We’re really not racist anymore, so let’s boycott TV media

April 13, 2012 in Advice/Wisdom, Blog, For All, Politics with 0 Comments

All of this talk of racism right now is very disturbing to me. I was born in 1971 in Houston, Texas. I was raised not to see the color of people. We all bleed red and we all feel joy and pain. We all have the opportunity to rise to greatness or to fall into disgrace. Many of my favorite people in the world are black, and the rest are hispanic, asian, european, and other. While I’m at it, I also have favorite people who are Catholic, Jewish, gay, who’ve used drugs, and who’ve had abortions.

What is sad to me is that until this week, my children never heard too much about black and white. But here we go again. A new generation of Americans is being racially divided. It’s palpable. And for some sick reason, it’s on purpose. Even our mixed race president had to chime in and stir the pot.

I’m not saying that the Trayvon Martin case isn’t interesting or sad. There is just no reason for America to think that it was racially motivated – but that’s all we’ve been fed. It’s sick. Walter Williams wrote a compelling article which calls out the media bias and the “race hustlers,” which he is allowed to do without concern for being called a racist since he is black. As an aside, another refreshingly unracist lady is Anne Wortham. It is quite worth any American’s time to read her letter to the American people.

Whether or not you think that the Martin case was racially motivated or whether you think Florida laws that allow you defend yourself are unjust, what we all need to take away from this is how we allow the media to influence our thoughts in an extreme way. My solution is for America to boycott the TV media. There are plenty of news sources out there on the internet that simply report instead of distort.

Ebony and Ivory – under the bus with you!

All of the racial progress that has been made in our country since the days of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. can be thrown out the window by a few racially motivated remarks by regrettably ignorant leaders who lack the foresight and consciousness to keep moving us forward. The only victims of the “system” are vicitimized by our government. Welfare is the worst kind of oppression because of its benevolent appearance. Welfare is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We usually have a hand in our own victimization. Don’t be a victim. Take charge of your life. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are a victim.

Why can’t everyone just be treated like a human? We are not the same, but we can be treated equally. What does race have to do with showing an I.D. when you vote? What does the race of any murder case have to do with anything? If there is a minority who feels down trodden, why don’t they rise up and show the world how meaningful they are? Anyone who contributes to society, works hard for a living, is kind to others, and raises their children with compassion will be welcome wherever they go. Why is there no race war going on between the Asians and the other Americans? They are minimally represented in our government, yet you never hear Asian preachers on TV telling Asian people that they are victims.

We’re not racist anymore

Don’t accept racism. You know deep inside that all humans are human. Skin color is the most ridiculous thing we could ever talk about. In America, the vast majority of us are beyond caring about race. Most of us are evolving. And in order for the rest of us to catch up, we’re going to have to get the government and the media out of our lives.

Turn off your TVs! Especially now that the new ones are going to be able to watch you back.

It’s Magical Monarch Caterpillar Time!

March 31, 2012 in Blog, For All, Natural Living, Parenting with 3 Comments

A monarch caterpillar on milkweed

One of my family’s favorite things about spring in Texas is catching monarch caterpillars, feeding them milkweed, watching them grow, turn into a chrysalis, and then pop out, transformed into a butterfly. If you want to do this, you better go out now!

How to care for your monarch caterpillars

Just three or four days ago, we noticed the caterpillars on the abundant milkweed in our neighborhood. So we brought some home. It’s important to put the stem end of the milkweed into a little vessel of water so that the milkweed stays juicy and fresh for the caterpillars. Apparently they eat their body weight in milkweed everyday! You’ll still need to change out the milkweed for some fresh stems with leaves everyday. Milkweed is their host plant and the caterpillars need to remain on it at all times. If you notice that a caterpillar has lost its way and has started up the side of your terrarium like in the photo below, gently help it onto the milkweed. (I use a live oak leaf.) Otherwise, it will die.

It all happens so fast! It’s only four days later, and the caterpillars are now huge. Once they get to be about the size of your pinky finger, it won’t be long before they start the next phase of their transformation. Put some good sized sticks into your terrarium diagonally from the ground up to the side, so that the caterpillars have a place to climb up and attach themselves with room to pupate or hang upside down and turn into a chrysalis. Here are some great photos and more detail. It takes about 10 days or so for the butterfly to form and pop out of the chrysalis. Be sure to let the butterflies go as soon as they hatch. They’re hungry for both freedom and flower nectar after all that work.

