A couple of days ago, I added the feedjit widget again, now that it actually works a little more accurately than before! And then the curiosity bug bit again (it did a while ago when I realised that there were a bunch of Safrican regulars whom I just did not know). This time, I’m super curious to know how people land up here at our blog and what they’re reading/enjoying/not enjoying/etc.
Sometimes I post a craft that I hope someone else may benefit from. Sometimes it’s a product review that I notice gets a few hits from google searches. Sometimes I worry that I’m coming across as got-it-all together and wonder if that’s how it is being received.
In each circumstance, I’m curious to know what you, the reader, is thinking. So, this is THE post – appealing to you all to drop a comment if you stop by here at Hayes Happenings. For whatever reason, for example…
- If you’ve landed on a (admittedly, rare!) crafty activity page because you’ve googled a craft idea – has it been helpful? Have you found other ideas on the same subject? If so, please share! The more ideas the merrier!
- If you’ve searched for a particular product or idea, what is your opinion on that product? Did the Hayes Happenings post you landed on help you in your search? Do you have other helpful links to share? I’ve noticed loads of repeat searches for things like piano tuning, black motorbikes, mcups, pressure cookers, kefir, Uncle Willy’s Party and much more on my google analytics feeds.
- Perhaps you are a regular lurker – why not pop up for a moment and introduce yourself – say "hi" and share how you first came to visit here at Hayes Happenings. I love to be able to interact with readers!
- Or, if there are things you feel need to be challenged, you’re welcome to do that too – in love, of course!
Whatever your reason for landing here, I’d love to "meet" you or hear more about how you came to stop by here. So, take a moment or two, click on the blue comments link at the end of this post and say hi!
Saw your link on FB, so here is me stopping by to say “Hi”.
Hi Taryn
I cant remember how I found your blog, but we have a lot of mutual friends, so probably through one of them. I live in the road behind yours and have two boys ages 1 and 3, so we have some things in common! I enjoy reading about all the things you get up to. We’re not quite at the crafty stage yet, but you’re inspiring me anyway!
~Jo
Hi Debs and Jo – are you guys on the same computer or something?
Your messages came through at exactly the same time! @Jo, Debbie speaks of you often and a bunch of mutual friends keep mentioning your name – all good stuff, of course! Debbie, we should organise a big play date with all 6 of our boys! 
How funny that we commented at the same time- purely co-incidence!! A big play-date would be great!
Hi Taryn,
I was delighted to stumble across the blog about the Olympiad … hopefully your kids will be taking part again this year. I thought you might find this interesting… visit our home page on livingmaths.com – we have an Art competition (and the winners get a chance to meet a real Astronaut
)
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve – great to hear from you
Thanks for the heads up on the contest. I have shared the info on the homeschool online forums and FB pages. Sounds like lots of fun and a great learning experience! Does the artwork have to be in any certain medium? I.e pencil crayons? Or can they paint/collage/ etc?
Hi there
I found your blog whilst searching the web for vaccinations. We live in Durban and having our first born in January. We are trying to inform ourselves and found a book called ‘Raising a Vaccine Free Child’ and another called ‘How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor’ – I’ve ordered these. We also found a lot of good articles at http://www.westonaprice.org
Of course most of these are in a US setting. So it was so nice to come across your blog. It’s quite scary as a new parent to know if you’re doing the right thing, especially when every is fear mongering.
So if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your experience been like? Did you refuse all vaccinations? What are the legal ramifications, especially regarding day care and schooling facilities? How did you ensure your children’s health? Have you been happy with the decision?
Regards
Michael Moss
PS – Please feel free to email me at namzom@hotmail.com
Hi Michael – I’ll answer your questions as best as I can here, since your questions are probably other people’s questions too.
Firstly – congrats on your firstborn to be
I hope all goes well in the next few months and with the birth.
And in answer…
I’ve only not vaccinated my youngest. He has had nothing, except Vit K and I think I would have not given him that either had I known more at the time.
There are no laws in South Africa that stipulate that you have to be up to date with the govt vaccine schedule. However, some schools are quite strict and that can have a negative effect on your application. However, legally, I don’t think they’re allowed to refuse you on those grounds alone. We homeschool, so that isn’t an issue as yet.
