How Can I Get My Kids to Work? – MBFLP 284

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
October 13, 2022 by Leave a Comment

It’s one of the most common questions we get – “How can I get my kids to work?” Surveys find that a large number of families don’t expect their kids to do chores – and many that do, have a running battle over getting them done cheerfully. This episode, we’re talking about a balanced, Biblical attitude toward our children’s work (as well as our own), and what we can do to encourage them in it!

References

“Sparing chores spoils children and their future selves, study says” – Ami Albernaz, Boston Globe (12/8/15)

“Is Quiet Quitting Real?” – Jim Harter, Gallup (9/6/22)

Thomas Edison: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farmer Boy

Scripture Referenced

Children playing in God’s peaceable kingdom – Isaiah 11:8-9
Children playing in the New Jerusalem – Zechariah 8:5
Jesus speaking of the games of children in the marketplace – Matthew 11:16-17, Luke 7:31-32
It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth – Lamentations 3:27
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord ... – Colossians 3:22-23
In all labor there is profit … – Proverbs 14:23
Do all things without complaining and disputing – Philippians 2:14

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Special Replay: Creating Inviting Spaces with Your Little Ones

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
September 14, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Kathy Lee answers a question from a listener about playrooms and shares thoughts on creating inviting spaces for your little ones!Special Replay of The Real Kathy Lee:  When my sweet friend, Misty sent me a Marco Polo (a cool video app) asking my opinion on her child’s playroom, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts with all of you on creating inviting spaces for your little ones!

Everyone is worthy of feeling as if they belong, especially our children and most definitely in their own home. Before you begin designing an inviting space for your children, I suggest you get on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. YEP, literally get on your hands and knees. Spaces look so different from a child’s eye level. Ask yourself, how do things look and feel from that level. Are there enough “small” areas for your children to work, play, discover and explore?

  1. Work – Children need small ways to contribute to the family. They need work. Create spaces for their belongings on their level. Have a drawer for their cups, plates, utensils, and special cooking items. Have a bucket with basic cleaning supplies and cloths. Place hooks low enough so that children can hang up their own coats. Creating good habits at a young age pay off.
  2. Play – Children are meant to play. How easy is it to say YES to their ideas for play? Less is definitely more in this area. Children do not need 20 containers full of toys in a playroom. During the early years it is likely that everything that is in a container will end up dumped on the floor, all at once. Buy quality toys and items that inspire open-ended play. This is more engaging for the child. I suggest you keep it basic. Some quality blocks, some arts and crafts materials, something that inspires pretend play (dress up, kitchen, baby dolls, etc..) and a cozy corner with books. Put everything else in a large plastic bin and keep it for a month. During that month, move anything your child asks for into a different bin. Whatever is left in the original bin after a month, donate.

3.  Discover and Explore- Kids need permission to get outside in search of discovery and exploration. Do you have a space for them to do that? Do you have materials such as nature journals, pencils, binoculars, and bird/flower books to inspire them? Keeping these type of items handy will help you say yes!

Creating inviting spaces is worth the time and effort! Get down on your hands and knees and start crawling around your space today!

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Get Out and Play

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
September 24, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Get Out and Play

Get Out and Play – Episode 88

 

In this episode, we discuss the importance of outside play. So take some time to get outside and play.

Mentioned on the Show

 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter

Please visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

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Summer Playlist

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Summer PlaylistSummer Playlist Episode 73

Join Florida Parent Educators Association’s (FPEA) Chairwoman, Suzanne Nunn  and Sharon Rice to talk about our Summer Playlist. What? Music?? No, not that kind of playlist. Although, music is often involved. In this episode, we talk about being intentional with fun during the summer. We discuss some of our favorite things to do over the summer and what we would like to do this Summer.

So listen in and then get outside with your family this summer. Enjoy time just playing and relaxing!

Some of the ideas mentioned in the show.