Our terrarium with sticks, milkweed, and caterpillars

The magic of metamorphosis

My children and I love watching and taking part in the magic that the butterfly has to teach. As the little caterpillar goes about his business, then takes his magical nap, we don’t think he knows that he’s about to fly. And even crazier, he’s probably going to fly all the way to Central Mexico to be with millions of his kind. Caterpillar and Butterfly teach us to be patient with our own transformation. Sometimes we don’t even know it’s happening. Change is good. Without it, we’d have no butterflies.

Lucas Miller’s Monarch song

Austin’s own children’s musician, Lucas Miller completely rocks. If your children and you like monarchs, you will also love this song!

BIRTHRIGHT review and giveaway!

March 13, 2012 in Blog, For All, Pregnancy with 0 Comments

Birthright got a great review from Charise over at www.IthoughtIknewmama.com . For my readers who love my site for the natural pregnancy, birth and parenting aspects, you are going to love Charise too! She and I are cut off the same cloth. It’s no wonder she likes BIRTHRIGHT! – she is also giving away a copy! Click here and make sure rafflecopter is running to enter her giveaway. I believe you have until March 26th to enter. Check out her site while you’re there!

Here is an excerpt from her review:

Birthright Book Review & Giveaway: Empower Your Pregnancy!

“I have been reading a lot of pregnancy and birth preparation books over the past few months since Baby #2 is due in May, so I honestly did not expect to find anything too exciting or different by the time I read Birthright by Betsy Dewey at the beginning of third trimester. Once I began readingBirthright, I was very happy to find out I was wrong, as this book is a refreshing change from all of the others I have read.

Betsy Dewey’s writing is direct and to the point. This makes Birthright a quick and easy read where every morsel of information seems relevant and useful.

Here’s the best part: Betsy was lucky enough to have one of those mythical midwives who seems to have collected all of the best natural approaches to pregnancy and birth since the beginning of time, and Betsy does a great favor to women everywhere by sharing her midwife’s wisdom in the pages of Birthright. I probably highlighted about three quarters of her midwife’s sage advice!”

Click here to read the rest of her post.

Thanks Charise, for enjoying my book and for spreading the word. Pregnant women love this book. Click here to order a copy on Amazon. If you know a pregnant woman, BIRTHRIGHT makes a fabulous gift! Thanks for getting the word out. Babies and mommies everywhere will thank you.

Please “like” Birthright on Facebook here!

Subscribe to VoteBetsy.com & click “donate now”

March 6, 2012 in Blog, For All, Politics with 0 Comments

As most of you know, I’ve been busy with my new Libertarian congressional campaign website: www.votebetsy.com.

If you are interested in my campaign or in my political views, please subscribe to this new website.

Here are some links to my three most recent posts on votebetsy.com :

1. Called to Serve

This is a recording of the song I wrote about a week after I stepped up to run for Congress.

http://votebetsy.com/called-to-serve/

2. My First Radio Interview

This is a link to my interview last Friday night on exis10tial.com.

http://votebetsy.com/my-first-radio-interview-exis10tial-com/

3. Walter Williams: Compassion Versus Reality

This is a link to an article by one of my heroes that I was given permission to republish.

http://votebetsy.com/my-heroes-walter-williams-on-taxes-and-rights/

Looking for Guest Posts and Donations

Now that I have two websites to lovingly keep up, I invite those of you who take to the pen to help me keep my readers abreast of the latest thinking – whether it be about natural living, homebirth, homeschool, parenting, or politics. I love the idea that my websites are a forum for creative, new, timeless or deep thinking. The mainstream media is becoming more narrowly biased everyday. We constantly need to seek alternative sources and share the nuggets we find. I would suggest getting your news from sources such as Drudge, Global Research, Russia Today, Boortz, Williams, Sowell. And remember, “Believe half of what you read, and none of what you hear. The problem is knowing which half.” – James M. Shatto, my father.