I am happy with the decision. So far none of our kids exhibit negative side effects, but who knows what the future holds. The fact remains that the ingredients of vaccines can cause all sorts of dread diseases, and this may only rear its ugly head down the road. But, at the same time, the fact remains that my unvaccinated kid (and possibly the vaccinated ones too) will get a childhood illness and be the rare child to suffer irreparably as a result. Either way, it’s a risk. Just as doing anything is, really. At the end of the day, my main reason for going this route is that I’d rather not knowingly put something into my child that has known carcinogens and neurotoxins in it when it’s purely a preventative measure for something they may never get, and if they do, most likely will not suffer any adverse effects.
Health wise – I try to ensure that they eat fairly healthy, especially breakfast (raw or cooked oats with seeds and raisins). We take Barleylife on a daily basis and they eat mostly fruit as in between snacks and drink mostly filtered water. Exercise is a given at this age too – they play hard! Aside from that, they’re kids so they don’t have a perfect diet (and neither do I!). When they do become ill (colds from time to time, about 2-3 a year) we up the vit D, C etc.
I hope that helps!
Taryn
Hi Taryn, I am still a regular reader and much inspired by another craft-challenged mom! Baked the ‘tongue tastebud’ biscuits in our summer holidays (just ended this week in the northern hemisphere). And no, you don’t come across as arrogant, all-together mom. A real person with a real faith and real struggles and real triumphs – that’s why I enjoy your blog.
Thanks for the Wright’s contact details months back. We have had a few visits and being back in touch is a blessing.
God bless
Debbie! Awesome! I am so super chuffed that someone tried the tongue craft (or braved the ew factor!!) Very exciting! Hi to JP
Thanks for the encouraging words too!
Thanks Taryn
We really feel the same. Have read a lot about Thimerasol and also about the Vit K injection. Was also shocked to read your blog about the other stuff in vaccinations, like aborted foetal matter.
For your reference, check out http://www.westonaprice.org headed up by Sally Fallon. Her cook book Nourishing Traditions is great it contains a lot of really good common sense advice that we try to follow.
Thanks again for your response.
Regards
Mike
Michael – I’m very glad to hear that my vaccine posts have been helpful. Sticking my neck out, even in my own “space” here on the blog, isn’t always easy and can be quite alienating in real life. It’s therefore a great encouragement when I hear that it’s been helpful for others.
Thanks for the link! Will check it out.
Kewl
The ‘Nourishing Traditions’ cookbook by Sally Fallon gives great advice for mum’s nutrition and also on what to feed baby when. I don’t know if you’ve ever come across the book called ‘The Maker’s Diet’? Well he also refers to some of Sally’s recipes and principles.
I just came across an article today providing a homeopathic alternative regimen to vaccinations, quite interesting, I’m sure it’ll keep me querying more. I’ll keep you posted (-:
Regards
Mike
Hi Taryn,
I’ve been receiving newsfeeds from my friends of your blog for the past year. Now I’ve found it!
You are one amazing person – to keep your home going and still have all this encouraging content for others.
May the Lord bless you and your family abundantly.
Julaine
Thanks Julaine! I’ll let you in on a little secret… I could never manage the level of blogging I do if it weren’t for Johanna who really is the one who manages to keep the house clean and the clothes washed. A privilege indeed and for which I am really grateful.
Dear Taryn
I am a student doing my masters on antivaccination on websites. This is only looking at vaccinations related to the South african EPI. One of the objectives of the study is to determine the mostly visited website or blog that discusses these issues. Will you please share with me the number of hits you have received in this blog, particularly on the subject “and still more on vaccinations”.
I will appreciate you sharing this information with me as it will allow proper comparison with other websites covering the same topic.
Kindest regards
Vicky
Hi Vicky – I will email you – happy to help. Curious to know what stance your paper takes?
Hi again
Just to let you know our child was born last week Wed, water birth at home. He’s a boy! Jacob Richard Moss. All went well and he’s doing great. We declined the Vit K and he’s fine. In fact he had hardly any jaundice which we think is a result.
