Lessons from the Oregon Trail

 I heard a story on the radio about a teacher who did Oregon Trail with her class.  They learned math and history and had fun.  I thought it would work nicely for our homeschool group.  I never played the Oregon Trail game so I've had to do some research this week.  I've played 5 times and made it to Oregon twice.  

I've learned to never attempt to ford a river.  Someone dies every time!

You can only carry 100 lbs of meat to the wagon so don't shoot a buffalo.  It's so wasteful.

Stop for rest when people are sick!

Go hunting often and don't let your food go below 400lbs.

Save some money for tolls.

You can't buy supplies in every stop and they get more and more expensive as you go.

Don't give your company members real names.  It's so sad when they die.  And they die.

This is the first time I've played a role playing computer game.  I did play Dungeons and Dragons once a few years ago.  I'm generally not into a game that takes more than 30 minutes.  

I hope to teach the children some geography, math, hand working, and who knows caution.

busy

 Sometimes I'm so busy I have to make a list with specific times that things need to happen.

2:00-3:00 groceries and bike tire
3:00-3:30 make dinner
3:30-4:30 pick up M
4:30-6:30 B to piano
6:45-8:30 Kids to youth activity
8:30 Scriptures and Prayer
9:00 Bedtime with L

Yesterday was one of those days.  I am so fortunate to have a husband who values all the things I do.  All the things! 

In past years I have met cool people and wished they had time for me in their busy lives.  Now I'm in the busy life and it's tricky to coordinate time to see people.

Perspective change for the better

 I recently heard the idea that if your kids were someone else's, you'd want your children to hang out with them.  That is absolutely true.  My children are awesome.

Chores

 We have a monthly rotation of chores for the 5 children.  Someone helps with each area of the house, and specific tasks are somewhat balanced.  Each of them is more or less able to do each task.  M is hardly home!  L does his chores as part of his daily work chart.

2022 Family Duties

Bathroom  Wipe down counter  Keep towels stocked toilet paper stocked  Empty Trash Sweep Floor

Kitchen Sweep Load Dishes Unload Dishes Clean Counter

Front of house Towels on shoe shelf Sweep Vaccum Pick up in front room

Big room shoe shelf clear table clear under table tidy floor vacuum

Firepit and back of house tidy floor vacuum blow leaves bathroom towels

beach!

We went to the beach Saturday.  It has been too long since we all went.  I've often seen people taking pictures in this spot around sunset.  I'm so glad we got this picture!  Now we have to get the one of all of us jumping on the beach.   : )

Going to the temple

 It had been a while since I went to the temple.  At a stake leadership training someone said you've got to put it on the calendar.  I've heard that before but this time I did it.  I put 2 Saturdays on the calendar.  The first one August 26 inspired me to take a covid test since I didn't want to risk that.  I had covid so that appointment did not happen.

This month my appointment was for September 24.  This past week has been hectic with B, M and me all needing Dr. appointments.  Then last night P's car broke down.  It was touch and go about if this would be the straw, or this be the last straw.

I went and it was great. 

Boundaries of Anxiety

I'm learning that good parents do not burden their children with their fears and anxieties.  This is kind of new for me, though I've read stories where the parents didn't tell their kids things, knowing it would only make them upset.

 One of my formative stories was that I, as a 4 year old, got child protective services called on our family.  My mother would retell this story with no regard for how I would perceive my responsibility.   Our neighbor B, K and many others were amazing.  When we moved away for 1 year I had no concept of neighbors you can't trust.  When someone got hurt I went to our new neighbor M who called the police rather than help.

For years I had anxiety that the police would show up and take my children.  I didn't understand until recently that this originated with that childhood trauma.  I wish my mom had told the story differently, or not at all. 

I tell the children my fears too often and I want to stop that.  I have anxiety that if I don't tell them all the dangers they will fall prey to something horrible.  But then they are afraid.  No good.