I also found out the price of those political road signs you see everywhere. If you like the idea of minimum government and maximum freedom, please consider donating to my campaign, which mainly exists to proliferate this idea. You can donate here.

Thanks yall. I’m going to need all the help I can get.

Votebetsy.com

February 28, 2012 in Blog, For All, Politics with 0 Comments

We’re up and running. Dewey for Congress is official.

If you want to see where I stand on the issues, click here. I welcome your feedback.

Those of you who are interested in my campaign or in the Liberty movement, please subscribe to www.votebetsy.com. You can do that here. I was told last night that if I want to win, I’ll need $1,000,000! As of this moment in time, my campaign has raised $500. Click here to donate. Hopefully, I can run a great campaign by getting into the media as much as possible. But I do need to purchase signs, bumper stickers, etc. So, I need everyone who wants smaller government to contribute.

I plan on carrying the torch for Ron Paul. He is going to retire from Congress this year if he not elected President. It saddens me that this man who is dedicated to liberty and honesty is leaving Washington. We need legions like him. Of course, maybe the Republicans will get a clue and realize that he would smoke Obama in November. I was even talking to a Democrat running for Austin City Council last night who supports Ron Paul because she is DONE with Obama. She simply can’t believe that he supports these “wars” that have ruined our economy, our soldiers, and the “entire world’s air and water.” If Republicans would just think for themselves, they’d realize Ron Paul would win by a landslide. (Republican vote + Libertarian vote + Independent vote + Dems done with Obama = Landslide ~ Am I the only one doing this math?) Hopefully, it’s not too late.

Campaign Kick-off and Fundraiser

My campaign kick-off meeting is tomorrow evening at 13317 Fitzhugh Rd Austin, TX 78736. That’s Wed. Feb. 29th, 5:30 at the one and only Stunt Ranch. Please come if you want to help out with the campaign.

Also, we’ve scheduled my first fund-raiser for TAX DAY! Ha ha ha. I love it. Again at Stunt Ranch, April 15th 2012 from 1-5. Mark your calendars.

I appreciate those of you who have been following my blog. It’s nice to know that my writing makes a difference. Perhaps now, my voice will make a difference too.

Blessings to you all. And may we see a prosperous, free America again in our lifetimes.

Dewey for Congress 2012!

What’s up with NDAA and I’M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS

February 16, 2012 in Blog, For All, Politics with 0 Comments

Does NDAA really allow for American citizens to be detained indefinitely with no trial? This legislation is so difficult to understand, so controversial, that I decided I simply had to do the research myself.

NDAA is the National Defense Authorization Act. This year, it includes language that can easily be interpreted to mean: American citizens can be detained indefinitely without a trial, on the grounds of being a suspected terrorist. No trial? Imprisoned on suspicion? Even for foreigners this is un-American and unconscionable.

Here is a Timeline for the passage of NDAA:

November 2011 – Congressman Rand Paul issues a statement warning about the passage of NDAA and its potential ramifications: click here. Watch the entire 13 minutes.

New Year’s Eve – Congress and President Obama sign NDAA into law. You can find it here. If you can read this in its entirety in less than a day, you are superhuman.

New Year’s Eve – President Obama issues this letter to accompany his decision to sign NDAA into law. Click here. Read this in its entirety as well.

January 2012 – Many patriots, including myself, go bonkers over the careless whittling away of our inalienable rights as Americans.

Jan 30 2012 – I decide that I simply must run for office. My conscience requires it. Between NDAA and the 4 billion dollars we borrow every day, I hear my call to serve. I join the Libertarian Party and begin the process of acquiring the nomination to run against my own Representative, here in Texas District 25, Lloyd Doggett.

Feb. 7, 2012 – I receive a letter from the very congressman I intend to unseat saying that “The NDAA in no way revokes a citizen’s right to habeas corpus.”

This letter prompted my in-depth research into the bill. Now I’m even more irritated with my congress person. People are so mad at him, that apparently enough of his constituents wrote to him to demand an explanation for his vote for NDAA. (Yea! people – I’m so happy to know that people are paying attention and writing to their congress people.) My congressman is aware that this vote could spell his political demise, and he’s defending himself. The problem remains however, that this legislation is highly interpretable, even to the point of Obama needing to issue a statement saying that HIS administration would never detain American citizens without a trial. He even calls the provisions that Rand Paul had argued to strike from the bill “Unnecessary.”

