Alyssa & John 5: She's Raising Fashion Conscious Girls

[Paperplate]

On 5/8/2020 at 4:15 PM, formergothardite said:

It does matter since she is the one responsible for grading all tests and quizzes and observing her children to make sure they are learning what they need to learn. Abeka pushes that this is "real" homeschooling since the parents are the ones responsible for administering test and grading papers.  She could do the accredited Abeka program where she then sends samples of the graded tests and papers in for them to evaluate, but either way, Alyssa is going to be responsible for knowing if her children can pass tests and spell. If she is uneducated, then she will not pick up if her children are struggling to learn while watching a classroom on the television. 

 

On 5/8/2020 at 6:29 PM, nausicaa said:

Also, I've noticed even among non-homeschooled children, the kids who come from families in which there are intellectual discussions at the dinner table and the parents read for fun and watch documentaries have a huge leg up in school over other kids. They are more tuned in to current events, they have larger vocabularies, and they think of reading as a leisure activity, not a punishment done solely for school.

I imagine this is even more true when your parents are your teachers. I think the Webster house is an intellectual wasteland and those girls are spending their "sponge years" getting absolutely no stimulation or encouragement from Alyssa inside or outside of their curriculum. 

I meant it as a dig at Alyssa's "teaching", not to say a parent/teacher has no influence on their students'/kids' education.

It obviously matters greatly how much knowledge/education is viewed in your home. If any of the kids are struggling with a subject, having an educated, qualified adult there to help them and explain things would make a huge difference. So far it looked to me like all Alyssa does is sticking Allie, and now Lexi, in front of the tv, and having them memorise stuff. I wonder what will happen when it's not just letters and shapes anymore, and the girls have to do more than just parrot facts or trace letters on worksheets. I can't imagine her explaining organic chemistry to anyone. (But I never understood how anyone teaches their kid more advanced subjects without specialised training. My parents both went to college and they were never really able to help me much with school beyond year 7 or so. But I also know US curricula are less advanced...)

I didn't know the parents graded the test with Abeka. I just assumed the students grade themselves like with some other curriculums, so thanks for the info.

I think Alyssa gets those kiwi crates for her girls. So as long as that sponsorship is running, they at least have that.

[lumpentheologie]

On 5/9/2020 at 2:56 PM, llucie said:

You mean Travis Clark? there is a photo at his insta on his graduation ceremony, it looks like a church afiliated private school to me.

Travis went to the school that's part of the church his family founded, so I'm sure it's very in line with their beliefs.  I expect his kids will go there as well, so I guess that'd make Katie's life better at least? 

[FluffySnowball]

In her most recent Instagram post, Alyssa mentions that her girls (plural!) have now been taught to sit through an entire church service. She deems that an accomplishment, I just find it nonsense. And does she mean all three girls or “only” the two oldest? Regardless, they are all far too young in my opinion. But indoctrination starts early in Batesville. 

Spoiler

What also concerns me is that Alyssa said she could only now teach them at home, implying that it wasn’t possible to teach them at an actual church meeting. Does that mean physical violence was involved? I don’t know, but that’s the thought that immediately crossed my mind. 

[JanasTattooParlor]

19 minutes ago, FluffySnowball said:

In her most recent Instagram post, Alyssa mentions that her girls (plural!) have now been taught to sit through an entire church service. She deems that an accomplishment, I just find it nonsense. And does she mean all three girls or “only” the two oldest? Regardless, they are all far too young in my opinion. But indoctrination starts early in Batesville. 

  Hide contents

What also concerns me is that Alyssa said she could only now teach them at home, implying that it wasn’t possible to teach them at an actual church meeting. Does that mean physical violence was involved? I don’t know, but that’s the thought that immediately crossed my mind. 

Oh see I was thinking that they maybe usually go to a children’s church type situation during the adult service and so they probably aren’t used to having to sit through a full service until now since they probably aren’t live-streaming the children’s church. My baptist church growing up had a children’s church option for kids under 10 to go to during regular service since parents knew they couldn’t sit still. 

[kmachete14]

Teaching children to sit still for a church service doesn't require violence . . . I grew up Catholic and besides being a toddler that needed a book to read, I was always expected to sit quietly. No violence required. Not to mention, there were times for standing, singing, reciting prayer, so you weren't literally sitting silent the ENTIRE time. The only thing is that I have heard Baptist services go a lot longer than Catholic mass (1 hour). 

Overall, I wouldn't say this is anything no snark on unless we find out they've been spanking/whipping the kids to sit still and the service was actually 2 hours of complete sitting in silence. . . 

Edited May 19, 2020 by kmachete14

[FluffySnowball]

You two might very well be right, @JanasTattooParlor and @kmachete14. I was only speculating and would be happy if I were wrong. But with these people (fundies in general), whenever it comes to the topic of raising children, I can’t stop thinking of corporal punishment. Hopefully I’m often mistaken! 

