Friday Four: Family Award Night

Okay. I’m odd and I know it! But these ideas come in my head for a reason. I want to begin a new family tradition. “Family Awards Night.” We award each family member an award that  has been voted by each family member. Medallions, ceremony and all! The goal is to find fun ways to help them develop a skill set that will help them be successful as adults. I promise you  they aren’t looked upon as lab rats.  Instead it’s a purposeful way of parenting.If it works in schools and on the job, why not here in our homeschooling home? My children may not run to me after a school ceremony with a hand full of silk ribbons, striking a pose, but they will a just as happy if not more!

Strategies for success begins NOW!

If I’m lucky, we will not only have a house full of grinning, we’ll also have theses 4 goals marked out; 

1. Teach them how awesome they are as an individuals.

2. How wonderful their siblings are.

3. We’ll emphasis the importance of being their best even when we are around.

4. Maybe even find out something new about them……. by accident.

~The Pressley- Perkins Award List~

• Most helpful.            Requirements: Looking out for older, weaker, shorter, busiest,
•  Best with money.   Requirements: Saved and invested wisely.  Has great record
•  Best Entertainer Award.  Requirements: See this a a way of getting them to exercise and use their critical thinking skills in moderation. It could go bad real fast with this one.
•  Best Chef Award.  Requirements: healthy, affordable,yummy and creative. This will help reinforce what a health plate looks like.
•  Most Resourceful Award.   Requirements: This child would be the one to solve the most issues. save us money, time and frustration by recycling, asking the right questions and doing what needs to be done with in their ability.
•  Ms/Mr Respectful Award.   Requirements: Let me say that my children remember their manners well. HOWEVER…… those little boys of mine don’t always remember to use them. This will go to the child that show manner and respect the most when we are not around. I would ask my community to be the judges of this. I think it would benefit everyone they come in contact with, since anyone could be watching.
• The Reader Roo Award.  Requirements: Right now one daughter loves to read. Hopefully this would encourage the others to read up.
•  All around Most Improved Award.  Requirements: They should all get this one. Because all of them will make great efforts to get this.
•  Best Parent Award.                      Requirements: We have thick skin. So no worries here. The goal would be to work on our parenting skills as needed.
• Best Child Award. No one will win this one. We will use this one as a tool to see what we need to work on as parents.

Since there is a plethora of Dollar stores and online award forms to down loads for free, this should be pretty simple to do. Not bad huh? Try it. Let me know what you think. I can’t wait to get started.

FREE Award Makers: 

DyeTub

SEN learning materials

MES-English.com

Crayola

Certificate Magic

LakeShore

Billy Bear 4 kids

 123 Certificates  

In Competition with Oneself,

QC Supermom

 

For Sinners Only

Our mayor had an awful day today! Somehow my children and I did too! The last thing I thought I would see this morning while at a clients office, would be an breaking new report about him. How in the world does something like this sit for 4 years and for such small  of a reward? ( I’m just saying- that was small change) He couldn’t possibly be that reckless.  BUT FOR ALL due respect……. I digress. That is not what this post is about. And please, let’s be clear that allegations/charges or his resignation are not an symbol of guilt. Mixed reactions are expected at this time and big issues ahead without doubt. However, this article, alone I found interesting. Seems it’s a new trend going on.

My children and I proudly worked his campaign. We celebrated at each major milestone.We even have the T-shirts “Vote Cannon” for bragging rights. As part of the girls home school lesson, they had to research politics, how bills becomes laws and how does politics effect different families. Oh,we just had a ball with the campaigning process.

Overtime my girls and I grew to love the Cannon Family.

Trina Cannon

Well as just about everyone knows now, he was arrested and released today. So the lessons continues. They are learning to be independent thinkers. Inspite of what I may think, I encouraged the girls to reserve their media induced ideas. Instead to wait untill they have received more evidence and then make an intelligent decision.

Cassie and Mayor Cannon

Deeyda and Mayor Cannon

I guess as a mom, you see how young children look up to a person like Patrick Cannon and see hope. I don’t want them to ever loose that.

Here’s photos from the  Cannon journey to the Mayor’s office. Cannon’s Election journey & Watch Party 2013

Look at the way that little girl looks up to him. Can you say accountability?

I hope those beautiful children of his are protected and not bound to the harmful acts of others during this time.

I pray that his wife Trina, continues to support her husband.

I want to say to Cannon, I wasn’t there. I don’t have a heaven or hell to put you in. I wish you nothing but the best in your future. Thank you for the life lesson I’ve shared with my children. I heard them making impressive comments about the case. It has them thinking, so that’s a wonderful thing.

