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Willa
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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JodieLyn, I bet you are right that FB has a lot to do with it (I don't really understand Twitter....) I like FB in theory, but I rarely visit because the format is so overwhelming. Mostly, I just go there to catch up with what grown kids and relatives and distant friends are doing. But I know it's huge and many find it easier to manage than the other social media formats.
Angie, it's true that I for one feel less compelled to process online. I know it is still in me somewhere, but I tend to find what works and just do it nowadays. I used to wonder why so few older hsing moms wrote very much on boards and egroups, unless they had a business or were actually writers of books. Now I probably understand that better.
I like your idea of reaching out and being available that you also mentioned on your Shout Out thread. It raises a question I feel is timely for me personally -- how do you reach out when you don't NEED to anymore? My motivation used to be a desire to have (and of course, give) support, encouragement, and so on. I feel like there is a bit of a shift in that I don't "need" so much, and so my motivations have changed a bit along with it.
But I still do want to be connected, when I consider it, and not in a patronizing "let me show you how it's done" type of way. There I also agree with you about no longer being too interested in "how to homeschool" though I am still fascinated by some of the ways homeschooling can look in different homes -- I think that fascination will continue for me into the future when I am hopefully a homeschooling grandma! ETA: And I still like reading other people's "how it's done" posts, in fact, those are often my favorites -- I'm just saying I am not sure that's the direction I should go in).
(I just came out of a home retreat where this is one of the questions I was pondering, so your thoughts are very timely for me, Angie -- I guess we are on somewhat of the same page right now with our just-married daughters and our teenage boys!)
Thinking about it...
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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pmeilaen
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
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Angie Mc wrote:
pmeilaen wrote:
Actually to me the tone of the forum has changed over the years. When I joined there were many more people contributing and I thought it was a very warm, diverse, and interesting online community. Over the years that has somehow changed and I do miss all the former contributors that made discussions here more diverse, even somewhat controversial, and interesting. It seems to me that most topics are now going around in circles and there is nothing new anymore. Again, I'm not criticizing, just observing or stating how I feel about coming here now. |
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Hi Eve! Since we've been connected for years online, I know I can just get straight to my points, as you did yours, and not go through the "the disclaimer" part of explaining that we're all friends here and that this strangely long for me post isn't a flame thrower! So to me...
This is still a very warm and interesting place, just not as diverse or passion driven. We're older, more settled, and into other routines. That's a fact and not a bad thing. We can't fake youthful angst, drama, or confusion. Well OK, I can sometimes but mostly related to baseball  . But this board is as or more kind, welcoming, and clear than anyplace on the web. Fact.
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Hm, I didn't try "to get to the points," must be my German upbringing, background, and nationality. Germans are much more direct than Americans. And I do think that how someone feels in a place is a highly individual response. I would never say that it's a fact that a place is welcoming, etc. What for one person is welcoming might be smothering for another person.
What you said otherwise makes sense, I guess I also don't care so much about online communities anymore, since I'm older, back to work again, and don't have really small children anymore. I don't do Facebook and twitter, but I rarely have time to do much online, I don't even own my own computer.
Thanks for taking the time to write a long response, I appreciate that.
EVA (not Eve)
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Eva
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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  to all of you on this forum
You have set a wonderful foundation and continue to provide a great source of inspiration & guidance for many of us I'm sure!
Busy, busy days here too. I was joking with a friend at my CM moms meeting Tuesday night about how I blame knitting on my lack of online time lately  I have one more sweater to knit and each of my 6 kids will have one made by mom  (never thought I could that!)
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Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 5:52pm | IP Logged
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Hello all  ,
I just had a big long post written and along comes the 3 yr old needing care and POOF...I have no idea where it went. Anyway, I'll try to rewrite more concisely and quickly.
I think I'm just in a season of being busy with my 4 kids (some excuse when some ladies here have so many more  ) but also starting our 5th yr homeschooling I'm much more settled about how to approach this HS lifestyle, curriculum etc.