Edited May 19, 2020 by FluffySnowball

[SassyPants]

Recently, Didn’t AW also post an IG photo of Lexie at a desk and labeled kindergartner? Allie just turned 5 and should be entering Kindergarten this year. It’s so odd that people who seemingly do not value a proper education at all would attempt to portray their children as academically advanced. 

[formergothardite]

5 hours ago, kmachete14 said:

grew up Catholic and besides being a toddler that needed a book to read, I was always expected to sit quietly. No violence required. Not to mention, there were times for standing, singing, reciting prayer, so you weren't literally sitting silent the ENTIRE time. The only thing is that I have heard Baptist services go a lot longer than Catholic mass (1 hour). 

Expecting a child to sit still in many baptist churches is expecting them to sit for an easily 30-45 minute sermon. Even the mainstream SB church one of my relatives goes to regularly has 45 minute sermons. 

I really don't think it is appropriate to expect preschool children to sit still and quiet that long. One thing I liked about the Episcopal church I attended is that the sermons are around 10-15 minutes and there is lots of standing, kneeling, responsive reading and no one really expected a child to sit quietly. There was a children's ministry, but all children came out for communion and it was expected that children make noise and people needed to let kids be kids. 

If I ever go back to church it will probably be an Episcopal church. 

Edited May 19, 2020 by formergothardite

[Melissa1977]

Allie and Lexi are 5 and 3. Too young to sit quiet for an hour (watching something sooooo boring for them), but definitely better than poor Axton, who has been trained at age 1.

I don't think Alyssa implied hitting the girls. Allie usually goes to a Sunday School, so maybe she does not attend to regular service and wasn't used to sit for that long.

 

[princessmahina]

12 hours ago, kmachete14 said:

Teaching children to sit still for a church service doesn't require violence . . . I grew up Catholic and besides being a toddler that needed a book to read, I was always expected to sit quietly. No violence required. Not to mention, there were times for standing, singing, reciting prayer, so you weren't literally sitting silent the ENTIRE time. The only thing is that I have heard Baptist services go a lot longer than Catholic mass (1 hour). 

Overall, I wouldn't say this is anything no snark on unless we find out they've been spanking/whipping the kids to sit still and the service was actually 2 hours of complete sitting in silence. . . 

Yes, this is one thing I like about being Catholic— lots of movement which is great for little ones, it’s not terribly long, generally no one minds if someone is a little loud, and there tend to be lots of things on the walls to look at to distract small children. 

[HerNameIsBuffy]

9 hours ago, princessmahina said:

Yes, this is one thing I like about being Catholic— lots of movement which is great for little ones, it’s not terribly long, generally no one minds if someone is a little loud, and there tend to be lots of things on the walls to look at to distract small children. 

I still don't have the attention span to get through mass without wanting to scream, but it's definitely much easier than the fundy-lite church services.  They went on forever.

[haroldtheyrefundies]

I can see a mix of educational choices from the Bates kids. I think it would make sense for the older Bates kids to keep up with the homeschooling while the younger Bates kids (Josie down) well pick something different. I see Zach and Whitney, Tori and Bobby, Josie and Kelton, and Carlin and Even choose the private Christian school route. With Erin & Chad and Alyssa & John, both the mom and dad were homeschooled so it would be easier for them to pick that since that is what both mom and dad know. But with the other Bates spouses some of them went to public school (Whitney) and others went to a private Christian school (Kelton and Bobby). If the husband went to a private school then I can see the couple doing that because the husband is the head of the household and all that. 

[GuineaPigCourtship]

I don't think Tori will be able to escape home schooling because of her degree in education.

[princessmahina]

11 hours ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

I still don't have the attention span to get through mass without wanting to scream, but it's definitely much easier than the fundy-lite church services.  They went on forever.

You sound like my parents ? they’re not churchy people in general though. For me, the monotony of Protestant services drove me nuts. Even the weddings were bad. Thankfully most of them are short. I kinda feel bad for the fiesta at my wedding— an hour and a half long wedding mass ?

[Bazinga]

On 5/19/2020 at 12:21 PM, SassyPants said:

Recently, Didn’t AW also post an IG photo of Lexie at a desk and labeled kindergartner? Allie just turned 5 and should be entering Kindergarten this year. It’s so odd that people who seemingly do not value a proper education at all would attempt to portray their children as academically advanced. 

I mentioned this same thing in the Erin thread. Carson just turned 5, yet has already graduated from kindergarten. Maybe they are just super bored (Erin and Alyssa) and need to feel like they are doing something. But I'm thinking that probably isn't it.

[JanasTattooParlor]

15 hours ago, Bazinga said:

I mentioned this same thing in the Erin thread. Carson just turned 5, yet has already graduated from kindergarten. Maybe they are just super bored (Erin and Alyssa) and need to feel like they are doing something. But I'm thinking that probably isn't it.

So while I was bored watching my students take a test over Google Hangout today I went to watch Erin’s post about homeschool and noticed that she replied to someone’s comment saying that they started Carson early because he was really eager to learn but that Brooklyn isn’t interested and is more energetic so they’ll probably start her at five instead of four. I definitely agree that if Carson was ready then I don’t see an issue with starting him early, but she could start Brooklyn early too if she picked a curriculum that didn’t make the kid sit and watch videos all day. 

