Is my living in vain?

Posted on by JustAskMaia

In the midst of this dark cloud lingering over my head, I am forced to work through tears shed.

No matter what I am doing, in the blink of an eye, I will find myself crying. I snickered to myself appreciating the fact that I do not wear make up. What a waste it would be right now.

Funny, no matter what we go through as parents we still must be sure our children are living their best life. For me that is forcing a smile with uncertainties lingering like a lone cloud on a sunny day.

Isn’t it ironic how we do so many good deeds and it feels, sometimes, as though they measure up to nothing? I remember when I was a young girl, my mom told be to be sure that my good far outweighed my bad. I literally live by that staple. Yet, I now find myself perplexed as to why.

Why then, do I still endure such unbelievable pain? Why is it life seems a constant test? When the heck is the exam so I can pass already!

I don’t know everything there is to know about life, but I do know this, its yours to live. Choose happiness and pass it on.

I’ll tell you what. When my daughter passed away I no longer took each moment I had with my children for granted. Not that I ever did but every breath seems even more previous to me. That is part of my reason for homeschooling. I always say that God has given me a charge (or 10) and I take that charge very seriously. These are little people who will soon try to find their own place in the world. It is my job to assist them as much, and as early, as possible.

Does my heart hurt every morning? Absolutely.

Do I have butterflies since this incident. Always.

But it will not stop my unwavering love and care. I push through, as we all do.

Am I always going to get it right? Nope.

Is my living in vain. Of course not.

How to homeschool without going crazy đŸ˜˛

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today started out a little to early for me. My oldest had to be to work at 7 and while some may think 7 a.m. is not early, first of all, YES IT IS! But more importantly, we are no small family so just dropping him off at work calls for me to not only rise earlier to get the RushBunch together but STAY up. In this house, once I get them up, there is no laying back down.

Getting them up means extra time needed to wash faces, brush teeth, wash, make beds, get dressed and grab a snack on the way out the door. Yes, just to drop #1 off. These tasks usually take me about an hour and that’s if I don’t do the girls’ hair.

I was literally dragging and absolutely moody. In case some of you have forgotten, I am six months pregnant. And while McRush usually helps with the ease of getting out the house, he had long been gone for work.

There are several ways I lift the weight of homeschooling without hassle. Today I am going to share with you one of them. But first, let me just state that every morning they have to write the creed and study their spelling words. That takes no effort from me at all. The purpose in the creed writing is to work on their handwriting, in the event that you were wondering. While they do this, I am making breakfast.

Packet Privilege.

This is something that is an absolute life saver to me. Usually, prior to the start of the year, I print out grade appropriate worksheets for each child. In my case its head start to 12th grade. I make packet that contains anywhere from 5-10 worksheets. I do at least 20 per person, so make sure you have paper for your printer. (In the event you do not have a print, I will get to that.) I put these packets away! Packet Privileges can be earned or used as a “substitute teacher” for the day. 🤗

For days like today when I just did not feel like adulting, it was a substitute. I hand out the packets and let them work at their pace. Here is the thing though, the packet must be more like review work because, as with a substitute teacher, you are not available to “teach” so should not introduce new works you may have to explain. It should also contain learning games like word search puzzles or sodoku. With that being said, that is why I say packets can be “earned”. It can count as a free day to the children. We work on a bonus system. Following the rules of both school and home and doing at least one thing ‘above and beyond’, you can earn a packet privilege for a day.

This is one of the many ways I keep my sanity on school days when I want to call out and binge watch Netflix or even work on my business.

For those of you who do not have a printer, for the younger, elementary school children, you can find workbooks at Dollar Tree for them. Tear out all of the pages, shuffle them and staple. Voila! Packets. For parents with older children, you may have to spend more than $1 but go to Wal-Mart or Target and get the more advanced workbooks (in the books section) and do the same thing. (You can also find these in book stores like Barnes and Noble but you WILL spend at least $20 per book and you know I like my budget 🙂)

I hope this was helpful and hit the follow button for more homeschooling tips.

iRush.

Naughty by nature.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Why are my children running around here cussing Y’all?

I mean like pros! It’s the littles. They get mad and spew out the “b” word in a hot flash. and don’t let them get hurt. They drop the “f” bomb in a way that would make a sailor proud. I can’t really say I am mad about it because there are times when I want to throw out a few explicit of my own, but alas, here I am trying to set a good example for these knuckleheads.

We are probably the most unholy holy people you will ever meet. We don’t cuss (at least McRush and I don’t), smoke, drink, party, or have unfit company, shoot we don’t even get out much. But not for reason of religion but reasons of choice. The RushBunch are not even allowed to watch television and when they do as a treat it is definitely a G rated movie, okay maybe there have been a few PG in there but you get my point.

Yes, I correct and chastise them but who chose these particular words as cuss words? My mother used to teach us that any word used out of anger or to humiliate or degrade someone was a cuss word so why these particular words?

