There are days I'm not sure I want to continue blogging. I need to decide if I'm blogging for me or for others. I do like being able to look back over things we've done, but sometimes, it's nice to realize that my efforts are interesting/helpful to others.
I've also considered changing the focus of my blog to more homeschooling - even though we have a pretty "boring" homeschool curriculum from a blog perspective. We just read, write and do math. However, as I now have a high-schooler (who is an older adoptee to boot), there are some interesting things I could write about. I have to admit, I've found very little online about homeschooling an international adoptee who came home just 1.5 yrs prior to high school. Of course, part of where my mindset is now is
Everything your kid needs to know they can learn in High School
Don't sweat the early years.
But if I'm just doing this for me, there isn't much purpose in that. I should focus on our family life and forget the homeschooling stuff.
Anyway, I would love some feedback on whether
1) anyone is actually reading my blog anymore
2) if homeschooling the older international adoptee would be of interest
3) if homeschooling high-school is of interest
4) if you have any other curiosities you think I might be able to satisfy?
21 comments:
Just a quick comment for now: I enjoy reading whatever you write. I'm intrigued by your "adventures" in international adoption. I have a blog that has been neglected for a long time now, too. Between church, homeschool and life, it's just not been the top priority.
If you give it up, I'd understand, but I'd miss reading what you share. :(
Your blog is a major part of the reason we now have a teenage daughter (since May) and just requested to adopt a teenaged boy. I showed me that "real people" adopt teenagers. I personally am very interested in ESL homeschool ideas. So, I at least will read, but certainly understand if you need to spend the time elsewhere! ~Rose
Donna,
I have read your blog and love your information on older child adoption. How are your older adopted boys doing with reading? How much have they advanced being home 1.5 years? Do you think they will advance enough to be able to go to college if they choose? Please don't stop your blog it has been so helpful to find information.
I'm reading! And while I don't homeschool, anything on the topic of educating the older international adoptee is of interest. Mine is doing A.MA.ZING considering he started out six years behind, with no English and low self confidence. But I'd love to hear any tidbits you have on teaching a teenager how to read English. (He was only reading a little in Chinese when we met him.) I've found a lot of things that don't work so well and a few that do, but I can always use more do's!
We have two preschoolers from China, and I read because my husband and I often talk about older child adoption. We don't think we want to disrupt the birth order now, but we are considering it for the future, and I find your blog to be really helpful in understanding what it might entail.
Donna...I just love being able to keep up with you and your family as I don't do FB. From adjustments to homeschool to just plain old "normal" day to day stuff....I LOVE following your blog. Know I would keep stalking and reading ;)
Hugs!
I've been reading your blog since you first committed to "Kevin"! I love reading what you write about the joys & challenges of adopting older kids and, as a homeschooler myself, enjoy anything you write on that subject.
I agree with Lynnea, I enjoy reading it all.
Thanks for taking the time to share with us who do not have quite as much adventure in our lives!
I still read your blog! Yes, I find experiences related to older child adoption interesting. Even the negative (read: not sugar-coated) experiences are encouraging to learn how to resolve situations that biological children often do not experience. As for homeschool (and as an educator), I have to admit that I'm not a fan, from an educational and social point of view, but it works for some, so I can't complain!
But yes, people notice and we missed your blogging!
I enjoy hearing from a real Christian mom in today's world. And I have missed your posts.
Joy
Donna,
I have noticed your absence and have actually been quite concerned for you. Having lived the challenges of older child/teen adoption myself, I often find myself wondering how you are doing and hoping that everything continues to do well.
I for one, think it is helpful to have a place to read about older child adoption and especially home school. I for one come up pretty dry when searching for the homes school help I need. I know that I have received a lot of helpful advice from you in the past especially from your pointing out of several excellent resources that I now use regularly.
You have been missed!