He resigned and I think it was the best decision for the City. My husband says that he should stand his ground. He says that it happens very often in that “playground of politics.” -Whatever! I can’t. I won’t and I aint going to jump on the “Put A Fork In Him” go cart.  In the end, only one person can judge him.As parents it’s our place to raise our children into mighty, productive and ethical leaders, and to show them all the beauty and strength they posses inside.

Sitting on the fence with a pocket filled with hope,

QC Supermom

 

Girls need all types of Shero’s!

Yes! It’s another salute to Women’s History Month. Don’t you just love it? Today, I’m talking about the young girls and why they need shero’s.

My mom, pastor Odessa Thompson,and aunt Bertha were mine. In a odd way my grandmother, as mean as she was to me, she  was too. I learn many things from each of them. My parents knew that it took a village, and they provided it. Now I’m playing it forward. I actively look for opportunities and other strong women to pour into my daughters life. The good, bad and the controlled -flat out ugly. Well as much as I can, some things they must experience to earn them character.

One of my honorary daughters grew up very rough. Her mom worked ALL of the time. When she wasn’t, she stayed in the house and slept. Any time between that was spent keeping up with her much younger husband. (Now, I’ll give her credit, when we hit the road, she always had her traveling money.) We’ll this girl made the most of it. I kept reminding her how awesome, clever and smart she is. Because she really was! Today, she sits at the top of her class, plays sports, no babies or abortions, criminal record, works part time and still calls me mom to this day. I think that I made a difference. I still look back at out throw together summer field trips.

Our girls need more strong role models and structure to encourage positive self-images and confidence. They must see that they can be competent and successful.

Today, I get by with a little help from my friends. Last Friday evening, my teen girls went out with their honorary grandma Ruth and auntie Aisha to a live play by Tomorrow’s R.O.A.D..It was a one woman show honoring the life of Harriet Tubman. Ms Karen played 35 roles. (Not sure how she does it but bless her heart!) Anyhoots, they had a great time.

Mama Ruth are the girls honorary grandma

They seen, felt and examined many antiques from the 30’s. “D” told me she was praying tonight for sturdy hands. Mama Ruth brought antiques to share. As my girls were viewing it, they were reminded to be careful. Mama Ruth said, “I had that all my life, be careful! ”

See,

Old pot

I told Asha Drew that she was gonna play a significant role in my girls life, she thought I was playing. In less than one year, here we are.  I CLAIMED THAT for them and made it happen!

“I truly believe in speaking things into existence. Not to get all Tony Robbins, but you speak it, and it can definitely happen to you.”- Nick Cannon

What we speak is the truth for us. We create truth from our words but don’t forget to move your feet!

Cassie’s using a soup ladle!

 

Parents, moms, announce what you want with all the determination and hopefulness you can muster and watch the world bring it straight to you. If I can discover strength, support and willingness like this in others for my daughters, so can you! Don’t allow B.Ë.T. and The Vine mold your daughters. There are people out there that will help you.

Harriet’s Return, By Karen J.Meadows, Tomorrow’s R.O.A.D. and Ulysses: Charlotte Festival of The Arts

 

Go get it!

QC Supermom

Friday Four:Disney Jr. Princess and Pirate LIVE in Charlotte NC review

They came & they conquered!

Disney Junior Live: Pirate and Princess Adventure

The show open with Doc McStuffins,my personal favorite Disney character.

Creeping through the crowd, Mickey and Minnie Mouse got the show started. That’s where the Pirates and Princess argument began. They asked which is better — princesses or pirates. Of course my sons yelled “Pirates!”

Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Sofia the First takes the stage. We seen all of our favorite characters from the hit series – her siblings, Amber and James, her parents, King Roland and Queen Miranda, Baileywick, and even the three fairies from Sleeping Beauty, Sofia’s instructors at Royal Prep.

There was even a guest appearance from Cinderella!! At one point, bubbles were blown over the crowd, delighting many little guests. A lot of familiar songs kept the show going flawlessly.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates with surprise visit from Tinker Bell & Peter Pan

After a brief intermission, some Pirates snuck into the crowd and pulled a few children up on stage for a sing-along. Even I was singning! This lead to Jake and the Neverland Pirates act. We got to see Jake, Cubby, Izzy, Scully, Captain Hook, Smee, Sharky and Bones, the Crocodile, and a crew of pirates. The gang had their typical adventure versus Captain Hook and after Jake was imprisoned by Hook he was saved by the one and only Peter Pan, who made a grand entrance flying through the air!

