I want to thank you for the recent promotion that allowed me to afford to get your magazine. I have been wanting it for a long time. I have been homeschooling for nine years and I enjoy and look forward to the encouragement and new ideas. Thank you again.
--Ann Flinn, Huntsville, Alabama

Hi, Deborah,
I must congratulate you and all the staff at The Old Schoolhouse for a fantastic resource and publication. I have only been a subscriber for a short time, but the wealth of information has been immense.--Mike Hayes, Cork, Ireland

I just wanted to say that I love your magazine and appreciate your efforts so much. I am the mom to a precious baby girl that is twenty-five weeks developed, and we hope to greet her in mid-May. Your magazine allows me to gain inspiration and ideas that I plan to use in the future. TOS is the best homeschool magazine out there, and I look forward to each and every issue.--Kayla Herrera, Colfax, Louisiana

Awesome magazine! First time I have ever read an entire magazine (and to clarify, this was my first issue of TOS) cover to cover.--Sharolyn C., Pennsylvania

Support Group Leaders
This is long overdue, but I wanted to take this time (at least before the new year) to say thanks for all of your support to the support group leaders this year. We have purchased a subscription for the last two years that I use as a door prize at the support group meetings. This is such a great encouragement to the recipients and I'm always blessed by God's hand in a simple name tag drawing. He always knows who needs the encouragement the most. This year you seem to have offered more support to the support group leaders with freebies and extra magazines than ever before and I really do appreciate it. When the last box came with the Bible action figure, I was blown away. The idea of having a prize to give away that could be used by a family as a Christmas gift was just too much. Thank you for passing these blessings along to families you may never know this side of Heaven. It is an honor to partner with you in homeschool ministry. Thank you again for your faithful support.
--Beth Blackburn, Northern Palm Beach County, Florida

The Homeschool Minute
Dear Todd,
This is to inform you that you are simply brilliant--no really. Your recent article on thank-you notes was delightfully affirming! Fortunately I came to the same conclusions some time ago, but that doesn't always stop the guilt around some who think it's gospel to have thank-you notes. I do try to send or have my kids send notes or a phone call to those who have sent a gift in their absence. I mean, the Aunt that never sees them but always sends Christmas presents should at least get a thanks in that regard.

I appreciate your participation in The Homeschool Minute . Your views as a husband, a dad, and simply a male can be quite grounding to the lot of women who are obsessed with things like thank-you notes! I've read a couple of your books and purchased the Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom for both my husband and brother-in-law. My recently married brother only saw [the words] "Help! I'm Married" when my husband held up the book, which of course led to laughter. Finally, the Bethlehem Game was a big hit--although dear hubby wasn't too impressed with the socks on your hand--but I bartered to wear one of his socks to pay a debt. The game calls for a lot of house rules (which are great), but what a blast while being insightful at the same time.

May God continue to bless you as you work to empower/encourage dads while at the same time keeping us homeschool moms grounded. This is only our second year homeschooling, and it is amazing how many of your "lies" in your book I was forcefully exposed to within the first year. Our family has been blessed from your participation in the HSM email and my subsequent exploration into your website--if you weren't "real" in your dealings, my husband wouldn't give you the time of day.--Carla M., Nashville, Tennessee

Deborah,
I just wanted to let you know how much I think of your weekly contribution to The Homeschool Minute . While the other contributors have much to offer, and I do appreciate and enjoy their articles as well, it is in reading your articles, so solidly based on Scripture that I find much on which to meditate.