However, no matter where else I go, for me, this is the one place I can turn to find the most people connected to a similar life...homeschooling multiple children and wanting Christ to be the center of it all. I check FB too b/c it's so easy from my phone but it def doesn't have the depth and breadth of subjects I can search here and of course with family & friends from all walks of life I don't always get the "support" for this life we lead, the ADD/LD forums to help w/ issues re my DS obviously aren't focused on leading children to live a Christ centered life or even my local homeschooling group doesn't have many homeschooled teens, much less HS graduates from which to pick their brains for info.
So, I return, again and again but I'm not as active either. Guess it's time to recruit the younger generation. I guess maybe they just do things different and homeschooling isn't such a strange and weird and unknown, unchartered territory anymore. ??
God Bless everyone that contributes,
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
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I'm not sure how long I've been a part of this board. I know it has been quite a while, and that I have been in the past much more active than I am now.
I am in a similar place as other "old-timers" I suppose. I am not as needy. In the time I have been a member of this board I have gone from homeschooling 5 (including 3 littles) while my husband was away working in another state --very challenging--to now homeschooling only one 12yo, which I could do with my eyes shut and one hand tied behind my back (and sometimes do, just for kicks, LOL!)
I know I got a whole lot in the early years. So much support, advice, companionship on the journey. And I think I gave a lot, too, from my time as a moderator to my just making myself available for advice to newcomers, especially about science and nature study, Montessori and unschooling. But now I guess I feel like I've said everything I have to say, asked my questions and gotten my answers. Given advice and support, and laid it all out there for anyone to see and use for their benefit. Not sure how else to contribute here other than to just check in and say "Hi! I am still here and doing fine."
I don't know if this place has changed.I know I have changed.And though I don't really need the support in the same way I used to, I feel like I have grown close to many of the members here and I would miss them if I stayed away too long. That's what brings me back. And I do feel like it is a safe place to be. I really appreciate the effort the mods make to keep this place free of politics and other divisive topics. When Facebook gets nasty and I have to pull away, this is where I turn for conversation, where I know I will not be subjected to the ugliness and vitriole that seems to pervade other sites. It simply isn't tolerated here, and that is SUCH a good thing.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Angie Mc
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Thanks from the bottom of my heart for everyone who posted here! I'm just filled and overflowing with love  . I have much to say but not time to say it now. I'll see you all next Wednesday  .
But I did want to apologize to Eva for misspelling your/her name. My grandmother's name is Eva - RIP - so I know Eva is Eva but I have friends named Eve and Ava and sometimes my fingers get tangled!
Happy weekend & Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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pmeilaen
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| Posted: Nov 15 2013 at 10:07am | IP Logged
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Angie Mc wrote:
But I did want to apologize to Eva for misspelling your/her name. My grandmother's name is Eva - RIP - so I know Eva is Eva but I have friends named Eve and Ava and sometimes my fingers get tangled!
Happy weekend & Love, |
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No problem! 
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Eva
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Martha
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| Posted: Nov 15 2013 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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Quote:
| Actually to me the tone of the forum has changed over the years. When I joined there were many more people contributing and I thought it was a very warm, diverse, and interesting online community. Over the years that has somehow changed and I do miss all the former contributors that made discussions here more diverse, even somewhat controversial, and interesting. It seems to me that most topics are now going around in circles and there is nothing new anymore. Again, I'm not criticizing, just observing or stating how I feel about coming here now. |
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I think a it's been slowly getting more like that for several years now and I feel the same way.
I don't think it has much to do with FB. FB is not really conductive to a group conversation like a message board is and there are other message boards that are more active.
I do think many topic are recycled. New people asking the same questions we had a decade ago. But I also think the answers don't necessarily stay the same either. I know the answers/opinions/suggestions I might have given 10 years ago might be different now. So that doesn't bother me.
Personally, I am tending towards becoming more introverted/family centered. I click in here a couple times a week, but I don't post very often anymore.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
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pmeilaen
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| Posted: Nov 15 2013 at 10:20am | IP Logged
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Martha wrote:
Quote:
| Actually to me the tone of the forum has changed over the years. When I joined there were many more people contributing and I thought it was a very warm, diverse, and interesting online community. Over the years that has somehow changed and I do miss all the former contributors that made discussions here more diverse, even somewhat controversial, and interesting. It seems to me that most topics are now going around in circles and there is nothing new anymore. Again, I'm not criticizing, just observing or stating how I feel about coming here now. |
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I think a it's been slowly getting more like that for several years now and I feel the same way.