I want a dress like this.

I was very surprised that my teen daughters liked it. My sons, I knew for sure they had a ball. Everyone was super entertained by all the dancing and singing and all the magical moments the show offered. The best part of the show was how the characters involved the kids* in the audience to be part of the show. They had the kids get up out of their seats to dance and sing-a-long. Another thing I liked is how they incorporated high quality and compatible images on the back screen. It was a incredible addition to the show. I was most thrilled by the virtual ship steering stimulation the pirates led.

Family time is priceless!

What a great evening out with the children.Can’t wait for the next Disney show!

Disclosure: I was provided tickets to an event and/or a product for review purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free tickets or product. Any opinions express are completely 100% my own based on my experience and are not influenced by any form of compensation.

Til, the next sail,

QC Supermom

Wednesday WoW! Are Those birds chirping in my ear?

Goodbye ole man winter, with your bitter winds and mounds of snow, and hello young-óne spring.

How incredible our Creator is.

Spring, marks the beginning of warmer weather and longer daylight hours, the blooming of flowers and the budding of leaves. Yes!

So what do a large homeschooling family like mine do a the very 1st day of spring in the south? We dress our dog, look for worms, plant certified GMO FREE seeds, start gathering things inside of the house to give away to a local non profit thrift store, figuring out when we’ll go to Virgina to pick our oldest son up from college and who high school graduation we’ll be attending.(if any at all)

Yup, he’s that tall. I should mention that it’s my husbands favorite time of year. He calls me a clutter-er. (Go figure!)

Now who is afraid of Monsanto? Not us!

We give and get from the 501c3 thrift stores.

Plant just about all of these now.

This year we’re adding something else to the list. We’re going to see Disney Jr. Live Pirates and Princess Adventure LIVE! What better way to get excited about spring huh?!

Get your tickets here for the live show on the 20th!

Now that the winter weather was broke, get outside and look for adventurous signs of spring! 

Have a fun day, we are!

QC Supermom 

The unforgivable purchase!

I bought my very first industrial stapler! …..and I liked it!

 My U.S. Veteran husband is so traditional in many ways. I guess he was trained to be as such. Most times it’s okay. But it can play itself out quickly when I need things done asap! I can recall many days when the idea of going in a store to make such a “manly” purchase would overwhelm me. The idea would have to exist stage left and I would either find the wanted item in the store or nag  remind him till he made it for me.

I guess lately I’ve been smelling myself, as the elders would say. I felt so “confident” while shopping today. I couldn’t get home fast enough to show my husband. I thought I knew what he would say. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. Not one time did he ask me what would I do if I were to break a nail while using it.” Not a single word did he muster.

I’m not 100 % sure how he feels about it, but I’m so happy I purchased it! There is so much more to look forward to. I’m thinking about the numerous projects I refused my children. I let fear of the unknown and $2,00 hold me back for years! Boy do I have a lot to catch up on! I may need a new blog for it all!

My message for YOU… the wife. mom, baby mam.etc.,If you want something done; get up and do it yourself. At least make an attempt. You never know how it will turn out.Sometimes the key to getting support, ideas, strengthen and maybe even know how is getting up and making small moves!  Play damsel n distress later!

(I already fixed my sagging car roof cover.- It was so much fun! Pallet bench next!)

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”Andy Rooney

Empower yourself,

~QC Supermom

Friday Four:Women of the elements

Women’s History Month continues! Shining Stars!

Let’s take a trip back in high school where we learned about the elements. No, not the band, but the Periodic Table of Elements.

 In 1993 while in college I started reading zodiacs signs. I discovered how different months of birth were represented by categories ( the fire signs all have some element of “forcefulness” in them. The Earth signs are “practical and down-to-earth”. The Air signs are “thoughtful or intellectual”. And the water signs are “emotional”.)

• Earth represented things that were solid.
  

  Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. by Buttertoast12

• Water represented things that were liquid.
• Fire represented things that destroy.
• Air represented things that moved.Void or Sky/Heaven represented things not of our everyday life.

Sitting here thinking about 4 shinning stars / women that influence me the most, and here is what I came up with based on those elements. 

1.Odessa Thompson (Water) My childhood pastor. She was the community builder. Everyone knew her for creating something incredible out of nothing. She sold many things and encourage other women to do the same. Her spiritually was firm and the need to defend herself/beliefs weren’t necessary. She told my mom that I was going to be a blessing to my family.

