I'm a little afraid for summer

[DotAndBuzz]

They weren't interested in the pool today, so decided to do some "fun" stuff at home.  N got a bunch of science kits for Xmas gifts, and we just got done with science time.

You'd think it's a super fun activity, great for getting girls into science, but damn, it's annoying. We open the science kit and there are just hands EVERYWHERE. Then I have to read to see what we're doing - oh, we're mixing different colored water together for starters. Fantastic. NO E, don't taste the super absorbent polymer crystals. DO NOT LICK YOUR FINGERS after touching that! No that is not pepper, it's iron shavings. Leave the balloon alone. PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE! Yes, we have to wait for a few hours now, to let the crystals form. Because sometimes science involves waiting, that's why. Go play on the computer.

Every time I get frustrated about N's school, and toss around the idea of homeschooling, someone point me back here.

[papie]

I hear you! Anna got a microscope for Christmas, and while it was fun the one time we observed hair and boogers, it was exhausting to keep watching Sophia who wanted to touch everything else in the box, and I was like "noooo, that will shatter on the floor! no that's a real knife, not for playing!". We haven't touched it since, lol.

[spankswife]

Some people got DD "art projects" when DS was born and DH has to paint flower vases, paint ceramic tea sets, make window clings, fill glitzy globes etc on 2 hours sleep. She would beg us and we felt guilty blowing her off, but not exactly ideal. I know they meant well to keep her busy, but you know it never works out that way.

[katb]

How old are your girls?

[Eagles]

I got a chemistry set for Christmas when I was in third or fourth grade, but my mom wouldn't let me play with it or even open the box without her.

I never once opened that set. It sat in the closet for years, untouched. I'm pretty sure she eventually threw it out.

[Deleted]

I know how you feel. My expectations are always way too high when we do stuff like that LOL

Took kids into boston yesterday had NO expectations. we wound up having a great day. It'll be okay you got this.

[DotAndBuzz]

May 25, 2015 16:54:17 GMT -5 katb said:

How old are your girls?

4 and 7.

N is 7.5 and totally into science.  She gets it.  E is 4 and gets it as much as she can.  The kit is for ages 7 and up, but I mean, mixing colors to see the primary colors turn to secondary colors isn't exactly limited to 7+, you know?  She was able to pipette, sort the polymer beads, basically do everything we tried today.  They were fine once we got over the OMFG!  THINGS!  NEW THINGS!!!   WHAT ARE THESE!  I WANT TO TOUCH EVERYTHING!  And you'll get that in a college bio lab, so I can't blame that part on age. 

It's just one of those things I have to actively do with them, which, when you have other things to do, leads to quick frustration.  I can send them off to go do legos, or play dress up, or dance party, or even most crafts at this point (since N isn't particularly artistically inclined, we keep things simple), but I can't exactly send them to the basement on their own to experiment with iron shavings, you know? 

[sugarbear]

Amen. I felt all excited to have my older kid at home all week with me this summer... and then I signed him up for four weeks of camp.

[eb777888]

I did a science kit with David earlier this year. He loved it and we had a great time but it was a PITA having to do the work. The reading and figuring everything out and stuff. I would not have attempted it with him at a younger age, though. There's too much stuff to worry about.

[Deleted]

May 25, 2015 18:30:36 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

May 25, 2015 18:19:03 GMT -5 puddleofgrace said:

Pennies in vinegar? What does that do?

It cleans them really well.

And, if I remember correctly, if you drop in a nail, it will transfer the tarnish to the nail.

[gretchenindisguise]

Go get the Tasty Science experiment kit. They can eat all of the experiments.

Also - we got L this stupid little sewing machine thing at target. She can operate it on her own and it kept her totally occupied for quite a while. I need to order her some fabric.

[lolobeth802]

Try this website! Easy, instant gratification experiments and they're all done with candy! www.candyexperiments.com/?m=1
I actually do homeschool (just finished our first year), but my girls have gotten better at being patient with activities, (as have I), the more we do.
Other things we used this year were some workbook type things from Critical Thinking Co. , which are actually pretty fun and independent.
Also Home Art Studio DVDs... basically you only need construction paper, glue and paint for most of the projects... simple and fun. Discover and Do science DVD's are also pretty basic, but effective science experiments. This year was an exercise in "what works and what doesn't" for us. I tried it all, lol.