I don't think it has much to do with FB. FB is not really conductive to a group conversation like a message board is and there are other message boards that are more active.
I do think many topic are recycled. New people asking the same questions we had a decade ago. But I also think the answers don't necessarily stay the same either. I know the answers/opinions/suggestions I might have given 10 years ago might be different now. So that doesn't bother me.
Personally, I am tending towards becoming more introverted/family centered. I click in here a couple times a week, but I don't post very often anymore. |
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Thanks for your take on this, Martha!
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Eva
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Nov 15 2013 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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Martha wrote:
I do think many topic are recycled. New people asking the same questions we had a decade ago. |
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Oh I think this is soo true also!! I've often thought WOW that's exactly where I was/what I felt when I started just 4 yrs ago!
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: Nov 16 2013 at 9:27pm | IP Logged
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I LOVE it here! I like the tone, I like all you ladies, I like that it is drama free, I like that topics get recycled because I have young children and feel like I am starting over with our younger set. I like it all. I wish I contributed more, but I read almost every single day. I don't do FB so here and some blogs are where I am inspired.
Also, I haven't found another place where homeschooling high school is so encouraged and supported. I'm sure there is something out there, but I love that I can come here and know that many (most?) of us are homeschooling high school. That is a great feeling!
Thank you, moderators, for your years of giving to this forum and preserving such a treasure! This forum has made me a better homeschooler and a better wife and mother.
Thank you, dear friends!!
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Martha
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| Posted: Nov 18 2013 at 8:16am | IP Logged
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Yes, there's not much out there for high school beyond put them in coops or dual schools.
Here and WTM are just about it and WTM is a whole lot of over simplifying how hard it can be mixed with a whole lot of tiger mom stuff. It's a fun little mix to sift sometimes.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
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4 lads mom
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Just stopping in to say I love this community and am so happy ya’ll are still here.
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
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DianaC
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I really love this board! I've meant to write a post lately to express my appreciation for all that I've learned from the support available here.
While I haven't posted a lot, I frequently view and often search for pertinent topics. This is our 7th year of homeschooling and at each stage I've learned so much from all who contribute to this board. Recently, I've gleaned some great resource ideas for confirmation preparation, literature recommendations, recipe ideas, immunity protection and couponing!
It is interesting to note the suggestions that FB and twitter are taking interests away from the community board format. I, too am not much of a fan of FB and haven't tried twitter. FB seems much more of a time sink and source of distraction for me - not a source of support or help in any way.
Anyhow, thanks to everyone for your support and contribution to this board!
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SeaStar
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For me, coming here is like stopping in at a friend's house.
It's a lovely break from my at home reality, and I can find advice and encouragement.
Sometimes it feels like life hands out enough drama all on its own without having to have it on line, too. So I appreciate just chilling with all you guys.
Thank you!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Servant2theKing
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Love the thoughts expressed by everyone! While I no longer "need" the nitty, gritty support since we're closing in on the end of our quarter century journey of educating within our home and family, I find it just so encouraging hearing how all of you are doing in your own journeys! Even your struggles depict such a desire to give the best you possibly can to your loved ones and others around you! A word here, a prayer there ~ it's all such a blessing to so many! We're on a race to Heaven ~ in some cases some of us are passing the torch on to new generations! From an old timer's perspective, it's incredibly inspiring to see younger families still embarking on this blessed adventure we know as homeschooling, in many cases with even more vigor, skill and enthusiasm than ever before! May God bless and keep you all in all your endeavors!
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: Nov 20 2013 at 11:47am | IP Logged
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I have noticed the slowing down too. My quiet stems from the fact that I came here a few years ago and have found such a wealth of information that beyond responding to prayer requests, I do not often have much to contribute that someone else has not already said (and said much more eloquently!).
Though I mostly "lurk," know that this board and all who contribute to it have been an immense blessing in my life! This is my quiet place in the midst of the day. It is more difficult to drop by as of late simply because life has been more hectic here. We moved a couple weeks ago and I only have internet through my phone (not conducive to long responses!) and I feel a big pull toward being offline more as my children grow and change and their needs span a greater age range. I'm not leaving though!
Wishing everyone a blessed Wednesday!
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: It was pretty weird...