Our homeopath is all stocked up on Dr Isaac Golden’s Homeoprophylaxis protocol which we’ll be following, along with a strict Weston A Price diet for lactating moms, including lots of Cod Liver Oil.
Thanks for research which was a great help, we’ll keep you posted on our boy’s development.
Mike
Awesome news, Michael. May he grow strong in body and spirit.
enjoy him!!
hi there.
Just loved your site! I’m a stay home mom, full time missionary here in Cape Town -SA. I got to know about your site through google, looking for kefir grains. I always had them but somehow, on my last vacation home, they “died” and i never managed to get more grains. Hope to keep in touch with you
Eunice
Lovely to meet you Eunice!
I’ve yet to try Kefir myself – one day! Where are you originally from that you are a missionary here? Love to hear more about your mission work too 
Enjoy this blessed weekend 
Hi! I found your site through google – we have been contemplating home schooling on and off now for a while – but we both run businesses from home and I keep having babies! (lol). Our kids are Aiden (4), Nathan (2) and Dylan (3 months). so for now Aiden is at pre-school and Nathan and Dylan hang out with me at home while I try work and be with them too.
I really am enjoying your current series on the ins and outs of making the home schooling decision.
thank you for the honesty and unbiased writing
Hi Lauryan – thanks so much for saying hi! There is a great book by Lisa Welchel that details the homeschooling experiences of 15 different families, including those who run a business from home
It’s a lovely peak into a variety of homes and homeschooling styles. I hope your journey is not too confusing 
Homeschooling is not easy, but it’s really rewarding! 
Hi Taryn,
Just stopping by to say hi! Great blog. I found you while i was searching for homeschoolers in South Africa. We’re a Christian homeschooling family. We’ve been homeschooling for 14 years. We’ve homeschooled in the USA, Uganda and currently live in Botswana. We might be moving to SA soon. So, we’re trying to find out about homeschooling networks before the move. We are also Sonlighters:)
Thank you & God bless.
Welcome!! It depends where you head to in SA. But in all the major cities there are plenty of us. Have you checked out my Homeschooling in South Africa page? There are loads of links there too. How old are your kids? You’ve had a wealth of experience in different countries! That’s awesome! Ok. Enough chatting here. I’ll email you to connect!
Hello, I homeschool my daughter Jessica, she is 11 years old and in grade 5. The reason why I came to your website was because I wanted to get in contact with parents that also homeschool there children. We use the Nukleus curriculum which is in Afrikaans. I would like to know if there are any parents using the same curriculum. I was happy to read that homeschoolers do well in University.
Hi Zeza – whereabouts do you stay? There are a few people I’ve heard of who use Nukleus. Your best bet is to join the yahoo groups of home schoolers – especially tuisonderwys and homeschoolsa. These groups have loads of home schoolers on their email list who would be happy to link up with you. It’s also a great place to find common ground with others who are using a similar programme or are in a similar area. You can read about how to link up to these groups here: Homeschooling in South Africa
Hi Taryn,
I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 kids, Jordin 6, Judah 4 and Starla 21months. This is our 1st official year of HS but Judah and Starla have never been to school. Jordin was in school for 1 year and after lots of deliberating and prayer as to where she will go for Gr R we decided to take the plunge to HS and I must say it was 100% the right decision.
I think I came across your site through google looking for craft ideas but actually have not even checked that out yet as your vaccination stance caught my eye.
I run my own Sport massage/skin care business so our days are a bit chaotic and rushed but it is all working out at the moment as I am trying not to stress to much about ticking all the boxes of our curriculum as we always seem to catch up eventually.
Thank you for the time you put in being such an encouragement to so many of us mom’s. You really are a blessing!!!!
Tamarin
twice in one day 
Thank YOU for stopping by and saying hi! Daily life and commitments can make this journey of parenthood so very difficult, so it’s always encouraging to meet others who are home schooling too and so can identify with the experience 
Well done for not being rigidly dictated to by the schedule – not always easy! I hope your school year continues well! 
Whereabouts in the world do you live? 
