My Interview
Alicia from Fructus Ventris has some questions for me:
1. What was your impetus for deciding to homeschool?
It was things kind of coming to a head for us when our daughter was in first grade at our parish school. She was having some trouble in general and was not a very good match with the teacher (who was teaching her first year in elementary). On top of that, I was starting to realize that our son was rather high-strung and likely would not be able to sit still and learn very well in a school setting. We were expecting our fourth child, I wanted to be more involved in what was going on, but at our school it wasn't very easy being a mom of many young children and volunteering. And, by golly, I just am not going to compromise my parenting ideals so only one child can benefit. The final factor that came into play was that, despite my best efforts, I felt very disconnected from the religious education that our daughter was receiving there, and that just didn't sit right with me. Once I began to pray about it, the Lord seemed to be placing all sorts of homeschooling people and information in my way that I knew, without a doubt, that this is what our family was being called to do. It has been four years and we haven't looked back!
2. Do you miss being a childbirth educator?
There was a time that I did miss it very much, and I do still miss it at times when I see a lovely round belly when I'm out somewhere or at church. I became very frustrated when I didn't seem to be getting through to people. The type of folks I wanted to teach were going to the homebirth CNMs in Cincinnati, and they taught their own classes. I have found that I really still enjoy connecting with pregnant women, and the Elizabeth Ministry at our parish ( of which I am the director) helps me to channel my knowledge and experience in a very positive, pro-life way. Perhaps this is what God was calling me to all along! :-)
3. What saint are you most likely to call upon when your children are acting up?
Oh, definitely the Blessed Mother. And I've realized that when I do it with sincerity, rather than complaining or whining to her, I'm able to calm down with amazing speed and have the strength and patience I need to deal with whatever is going on.
4. What book did you just finish reading? Why did you decide to read that book, and would you recommend it to others?
I recently finished St. Louis de Montfort's Secrets of the Rosary in order to gain some insight on this devotion. I highly recommend it. It is simple and woderful.
5. Are you more comfortable barefoot or with shoes on? What are your favorite shoes, and why?
While the temporary comfort of being barefoot is wonderful, especially in the summer when my feet sweat more, I'm usually a good Flybaby and wear shoes. Why? Well, when my feet are in lace-up shoes with socks on, they maintain the level of moisture from the morning shower/moisturizer routine. The result is less cracks and callouses (for which my feet are notoriouslt BAD) and ultimately more comfortable feet. So, while I like being barefoot, I know I'm better off with shoes on my feet. My favorite shoes right now are my very-broken-in brown lace-up boots by Candie's. Next favorite are my button-up black boots. Then my third are my black suede heels that I wear to church. Runner-up for that third spot are these really cute pink sling backs. They are so not me, but go really well with a nursing dress I just scored on eBay!
Alicia from Fructus Ventris has some questions for me:
1. What was your impetus for deciding to homeschool?
It was things kind of coming to a head for us when our daughter was in first grade at our parish school. She was having some trouble in general and was not a very good match with the teacher (who was teaching her first year in elementary). On top of that, I was starting to realize that our son was rather high-strung and likely would not be able to sit still and learn very well in a school setting. We were expecting our fourth child, I wanted to be more involved in what was going on, but at our school it wasn't very easy being a mom of many young children and volunteering. And, by golly, I just am not going to compromise my parenting ideals so only one child can benefit. The final factor that came into play was that, despite my best efforts, I felt very disconnected from the religious education that our daughter was receiving there, and that just didn't sit right with me. Once I began to pray about it, the Lord seemed to be placing all sorts of homeschooling people and information in my way that I knew, without a doubt, that this is what our family was being called to do. It has been four years and we haven't looked back!
2. Do you miss being a childbirth educator?
There was a time that I did miss it very much, and I do still miss it at times when I see a lovely round belly when I'm out somewhere or at church. I became very frustrated when I didn't seem to be getting through to people. The type of folks I wanted to teach were going to the homebirth CNMs in Cincinnati, and they taught their own classes. I have found that I really still enjoy connecting with pregnant women, and the Elizabeth Ministry at our parish ( of which I am the director) helps me to channel my knowledge and experience in a very positive, pro-life way. Perhaps this is what God was calling me to all along! :-)
3. What saint are you most likely to call upon when your children are acting up?
Oh, definitely the Blessed Mother. And I've realized that when I do it with sincerity, rather than complaining or whining to her, I'm able to calm down with amazing speed and have the strength and patience I need to deal with whatever is going on.
4. What book did you just finish reading? Why did you decide to read that book, and would you recommend it to others?
I recently finished St. Louis de Montfort's Secrets of the Rosary in order to gain some insight on this devotion. I highly recommend it. It is simple and woderful.
5. Are you more comfortable barefoot or with shoes on? What are your favorite shoes, and why?
While the temporary comfort of being barefoot is wonderful, especially in the summer when my feet sweat more, I'm usually a good Flybaby and wear shoes. Why? Well, when my feet are in lace-up shoes with socks on, they maintain the level of moisture from the morning shower/moisturizer routine. The result is less cracks and callouses (for which my feet are notoriouslt BAD) and ultimately more comfortable feet. So, while I like being barefoot, I know I'm better off with shoes on my feet. My favorite shoes right now are my very-broken-in brown lace-up boots by Candie's. Next favorite are my button-up black boots. Then my third are my black suede heels that I wear to church. Runner-up for that third spot are these really cute pink sling backs. They are so not me, but go really well with a nursing dress I just scored on eBay!
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