. It helped tremendously. Instead of only looking at the bad behavior, I remembered he was a child of God, and I prayed blessings upon him. My husband and I often prayed for our kids. We prayed together as a family, still daily struggles cropped up.

Many of you who are listening homeschool your children. And you are truly heroes for loving your kids and caring enough to make the effort this takes on a daily basis. This can not be minimized or forgotten. One of my best blessings is watching my grandchildren be homeschooled–and loving it.

Homeschooling takes most of the day for many of us, especially as the children get older. Most importantly, our time and devotion to our children make a difference. Yet, it is sometimes a struggle to have our children finish their schoolwork and chores and do what they require each day. We are constantly on them for something.

How can we appreciate our blessings from heaven when dealing with their basic needs, raising and correcting misbehavior? That is tough. For this to happen, there needs to be a foundation that comes from love.

Another Mother Theresa quote: “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

We have an example of the unconditional love of God; he loves the sinner but not the sin. We can use this as a foundation of our love for our children. We separate them from misdeeds and focus on correcting them with love. Our kids need to know they are loved. You do this by saying it to them, and if you are uncomfortable with this, tell them at some point that you care. We think we do this as parents, but more times than not, we expect our kids to know they are loved.

In romantic love, we would never expect to know we are in love; we’d want to be told. Of course, you can show you love someone by your actions, but as parents, our actions tend to be relegated to feeding, clothing, and caring for our kids.

Are you honest with your kids? Think about this question. When you are upset with them for an infraction, is it said with love or anger? When you need them to listen when you speak (which is always), are you clear in your instruction?

Our frustrations with our children stem mostly from the lack of follow-through and how the children seem to have selective listening. I’ve witnessed this in my own family. Therefore I tried to give clear instructions and needed to make myself follow through. I had to check to be sure what I asked was completed, and if not, there were consequences. My daughter is an amazing example of parenting. She is calm and very rarely raises her voice. She deals with things in an uplifting way, and her kids listen well.

Observing other people enjoy their children was an eye-opener for me. I was so busy doing that I found I was missing the biggest gift right in front of my eyes. Sitting with a dear friend and watching the children play in her backyard, I was surprised to find our conversation focused on her love of watching her children. [All I could think about was enjoying adult time, and my friend wanted to watch her kids and how cute they were!] Yet, I walked away changed. I could see not only her love for children but also for them individually. She is one of those people who appreciates the little things.

I learned to stop and appreciate my kids. Now it is almost impossible. If you are sitting outdoors watching your children play, how easy is it to jump on a call, text, or go on social media? None of those things are wrong, and I get it — we all need a break, but just for a few minutes, watch your kids, observe their antics, and enjoy them. You may be thinking I don’t know you, your family, or what your kids are like, and you are absolutely correct. I don’t. You know your family the best, and even if it is just a few minutes of joy, take it!

As a mom and dad, there is so much to do; sitting idly doesn’t happen unless you have a full staff at home to help. My family grew from two kids to five, and I had a dad who lived with me in his 70s and mid-80s. We were able to enjoy our kids, younger and older, and multi-generations. I was able to watch the impact of my father (my mother died years before) and my mother and father-in-law on my children. We can learn so much from our parents, even as adults. If we want our children to love and honor us, we must set an example whenever possible.

I host, A Few Minutes with God on our sister network, The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network. And I have given challenges at the end of each broadcast for the last two years. I decided a challenge would be a good way to practice what I preach, so in the spirit of solidarity, I will join you in the next week in appreciating my blessings, praying for them daily, and letting them know they are loved.

I have several resources below:

Resources: Blessings From Heaven

Building Relationships with Your Kids here.

Family Bonding Time here.

Time Management here.

Relaxing Tips for Mom here.

And I want to leave you with two more quotes by Mother Theresa:

How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.

and …

The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family.

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Relaxing Tips For Mom ~ Episode 494

Do you have your favorite relaxing tips for mom? Or are you shaking your head and wondering where you will find the time to relax? In this podcast, I will share some quick tips to get in those relaxing minutes even when you struggle to find the time!

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath, a wonderful Math curriculum for the entire family of school-aged children. This one-stop-shop has grades K-12; check it out.