Congressman Paul argued before congress that they should strike these provisions that put our very liberties into question. But instead of striking them, both Congress and the President signed them into law, with the president issuing a statement that the provisions were unnecessary. Yes, I just repeated myself. Because I simply can’t believe it. These provisions are unnecessary, but they passed them anyway. And then, my very own culpable congressman writes me, his constituent, a letter which states that the law he signed in no way revokes our right to habeas corpus and that he will “continue to work to defend our Constitutional rights.”

Well, my beloved readers and friends, it’s too late. Even if he actually believes what he is saying, I’ve thrown my hat in the ring. I am officially seeking the Libertarian nomination to be its candidate to the House of Representatives for Texas District 25. Legislation shouldn’t be this difficult to understand.

If you want another, more in-depth discussion of the language in NDAA, check out this article. For even more, check out this one.

There’s a lot I could say here. About how I’m a homeschool mom and the decision to run was difficult to make. I love my little happy life. But I want to retain liberty for my grandkids even more than I want to retain my idyllic life.

Check out the Libertarian Party. On the whole, we stand for limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility. I can’t even begin to describe the profound way in which I resonate with the liberty movement.

Betsy Dewey for Congress 2012

I am about to switch over to a new website – something more along the lines of Betsy Dewey for Congress 2012. I am also accepting campaign donations. If you would like to donate, please click on “Contact Me” and let me know. I will most likely be blogging more about political issues than natural birth or cloth diapers these days. I hope you will all understand.

I take this oath very seriously:

The Oath of Office of the House of Representatives:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.

I’d like to say for the record, that I will never compromise my integrity – even if it means I cannot win. Do I sew the seeds of Liberty (small government, individual freedom, personal responsibility) or do I try to win votes on the sly? According to Thomas Sowell, in order to win an election, you have to offer the people something impossible. Instead of offering jobs and free medical care, housing, and food – I offer you something that seems almost as impossible – peace, small government, and personal liberty. The difference to me is that these ideals are attainable – if the American people want them.

I refuse to become a slimy politician. Who I am is way more important than any place of prestige. It seems to me that once you become a little slimy, it’s really hard to get unslimy – because of the word “become.” Once you’re slimy, you’re slimy. I stand resolute in my belief in individual liberty and the self-regulating free market. Socialism is for the fearful, and has no place in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My values will not change for the sake of a vote.

4 Exceptional Home Schooled Politicians

February 10, 2012 in Blog, For All, Homeschool, Politics with 0 Comments

Once again I have the privilege of posting a guest article on my site. This time it is by Lauren Bailey whose information is found at the end. Enjoy…

Politicians have the power to make legislation that can improve the way home schoolers experience their education.

In fact, the Virginia House of Delegates is currently drafting a bill that would allow home-schoolers to try out for public school athletic teams. Imagine if more pro-homeschool politicians were in office? Maybe that’s why so many homeschoolers ultimately want a career in politics. And if you think a homeschooler can’t make a career in Washington D.C. think again—some of the most prestigious people you know were homeschooled their whole lives (or at least partially). That said, to learn some notable homeschooled politicians, continue reading below:

1. Abraham Lincoln

He was America’s 16^th president and notorious for pushing America through the Civil War and ending slavery. While he held a prestigious title, Lincoln’s early beginnings were quite modest— he lived in a single room log cabin and only acquired a year and half’s worth of formal education—he was homeschooled by his stepmother for the most part. Other presidents and statesmen that were homeschooled include: George Washington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Benjamin Franklin.

2. Jonathan Krohn

Sometimes referred to as the “Doogie Howser GOP,” this homeschooled teen turned political protégé first gained national attention after giving a three-minute speech at the 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference about grassroots activists —he was only 13-years-old at the time. Krohn, who is now 17, is a regular contributor to Human Events, a conservative magazine. He is also the author of two self-published books: Defining Conservatism and its sequel, Defining Conservatism: The Principles That Will Bring Our Country Back. Krohn has been homeschooled since 2007.

