New School Year, New Approach

Sierra at recess today.

So today marks the first day my daughter attends 6th grade with K12's Ohio Virtual Academy. This is her second year with them. Last year she came in late, in September, and we were constantly feeling like we were behind. I also had problems with my daughter goofing off behind my back.

Wyatt loves playing at the park.

This year I vowed to not repeat last years mistakes. So we've made a couple changes. First of all, coming in at the beginning of the year is a huge help. I know that if we get our five hours (minimum) done each day we are on track. Today we logged ten hours just because she had completed a few things before the actual school year began that I could not credit till the first day. 

I also blocked all other websites besides educational ones using a program called K9 Web Protection. She needs my password (which she does not know) before she can go to other websites. Less goofing off means we are done earlier in the day, and then both mama and child is happy.

Of course there is the usual first day glitches. Her class connect didn't want to open for us today. After clearing the cache' we finally got it working, and we were able to "meet" her teachers and learn about what is expected of us this year.

For those parents who are interested, or are just starting your K12 journey, do you have any questions I can answer? 

 You can ask them here, or go to my Cafemom's K12 Virtual Academy Group.

Pagan Blog Prompts: Prompt: Pagan Children

Prompt: Pagan Children

Posted by Shauna Lane

This prompt is primarily for parents, and can be used as a blog topic, or simply as a share for your family activities.

- Share with us some of the things you teach your children about Paganism and your beliefs.
- At what age did you start including your children in on ritual and/or activities?
- What are some activities you have used to teach your children about Pagan spirituality throughout their different ages and stages?


~Magickal Graphics~

Well lets take this one at a time.

1. I let my children ask questions. I answer them in age appropriate terms but always stress that this is what I believe. When they are old enough I want them to do their own research and make up their own mind. 
2. I include my children in ritual whenever they ask. Wyatt is almost 2 and participated in his own way. He wanted to ring the bell and blow out candles. Sierra didn't participate in ritual till she was 9. Again, it's their choice. 
3. I remember one time I took Sierra to a nature park. We were having a mother/daughter day and she really wanted to see the animals. Unfortunately it started to rain when we got there. It was only a drizzle so we endured it. Then the rain started to come down heavier and we had to go inside. So we sat at this big window looking out on the animals and we sang "rain, rain, go away." I told her about how I do spells and if we sing with all our heart maybe the rain would stop. It did. :)  I use different moments throughout our day to teach them about my beliefs. 

16. What is your favorite Halloween Project(s) for the kids?

Projects for Samhain/Halloween can be made from items around the house. Have your kids collect some fallen leaves, use uncooked pasta, paper plates, food coloring and whatever else you have handy for the kids to create. One of the more simpler things to do is make a pentacle out of a paper plate, construction paper, and glue leaves around the outside. This makes a perfect decoration for your children's door. Gather twigs and make one for your front door instead of making the circle out of paper.

Another thing I like to do is a wishing cauldron. Fill a small cauldron or bowl with milk. Everyone gets a small piece of paper (sticky notes work well here). Everyone writes one wish and one thing they wish to let go of. A ritual is done and you can choose to either read your wishes aloud or just fold the paper and add to the cauldron. At end of ritual, dig a hole and consecrate the wishing cauldron's contents to Earth.

I'm sorry this is so short. I had a long sleepless night with my baby and mom is tired!

This is apart of 31 Days of Samhain

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12. How do you celebrate Samhain/Halloween?

I separate Samhain and Halloween into separate parts. Halloween is just fun with my daughter. We like to dress up and go trick or treating or hand out candy. Usually Dh and I will take turns walking around with our daughter while one of us (Namely my husband) sits on the porch handing out candy. Where we use to live we didn't get too many TOTers so by 7pm he was normally indoors and we were "Stuck" with candy. Oh poor us. lol.

For Samhain we would meet up with The Circle of the Blue Moon for the day. We'd spend it participating in ritual or just hanging out talking about various Pagan topics. We made a lot of good friends that way and helped a few people along the way. Usually there is at least one or two people who need healing and the High Priestess would ask me to assist once in awhile.

Now that we are in Ohio I'm not sure what we are going to do. There isn't much money to buy candy or costumes. Though my daughter is determined to make her own costume if she has to. And I think she may have sweet talked my mother into sending her something. She's almost 10 yrs old now and I've tried to convince her to just hand out candy. After all that can be fun right? Nooo. Evidently not. She won't have it. I'm not even sure if there is TOTing in our area. I assume so since there are a lot of kids around here.

As for ritual, I have to ask Lynn from Innanas Spiritual Center if she'll be doing anything. If not, or if she is leaving town, I may just skip it this year. Or maybe I'll just bake a nice pie for Dh and enjoy his pleasure at eating something I made. Who knows. I'm a bit spontaneous and not making plans kinda gal!

Sierra Belle as Cleopatra

This is apart of 31 Days of Samhain

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