  
This year, Gabe enrolled in a Theater Class of Audie Gemora called ‘My Talent”.
Part of their culminating activity was a performance in a full length play to showcase the talents of the participating kids. At the start of the summer, the teacher made plans of having a casting and audition session for the roles in the play. It was a big deal for the kids. It was as big a deal to them as auditioning for the American Idol. Compared to the rest of the group, Gabe was a neophyte and the youngest. She pitted talents with some of the finest youngsters I have ever seen. The sang well, danced well and exuded such confidence on stage. Most of them were already veterans on stage. They joined theater musicales like this every year. I saw Gabe’s enthusiasm for the auditions that she really prepared well. She even asked Talent’s Inc choreographer Ria Lianto to coach her on her movements. Auditions day came and everyone managed to give their best shot at the roles that were offered. Even Gabe, who had her first audition ever, handled herself well. It was still a few days before the roles of the cast were revealed and everyone waited in anticipation. One by one, the girls and boys were called and even Gabe was called, but she did not get the lead role. She was to become one of the “townsfolk”. She was given the role “Townsfolk #4”. I heard one of the smaller kids taunt her, “Wow, Gabe, what a role you’ve got. It’s not even any lead role. It’s not even Townsfolk #1 but you are just Townsfolk #4! I felt so bad for Gabe that day that I even wanted to cry for her. I was sour graping inside that I thought of even producing our own play. I thought I would see her discouraged and dejected by the way things turned out. I thought I would see even a hint of rejection or a little bit of feeling sorry for herself but she did not. She bounced back by saying “ I may be Townsfolk #4, but I will be the best there is! I will be the best that people will say, wow, she’s townsfolk #4”. We all cheered her for that decision and were so proud she opted to become positive about her perspective. I was actually more ashamed of my own reactions. From that day on, she practiced so hard that her teacher applauded her for such a hefty dedication on her role as Townsfolk #4. Gabe learned a great lesson that only life can teach you. There are no small roles, only small actors. It’s not the role that makes you. It’s what you make of that role. Here are Gabe’s pictures potraying her role as the Best Townsfolk #4.
  Summer is a great way to teach kids lessons on character through sports. My two older kids learned a lesson that only life can teach – a lesson on fairness, justice and that the world is not all that. I enrolled David, 14 and Gabrielle, 12, last summer in Badminton. At the end of that summer program, they were to compete with other students at SM Megamall for the championship tournament. David and Gabe were not really what you call “sporty” when it comes to physique and skills but what they lack in skills, they compensated in wisdom. I saw them try very hard to study the sport and master the moves that will keep the opponent on their toes. That month, Gabrielle’s heart and mind was not on the tournament but on her missions trip to China and her Boot Camp which took her time away from her precious tournament practices. David, on the other hand, literally kept his “eye on the ball”. He practiced very hard with his coach and classmates and will not let up for just a bit. Gabe came back from China just two days away from the tournament and was not able to do anything but show up. Tournament day came and both kids went to compete with kids their age and level. Bernard and I were there to cheer, support and encourage but I was not prepared to handle nor answer what was about to unfold that afternoon. To cut the long story short, David, my son who gave his whole summer to prepare and practice for the tournament lost and was eliminated late in the game. Gabrielle, on the other hand, made it to the championship game in SM Megamall, not because she won over her opponents but she made it to the finals by default. She was in fact, awarded a bronze medal because there were only three people who competed in her category. What do you tell your kids when life is not fair? What do you tell the one who worked hard and did not make it? What do you say to the one who did not practice yet bagged the medal? I remember how the kids learned a valuable lesson that summer – That winning isn’t everything. It’s not about the prize but the process you went through to get the prize. That character and perseverance formed in you IS THE PRIZE. Gabe learned that having a medal without hard work does not bring fulfillment at all.She knew she got “lucky” but she did not learn anything from being “lucky”. David learned that it’s the process that’s important and character is everything. Life is not fair but it does not mean we give up. The Lord looks at the heart and what happens inside of that.