3. Condoleezza Rice

Topping the charts of Forbes “100 Most Powerful Women in the World” both in 2005 and 2006, Condoleezza Rice is famous for becoming the first ever African-American woman to become the U.S. Secretary of State—a title she held for 4 years under the Bush Administration. Rice’s mother, who was a high school English teacher, decided to home school Condoleezza at age 5 since she was too young to enter the first grade. Her curriculum, which steered away from “traditional” concepts, included foreign language studies, the piano, ballet, and figure skating. Rice went on to attend an integrated public school and then enrolled in Denver University at the very young age of 15 where she finally began to discover her interest in politics. Currently Rice is a tenor faculty member at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

4. Wayne Allyn Root

Wayne Allyn Root, former 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential nominee and Libertarian National Campaign Committee Chairman, was not only homeschooled for a few years as a child, but also homeschooled his own children—information that was pushed to the media forefront when his daughter was accepted into Harvard. Root criticized the public education system, stating homeschooling education can be a superior alternative. Currently Root is a Forbes political columnist and a regular Fox News correspondent.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.

The Magical Miracle of Kombucha Tea

February 3, 2012 in Advice/Wisdom, Blog, For All, Natural Living with 2 Comments

An ancient health tonic with benefits that will blow your mind

The object of my affection

A little over a month ago, my friend Donnadee, gave me a Kombucha scoby and some brewing instructions. My life will never be the same. I am LOVING my kombucha even to the point of writing a song about it.

Apparently, Kombucha tea has been consumed for over 2,000 years. Myth has it that it originated in China, but no one can ever know for certain. It’s a miracle for a few reasons. The Kombucha “mushroom” is called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). It’s the colony of microbes that ferments your tea for you and leaves it chock full of probiotics. How in the world did it come into existence? How did this particular yeast and this particular bacteria find each other, a tannic liquid, and sugar, then ferment and be consumed by a person who then added more of the tannic liquid (tea) and sugar? If it was an accident, that was a mighty brave or desperate person. If you didn’t know what a SCOBY was, you wouldn’t just feel like drinking the liquid surrounding it; it’s a pretty otherworldly looking thing.

A Happy Kombucha Scoby

According to KombuchaKamp, it can possibly have the following benefits:

*Probiotics – healthy bacteria
*Alkalize the body – balances internal pH
*Detoxify the liver – happy liver = happy mood
*Increase metabolism – rev your internal engine
*Improve digestion – keep your system moving
*Rebuild connective tissue – helps with arthritis, gout, asthma, rheumatism
*Cancer prevention
*Alleviate constipation
*Boost energy – helps with chronic fatigue
*Reduce blood pressure
*Relieve headaches & migraines
*Reduce kidney stones
*High in antioxidants – destroy free-radicals that cause cancer
*High in polyphenols
*Improve eyesight
*Heal excema – can be applied topically to soften the skin
*Prevent artheriosclerosis
*Speed healing of ulcers – kills h.pylori on contact
*Help clear up candida & yeast infections
*Aid healthy cell regeneration
*Reduce gray hair
*Lower glucose levels – prevents spiking from eating

There is little to no money in it for the FDA to study the stuff. A citizen can make it for about $1.50 per gallon. Most of the studies you can read were done in Russia, Germany, and China.

