
Have you gone on vacation this summer? Our family just got back from Estes Park, CO, and boy is it hard to return to normal daily life after an idyllic week in the Rocky Mountains! Isn’t it funny how normal life seems to be suspended when you’re on vacation? The things that usually bother you don’t seem to be issues, as you’re away from the very situations that cause them. The things that tend to set your kids off aren’t present either, so even they seem to be on their better (not quite best!) behavior. The more peaceful state of my family got me thinking about three things during my week off. First, I probably work too much (I’m a work-at-home freelance writer, and I’m also in the process of launching my own line of homeschool materials). Second, my kids need to build some new habits, both in terms of their characters and in terms of their interactions with each other and with their father and me. Finally, I truly need a role model – another mother with whom I am close and can emulate and from whom I can receive encouragement and advice.
Anyone who reads my posts knows that when I speak about my kids and the challenges that they present, I am probably talking most earnestly about “N”, my gifted seven year-old, whose behavior becomes more challenging and more mystifying to me every day. It is N, in fact, whom I think would benefit the most from my cutting back on work. N is happy when he is occupied. I mean seriously occupied. If I find something that engages this child’s brain to the fullest, he is satisfied, pleasant, and a joy to be around. On vacation in the mountains, that task became rock and mineral collecting and identification. If, however, N finds himself “bored”, a word I detest and, in fact, don’t really understand, he becomes almost unbearable. He finds it difficult to find things to do to engage himself, and relies on me to find activities to engage him. He doesn’t expect me to entertain him, just to lead him to things that will allow him fully to engage his brain.

The problem, of course, is that I have ideas! Deadlines! Articles! Employers! Goals! Each of these interferes with my ability to find things that will catch N’s fancy. My other children are wonderful about using their free time. My oldest writes plays for them to act in, they build block cities, they host tea parties for their furry friends, they read, or they draw. I don’t feel guilty sitting in their midst working. N is causing me to rethink things, though. I’ll have to get back to you on that one. I sure would welcome ideas, though!
Ah, the habit! Benjamin Franklin sure believed in the power of the habit, as did many of our other amazing founders. I, too, am a firm believer in the amazing power of the habit. Unfortunately, in my house right now, the habits that have a firm grasp are the ones that I want to see leave! Having spent time with my sister’s wonderful family last week, I saw some of the habits that she has in place for her family, and I am determined to replace my family’s bad habits with her family’s good habits. They (oh the amorphous they!) say it takes about 21 days to form a new habit: I’ll let you know next month whether we’re doing any better about putting away our toys before we go to bed or hanging up our clothes the second they leave our backs!
Finally, I’ve always (well, nearly always!) thought my big sister (older by 15 months) was the smartest person I know. I’ve now officially selected her as my model mom. I was able to watch her in fairly close quarters with her kids for close to a week, and she has just the right balance of firmness and freedom. Best of all, because she’s my sister, I can confess my fears, failings, and weaknesses to her without fear of judgment. She truly is the only person of my own generation of whom that is true. She is also a role model in terms of her faith. I’d like to think I don’t need any help in that regard, but I suspect everyone could use a little booster shot now and then!
I realize that this post seems a tad personal, but I consider the HOTM family my friends and, more than anything, I welcome your advice and your thoughts. I know I’m not the only one out there with a challenging child (or two!). Have you had any revelations in these slower summer months? Are there things that you think you might do differently as the fall semester begins in a couple of weeks? Who is your role model – is it possible to have a Titus 2 relationship with a woman your own age? Perhaps most importantly: does anyone have any ideas for how to keep my overactive, overstimulated, oversmart seven year-old son intellectually engaged?? Have a wonderful end-of-summer HOTM ladies!
Laura Delgado has been married to her husband, Henry, for 14 years. She gave birth to four children in exactly 40 months, but cheated since the last two were twins. She now happily homeschools her 8,6, and two 4 year-olds. She earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Rice University, but finds that she uses her undergraduate Great Books education far more in her homeschooling pursuits. In addition to writing for various homeschooling publications, she creates educational materials for edHelper. For homeschooling helps and curriculum reviews, please visit her blogs at Living as Martha and Salve Regina Homeschool.



























Patty has been married to the love of her life for 14 years and has 4 kiddos she lovingly refers to as her monkeys. She is constantly threatening to run away to the Circus–unfortunately, she keeps being informed she’s already there! She loves throwing together this and that to create a unique learning experience that encourages a love of learning. Come feed their school mascot Shiver and check out her blog at 







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