Hi again, we live in Centurion, Gauteng. If you know of anyone in my area who HS with boys around my son’s age pls let me know… I feel a bit bad that my son has no BOY friends his own age. I have a good friend who also HS but she only has girls and I think Judah is really in need of some rough and tumble play (-:
have a great weekend!
I don’t personally know of anyone in that area who home schools. There are loads of Pretoria people, but specific areas I’m not sure of.
The best place to find that out is to go to the home school eloops. If you read through my article on home schooling in South Africa, there you’ll find a detailed list of online groups you can join. Often there are home schooling activities and events that are announced in Gauteng, particularly Pretoria. It’s customary to join and then let everyone know that you’re new to the group. Ask on those groups for people in Centurion. You’ll find people are usually pretty good about answering. Perhaps even organise a park day – that way you can meet others too
Hope that helps!
Hi Taryn
- hope you don’t mind me adding to the vaccination issue -
The vaccination topic has been somewhat of a bug bear for me for the last 14 years or more.
I only let my first child have the polio drops when she was an infant and I already had misgivings then…
On further research over the years, I constantly find new reasons why not to vaccinate the traditional way.
Having said that however, I do understand and appreciate that the basic concept of inoculation is a necessity. on the one hand, nature takes care of all the cold and flu viruses, but there are some diseases and mutations of childhood diseases that are horrendously tragic. Thus I have inoculated my children homeopathically, with great success for many years now. It is not a sure fire thing (not unlike the mercury filled cocktails) and my son did end up getting whooping cough once, but contrary to all the detailed studies that predict that its contagiousness to the rest of the family is 99%… no one in our family caught it despite none of us being inoculated. (my mom also had her misgivings when I was a child and so I was not completely vaccinated either) In my recent readings.. I discovered that the bigger companies that manufacture vaccines use placental and other cells obtained from aborted matter. I’m not sure they use it as an ingredient – it seems it might be used to develop the diseases to a point before use.. nevertheless…. really creepy… and not that well hidden or even at attempt at denial. The evidence for autism and other childhood conditions including death directly caused by vaccine chemicals is growing too, as are the case studies… well, thats my 2c worth! If you want to see more, go to the Face book group: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Not-Using-Vaccines-Made-With-Aborted-Fetuses/292346033805
sorry about the morbidity though – not the nicest of topics.
Hi Rebekka. Welcome!
Yes. I’m agreed with you on this subject. I don’t know much about homeopathic inoculations, however. Just so leery of anything these days! I’ve written much on the subject and searched and researched loads. I’m aware of the aborted fetus cell line. Basically in the 60s a cell line from an aborted fetus was used to harvest/grow the vaccine. Not something I’m ethically happy with not to mention the danger that has been reported regarding it. I pray that the Lord keeps our kids safe because of and in spite of our decision. It’s ultimately in His hands anyway 
How rude of me! I did not introduce myself first….
I tend to get so caught up with topics I feel passionate about.
I am a genuine “home body”. I love being at home, I even love making a place “home” when we go away (I have a cleaning kit and rules for the family to follow) and I enjoy a slower paced life. I have 4 children aged 14, 13, 9 and 4, and also my nephew (11) who homeschools with us. Most of the time we fumble along, but so far its all working out just fine, and we are a pretty normal, happy family with pretty normal irks and quirks.
Keeping meals to a schedule and the house tidy is my biggest challenge……. I don’t have a helper, and we don’t have a linen cupboard which is a challenge indeed : ) However, we have a big home and garden with lots of pets and far more activities than we probably should have… so usually the house is an aftermath of whatever just went down. My children are all homebirthed and waterbirthed, and now also homeschooled… I love the way that just dove-tails! I wish I had had the courage to start homeschooling from the onset – but circumstances at the time did not allow. After a divorce, moving to a different province, starting a career, getting remarried, resigning from work to become a full time mom, being disillusioned with the schools and after many tears and anguish, my husband enouraged me to take the plunge. I must say, I have since been a happier, more satisfied, contented, if not tired and sleep deprived person for it – let no man say that this is easy, but it sure makes my cup to overflow here in Centurion!
I’m looking forward to read about yours and others journeys on homeschooling. Have a Blessed week.