Sharon’s Playlist

  • Visit Florida’s Springs and Rivers
  • Kayaking
  • Standup Paddleboarding
  • Snorkeling
  • Scuba
  • Crabbing, Lobstering, and Scalloping
  • Volunteering – plant mangroves, clean beaches, and similar summer activity volunteering.

Suzanne’s Playlist

  • $5 Movies .. or similar events
  • Bowling Nights with friends
  • Beach time  – Fireworks, night time beach walks
  • Escape Rooms
  • Wax Museums

 

Be sure to check the many opportunities online for opportunities in your area. Some helpful links for resources:

Share in the commets or on Facebook page your Summer Playlist ideas. What is your family doing this year?

Please visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

Join us June 28-29, 2019 for Fun in the Sun!

Sherri Seligson will be joining us for this FUN and INFORMATIVE field trip in the FLORIDA KEYS!

There will be opportunities to Snorkel, Dive and many other fun events over the weekend.

FPEA Fun in t

 

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Q & A with Ashley Smoot

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Q&A with Ashley Smoot and The Real Kathy LeeWe had some great questions come in for this episode. I will be the first to say that I don’t have all the answers, but I usually do have an opinion. Hope you enjoy this candid Q & A with one of my besties, Ash-A-Lee!!!

1. Jessica asked…. “How do you follow the lead of your children in learning in an organized manner – when your 3 year old has simultaneous interest in volcanoes, bugs, the moon, rainbows, rocks all in a 24 hour period to circle back around to the topic again the next day.

2. Jennifer asked… “ How do you encourage a young child (3yrs) who is a perfectionist and at times explode into tears when things don’t go well or aren’t the way she desires them to be. There are times when her emotions can be polarizing and she makes her needs immediate. I am sometimes at a loss when it come to encouraging her, defusing stress and making sure that everyone else is getting attention too. I should mention these moments always seem to be at home. In public I think she’s too shy to express that much emotion.

3. Lauren asked… “ Tell me more about the nature journal. I have the binoculars, magnifying glasses and desire… but no idea where and when to start. Is there a handy backyard guidebook?

Also, we’ve been having fun playing but I want to do more read alouds. The only thing is that my youngest is just too noisy. Is that something about discipline or just age? Should I do read alouds when he’s asleep?

4. Amanda asked, “ Do you, and if so HOW do you find time for yourself to avoid burnout? I feel like I can keep it together for a couple of weeks – getting up early to get a jump on the day, spending much needed time with the Lord, being patient and sweet with the kids (LOL!), saying yes and playing skillfully, keeping up with laundry and cleanup, cooking meals… by 3rd week I start feeling spent and the laundry starts slipping, I’m inclined to order dinner out every night and my best-laid school plans fall behind. Do you have a strategy for self-refreshment?

I loved answering all of these questions on the show. If you have questions for me, submit them via FB or instagram (The Real Kathy Lee) or message me through the website.

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

 

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!


We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas – Coming in Theaters November 17th!

Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

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Creating Inviting Spaces with Your Little Ones

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
October 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment

When my sweet friend, Misty sent me a Marco Polo (a cool video app) asking my opinion on her child’s playroom, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts with all of you on creating inviting spaces for your little ones!

Everyone is worthy of feeling as if they belong, especially our children and most definitely in their own home. Before you begin designing an inviting space for your children, I suggest you get on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. YEP, literally get on your hands and knees. Spaces look so different from a child’s eye level. Ask yourself, how do things look and feel from that level. Are there enough “small” areas for your children to work, play, discover and explore?