[Melissa1977]

6 minutes ago, JanasTattooParlor said:

So while I was bored watching my students take a test over Google Hangout today I went to watch Erin’s post about homeschool and noticed that she replied to someone’s comment saying that they started Carson early because he was really eager to learn but that Brooklyn isn’t interested and is more energetic so they’ll probably start her at five instead of four. I definitely agree that if Carson was ready then I don’t see an issue with starting him early, but she could start Brooklyn early too if she picked a curriculum that didn’t make the kid sit and watch videos all day. 

I think she was excited to start homeschooling. All of them are. Even Alyssa started Allie soon (and with no videos at the beginning). But eventually, new babies come, being a "teacher" takes too much time, and with the second kid it's not exciting anymore.

I know some homeschoolers take it seriously. But if someone is using boring videos and dull worksheets even with their eldest, it's clear that does not love homeschooling OR has no time to do it properly.

 

[Deleorean88mph]

The Abeka vids (from what I saw in Ayssa's homeschooling vid) is supposed to make the child feel like they're in the classroom, yet they are probably better off having a video of the teacher teaching one on one. The child will always feel left out of the group, never able to participate in the class, be called upon by the teacher, or get to have any personal interaction with the teacher. The last one would also be an issue with one on one vids, but at least the student wouldn't have to feel like she's the only one left out of the group. 

I think these types of vids can be useful for an older child who needs certain subjects explained to them. But at 5 years old, a lot of focus should be placed in life/social skills which is difficult to achieve through a video.

[rebeccawriter01]

19 hours ago, Deleorean88mph said:

The Abeka vids (from what I saw in Ayssa's homeschooling vid) is supposed to make the child feel like they're in the classroom, yet they are probably better off having a video of the teacher teaching one on one. The child will always feel left out of the group, never able to participate in the class, be called upon by the teacher, or get to have any personal interaction with the teacher. The last one would also be an issue with one on one vids, but at least the student wouldn't have to feel like she's the only one left out of the group. 

I think these types of vids can be useful for an older child who needs certain subjects explained to them. But at 5 years old, a lot of focus should be placed in life/social skills which is difficult to achieve through a video.

I'm not anti-homeschooling at all. As an only child, I would have struggled if I wasn't in the classroom in those early days. It's hard to learn things like lining up or standing in line when you're the only kid. Problem solving skills for social situations are another area that you can't really teach over video. I was in kindergarten with one boy who had longish hair (about shoulder length). I thought he was a girl and hung out with him. I had very short hair (bowl cut) and he thought I was a boy. Our parents finally broke it to us and we were never as good of friends again. 

While I realize that Alyssa's kids will learn some of the socialization stuff from having their sisters with them all the time, it almost feels like there is no break from it. There isn't a moment of the day that they are alone except for very special times. I think that would have driven me crazy as a child. I was the kid on sleepovers who was ready to go home or send others home by 11 or midnight. I was always the first awake the next morning and already calling my parents to come pick me up and go home. 

[freethemall]

Alyssa and John have ditched the kids at grandma's (Websters?) to have a private weeklong staycation where they apparently lay on a couch full of snacks all week. I'm bitter mostly because I wish I could ditch my toddler at their grandparents but they're 7+ hrs away.

[Paperplate]

I'm amazed at

a) the amount of crap they're apparently able to eat without getting fat.

b) the amount of crap they choose to eat.

Also, either Alyssa was riding someone else's bike or they got her one that does not fit her at all, and then also put the saddle way too low. But she's rocking the super-short shorts and tank top – very un-fundie-looking.

And they biked a whole FOUR miles! LOL

[Melissa1977]

2 hours ago, Paperplate said:

I'm amazed at

a) the amount of crap they're apparently able to eat without getting fat.

b) the amount of crap they choose to eat.

John was posting about healthy lifestyle and food a couple months ago, telling people to contact him for advice. 

[SassyPants]

Wait the staycation is an entire week? I could see a weekend or the long weekend, but a week? Seeing as the kids are farmed out, may as well just stay at home and skip the $$ spent on the airb&b. Or go on day dates and farm the kids out each day.

[Melissa1977]

1 hour ago, SassyPants said:

Wait the staycation is an entire week? I could see a weekend or the long weekend, but a week? Seeing as the kids are farmed out, may as well just stay at home and skip the $$ spent on the airb&b. Or go on day dates and farm the kids out each day.

I looked at the post and it does not say a week. Or I didn't find it.

I absolutely understand the need of some childfree time. For me, spending some money in a (short) vacation really is worth it. And children usually like to be at grandma's home for a while. 

Edited May 23, 2020 by Melissa1977
Spelling

[princessmahina]

12 hours ago, Melissa1977 said:

John was posting about healthy lifestyle and food a couple months ago, telling people to contact him for advice. 

I’m definitely going to take healthy eating advice from someone who piles up a couch with junk food and proceeds to consume it with one other person. 
 

also, anyone else think there might be Webster #4 out of this?