 Most of the time, people approach me asking about homeschooling. It’s a topic I’m very excited to talk about and will be willing to spend hours on. My only regret is that I’m not always available to talk because my time is committed 8 to 5 to teaching my kids. So, for most of you who want to know more about it, I’ve created this multiply to somehow give you a picture of what it is about. This may not be the model or the perfect picture but hopefully, you’ll see that if a mom like me with no education background can do it, you can too! I have been homeschooling for ten years now since David was in grade one. He is now in grade 8, Gabrielle is in grade 6 and Daniela is in grade 4. MY DILEMMA When I decided to homeschool my kids, the first fears I faced was the feeling of inadequacy. I was not an education degree holder and I was inexperienced in teaching. I only taught in Kids Church, I dont know if that counts. I felt I was putting on a hat that was way too big for me to wear. I felt I will be responsible if they learn or not. What if they don't learn anything? FAITH & SKILL One of the first lessons I learned early on in my homeschool is that you need faith + skill to fight those inadequacies. I needed to hear God's will and I needed to upgrade my skill. Eccl. 10:10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. The faith part, I had but the skills I know I had to look for elsewhere. One of the first things I did was to homeschool myself as a teacher and learn from homeschool parents. I visited schools and montessori programs to get myself acquainted with what they do in school. IF YOU CAN READ, YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL One of the greatest discoveries I had from visiting schools was that teachers had "scripts". If actors had scripts, cooks a recipe book, teachers had a curriculum. If you know how to read, then you can deliver. Teachers had everything written down for them in everyday lesson plans-- from introducing the lesson to discussion, worksheets, hands-on activity, quizzes and even answer keys. Objectives have been laid out and it is clear what are the goals and expected results. IT’S NOT ALL ACADEMICS Those visits to the school helped boost my morale and confidence that I could very well do what they are teaching given the grace from God. The teachers taught only academics but I can teach them more. I can teach them character while pursuing the academics. The teacher taught them in the confines of the classroom, I can show them the world. STOP LOOKING AT YOURSELF AND START SEEING THE VISION I stopped looking at my inadequacies and started looking at the great potential homeschooling can give my children. I saw the great opportunity to be with them to impart our faith and values, and train them for what God wants them to be. After seeing what was important, I realized, indeed, I am their greatest teacher.
 “I just want to give my kids good education.” We hear this quite too often. As parents, we will work hard and earn a living to make sure we provide the best education for our kids. But what do we really mean when we say education? What is good for one family may be different from another. For some, it may mean learning to read and write. For others, getting good grades and graduating top of the class. Some would be glad to just get a diploma for their kids. Other families will want to add the arts and sports. For some, it should have character and morals. You see, we define “good education” subjectively depending on our perceptions, past experience, the way we were brought up and what we think is valuable. When we talk to couples wanting to homeschool their children, we ask them these questions before we give them a rundown of the homeschool process. First, we address the “what” then the “how”. - What is your goal as a family?
- What is important to you?
- What are the knowledge, skills and habits you want for your children to learn?
- Where do you seem them excelling?
- What are you training them for?
EDUCATION DEFINED Noah Webster defines education so well. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline, which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations "to enlighten the understanding"... Of its associative meaning to academics, it does not say "to memorize countless meaningless and irrelevant facts". Information and knowledge was meant to enlighten the understanding. "to correct the temper, form the manners & habits of youth.." Of his four definitions, only 1/4 speaks of academic and the intellectual pursuit. Seventy-five percent speak of character, habits and manners, and fitting them for usefulness in their future station in life. There is no doubt that schools are doing a good job at academics but can they really make a good input on today's child by generalizations and uniform methods of teaching? When we say each child is unique, are we catering to his unique needs? "fit for usefulness in their future station in life." Are we preparing our children to be useful members of society in the future? Are they taught the values of responsibility, manners, coming in on time, turning in an excellent work? In school, are they taught to be respectful of others, able to manage their time, money and talent... the list goes on. You don't have to be an Education degree holder to educate your kids. It starts by pointing and leading them the way towards an understanding of what the world is all about and what it is for, who it is for and how he can become a light in the world he lives in. It's been ten years since I started homeschooling. Everyday, I wake up with a sense of expectation and excitement of what new things we will learn... what new thing "I" will learn from my kids. I have learned over the years that I am not the lid that will cover and limit their ability to learn but instead, I am the guide that can usher them to the vast myriads of wisdom and knowledge God has to offer.
 I got so inspired reading the story of Sarah Bulahan and how God saved her from sickness that I decided to write David’s story.
This is for you, son. I hope you will always remember how truly special you are in God’s sight that he has destined you to live a purposeful life.
 Fourteen years ago, I was diagnosed with stones in my gall bladder that the doctors recommended immediate surgery to remove it. Bernard and I were just newly married and we were looking forward to our first chilld then.
The operation was not a problem. The doctors successfully went on with the surgery and removed my gallstones. It was a very fast procedure but I needed a lot of x-rays, tests, anesthesia and ultrasounds.
What I did not know was that I was two to three weeks pregnant with David. We did not know it up until a month later when my doctor confirmed that indeed, I was on the family way.
My happiness, after having found out I was pregnant, was not shared by my OB doctor. She saw a dim picture of what I was about to have.