2. Janie Lee Session Pressley  (Earth) Oh my goodness, I learned so much from my mom. She was so perfect. She taught me unconditional love, how to be a wife and how to serve with a humble heart.

3. Laura  (Wind) She is the only woman I know that has more children than myself.I remember visits to her home. She was always proud of all of her children. I’ve never seen a women happy to cook such large meals on a regular basis. To me, motherhood was the highlight of her life. She never complained. And I know it was hard because she did it alone. Today, her children are honoring her and she is enjoying every minute of it. The cries, hustle, sacrifice were worth it.

4. Renora Hyman (Fire) Talk about a woman that wore many hats. She told me the story about how she wanted to buy her 1st home. The realtor told her that she needed her husband to sing for the house. She walked out and 3 years later she walked into a different realtor office and walked out a homeower*. She finance other ventures as a chef. The best advice she ever gave me was to keep the balls empty and the belly full.

As you can see each of these women has impressed my life deeply. I am so proud of each of them and to this day I proudly accept lessons I’ve learned from each of them.

I thought this was much fun. Want to know your element? Wind, Earth, Water, or Fire? Take this personality quiz on your element type. or this one. It’s just as cool.

Well there you have it. If you want to understand women more, go elemental my dear!

See you at the Disney Jr. Prince and Princess show,

QCSupermom

Get your tickets here for the live show on the 20th!

 

Wednesday Wow: The Shero Cheat Sheet

We’re still celebrating Women’s History Month.

No mom wants to be “the mom from hell”. You know, those challenging days when everything seems to piss you off, even then you want to at least seem like a decent mom. Being a “Shero” is a stretch but guess what, anything of value is worth the effort.

Disclosure: Sheros are human. Yes we have bad days. I know this is true because I have days like that myself. As a matter of fact, this post is late because of that very reason. My children are trying me today. On top of that, my husband and the teen girls are gone for the evening.

Shero practices:

Be careful when dragging them out of the store.

Know that they are small for only a short time . Don’t wait to enjoy them.

Get help. Everyone doesn’t wan to be just a mom. With the right connections, you can have both a rewarding motherhood and work life.

You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.‘( Winston S. Churchill)

Let your haters be your motivators. Basically, know that everyone is not rooting for you. Continue to love yourself, family, and life enough to stay focused.

Surround yourself with positive people- Find mentors.

Wisdom does not come overnight. ~(Somali proverb)

Have a reason to succeed learn, learn & learn.Then learn even more.

A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted –Understand the power of your money

It took God 7 days, calm down a pace your self.

Always be willing to bring something to the table.

Always be willing to bring something to the table.

A mom who uses force all of the time, she is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb –  That means don’t be so fast to spank your child, or start a street fight. 🙂

Make & keep your “me time!”

Always look for ways to over produce.

Find a reason to laugh at yourself.

Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure ticket giveaway
Show is Thursday, March 20th! For ticket and show information, visit TicketMaster!

Keep your promise and if you can’t say so early on.

A small glass of wine, a great soy based candle and soft music is ok.

So there’s my growing list. I’m sure I’ll edit it many times as long as I’m a mom. Friday, I’ll share with you four of my top influential women.

Find Your Balance, QCSupermom

Llama, Llama -No Dependent Tax Drama!

Let’s go through this together: You just filed your taxes. You wait for the approval and “BAM”, it’s rejected! Someone has filed your child on their tax return. The nerves right? Well guess what? That happens all of the time. It has happened to me before. The question is not why. You and I both know the answer to that. Take the green light and get your money back! 

If you are the one who deserves to claim your child, stick to it.

Only one taxpayer may generally claim any one person as a dependent on a tax return (except, of course, in the case of a married couple filing jointly). If you file your tax return and someone else has already claimed your dependent, then the IRS will apply tiebreaker rules.

There may be an exception when the splitting of tax benefits for a dependent is detailed in a legal divorce decree. If you have such a decree, you will need to file your tax return on paper and attach the relevant pages of the divorce decree, including the first page and the signature page.

There are two types of dependents, qualifying children and qualifying relatives, and both have different requirements.