Behind my closed bedroom doors, I laugh at their ability to grasp the context of the word to use it in a proper manner. Hmm, maybe I AM doing a great job homeschooling.

Or perhaps they overheard me listening to Cardi B.

-Rush

View More: http://foreverinamemoryphotography.pass.us/rushfamily2017

Back in the swing of things.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

What does that even mean?

Closing out last year was pretty tough for me, my family, and my business. But alas, here we are in 2018 running free.

I stopped working on Rush Consulting Firm on November 1 in preparation for #10 within the coming weeks; unbeknownst to us, he would make an early arrival.

In that time things got tight and hectic and I realized the time I dedicated to taking off, albeit unwillingly, was much needed.

I have notes everywhere! In notebooks, post-it notes, whiteboards, notes on the fridge, on my phone, and on my laptop. I am finally sitting down and compiling them into the form necessary to build a prosperous brand in 2018.

What that actually means, although it sounds great, is late nights, early mornings, busy days, and long nights.

While on my break I have managed to mentally compile what will change for the businesses. I will utilize Heels & Hustle more, I will be scaling way down on Slips Socks and Bows, I will be pushing my erotica, and I will only work my set hours of Rush Consulting Firm. The children will go on a more structured (un)learning schedule and I am planning a vacation.

Now, while I have set all that in motion in my mind it is time to put in the hard work to make this come to fruition.

#1 has also decided to jump on the YouTube bandwagon and he wants to drag me along with. I do not mind because we have an awesome relationship but I do wonder how this may conflict with my plans. We shall see. I already told him he can not prank me in any way. I don’t like pranks or surprises… or gifts or being put on the spot but that is a list for another day.

I am excited that we have finally gotten our family pictures back but I cannot say I am 100% satisfied so since I am in the business of promoting businesses with my complete honesty, I will leave that alone.

I look to bring you bigger and better things in 2018 with the iRush Brand which include more youtube videos and more check-ins. Greater encouragement and maybe even a short summer tour as requested, but only for the east coast because Y’all not funding us….yet!

-Rush

View More: http://foreverinamemoryphotography.pass.us/rushfamily2017

To beat their butts or not…..

Posted on by JustAskMaia

I’m not here for a debate so I will just jump right into it.

As a mother to 9, soon to be 10, children, I assure you that this is the most asked questioned we get. It is usually dressed up nicely by those who try to be politically correct or just plain nosey. “How do you get them to behave?’ or “What do you use?”

The answer in my head is, none of your dang business, but I play nice and smile and say “Love.”

Believe it or not children do respond well to it. Now, please do not be misinformed, they CAN get it but it doesn’t resort to that.

I have my days when I want to pull my hair out or simply state to my husband, ..”and we have NINE”. I get headaches and I fuss. Most times I put myself in time out which is usually the attempt to hide in my closet from the littles who have not yet learned my moods and patience level.

Every time, and I do mean every time, we are out in public we are approached with statements like, “I can’t even get my two children to behave, I cannot imagine having nine”. The truth is, if you cannot get your two children to behave then you probably should have stopped at one. I know, that was harsh but you are the parent.

As for me I am the most impatient person I know and I do not accept anything less than your best and that goes for my children as well. If they are wrong, I tell them they are wrong. If they are not doing their best, I tell them that too. If they are acting like a jerk, I let them know that as well. I am really bad at sugar coating things and that goes for my children as well. I pretty much treat my children like I treat my clients. I am not here to feed you fairytales about how wonderful you are and how great the world is. I am here to tell you the truth and prepare you for an even harsher truth called life.

So I suppose by now you are like, answer the question already! So, No. No I do not beat my children into submission otherwise my life would be much simpler. My children are very well behaved in public but let me tell you something, they are absolutely barbaric at home! I mean really, flipping through the house, jumping down the stairs, running around like loose weirdos, but in public, not a peep.

There really is no secret to it at all. Do I believe children should get their butt beat? Yup. I have seen some children that I just want to beat on site, old school with an extention cord but they are not mine so I digress and mind my business like I would like people to do about mine.

Again, I definitely have my days, especially trying to work on my businesses and homeschool whilst continuing to be a good wife and mother. It is tiring and oftentimes stressful. I recently spoke with someone about this issue I have about feeling like I was going to go crazy and she suggested I, get this, get organized!!! What, the nerve! But I took her advice and spent the last week in June creating a slew of schedules that I implemented starting July 1st. And although it is only the second of July, my life has never been so smooth sailing, even before the RushBunch. We stick to those schedules like my life depends on it (because I think it does). This is the second night where nine o’clock hit and all of my children are asleep. This feels like heaven! If I keep this up, this may not be the last Rush out of me yet [LIES].

I am so grateful for her and her wise words to me. Now I am like a child in a candy store; excited to get to bed before one a.m.

Family vacation my FOOT!

Posted on by JustAskMaia

So I have been off of here for a few days and there is so much that I would like to share with you guys, my thoughts, interactions, and goings-ons, that I am going to have to post a few blogs tonight just to catch up.