May God continue to bless you, and may you recognize each of His blessings.
--Elizabeth Hoodenpyl, Kimberly, Oregon

Hey, Guys!
I've been meaning to write you a quick note for quite some time. You are AMAZING! I love the magazine, but LOOOOOVVVEEE your weekly newsletter! I have several friends who are new to homeschooling and I tell them it is at the top of my list for "must haves." I look forward to it every week!--Kimberly Mukes, Fishers, Indiana

Freebies
Hi Gena,
Hope all is well. How's the baby? Probably not much of a baby any more, huh! Thanks for the freebie. I loved the last TOS issue. So much in there, I'm gonna read it again and again. --Pat Trembley, Reading, Pennsylvania

Knitting
I want to thank you for your note about your teenage boys learning to knit on colored pencils. My 5-year-old daughter has pretended for two years that she is Mary Ingalls. One day when she woke she declared she was going to start knitting. I had read your story a few weeks ago in the HSM, and remembered it. So we got out some yarn and her colored pencils and some Internet instructions, and voilà, we're knitting. Turns out I enjoy it too!

I love your homeschool minutes, because I am always learning something.
--Jaimee Dinnison, Dayton, Ohio

Readers Helping Readers
I am a mom of seven wonderful, bright little homeschool learners. My children range in age from 5 months to 16 years old. We've been homeschooling for four years now, after removing the older children from public school. Some days the journey is challenging, sometimes wonderful, but we've never regretted our decision.

My question is regarding my 4½-year-old daughter. She is extremely bright, and learns quickly. We worked on preschool last year, and she will be doing some preschool and kindergarten work this year (she is already reading books and can write her letters). My problem is that she talks constantly . While I'm glad she is questioning things, she is driving the other children crazy with her constant yapping! It gets to the point that her older siblings must work at the desk downstairs because they can't concentrate.

She gets an equal share of attention from all family members, and does not seem bored or overly challenged. I am fairly strict with my kids, and besides the talking, she is very obedient. She just talks-- always. Any ideas how to quiet her a bit? My 13-year-old son has threatened to duct tape her mouth shut, but I said it was a bit much.

Thanks so much!--Joy Liz in Arizona

Your Voice

I'm not an expert, but I have read that in girls, hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders can manifest in excessive talking. Otherwise, could this little one use a tape player/recorder by which she could record herself or listen to stories on tape since she seems to enjoy the audio/verbal stimulation. Another idea might be to help her to "practice" being still even 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time.--Robbye P.

First, I recommend prayer! And here are some other suggestions: Maybe you could let her listen to an MP3 player while she works or let her listen to a long book on tape.

Also, you could give a lesson to all the children about them taking away from each other's learning. You all could make a list of things that distract each other and have them sign it, as a contract that they promise to stop distracting each other. You may need to set up some simple rewards and punishments.

You could then talk to just her, privately, and make up some up signal word for when she is talking too much--to let her know that it's just too much! For example, you could say, "Quiet work time." In addition, you may want to privately ask your librarian if she can recommend a children's book or two that address this issue. You could set up a set period of time for quiet time each day and tell them they are to each play quietly, or read on their beds, etc. . . . but that you are not to be disturbed unless there is an emergency!

This will be a trait of hers that will need to brought under control at home, as people like people to listen to them too and it's hard to listen when one is doing all the talking. (God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we can listen more than we talk.) Also, your husband may be able to come up with a good solution.

Hope this helps and God bless you.--Alecia W.

Dear Joy Liz,
It sounds like your daughter may need some training in learning to hold her tongue. James 1:19 is the verse that comes to mind--"be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger . . . ." Your daughter may not have issues with anger, but she may need to be trained in how to listen more and talk less so that her "over-talkative" behavior does not continue into adulthood. Remember, curiosity is a good thing, but that does not mean that you constantly have to answer every question. I do not always answer all my children's questions. I believe they learn best when they explore to find answers instead of always relying on me for the answer. So, how can you train her to be quiet? I suggest using whatever method you already use to train your children for inappropriate behavior.

Hope this helps.-- Homeschooling mom to four

Hi, Joy Liz!
While we all love it when our little ones are outgoing and inquisitive, it sounds like you've got a little too much of a good thing! Not only for the sake of yourself and your older children, but for her own sake, you owe it to your little girl to teach her limits that will be needed for her to get along in life. She simply will not always be able to talk and will have to learn that.