In order to claim someone as a qualifying child, he or she must

• Be your biological or adopted child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half sibling, stepsibling, or a descendant of one of these
• Be under age 19, under age 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled
• Be a U.S. citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico
• Be unmarried, or married but not filing a joint return
• Have lived with you for at least half the year, unless absent due to illness, education, business, vacation, or military service
• Not have provided more than half of his or her own support

In order to claim someone as a qualifying relative, he or she must

• Have lived with you all year as a member of your household, or be one of the following family members: child, parent, sibling, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half sibling, grandparent, grandchild, child-in-law, parent-in-law, sibling-in-law, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew.
• Be a U.S. citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico
• Be unmarried, or married but not filing a joint return
• Not be a qualifying child of you or someone else
• Have a gross income of less than $3,800
• Have more than half of their total support for the year provided by you

Here’s how to straighten it out. Forget about finding out who did it, even criminals have a right to their privacy in America. Instead file a paper return (mail in your tax return), along with a cover letting explaining why you qualify to claim your daughter. Also, include copies of evidence claiming you have the right to claim your child.
Once the IRS receives this, they will review it and make a decision.

The IRS rules are applied in the following order:

1. Relationship Test: If only one of the taxpayers claiming the child is the child’s parent, then the child will be the qualifying child of the parent.

2. Residence Test: If both parents claim the child but do not file jointly, then the child will be the qualifying child of the parent with whom the child lived for a longer time during the year.

3. Income Test: If the child lived with both parents for an equal amount of time, then the child will be the qualifying child of the parent with the higher adjusted gross income (AGI).

4. No Parent Can Claim: If no parent qualifies to claim the child, the child will be the qualifying child of the person claiming the child who has the highest AGI.

5. No Parent Chooses to Claim: If either parent qualifies to claim the child, but they choose not to, the child will be the qualifying child of the claiming person with the highest AGI, but only if their AGI is higher than that of either parent (if the parents are married and filing jointly, use one half of their combined AGI).

6. Special Rule for Unmarried Parents: If the parents are not married but lived together with their child all year and the child meets all qualifying tests for both parents, then the parents may decide which parent will claim the child as a dependent.

Dependent rules also apply to other benefits, such as tax credits. Many of these credits are available only if you have qualified dependents. For example, both the child tax credit and the earned-income tax credit rely on these rules. The best thing you can do to prevent someone else from claiming your dependent is to file your taxes as early as possible. That way your e-filed return will be accepted and theirs will be rejected. Then you’ll get your refund on time and they will be audited. Yes….wining!

Want to hear it from them? Call 1-800-829-1040

Happy Taxes,

QC Supermom

Friday Four: Women’s History Month for SAHMs

This month we are celebrating women by acknowledging their purpose and influence in our lives. 

My children ask on a regular “Mom, when are you going back to work?” The teens want the freedom that comes with both parents away from home and my young sons see many women in a place of business. So yes, I understand where they are coming from. However, one day they understand and appreciate the history I’m building now for their future was well worth the investment.

No, she can be anything she wants except UNGRATEFUL, a prostitute or drug dealer; I might step in then.

I’d rather not be in some high end, drudging career myself.- QCSAH mom

Like many other mothers, history is being made right now while we raise our children.   If you’re anything like me, you decided that you wanted to see every 1st of your child. That choice alone comes with consequences. I have chosen to make the most of this time by making sure I give them everything they need to survive,  Let me connect Women’s History Month to Stay at Home Moms.

Here are 4 Things You Shouldn’t Say to A SAHM during Women’s History Month

1. Well, maybe one day, you’ll do something worthy to be remembered.  We SAHM’s are tremendously influential in helping our children thrive and give them countless amounts of encouragement and support to foster their independence and self worth. Being able to stay home is a blessing that many children don’t have and many need.

2. Why do you think you should ever be considered special? Somehow we have embraced the idea that in order to be successful, women have to be CEOs of Fortune 500s. But that’s not true. I am a leader raising leaders at home. As they say, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

3. SAHM’s aren’t famous for anything  in any history book. Here’s just 1 for you dear! Abigail Adams raised President John Quincy Adams while advocating and modeling an expanded roles for women in public affairs during the formative days of the United States. Eat that.

4. When are you going back to work?  UUugh, I do work. My job goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There are no sick days, no vacation days and relatively few breaks and quiet times. (Also see this great link about today’s SAHM)

As a woman that has worked both in and out of the home, it is easier to answer to one boss for a few hours than multiple little bosses all day and night.

Somewhere in there they attend a PTA meeting or some sort of charitable or neighborhood committee, or bake something for a bake sale. These are all things that contribute to our community. But admittedly a lot of working moms just don’t have time for such activities- QCSAHM

It’s great that we have a month devoted to women, but we should celebrate and educate ourselves daily on the women who have made our world a better place.

Happy Women’s History Month.  I appreciate the women who fought so that I can have a fulfilling life. I’m glad I’m able to help my children follow their dreams.

My Good Night message to all my fellow SAHM’s 

QC Supermmom