How to brew Kombucha Tea

Get hold of a Kombucha mushroom, also known as a SCOBY. If you don’t know any health food pioneers in your area, try Craigslist.org. People seem to charge from $8-30 for a mushroom. I give mine away for free. The more people are drinking Kombucha, the better. Apparently, if you have no other scoby source, you can grow one from the little baby yoursometimes find at the top of commercially bottled kombucha.
Boil a gallon of water, pour it into a glass or ceramic container and steep 6-8 tea bags in it. So far, I’ve only used decaf green tea, but I understand that some people swear by black tea! I read 5 different recipes, and one said to never use flavored tea, and one said that she only uses flavored tea, so there you go.
Take out your tea bags after 20 minutes, stir in one cup of white sugar, and let the tea cool to room temperature. There should be a good bit of room at the top of your vessel.
With very clean hands, place your scoby on top of the tea, and add the 1-2 cups of starter fluid.
Cover with a clean dish towel, and don’t disturb it for 4 days.
On the fourth day, take a clean straw, place a finger on one end, place the other end under the edge of the scoby, dip down, place finger on top of the straw, draw it out and taste it. If you like it, bottle it now. If you want more fizz or tang, taste it again tomorrow and the next day. Once you are happy with the taste, bottle it for the second ferment.
Bottling: Wash your hands well. Place the scoby on a clean plate. You can place any “babies” here too. Pour one cup of the Kombucha from the top of the vessel onto the plate. Cover the plate with another plate, upside down. Filter your Kombucha through a strainer into bottles whatever size you choose. Be sure to save a small bit of liquid from the bottom of the jar to add back to your Kombucha mushroom. Apparently the yeast likes the bottom tea and the bacteria likes the top.
If you want, leave a little room in your bottles and add frozen fruit and other natural flavorings. Our favorites so far are blueberry/ginger and pineapple. Loosely place the lids on the jars. Wait two more days.
Drink what you want (although we are cautioned to start small, about 6 oz. per day due to the intense detoxification) and refrigerate the rest. It’s also good to know that there is a little teeny bit of alcohol in kombucha.
While you’re bottling, boil another gallon of water, pour it into your vessel (I really like my old sun tea jar – you want something with a wide mouth!) and make more tea with a cup of sugar. Once the tea is cool, introduce your scoby, and start all over.

A cup of sugar? Really?

Yes, really. You don’t end up consuming this sugar – the mushroom does. It’s the mushroom’s food while fermenting your tea, very much like beer. And when it’s really good, it’s really carbonated too! Fizzy! Fizzy! Do not use honey. It is an antibacterial.

Now and then, your scoby might fall to the bottom of your tea and a new scoby will appear at the top of your tea. This is a new baby scoby! You can keep it in some Kombucha in your fridge, or you can give it to a friend along with a cup or so of the starter fluid.

Do Scobies go bad?

Apparently they can get mold – but this is very very rare. If it looks like bubble wrap, it’s just new baby scoby. If it looks blue or white and fuzzy like the mold you see on bread, you have to throw your scoby out and start over. If you are not sure – here’s what you do: put your kombucha aside for 2 weeks – you will then know 100% sure if you have mold or not. Also, I’ve heard that you can split scobies in half both ways – by layers and by cutting them in semi-circles with sissors.

Kombucha is yummy

Even the kids love it. If you let it ferment a little too long, it’ll start to taste like apple cider vinegar and you need to take the scoby out and start over. However, you can use the vinegar in salad dressing or to clean your house.

Continuous brewing method

Continuous Brew - Super Healthy!

There is another method of brewing that I have just begun to try. You put your tea and scoby into a vessel that has a tap or spigot at the bottom. Once it is ready to drink, you just drink it from the tap and in the evening, replace what you drank with sugared green tea that you are keeping in your fridge. So far so good. It’s extremely fizzy. It looks like beer when I serve it. According to a really great article about continuous brew by the Happy Herbalist, this method contains far more variety of healthy bacteria and acids. It’s just easier too.

I highly recommend googling kombucha tea recipe, kombucha benefits or kombucha history and reading a few articles. Here are some good ones: getkombucha kombu organickombucha food renegade

This was really just a lark, turned foray into the world of fermented, probiotic, yumminess. It’s really easy to do, and I give the whole experience a 10.

Is Home Education Right for You and Your Children?

February 1, 2012 in Blog, For All, Homeschool with 0 Comments

I love to showcase guest writers here on betsydewey.com who resonate with my “natural” way of being in the world. Today, I am honored to publish this article about homeschool by Nadia Jones, whose biographical info you can find at the end of the post. Enjoy.

The Decision to Homeschool

If you are a regular reader here at Betsy Dewey’s blog, you likely have an independent mindset that prizes do-it-yourself over outsourcing others to do the work for you. In other words, you may be the perfect candidate for homeschooling your children. As someone who was homeschooled throughout grade school, I can say with authority that if done right, it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Would you make a good homeschooling parent? Will your kids be receptive to it? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Do you have the time?