There was a time when a topic like this would make me irritated. I didn’t think I needed to relax; the truth was harder to accept. I was upset because I didn’t think I had the luxury of time. I was so overwhelmed I didn’t think I had time to relax until I decided that if I didn’t take care of my own health, I’d have my kids and husband taking care of me, which meant slowing down.

The first thing I did was look at all of those volunteer, unpaid positions. And when I began scaling back, I found my stress level went down, and so did my time management. I had more time to work with, and I was much happier. Does this mean I never volunteer? Of course not! I am the coordinator of a women’s prayer ministry now, but when I was homeschooling, and my kids were younger, I volunteered in much smaller roles that I could accomplish on my time at home.

I also found that there were things that I could do quickly that were “pick me ups,” and all of these could happen during the day. Some will have you laughing, but I am telling you all are tried and true. In other words, yes, I did these things!

The first thing I’ll ask you to do is make a list of all the things you do each day, then during the week – take out a one-week calendar and map out these times. If you already have a planner, take it out and look at it. Are there any gaps in time?  Here are two to get you started if you do not have a good calendar and goal setting set:

1. 12-Month Checklist Calendar Set:
2. Setting Goal Set – 12 months

Before I begin, I want to warn you that your kids, especially if they are younger, are going to join in with you, especially with my quick relaxing tips. Kids are so amazing; if yours are like mine, they want to be where you are! My husband created a playroom off of our schoolroom for the kids upstairs, and they still would drag down their toys to play nearby. So, again, don’t be surprised if you are attempting a quick fifteen-minute foot soak and you find some little feet in with yours!

First, where do you find the time?  Look for it and snatch those pockets of time:

1. While listening to kids reading, watching television, or even paying bills, you can do almost anything on the list below.
2. Cut out social media – that can be stressful! I spent lots of time there.
3. Space out when you look at emails. I do not allow notifications on my phone, but I do allow digests. This gives me things “at a glance” and saves time.
4. While sitting in traffic, I can listen to music, drink lemon water, or watch the clouds.

Quick Relaxing Tips for Mom

1. Foot soak. Use episome salts, one or two drops of lavender, or your favorite essential oil scent. Fifteen minutes is all you need.
2. Rub lotion on your hands, arms, or legs. This is a quick pick-me-up!
3. Diffuse lemongrass oils or your favorites, and sit with your eyes closed for five minutes. Have the kids sit with you and just be in the moment.
4. Watch the clouds. I do this in traffic or when I sit outdoors while the kids play and watch the clouds go by – I love it, and it is so relaxing!
5. Drink water with a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon. Use a squirt of lemon juice if you don’t have fresh on hand.
6. Neck rub – my kids gave me the best neck rubs, and I used to ask for “neck-rub-coupons” for gifts when they were younger.
7. Five-minute walk. I have a thread mill and enjoy a quick walk when I feel tired.
8. Listen to nature; there are many nature soundtracks to help you relax. We used to have specific songs for cleaning day. Make a playlist of the opposite, relaxing songs to help you…relax!
9. A foot massage. I purchased one of those slide-in foot massagers, and it is great! I take it out when I need a few minutes of relaxation. Yes, they work, and no I dont’ want to get up after ten minutes, so I often do at least fifteen.
10. Sit. Yes, something as simple as sitting for a few minutes is invigorating. I found my legs so tired each evening until I realized I was standing when I could be sitting doing activities like folding clothes.

Longer Relaxing Tips for Mom

1. Dinner out with my husband, or even a drive!
2. Get a manicure or pedicure. Would you believe it took me months to use the gift card my friends purchased for me? I just couldn’t seem to make the time. I usually get two or three a year; taking my daughters is so much fun.
3. Read. I didn’t have time to read long novels when I was homeschooling, but I could read spiritual books and a chapter daily.
4. Baths are a favorite of mine. Bath salts help give you the at-home spa experience. Add a terry cloth robe and a bathtub pillow. These are great birthday and Mother’s Day gift ideas.
5. Time on the phone to talk to a family member or friend. With text messages the norm, it is so nice to have time to catch up!

What are your favorite relaxation tips? Share them with me. We are each so different, and maybe running or exercising is your go-to for relaxation! I never made it to that point in my life, even when I ran each day. Take some time and make a list and try to do one or more things a week, if not each day, and you will be glad you did!

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