Thank you for the gift of your blog. I love reading it and am drawn to your commitment to adopt older children. I will be interested in anything you would love to share. Keep your eyes on Jesus and go forward and spread His light, one day at a time!
I read your blog.
I would love to adopt a child internationally. My husband is not on board for having any more children (although he agrees if we were to grow our family, it would be through special needs adoption).
Currently, I'm not homeschooling either of our children. The one child I am considering homeschooling is in 1st grade, and has some educational issues. So while I find what you write interesting, and would read it just for further information if I need it later, high school homeschooling is not high up there on my interest list.
I should say, that there are at least 10 children that I know that have learned how to read from "Teach your child to read in 100 Easy Lessons" because I recommended it after using it with my son. And I first learned about it from you. (I also have used Explode the Code after hearing about it from you, but with more mixed results).
I missed you! I am always interested in whatever you want to write about. We homeschool too, so I would be interested in those posts, but the ones that are most educational ; ) are the ones about what it is really like to bring home older kids from another country. I know it will get harder blogging anyway, and feeling like you need to protect the privacy of your kids, but those are the things I personally most want to know. You are one of the few families I "know" who are doing this, and your insight is invaluable.
I'm sorry you have been feeling in a funk! You can stop blogging if you feel like it would be wise, but you also have plenty of people who care about you, and I hope you feel it from these responses. : )
I always check your blog to see how you guys and things are going. We love to hear about your happenings, especially with the children; both biological and adopted. I think more people read it than you think...we just don't leave comments as often so that you know. I hope you continue to blog :-)
I read your blog regularly and would miss it if you stopped blogging! I have been reading your blog since you committed to adopting Kevin and you and your family have been an inspiration. We hope to adopt an older child in the future and I have gained valuable insight into it from reading your blog!
I have missed the regular postings on you blog but I can sure understand not having the time or energy to do so. I have prayed for your family and especially during the times of silence on your blog.
I read it! I hope you will continue blogging.
I didn't notice you dropped off the online group grid as I myself have quite a bit also :) I had checked in on your blog prior to this post...and figured you were just really busy, but still alive and kicking since we were exchanging emails. LOL :) I have you on my blog list and DO check in as I can these days- and appreciate what you write. But- I do think we all still need to decide WHO we are writing for because without knowing, it's easy to become discouraged when the comments slow. Anyway, I'll be homeschooling two HSer's next year, so that IS a topic of interest to me, either in blog land or email chats along the way :)
Blessings, Jennifer
I would LOVE to hear your ideas on homeschooling an older child. Our son has been here 6 months, we did school thru the summer, took September off and are ready to start again. I can get very overwhelmed with all the choices and not at all sure how to best teach him to read. Are you familiar with Abeka's ESL program? Or should I just begin with phonics like I did for my bio kids? He's doing really well with English and we will continue plugging away at math...got 1/2 of second grade done this summer. I'm sorry I never comment...simply short on time! I do read you frequently! (((HUGS)))
Yes, I read it. I try to comment but I'm often reading on my iPhone these days and the comments never seem to work with the blogger "robot" deal below. Do you know a fix?
Also, I read blogs about once a week maybe and I tend to rotate around just b/c of lack of time. You know what I'm talking about!
I wish you would write more about homeschooling. You always share such great stuff on yahoo group. I think of you in the "seasoned veterans" category of homeschooling Moms I know!
I love reading about your family life too. I also envy your proximity to the ocean. Maybe more about that? I like to live vicariously through your beach/ocean posts!
Hugs to you and please keep blogging! BTW, I don't post nearly as much anymore either, but I decided to just embrace what I do get down and not to sweat the rest. For me now my blog is a journal for our family.
I have so much I could write about but don't b/c it is just too personal and often too painful, but that is OK. I don't have to write it all down. I can choose; it is my blog! I think you just need a new motto! Like mine: my blog, my choice. So write when you feel like it about what you want to write about!
Hugs Friend!!!
Leslie
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