She said, it was a fatal mistake that my surgeons went through with my surgery without having to see if I was pregnant. She said that the radiation, the medicines, and anesthesia that was given to me during my surgery was enough to either harm the baby, produce defects or cause me to miscarry. The x-ray exposures alone is enough to cause birth defects on my unborn child. (Read this link surgery and the effects of the x-ray exposures)
All I remember her saying was she was sorry that the baby might not pull through.
I was so shocked, terrified, discouraged and in anguish, all at the same time, by that doctor's appointment that I cried all the way out of the hospital to the mall where I was supposed to meet Bernard. My heart was so heavy.
What made it worse was I saw babies on strollers all over the mall as if someone is taunting me that I could not have one. I could not believe it. I was crying and crying the whole night that Bernard could not console me. I guess nobody really could console me then. It was the baby we were praying and waiting for.
I remember getting my comfort from God. I asked him to give me a word to hang on to. I needed a word to get me through the nine months without me getting crazy thinking if this will push through or not.
God is sovereign, he gave me a word. The next day was Sunday, church day. I remember standing up for an altar call, which I don’t know whatever for, but I just stood and rose my hands for prayer. I think they were calling for those who needed salvation to come in front and I did. I needed God's salvation for this baby!
I remember Pastor Joey coming up to me and prophesy, “The oyster that you think it is, is a pearl of great price!”
That was it! That was all I needed to put my faith up. God, that’s all I need to hang on to. God, you are faithful.
That was the day also I felt so much peace after having trusted God to live this out for me... for us. God’s word is sufficient. The anxiety and worry ceased and I was able to sleep soundly... for nine months.
And even when it was time to give birth, I was so reassured that this boy I was carrying was destined to live out a meaningful life. Even from conception, he already had a story to tell.
And so, the rest is history… David is celebrating his 14th birthday today. Living proof that God’s will prevails. He knows the plan he has for us.
Everyday, I thank God for the life he has entrusted to us. It is such a joy and a privelege to raise up the next generation who will give honor to Him.
David, you are a pearl of great price. You are a joy to our heart. We are grateful to God for giving us such a loving son like you. You are such a sweet, caring and obedient son.
 Children learn more when they are having fun.
Dr Seuss of “Cat in the Hat” knew the power of fun and laughter as the way to demystify reading and grammar. He taught it with green eggs and ham.
"I do not like them,Sam-I-am.I do not like green eggs and ham.
Would you like them here or there?
I would not like them here or there.I would not like them anywhere."
The part of the brain that controls emotions also controls the memory. When children are having fun learning, it is usually remembered thus producing long term recall of lessons.
There is a scientific basis for using art, music, games, color, manipulatives, emotions in educating children. When the brain is in a state of positive emotional arousal, it releases a chemical called “endorphins” that triggers the brain cells that make learning more effective. In simple terms, a brain enjoying itself is functioning more effectively.
Before I became a teacher to my kids, I first became a student. I try to put myself in their shoes and see if the lessons I will be teaching them are fun and interesting. If the material is textual in nature, I ask them to draw mind maps.* It’s a more effective way of visualizing the lessons and retaining the information.
Hands-on experiments and manipulatives on math and science help a lot in making the lesson fun. Worksheets that have real-life applications and relevant children activities boosts interest and enthusiasm by 60%.
The goal is to make learning fun. When children are having fun, they will love learning more.
**Mind Map is a study skill that was formulated by Tony Buzan to help the brain connect to what is being learned. It’s a fun way of learning. My kids have been using it for years already and they have fun drawing.
 These books helped me a lot have my peace and my joy in a world that seemingly churns you to a circle of undending demands of a Mommy life.
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience…Prov 19:11.
Another translation says, “With understanding comes patience.” If you understand what you are going through, you will have more patience. If you know that God is in control, you will be at peace.
This one is for the Mommies who probably have no time to even sit down and read a book but are desperate for something that will help them with everyday life… from the mundane task of house chores to the all important task of parenting.
Devotionals:
OUR DAILY BLOG by Pastor Jim Laffoon
Its short but it’s meaty. It talks about bible principles and truths that are applied through the characters of the bible. As you read about the familiar and unfamiliar stories, you will gain insight and wisdom from long ago. It’s also good for nightly devotionals with kids.
MOMENTS WITH THE SAVIOR by Ken Gire
I am more of a Bible story-person and I like digging spiritual truths from the characters in the story. This book is like taking a journey with Jesus himself and learning from his ways and thoughts. It gives you an “up close and personal” perspective of Jesus’ life and ministry.