Let us start with this “family vacation” we have recently gone on……..

I do not even know where to start but let me first say that whoever came up with the term FAMILY vacation was obviously delusional in every aspect of the matter. At no point during our trip to Myrtle Beach did I feel or have the remote inkling that I was on vacation. There was nothing that I did that said vacation. I will admit though that everything said, family.

We were blessed to be able to get a room for a very reasonable rate that had a kitchenette in it. There was a pool right outside our door and the beach was like a 45 second walk. The customer service was awesome. The keep was exceptionally pleasant and I even messed up a plate and they did not charge me for it (mostly due to the fact that I was honest and brought it to their attention first). The best part is they were a family and couples only hotel which meant everyone was civilized and respectful of one another. The best part was they never one time turned their noses up or turned us down once they found out that we have 9 children; this is especially a rarity for us when we travel.

Now, the trip. While I felt very extended while away because i was not only doing the same everyday things that I do at home, I had to do them in tighter living quarters and if you know me you would know that I hate clutter and cluttered situations but I digress for the good of the trip. I still had to get up and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I still taught school and created daily lessons, I still worked for one of my clients (which I will not do ever again), and I still had to pack, unpack, and clean. This has brought me to the sad conclusion that no matter where I am I will always be slave, er, I mean mom.

My children are spoiled to the max and I am okay with that sometimes; on vacation is NOT one of those times.

I am just whining. Although I still felt like the nanny-cook-housekeeper-slave, the smiles and enjoyment from my children makes it all worth it. We went to the beach that my children beg to go to all the time but when we get there, they remember that they are deathly afraid of the water. The laughter I get from that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Lol. Likewise with the pool. Sai almost drowned in 3 feet even though he is 4 foot 2 inches tall. I laughed so hard at his dramatics that I almost forgot to save him (so his brother jumped in to do it). I kept yelling stand up but he was too busy being dramatic. And before you flood me with the fact that it is possible for him to drown in three feet while being over four feet tall, yes, I am well aware of that but if you knew Sai you would totally see why it was funny.

In the end (and even some parts of during) I did thoroughly enjoy the trip <—— (notice I didn’t say vacation). It was fun plus I got to hit some cool Thrift Stores on the way home.

 

-Rush

Day two of Homeschooling

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was a lot more structured and a lot more hectic. We bypassed the morning outing because the Homeschooling family we were to meet up with had to reschedule for tomorrow but now, after today, I think I may have to reschedule because I am beat.

Seeing as though we had a very laid back first day, I thought I had it all in the bag. I spend weeks planning and days organizing. I spent hundreds of dollars on necessities and maybe necessities, books, paper, boards, writing utensils, books, memberships for learning paraphernalia only to realize I was not even close to as organized as I should be. However, I managed to roll with the punches and get everyone on a set agenda for the day. By 2:00 I had an entirely new revamped layout and platform created and realized I needed to spend a couple more hundred dollars which we later did, mainly at the dollar store…THE DOLLAR STORE! Okay, I did get a twix but don’t judge me.

While I managed to get my two 4 year olds (no, not twins) on track with letter recognition and numbering, my kindergartner her dolch word list, I set my fifth grader up with States and Capitals for social studies and triple digit adding and subtracting for math and my tenth grader up with Civil War studies, Distance Formulas, and started reading Up From Slavery; Keeping my three and two year old occupied was where my challenges were really met. So, While I feel like I may have the others adjusted, my little Littles were running around without proper parental supervision. (McRush was outside fixing his car). It is nothing new with these two almost three almost four tiny people, This is an everyday adventure. I call my three and four year old chip and dale, no nasties not THAT chip and dale. The chip and dale cartoon characters from when we were young. Those two keep me on my toes. They are either arguing or conspiring  to tear the house up. They keep me laughing but they are training Chucktown and TamMan to follow in their footsteps and I think I  may run away. I just cannot with those two, I friggin love them.

All in all, today was a great day. The best part was watching my son get his ‘ah-ha’ moment with distance formulas. That has been a math area he has never been able to comprehend despite him being an honors student in all of his advanced classes. I saw the happiness in his eyes when he finally got it. I was so excited I almost cried. I was able to see my baby hit a goal and it was amazing. He wasn’t all the way on board with homeschooling but after today, he does not want to go to school. He was able to grasp, in nine minutes, what he was unable to understand his entire school year. It is like I have been saying all along, especially when it comes to Say who has an IEP plan (after 4 years of begging the district), If a child is not able to learn the way you are teaching then it is very well possible that you need to change the way you teach, at least to the ones who do not get it.

I hope I am able to encourage my readers in many ways, one of them being empowered to believe in yourself to homeschool your babies. I have not veered away from encouraging you to start your own business either so don’t thing I will stop blogging about that because I won’t.

I love you guys, I just want everyone to live the life they always wanted to. Life can be beautiful as soon as you believe in you the way I do.

 

-Rush
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