Comments on: There are worse things

By: miss kelly

miss kelly — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 13:26:58 +0000

One of the most awesome sermons I have heard is “Why satan wants your first born” by SM Davis. It’s a must and a great explaination why first borns should receive a little more…

By: Tracey

Tracey — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:16:58 +0000

When I was in sixth grade, the teacher had a ‘talk’ with my dad about my reading during class, and how it was disrupting my work. I found it so hard to put a book down!

By: Heidi

Heidi — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:06:03 +0000

I was a book-head homeschool girl when I was in elementary school. My mom forced me to sit down and do math and practice penmanship and I hated it. I wanted to READ.
I grew out of it though, by the end of junior high I figured out that I couldn’t read all the time and learn all of the other things I needed to learn and all the friendships I wanted to make. Sure, I was never as good as math as I am at english/writing and my penmanship isn’t that great, but I think that some people really have a knack for reading and language and that it should be allowed to flourish.
Now I’m in my last year of college and I’m glad that I still love books. If I hadn’t been allowed to have all that practice reading back in my younger years, I wouldn’t be as successful now. I’m glad I was given the time to do what I enjoyed-within reason.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 22:30:52 +0000

So, Amy, your Mom actually DOES read your blog, eh?

I don’t think so.

By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’ve ever read the “Young Ladies Guide to the Harmonious Development of Christian Character” by Harvey Newcomb?

Nope, but sounds like something I should check into.

By: /tim

/tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:31:04 +0000

By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’ve ever read the “Young Ladies Guide to the Harmonious Development of Christian Character” by Harvey Newcomb?

I have an original copy of the 1846 edition, with a date of 1859, and the name of one of my ancestors inscribed in pencil in the front cover. It is a fantastic book and deserves to be read by every young woman AND man. If you haven’t read it, I’d suggest it as a staple in your home library.

By: /tim

/tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:24:22 +0000

LOL!!! So, Amy, your Mom actually DOES read your blog, eh?

By: Somebody's Momma

Somebody's Momma — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 20:17:57 +0000

Must be genetic. Sounds just like his momma.

I remember reading here a while back that you were the same way, Amy.

Does preferring to read the rules instead of play the game sound familiar to anyone?

And you turned out okay, didn’t ya?

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 17:43:39 +0000

Carol, I wouldn’t say he’s a genius. Last year he exclaimed, “Hey everyone…I know how to spell V-C-R!” and “Hey…I was born on my birthday…”

Regarding the sitdown work, for what it’s worth, I think it depends on the kid. You never want to have a lazy kid, but in my case, he’s not rebelling or being lazy. He just plain hates it. So we still make him do it, but it is minimal.

I think it’s important to have “good study habits” but it is not the end. Good character, loving God, and a good work ethic will take you far. Boys at this age need work that makes them sweat. They have passion and energy and so they need good work and hard play. Making seven-year-old boys sit still at a desk for 6-8 hours–compounded with video games, TV, and fast food when they get home— is why the public schools have record numbers of “ADD” boys.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 16:39:10 +0000

You are so right, Jo. Totally unfair of me to impose my own struggle for balance on anyone else. No doubt such a driven reader is well above average on the genius scale. Thank you for your gentle correction.

So, if we were talking about my son here, should I allow him to pursue his obsession to the exclusion of his worksheets? Or do I nudge him into a direction that would tip the scales more toward (but not fully realizing) balance? Du’oh! There’s that word again!

And given his age, at what point do we begin to instill good study habits? Mine were 7 years old in 2nd grade. I seem to recall moving them in that direction prior to that. Too early?

By: ~Patricia

~Patricia — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:38:11 +0000

Your son sounds like a delightful young man, Amy!

The Henty publishers are good friends of mine and you might be interested to know that Beverly has a website with a wealth of related information. Her book reports can be found here.