R
Ah! Rebekka, your life sounds like most home schoolers I know give or take a few details! I also enjoy a slower pace than most of the world and it works for us. I’m fortunate to have a housekeeper who gives my messy distracted self a semblance of order to work within! I’ve been meeting / coming across loads of Centurion home schoolers lately. You’re sure to find a few through the home school eloops!
enjoy!
Hi , I was actually googling Maclarens Circus, as they have just arrived inCenturion (never seen them before) and my boy aged 4 is extremly excited about a Circus n town. However after reading your comments re the circus, I have my reservations, by any chance would you or anyone have an update on this circus if they have improved? If I look at it and compare it to Bryan Wilkie’s Circus which frequents Centruion it definitly does not look the same standard.
Hi David
I have never been back to the circus so I cannot comment about improvement/lack thereof. Some people have written here to this blog to say that they enjoyed it and it seems to be without the non-family friendly content that I was concerned about. Compared to the Boswell Wilkie Circus of my youth, it was not of the same standard, but that was a good three years ago now.
If you do go, I’d be interested to hear what you thought.
Hi Sarah
lovely to meet you here! Your story is fascinating. It’s not often I “meet” school teachers who feel stifled or aren’t fans of the system in one way or another. I imagine that I might have felt like that, if I had taught in a more mainstream school. As it was, I was able to basically develop most of the curriculum for my classes. I’m so glad that your work situation allows you to be with your daughter too. What a blessing! I will pray for you and your husband. Maybe God will do a 180 in him like Craig too? Whatever happens, I pray that it will serve to strengthen your marriage and family 
Let me know how things go for you guys 
And I hope your week is a great one!
Prayers are always welcome and appreciated!
Sounds like a wonderful upbringing! For you and now your daughter. Definitely will keep praying.
Hi!
Got to your site today from Homeschool Hub link on Twitter. Just wanted to say your blog was great! Hope to read it again. Keep up the great work with the family
Welcome!
Dear Taryn,
I was just dropping in to look around for the biscuit (ingredients) in a bottle gift you had in a post at some stage on your blog. We are really keen to give it a try and wonder if you’d point us in the right direction …
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards,
Nolene
Hi Nolene. It’s on my blog here: http://www.hayesfamily.co.za/blog/?p=8451
yes – they pulled the t-shirts countrywide and apologised.
Thx for adding your voice!
Hi Carlien – so good to hear from you. What ship are you a part of? We’ve visited the Doulos years back when it was docked at the Waterfront. Wonderful to do ministry in this way. I’d love to do that!
Hi Carla – I know what you mean – it is a lovely time of year, and Uncle Willy’s party is amazing. Unfortunately the application process closed in October or September. But, for next year, if you go to their facebook page and ask for a form, they’ll send it to you. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncle-Willys-Christmas-Parties/147287221958071
Hi Bronwyn – my best advice is o hook up with the FB group Homeschooling in South Africa
its a great place to start!
Hi Robyn – I inboxed you – let me know if you got it.
Hi there J! Great seeing you here. Yes, four kids does kinda put a strain on any travel budget. I would love to visit the US again – it’s been 16 years since I lived there in ’95 and I so long to return with my family for an extended visit! I’m curious too – how come you’ve wanted to visit SA? Love to hear that, obviously!
Yes, we love love love Sonlight. And I LOVE American history so there is no way we are skipping it. As it is, we are busy with Core D and the kids are loving all that we are learning. We do do South African history too. We will take a break next year or the year after from Sonlight to focus on South Africa – most likely using a wonderful home grown package by another homeschooling family called Footprints on our Land. Also Charlotte Mason/Literature Rich approach. 
I’m not exactly sure why South Africa has always facinated me. Maybe because my parents were missionaries to South America, (I grew up in Lima, Peru and Limeria, Brazil), so I have seen many parts of South America, and would love to explore a place I have never been. I think my interest for South Africa also has to do with a video series narrated by David Attenbourough–so many interesting birds in South Africa. What part of America did you visit? It is so varied and has so many sub-cultures!! Of course I love my country despite all of our flaws. Currently we reside in Michigan, but I long to return to sunny Florida.
http://www.mywhitsend.org is where I record our family happenings. I just read your “intentions vs interpretations. . .” I think I should add something like that to my blog–it is so easy to crop out the unswept floor and the unmade bed out of the photos!!
