8th Admendment

     No cruel or unusual punishment.

     Yet what course do we take when children need to be disciplined?

     The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they shall not depart from it.  We should train our children and younger siblings to honor the Lord.

     There are some creative ways of getting your message across.  You don't have to stand on a stump and scream, you don't have to ground them until there are old enough to buy life insurance, etc.

    When you correct a child, you should never do it in anger, but in love.  When you correct in anger, the child senses it, they may retaliate or become even more sullen and distant.  As parents and older siblings, we want what is best for the child.  We certainly don't want them to become resentful of us.

    Asking some of the homeschooling moms I knew, I found some creative ways to discipline and correct.  I thought I would share them with you all:

•     One family would have their child look up Bible verses that explained what they did was wrong.  They also had them write their findings down in an essay and explain how it could negatively impact their family and specifically them as a individual.  I think backing up your stand with God's Word, is an excellent way to correct a child.  This is also a great method to use with older children.
• Another family would have the child choose their punishment.  Of course they made sure the punishment fit the "crime", the child was less inclined to become resentful of their parents because they had chosen their own punishment.  They had no one but themselves to blame if they didn't like it.
• Have the child make amends.  If Johnny broke Susie's favorite toy, he can either fix it, or replace it.  This is a great way to teach children that actions have consequence, and that you should make amends when you do something against someone.
• Extra chores like dusting, cleaning the chicken coop (or bathroom), matching socks, or pulling weeds can be useful reinforcement.
• Don't force apologies, it teaches the child to lie and make it look as sincere as possible while it is the furthest thing from the truth.  This doesn't mean that the child shouldn't apologize, but sometimes the child needs to be given a little time to cool down (they can have time-out, or do some extra chores while they think about their actions).  They should also not just say they are sorry, but show that they are sorry.
• Sometimes, a trip to the woodshed is best.  But don't try to humiliate them by having them bare their bottoms (especially when they get older).  Spanking them in front of siblings or other adults may not always be a good idea.  Correction is sometimes best done in private.
  
  

Classroom Pets?

     As a homeschooler, you can have a variety of pets and learn a lot about responsibility.  Getting up at 6:30 in the morning to gather eggs definitely teaches a lot about self-discipline.  And what child doesn't like animals?

    My siblings and I have doctored many a injured, wayfaring stray: sparrows, lizards, rabbits, and dogs.

     During our homeschooling, we didn't exactly have a classroom pet... more like another family member.  We learned a lot about long-term commitment.

     We had many different pets, some of which included: a box turtle, a horny toad, multiple hamsters, rabbits, fish, Labradors, a rat terrier, chickens, a black-headed plains snake (that didn't last long), and an ant farm.  We learned a lot about feeding, watering, and clean-up duty.

    Children are naturally fascinated with animals.  Even getting a beta fish can teach a child a lot about responsibility.  Of course, I was never really good at taking care of fish.  I accidentally broke the fish bowl while walking with it from one room to another... it hit the corner of the desk.  I think we did manage to get the beta into a cup of water, but the shock proved a bit too much for it.

    If you don't have a pet yet and might be considering one, you might consider a more hardy pet.  Labs are pretty hardy, they do get big, and they will shed... of course they might terrorize the children, chasing them around the yard and rough housing, (the children will love it, though you might be called to referee once in a while).  They do love to chew.  I say this from experience as nearly every piece of furniture we have, bears teeth marks.

    I do have a lot of fond memories of my pets, and still creating new ones.  It is fun to come home from work in the evening and be greeted by my energetic rat terrier who loves to cuddle.  It is also relaxing to watch the fish in the tank swim, or throw the ball for one of our labs, almost therapeutic...

  Still, if you aren't quite ready for that big of a responsibility, start them out will a small one.  Like a house plant.  :)  For those of you who already have pets, I'd love to hear about your favorite creature.  How has it helped your child to grow in responsibility?

Reusing Pencils & Crayons

    We all probably have hundreds of old crayons or eraser-less pencils around our houses.  My family uses, and reuses.  Rarely does anything go to waste in our family.  We recycle rubber bands, foil, plastic baggies, water bottles, and clothes.  Once our clothes get too old or worn to wear any longer, they are braided into dog toys or turned into rags.  Have you ever needed to dust something and you pull a sock out of the rag bag?  I have.  Way too many times to count.  :)

    If your pencil is still usable and only lacks an eraser, you can buy mini erasers to stick at the end or just get one, big rubber one.  Most of us have graduated in our family, but we still have those giant pink erasers from our childhood.  I am sure most of you can relate.

    Perhaps the easiest way to recycle your pencils is to pull off the rubber eraser (if you still have one) and then add the pencil to your compost pile.  The brass, tin, or metal rimming will oxidize and the graphite will be turned into carbon.

     Another way to recycle, is to add your pencils to fuel or as a starter for a campfire.

     As for crayons, you can re-melt them into different fun shapes and colors.  Collect your old crayons, peel them, put them in a can (this can be a soda can or a soup can, etc.), and fill an old pot with about an inch of water.  You can then place the wax filled can into the pot of water and heat it until the wax is melted.

     Pour the melted wax into candy molds or mini-muffin pans lined with foil.  (You can even try making your own candles, just buy scent and wicks).  Careful!  Wax will be hot.  Take your time to experiment will color, shape, and temperature.  Make it a fun learning experience.  Children will learn a lot about liquids, solids, temperature, and different combination of colors.

    Have fun and be creative.  :)