  1. Work – Children need small ways to contribute to the family. They need work. Create spaces for their belongings on their level. Have a drawer for their cups, plates, utensils, and special cooking items. Have a bucket with basic cleaning supplies and cloths. Place hooks low enough so that children can hang up their own coats. Creating good habits at a young age pay off.
  2. Play – Children are meant to play. How easy is it to say YES to their ideas for play? Less is definitely more in this area. Children do not need 20 containers full of toys in a playroom. During the early years it is likely that everything that is in a container will end up dumped on the floor, all at once. Buy quality toys and items that inspire open-ended play. This is more engaging for the child. I suggest you keep it basic. Some quality blocks, some arts and crafts materials, something that inspires pretend play (dress up, kitchen, baby dolls, etc..) and a cozy corner with books. Put everything else in a large plastic bin and keep it for a month. During that month, move anything your child asks for into a different bin. Whatever is left in the original bin after a month, donate.

3.  Discover and Explore- Kids need permission to get outside in search of discovery and exploration. Do you have a space for them to do that? Do you have materials such as nature journals, pencils, binoculars, and bird/flower books to inspire them? Keeping these type of items handy will help you say yes!

Creating inviting spaces is worth the time and effort! Get down on your hands and knees and start crawling around your space today!

 

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!


We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas – Coming in Theaters November 17th!

Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

 

 

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Activities that Guarantee a Great Summer

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Activities that Guarantee a Great SummerI can’t believe that the first official day of summer was last week. Here in Georgia, it has been HOT for a couple of months now. While I love summer, sometimes I feel it throws me off my game because I am out of my routine. If you are like me, try some of these fun summer activities to spice up your day. Your kids will thank you and your evenings will be much more relaxing because they will be tired from “working” all day.

 

1. Bubble Station – This is one of my favorite summertime activities. In fact, I just bought all of the necessary items to take to the beach next week. The grandbabies will enjoy the bubbles soooooo much. Yes, I will post pics! 🙂

 

Recipe:

3 quarts water

2/3 cups Dawn Dish Soap

2/3 cups corn starch

2 tsp. baking powder

 

Mix well and put in a plastic drink dispenser. Provide unique tools such as, strawberry baskets, glasses without lens, rings around drink bottles, etc…

2.  Mud Kitchen – You can find a kitchen set for next to nothing at any thrift store. Go through your kitchen and gather old utensils, pans, measuring cups, etc… for your mud chefs. Don’t be surprised if they try and serve you mud pie for dinner. 😉

 

3.  Buckets of Water – This is a super easy activity that keeps children engaged! Just grab some buckets, squeegees, paint brushes and let them clean windows, the house, the car, etc…

Don’t forget to try the squirt bottle idea too. Simply fill the bottle with water and add a few drops of liquid watercolor.  Clip a large piece of paper to a fence outside and let them squirt their way to a masterpiece.

4.  Scavenger Hunts – Pick any five items and have them go on a hunt. This can be nature items, items at the house or even items in the store.

Backyard Scavenger Hunt

****Used with permission from A Year of Playing Skillfully by Kathy Lee and Lesli Richards****

5.  Bath Tub Fun – Let’s be honest, some days are just tooooo hot to be outside, even with water. On those days, have your kids grab their bathing suit and get in the tub. Offer them colored water to mix, shaving cream with liquid water coloring and paintbrushes or even whipping cream. Simply “swimming” in the tub is fun, too!

The main thing is to give your children permission to be children.

All of these activities can be found the following books:

101 Easy Wacky Crazy Activities by Kathy Lee and Carole Dibble

The Homegrown Preschoolers by Kathy Lee and Lesli Richards

A Year of Playing Skillfully by Kathy Lee and Lesli Richards

——–

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

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MBFLP 108 – Boys, Violence, and War

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
December 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment

MBFLP - Boys Violence and War - V

Photo: Neil McGuire / Gratisography 

Whether you allow it or not, whether you encourage it or don’t, it seems that boys will naturally gravitate toward games and toys relating to fights, force, and war. If you don’t provide them, they’ll make ’em – to a boy, even a banana becomes a weapon. What do you think about this? Is this anything to permit in a Christian home? Can anything good come of it? Or should we accept it as normal and seek to train it for godly use? We take a brief look into a very big subject – boys, violence, and war!

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