Begin to work on her listening skills and reward her, with praise or even stickers on a chart, when she is able to be quiet and listen. Teach her the art of conversation by saying, over meals, for instance, "Shh, now Janie will talk and we listen," and keep a hand on her to remind and help her control herself. "OK, now we can answer Janie about what she just said." Let her pick out special stories for a read-aloud time in which she has to wait until the end of the story for comments or questions, and stop reading to her if she can't be quiet. (Again, at her age, these times will have to be short, and you should resume reading if she is able to get herself back under control.)

Be creative, and include your older children in this, too, by thinking of any games you can about being quiet and listening. My children used to love to play the Quiet Game, where you simply see who can stay quiet the longest; they are older now and still play it on long car trips!

These are just some things that popped into my head--you will think of others, but I think the main thing is just knowing that while you want to rejoice in your little one's outgoing personality, you want to train her to understand there are times when we all must be quiet and considerate of others, and that there is joy, too, in quiet and listening. Ask God for wisdom and He'll show you how to help your little one grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirit, self-control! -- Kathy

Schoolhouse Store Winner!
At 3:30 today I was at my computer and received the email that you were on #83,908. I simply prayed to God asking if I could be the winner. I then ordered the E-Book: A Copybook of the United States Presidents. I had a peace about this and my order was #84,000. If you could have seen me . . . I was like a little kid who won a prize from a toy machine! This is so much better, though! My husband and girls were right next to me when I opened the email to find that I was for sure the winner! Thanks be to God. I am looking forward to receiving my prize pack. I am humbly grateful to the Schoolhouse Store and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine for blessing me with this treasure of goodies. I have been wanting to purchase The Mystery of History and other items, and now I will be able to do this with the gift certificate that I just received. Thank you to all who participated in this contest. --Jodi Carless, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Dear Jodi,
Thanks for taking the time to write. Our staff works so hard putting these contests together, and we love to hear "the rest of the story" from our winners. It's so neat to see how God uses our store promotions to bless people. What a mighty God we serve! Enjoy all of those goodies and thanks again for being a TOS reader and shopping with us in the Schoolhouse Store. Happy homeschooling, Nancy Carter, Director of Marketing

Favorites From Last Issue
"This is my first issue of TOS and I read it cover to cover. I liked all the articles--I truly can't pick (one) favorite." --Alicia Ferguson, Bethel, Arkansas

"The three articles re: public schools help to remind me why I don't want my children to go to public school. I enjoy your magazine very much." --Lori Siburt, Cambridge, Ohio

"Keep the quality coming! I really enjoy the magazine more and more as the years go by!" --Patty Baucom, Travelers Rest, South Carolina

"It is always hard to choose one article as the whole magazine each time has lots of things and info that is useful!" --Kimberly Mauldin, Morrow, Georgia

"I love your magazine! It is so helpful and encouraging to me." --Donita Nyman, Winchendon, Massachusetts

"Love how you provided several articles on same topic. Gives me a fuller understanding of each subject addressed." --Anna Liao, Orange, California

"Very first time reading TOS and already fell in love with it. So much information to gain from it." --Miyoung Mead, Enterprise, Alabama

"As a homeschooling mom, it is always fun to learn new things. Your articles are great for the whole family and often get us brainstorming on ways to study a new topic." --Deborah Needham, USA

"TOS is always top of the list whenever anyone asks me for a magazine suggestion. There is something for everyone in every single issue." --Joy Convis, South Lyon, Michigan

"Keep up the good work! TOS magazine is Mommy's favorite choice of reading!" --Cory Stephenson, Patterson, California

Sidebar
For our Storytime Writing Contest participants, spring is an especially exciting time of year, because it brings our contest to a conclusion. Over the last several months, we've been given many terrific tales and inspiring stories to pass along to our panel of judges. The winners will be announced on May 4, 2009!