This is the very first question you must ask yourself if you’ve decided to make your children’s education your responsibility. Since my mother stopped working when she had me and my brother and sister, she had all the time in the world to devote to teaching us individually. While you can still perhaps manage a career while teaching your children, be aware that grade school kids need at least six hours every weekday of instruction.* The best part about homeschooling is that it doesn’t need to run like clockwork. In other words, you don’t have to structure your day exactly like a traditional school. Still, in order to fit in everything that needs to be covered on a weekly basis, both you and your kids have to know how to manage time efficiently.

Are you imaginative and creative?

Looking back on my experiences having been homeschooled, I think the best thing that my mother taught me is that combining books and experiences is the best way to learn. At least once a week, my mother took us on educational “field trips” in which we visited museums, zoos, parks, and more to learn about the world beyond our textbooks. Whenever there was something important happening in the news, even if we were very young, we’d sit and watch or read the news together. For example, we watched and read political coverage since we were seven years old. Then, my mother would have us write essays explaining our opinions. A recent New York Times article, written by a former homeschooler, describes similar experiences in which her parents emphasized the creative application of knowledge.

Are you committed to involving your children in extra-curricular activities?

One concern that many parents who are considering homeschooling have is that their children won’t be properly socialized. This is perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions the public has about homeschooling. Of course, you’ll have to work to create a social environment for your children, but this can easily be done by enrolling in extra-curricular activities like volunteer programs, sports leagues, and more. If there are other homeschoolers in your area, get together once a month to discuss what you’ve learned. To find homeschooling support groups in your area, check out Homeschool World’s group page.

Are you concerned about college? Don’t be!

This is yet another big concern for home education parents-to-be. They worry that their children will not be able to get into the college of their choice because they were not taught in the system. The truth of the matter is, however, that more and more universities are thrilled to accept homeschooled students, since many outshine their traditional school counterparts both academically and emotionally. If homeschooled, almost all universities are flexible on transcripts as long as applicants take standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. For more research demonstrating how well homeschooled students typically do in college, check out these statistics and testimonies provided by the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Now of course, even though I personally believe that home school, for the right students and parents, is an excellent option, it’s not easy, especially for educators. But if you are ready for the challenge of teaching your kids at home, it may turn out to be the best thing you’ve ever done for them. For more information on getting started, check out this well-reviewed book that guides you through the process.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

* Betsy Dewey here, chiming in. Nadia wants parents to know that the freedom associated with homeschooling doesn’t equate to total freedom. Some families find that they can do “homeschool” in 2 hours a day. Nadia said that usually her academic instruction took 2-3 hours, and the rest was left up to her desire, but was still considered “school.” In my opinion, there are no set ways to do home school. It will and it should look different for every family.

Obama and our Congress passed NDAA. Our Constitution is basically meaningless now.

January 29, 2012 in Blog, For All, Politics with 2 Comments

NDAA – DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS? IF NOT, LISTEN UP.

It is an act signed on New Years Eve 2011 by the President and Congress, those very individuals who swore to defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, that completely undermines the United States Constitution. It is now law that American citizens can be arrested and “detained indefinitely” with no right to a trial on grounds of being thought a “terrorist.” You can be considered a terrorist if you have guns or if you have more than a week’s worth of food. These very words I write could land me in jail forever without due process of law, because I am speaking out against the current tyranny and I could be considered a terrorist. So could you. This was never supposed to happen in America. One little line in a lengthy writ of legislation called the National Defense Authorization Act, directly overrides the majority of the liberties that we have always been guaranteed in the USA – the freedom of speech, the right to a trial before your peers, the right to bear arms, freedom of peaceful assembly, the right of privacy…

And they wanted to pass SOPA – which would have given the government control of the internet. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Patrick Henry would be horrified. Our government is us. I have to believe that. But to hand over our lives – our jobs, our education, our medicine, our rights to any governing entity is beyond stupid. It’s unimaginable. The outrage against SOPA was so massive that Congress had to change its mind. Please contact your congress people and tell them to repeal NDAA! To contact your representative, click here. For your senators, click here.

Should I run for Lloyd Doggett’s seat in Congress?