On Prayer:
THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE/PARENT
These books by Stormie Omartian are my bedside table books -- worn out from everyday use. These books taught me how to pray the will of God. It gave me a prayer language that is Scriptural in nature. Also taught me a lot about my spiritual responsibility as a wife and as a parent.
On Parenting:
HOW TO TALK SO KIDS WILL LISTEN & LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK
By Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
For all of us parents who have the best intention for our kids but cannot simply connect with our children. It’s not a Christian book but it equips you with the skill needed to communicate effectively to children. Very practical and very positive approach.
On Teaching:
THE EDUCATED CHILD by William Bennett
This book gave me the confidence to pursue homeschooling. It lays out in detail what every child should know and learn in every age level. It tells you not only the academic but the moral training your child needs to become an “educated child”
THE BOOK OF VIRTUES by William Bennett
William Bennet was the former Secretary of Education in Ronal Reagan’s time and has authored the Book of Virtues and The Moral Compass.
He wrote these books with parents in mind. He equipped us, parents, how to teach the virtues to our children in a manner that will connect to their hearts & soul – through storytelling. This book is a great bonding and devotional time material for daddies to tell. (Take note, daddies.)
PERSONALITY PLUS by Florrence Littauer
This book made me understand myself, my husband, my kids, and other people. It made me understand that not all people are like me and they do not behave like me. It gave me a great deal of patience in dealing with people and even in teaching my own kids. It made me learn how to accept the unique strengths and weaknesses of my own and others.
On Identity & Purpose:
CAPTIVATING by John Eldredge
This book taught me my identity in Christ. I saw myself valuable in God’s sight.
Nothing captures the essence of this book but its synopsis at the back…
“The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman – they are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating.”
WAKING THE DEAD by John Eldredge
It’s for all of us who want to live the life that’s “full and meaningful”. An eye-opener for us who live an ordinary life and settle for life’s second best. I recommend it especially for us stay-at-home moms who think far less than what they are able to do. This book literally “woke me up from the dead”. I’m so happy I can be alive with Christ.
A truly empowering book! A must read!
 This year, we learned the power of synergy – the power of efforts put together to produce a common goal.
We set up what you call a “Cooperative” where homeschool moms can bring their kids together and do team teaching. We set it up for the purpose of letting the kids do things together and learn other Life Skills such as the discipline of time management, speech & presentation skills, team work. It was fun and the kid’s enthusiasm soared high when they saw “classmates” of the same level.
We meet every Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 10 am to 5 pm in one place. Two hours were given for each subject. One mom teaches Math, the other Science, and so on. We designated Mondays and Wednesdays as the kid’s time for homework and research.
This way, each mom gets to focus on one subject area and maximize her time by teaching other kids also.
The whole idea of Cooperative started two years ago when we had arts and sports together. We got one teacher to do art classes in Alabang. Last year, we got Mad Science to come once a week to do hands-on demonstration of science experiments.
All it takes is to come together with just a few families and agree on the topics and schedule of lessons. Most curriculums already have a prepared lesson plan so all you just need is to break it down to weekly goals.
For more info on Homeschooling, tune in to my future blogs.
David, my 13 year old son, came to me this week and was ecstatic that he received a reply to his email from Steve Jobs of Apple.
David has been an avid fan of the Mac gadgets. Being a “techy” guy, he believes and promotes Apple and will not settle for anything less.(...I wonder who discipled him here?)
He said he had a dream of Apple releasing the new product called “Leopard”(Would you believe he even dreams of Apple!) so he decided to go and e mail Steve Jobs to ask him about it… And he wrote back.
To me, it isn’t much about the email response of Steve Jobs that thrilled me. (Mind you, I don’t even know him apart from David introducing him to me. I even thought he had an odd name!)
What I found amazing was the fact that David had the courage to write a popular personality without a bit feeling intimidated. I don’t know if I will have the same audacity to even write Steve Murrell! (that’s the more famous Steve I know)
I learned courage from David that day. I learned that “you don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young..but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Thanks, David. You have set an example to me that I have no one to fear, no one to be intimidated with. Maybe I’ll try writing the US President one day.
 My girls have a cookie business. The whole kitchen is in a flurry. Egg shells and butter splattered all over the counter. The oven is on round the clock. Neighbor kids are on our kitchen counter eating the last remaining crumbs…..
It’s a lot of mess, yes, but in the heart of a mom, this is a picture worth treasuring.
I feel so proud that Gabrielle and Daniela had taken homeschool to the next level. No, I do not bake nor am I a good cook. This is not something I model quite well to them (maybe they got the skill from their Tita Shirley).