Hi Rebecca,
Nice to meet you
how did you find us? It’s fun to meet new people online especially with such a connection. I lived in Michigan too! Menominee to be precise. That’s in Yooperland. I long to visit again. Where in MI do you stay? South Africa is a beautiful country despite our economic and political problems. The Western Cape, where we live, is particularly lovely 
. I popped over to your blog and enjoyed reading a bit. Loved your April Fools post. I can so relate! The doll tees are really cute. Business ventures are exciting and scary all at the same time! I wish you well!
I was waiting for some photos to upload and I typed in”south africa homeschooling blog”, you came up second I think. Amen to the business venture. I guess tha hard part is that I realized that I would have to go to more trade shows and that it wouuld mean leaving the family. We thought that we could do everything as a family, but it is too expensive and too hard on the kiddos. Which means, I will have to leave them (with Daddi) for future trade shows. Since I homeshool, and neither set of grandparents lives near, I have them 24/7. Although I know they are in good hands!!!!! I KNOW how much work it is, and I worry about leaving The Hunni with so much. (Although he is quite capable and willing.) We live in Ypsilanti–right near Ann Arbor. I’ve only been up to the U.P when we went to Machinaw Island, so I haven’t truely seen the U.P. We only have a few shirt laying around the house right now, and I need them to take around to boutiques and gift shows, but we are getting close to placing a large order. What size are your girls (4T, 5T, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16–are our sizes.) I would love to send them each a shirt. My older girl wears the size 12–she have more of an “athletic” build. She is nine. My younger daughter wears a 6. She is more slender. Also, which Ypsi Girl would they want? http://www.ypsidoll.com It will probably be about a month + before we get them all made. Nice getting to know you. And please forgive my typos–I can’t seem to edit my reply with the arrow buttons, so the sentence,
in CHIRSIT, –rebecca
I know they are in good hands is in refernce to my husband, not me
Ypsilanti! Ah, now I know where Ypsidoll comes from. What a generous offer with regards to the t-shirts. That sounds lovely! I’ll mail you asap. Never mind the typos! I suffer at the hands of autocorrect on my phone all the time due to typos!
I’ve had some interesting and sometimes dodgy things pop up! 
Hi Noleen from the library Noleen!
Yay for saying hi here 
It was lovely chatting with you again at the moms’ meeting. So good to share our struggles and our joys.
Hi Guys, just stopped by to introduce “The Paragon Generation”to you but the noticed your kids are still very young. Recently hosted some Home Schoolers to our Programme and they were simply overwhelmingly happy at the results. Please check out our website http://www.theparagongeneration.co.za but get back to me on facebook in case you know somebody who might be interested.many blessings
Hi Taryn
I’m a new home schooling mommy and a fellow western cape mom.
Just wanted to give you a shout out!
Love reading your blog.
Thanks Latasha! And all the best with your homeschooling journey.
Hi, I have a question and wondered if anyone could help? My 8 year old son is being homeschooled this year with a teacher for medical reasons. The one on one tuition is fantastic but he is really struggling with the lack of social contact with other boys his age. He can’t play sport at the moment but he is normally an active, outdoor child who enjoys just about everything that involves other kids his age How do other homeschooling parents manage the social side? We live in the southern suburbs in Cape Town. Any ideas of places he could go to play with others?
Hi Denise – I recommend that you join up with the Facebook group Homeschool Western Cape: http://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoolwesterncape. This group often has meet ups and other such activities where children can meet up and get to know one another. I also recommend youth groups, drama groups and so on. All the best to you
Found your site by googling “homeschooling in south africa.” We currently live in New Orleans, LA, USA, but will be moving to Cape Town within the next year. Praying that the move can happen that quickly. Enjoyed your blog and seeing homeschool moms doing the same things that we are doing an ocean way. Thanks for the encouragement!
exciting times, Amy! I hope that the move goes smoothly. When you join, come to Homeschool Western Cape group on Facebook…