Lloyd Doggett is my state representative in Congress. He belongs to the Democratic party. Not that that matters one iota. Both parties are chock-full of pandering sellouts. And then there are a few fine, freedom-loving people representing us as well, however I do believe them to be a tiny minority. Anyway, it crosses my mind everyday to run for my representative’s office. My husband rolls his eyes. He knows they’d either eat me for lunch, tear me to shreds, or turn me crooked Also, how could I homeschool my children for the next 16 years if I have a jobby job? I think I have to remain joyfully, self-electedly self-employed. Nevertheless, I am so mad at my representative for voting for NDAA that I feel like taking the matter into my own hands. This is another blog post, so I’ll regain my original train of thought.

Blissfully ignorant, until you’re “detained”

I can’t believe how many Americans don’t know that we are not really free anymore. Every time I ask someone if they know what NDAA is, they give me a blank look. Apparently, Dancing with the Stars is more important to people than their freedom. Here is a list of the 86 senators who voted to chuck the oldest constitution in the world: click here. Here are the representatives who voted for it: click here. Both of my senators and my representative voted for this. I am beyond angry. I want them out. There is even a facebook page out there dedicated to recalling every single one of these traitors. Oh, and then our beloved President signed it into law. He must be recalled as well. And for those of you who voted for McCain and are smugly saying “I told you so,” Senator McCain was one of the two congress people who secretly drafted the bill. If you don’t see that both sides of this political circus are in bed together, you need to. Ron Paul is the only candidate for president who doesn’t believe in jumping in this dirty bed. Look into him – mainly because those who own the media don’t want you to. If Ron Paul wins the election, big government and everyone who benefits from it are done. And they know it, so they simply don’t give him any air time. My belief is that since the electronic voting machines are hackable, even if Ron Paul wins the Republican nomination, we’ll never know it. Please pay attention folks. I am not an alarmist, but I truly believe we are being fed nothing but lies. Listen to Ron Paul. Not the media. Join the Libertarian party. It is the only party concerned with limited government and freedom. And no one is paying me to say this. I will never be paid to stand for something for which I don’t stand.

Without Freedom, you wouldn’t even recognize yourself

If you toss a frog into boiling water, it jumps out right? (Please don’t verify this. I didn’t.) But they say that if you put one in room temperature water and slowly bring it to a boil, it will just stay there until it dies. This unwitting second frog is a good metaphor for Americans right now. For years now, conspiracy theorists have been telling us that there is a plan to slowly, almost unnoticeably, strip away our freedoms, to the point of declaring martial law with the intent to enslave the population, but by the time we’ve been convinced to do all of the things that are prerequisite, it will be too late for any of us to do anything about it. Yeah, it’s easy to shrug that one off and call ‘em crazy. I mean, I can’t figure out who would want to do this or how they’d actually get away with it…

except that it’s happening…

I don’t know if I believe there is an elite secret club called the Illuminati that has been covertly controlling politics and the world for centuries. What I do know is what America stands for, and what an amazing quality of life capitalism has brought to millions of people. In America, women are free, races are equal, homosexuals and religious people are allowed to be who they are. It’s truly remarkable – this experiment called Democracy and free market. Our founding fathers knew that it would be difficult to maintain the magnitude of their vision of freedom. It’s simply too easy for government to squander our freedom by telling us they’ll take care of us. Gag. I’ll take care of myself, thanks.

We ought to heed a warning made by Patrick Henry in 1775, not long before the opening shots of the War for Independence were fired at Lexington and Concord. Henry clearly understood how freedom was being threatened by oppressive government rule. He warned against indifference, complacency, and apathy…Henry and other patriots believed that freedom meant individuals had the ability and responsibility to plan their own lives without unnecessary government intervention. That freedom was being threatened, and Henry was telling the colonists to wake up and confront the danger before them. His admonition applies to us today. - Robert G. Bearse

There’s a story that after the first Constitutional Convention, a woman approached Benjamin Franklin and asked what type of government they were creating. He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

But they had to give it a go. And it started with…

not having a king – it’s called Limited Government

The people, however, were so accustomed to having a king that they even asked George Washington if he would consider the title of king. He declined. The United States of America is the first of its kind, an experiment with something called freedom. If we don’t wake up and reclaim this country by the people for the people, it will be gone. It’s no wonder Ron Paul’s campaign calls itself a Revolution. It’s as important as the first one ever was.

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