Maybe they learned the art of baking because of desperation. They wanted a snack every afternoon and they saw mom still busy so they took the initiative to bake.
I even got shocked that they know how to advertise it in multiply!
To a mom, there is no kitchen mess that can take the place of seeing your children rise to a level of responsibility. Whether they burned the cookie or spilled the oil, I will always treasure the sight of a messy kitchen....because they made the memory special.
 “Train up a child in the way he should go for when he is
old, he will not depart from it.” The first reason we had for
homeschooling was to disciple our children.
We feel we could not do it when they are in school and are not physically
present to get mentoring from us. From the time they get up from bed to the time they
do their work, a lot of impartation is already happening in our household in
terms of training and molding of character. Training for us is planned, consistent and deliberate.
Everyday, there are skills, attitude and habits that need to be developed and
enhanced. Homeschool allows us to work not only on the academics
but character and life
skills as well.
 Homeschooling has a lot of advantages in terms of academic
training. First, it has the advantage of one-on-one instruction. Because
you are able to give them the curriculum that’s best suited for their learning
style, your child has a greater chance of absorbing and mastering the material
because it’s tailor fit to his pace, needs and abilities. Second, you are insured that your child is maximizing his
time and effort for learning rather than just using it for unproductive hours
of traveling and waiting. You do not have the problem of regular school where
the child has to wait for the teacher to control the disruptions in class
before learning takes place. Third, you are able to train them on what is important in life. On the one
hand, we want them to know as much as possible about all their fields of
study. But more than that, we want them to develop a thirst for learning, a
sense of responsibility to own their learning and a character to pursue that
which is of value.
There are now a lot of schools in the Philippines that accredit
homeschooled children. The Dept of Education itself supports the call for
homeschooling. These schools will be willing to train you as a Homeschool teacher,
give you a curriculum to follow and even
give you a report card at the end of the year. Schools I know that are DECS accredited Homeschool organizations are: Victory Christain School, The Master's Academy, ICA, Learning Heritage, Phil School of Tomorrow... too many to be mentioned.
In this age of high technology, there are now countless
resources available to homeschoolers – from computer programs, videos, books
and hands-on manipulatives. There is virtually no end to the help from which we
may draw to better educate our children
This is probably the most common question asked about homeschooling and our
children laugh when they hear it because to their mind, they feel they are even
over-socialized.
Homeschool groups abound aside from
the numerous Children’s Church activities that they can be are a part of. Homeschooled
children, very often, are more independent and better adjusted to real life
situations because they know how to relate both to adults as well as children of
different ages.
I would recommend but it may not be the set up for everyone. A lot of things
have to be considered before you make this all-important commitment.
From what I know, it takes a full-time focus. It will be hard to work a full
time job and do homeschooling at the same time. The children’s time is
precious. Every hour counts and they have in them a lot of capacity to learn
and absorb. It will be counterproductive for the child to wait for the parent
to come home from work because their most absorbent time is in the morning.
If that was the qualification to become a teacher, I don’t think we’ll ever
have enough of them. I don’t think anyone will even pass the criteria.
Everyone
has some level of impatience that really need to be addressed anyway. Now is
the best time to deal with it.
Yes, I’ve shouted. Yes, I lost my temper countless times and yes, my
children have seen their own mom humble before them to apologize countless
times.
I think, even without homeschooling
your children your patience will be tested.
My approach is to deal with this monster called “impatience” and ask God to
transform me. Whether I homeschool or not, it's still bound to come out so might as well deal with the attitude. This way, the student is no longer my children – but me.
Everyday, I come to God and ask him for these things:
First, that He will be Lord of my life and my homeschool.
Second, that the Holy Spirit will empower me to do what I have to do.
Third, that he will give me the communication, teaching and nurturing skill to
be able to Homeschool.
What I try to do with my own Homeschool is to understand first what this is
all about. What are the things I need to equip myself on to have a better grasp
at teaching?
The first thing I did
when I made the step to home school was to equip myself with the skills needed
to become a teacher. With the internet and limitless books available on
education, I first took on the role of a student and learned.
I took hold of a scope
and sequence guide that tells you what knowledge and skills a child should be
learning at a certain grade. Next, I visited international schools and looked
at the publishers of the textbooks they are using and tried to get a hold of it.
I just tried to follow the topics in the book, and the rest is just reading
through it with them. Most schools that have homeschooling accreditation will sell you a curriculum that's ready to use, just add faith! It's simple enough to follow and is divided into bite-size information. It will be very helpful to find a homeschool support group that will guide you, the discipleship way. Find people who will give you the encouragement, prayers and inspiration to pursue the greater goal.
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